The Effect of COVID-19 on Israeli Ophthalmology Departments: Directors' Perspectives.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented a major medical management challenge to ophthalmology departments throughout Israel. OBJECTIVES: To examine the managerial challenges, actions taken, and insights of directors of ophthalmology departments in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We conducted a cross sectional survey of directors of ophthalmology departments during the COVID-19 pandemic while the Israeli population was quarantined. RESULTS: All 21 directors answered the survey. The majority of the COVID-19 admissions were located in the center of Israel (53%) and Jerusalem (30%). E-communication took a central role in coping with the pandemic with 80% of the directors satisfied with this form of communication; 75% reported a reduction in clinical and surgery volume of at least 25%, and 40% reported reallocations of manpower. Most of the medical staff used gloves, a face shield, disposable robe, and a mask with no uniformity across departments. Cross satisfaction was noted regarding a hospital's ability to equip the departments. Lack of preparation for post-pandemic era was reported by all directors, but one (95%). Directors sought guidelines and uniformity regarding outpatient referral to the hospital (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines via safe digital platforms aid in management decisions and uniformity across departments. Advanced preparation is needed to prevent adverse clinical outcomes and to maintain treatment continuum. Our results can be used to guide and help improve the preparedness of ophthalmology departments during COVID-19 and for future pandemics.

Prepregnancy handling of antineoplastic drugs and risk of miscarriage in female nurses.

PURPOSE: To examine the association betweenantineoplastic drug (AD) handling and risk of miscarriage. METHODS: Nurses' Health Study-3 participants self-reported AD administration and engineering controls (ECs) and personal protective equipment (PPE) use at baseline. We estimated the hazard ratio (HR) of miscarriage in relation to baseline AD handling using multivariable Cox proportional regression. RESULTS: Overall, 2440 nurses reported 3327 pregnancies, with 550 (17%) ended in miscarriages. Twelve percent of nurses self-reported currently handling AD and 28% previously handling AD. Compared with nurses who never handled AD, nurses who handled AD at baseline had an adjusted HR of miscarriage of 1.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.64). This association was stronger after 12-weeks gestation (HR=2.39 [95% CI, 1.13-5.07]). Nurses who did not always use gloves had HR of 1.51 (95% CI, 0.91-2.51) compared with 1.19 (95% CI, 0.89-1.60) for those always using gloves; nurses who did not always use gowns had HR of 1.32 (95% CI, 0.95-1.83) compared with 1.19 (95% CI, 0.81-1.75) for nurses always using gowns. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a suggestive association between AD handling and miscarriage, particularly among nurses who did not consistently use PPE and EC with stronger associations for second trimester losses.

Exposure of Agriculture Workers to Pesticides: The Effect of Heat on Protective Glove Performance and Skin Exposure to Dichlorvos.

Dichlorvos is a toxic organophosphate insecticide that is used in agriculture and other insecticide applications. Dermal uptake is a known exposure route for dichlorvos and chemical protective gloves are commonly utilized. Chemical handling and application may occur in a variety of thermal environments, and the rates of both chemical permeation through gloves and transdermal penetration may vary significantly with temperature. There has been no published research on the temperature-dependent kinetics of these processes for dichlorvos and thus, this study reports on the effects of hot conditions for the concentrated and application strength chemical. Dichlorvos breakthrough times for non-disposable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves at 60 °C were approximately halved compared to 25 °C for the concentrate (2 vs. 4 h) and more than halved at application strength (3 vs. >8 h). From permeation experiments covering 15-60 °C, there was a 460-fold increase in cumulative permeation over 8 h for the concentrated dichlorvos and the estimated activation energy halved. Elevated temperature was also shown to be a significant factor for human skin penetration increasing the cumulative penetration of concentrate dichlorvos from 179 ± 37 to 1315 ± 362 µg/cm2 (p = 0.0032) and application strength from 29.8 ± 5.7 to 115 ± 19 µg/cm2 (p = 0.0131). This work illustrates the important role temperature plays in glove performance and health risk via dermal exposure. As such, it is important to consider in-use conditions of temperature when implementing chemical hygiene programs.

Reduction of Operator Hand Exposure in Interventional Radiology With a Novel Finger Sack Using Tungsten-containing Rubber.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the x-ray shielding ability of a novel tungsten-particle-containing rubber-based finger sack for use in interventional radiology. Shielding rates for the air kerma (mGy m) were measured using a semiconductor dosimeter with and without the finger sack and commercial lead gloves, at a 20 cm distance from the field of view. A C-arm digital angiography system was used with x-ray tube voltages of 60, 80, 100, and 120 kVp. In addition, the 70 µm dose equivalent to the operator's finger was measured using fluorescent glass dosimeters with and without the finger sack during interventional radiology examinations. The x-ray shielding rates for 60, 80, 100, and 120 kV x rays were 98.0 ± 0.03%, 94.8 ± 0.05%, 92.3 ± 0.12%, and 90.1 ± 0.03%, respectively, with the finger sack and 69.8 ± 0.39%, 61.0 ± 0.53%, 52.3 ± 0.52%, and 47.0 ± 0.69% with the lead gloves. The x-ray shielding rates for the fluoroscopy and cine mode with the finger sack were 91.3 ± 0.21% and 56.5 ± 0.58%, respectively, while with the lead gloves they were 96.5 ± 0.04% and 67.6 ± 0.33%. The 70 µm dose equivalent for the operator's finger exposure dose was reduced by approximately 39.4% using the finger sack. The finger shields were more user friendly, had excellent radiation shielding ability against x rays, and should reduce finger exposure in interventional radiology.

