Minimizing Staff Exposure to Antineoplastic Agents 
During Intravesical Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Patient Safety
• Healthcare Technology

Background:

• Healthcare workers administering antineoplastic agents face daily exposure risks.
• While IV chemotherapy administration safety has advanced, intravesical chemotherapy exposure risks remain less addressed.
• Safe handling of biohazard medications is crucial for all involved in chemotherapy administration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel closed system for intravesical chemotherapy administration.
• To compare this new system with existing closed systems reported in the literature.
• To highlight the importance of minimizing exposure risk during intravesical chemotherapy instillation.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a closed system for intravesical chemotherapy at a comprehensive cancer center.
• Literature review and comparison of the developed system with two other reported closed systems.
• Evaluation of system effectiveness in minimizing exposure risk.

Main Results:

• The developed closed system offers a method to reduce exposure risks during intravesical chemotherapy.
• Comparison with existing systems provides insights into best practices for safe handling.
• The study underscores the need for specialized systems for less frequent, high-risk procedures.

Conclusions:

• Closed systems are essential for minimizing exposure risks associated with intravesical chemotherapy.
• Nurses should advocate for advanced chemotherapy administration systems to protect staff and patients.
• Clear procedural guidelines are vital for infrequently performed, high-risk treatments.