A study of routines followed and equipment used in 430 hospital wards handling antineoplastic agents.

The routines followed and the equipment used by hospital staff when handling antineoplastic drugs were studied. A questionnaire was sent via the hospital pharmacies to hospital wards which administered antineoplastic drugs at least once a week. The answers received from 430 wards indicate a good understanding and awareness of the risks. Efforts had been made to protect the personnel from potential adverse effects. Efforts had been made to protect the personnel from potential adverse effects from the medications prepared or administered. There was, however, still a shortage of protective equipment such as ventilated cabinets. Existing cabinets were often not used and maintained in a proper manner. On the basis of the responses to the questionnaire, it may be concluded that there is still a need for further evaluation of the routines used in the practical handling of antineoplastic agents in hospital wards.