Hands hygiene and the use of gloves by nursing team in hemodialysis service / Higiene de las manos y el uso de guantes por la enfermería en hemodiálises / Higiene das mãos e uso de luvas pela enfermagem em hemodiálise

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the adhesion of the nursing team to the practice of hands hygiene (HH) and the use of latex gloves in a hemodialysis service. Method: this is a descriptive-exploratory study with a quantitative approach, performed between August and October 2016 in a hemodialysis service in the countryside of São Paulo State, Brazil, where the nursing team adhered to HH and the use of gloves. All ethical aspects have been contemplated. Results: there were 1090 opportunities for HH, with the adhesion rate being only 16.6%. Regarding the use of gloves, of the 510 opportunities observed, there was correct use in 45%, reuse in 25% and absence of latex gloves in 29% of the time. Conclusion: the rate of HH and adherence to gloves is far from ideal, contributing to the increased risk of infection for both the user and the professional.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la adhesión del equipo de enfermería a la práctica de higienización de las manos (HM) y al uso de guantes en un servicio de hemodiálisis. Método: el estudio descriptivo-exploratorio y cuantitativo, realizado entre agosto y octubre de 2016 en un servicio de hemodiálisis del interior del estado de São Paulo, Brasil, donde se observó la adhesión del equipo de enfermería a la HM y al uso de guantes. Todos los aspectos éticos fueron contemplados. Resultados: se observó 1090 oportunidades de HM, siendo la tasa de adhesión de apenas el 16,6%. En cuanto al uso de guantes, de las 510 oportunidades observadas, hubo utilización correcta en un 45%, la reutilización en un 25% y ausencia del uso de guantes en un 29%. Conclusion: la tasa de HM y la adhesión al uso de guantes están muy por debajo del ideal, contribuyendo al aumento del riesgo de infección, tanto para el usuario y para el profesional.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a adesão da equipe de enfermagem à prática de higienização das mãos (HM) e ao uso de luvas em um serviço de hemodiálise. Método: estudo descritivo-exploratório de abordagem quantitativa, realizado entre agosto e outubro de 2016 em um serviço de hemodiálise do interior do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, onde foi observada a adesão da equipe de enfermagem à HM e ao uso de luvas. Todos os aspectos éticos foram contemplados. Resultados: observou-se 1090 oportunidades de HM, sendo a taxa de adesão de apenas 16,6%. Quanto ao uso de luvas, das 510 oportunidades observadas, houve utilização correta em 45%, a reutilização em 25% e ausência do uso de luvas em 29% das vezes. Conclusão: a taxa de HM e a adesão ao uso de luvas estão muito aquém do ideal, contribuindo para o aumento do risco de infecção, tanto para o usuário como para o profissional.

A survey on selection, use, maintenance, and management of chemical protective gloves at workplaces in Japan.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to survey the selection, use, and maintenance of chemical protective gloves (CPGs) at real workplaces. METHODS: Subjects comprised 817 workers using CPGs at seven domestic manufacturing plants in Japan. We administered an anonymous questionnaire survey comprising the following aspect related to CPGs: environment of use, conditions of use, method of selection, knowledge/awareness pertaining to their use, method of use, precautionary measures associated with their use, maximum time of use, and maintenance. We compared responses provided by management staff and field workers. Chi square test was used for the analysis. RESULTS: Respondents included 661 (80.9%) manufacturing workers, 121 (14.8%) managers or supervisors, and 35 (4.3%) others. In total, 70.5% organic solvents, 28.9% acid or/and alkali, 18.1% dust, and 10.3% carcinogenic substances were the chemical substances handled using CPGs. The reason for deciding to wear CPGs was "the use of chemical substances" for 46.5%, "notice in safety data sheet (SDS) " for 29.8%, and "management staffs' guidance" for 21.4% respondents. "The grasp of chemical substances" was 70.1% (91.1% excluding "not applicable" ). "Warning of caution on skin and eyes" was indicated by 69.5% (91.0%) and "educational reasons for use of CPGs" was accepted by 68.1% (90.7%) respondents. On the other hand, the rate of responses such as "obtaining permeability test results of target substances" and "mixed substances are selected considering substances with short permeation time" was 25.2% (38.4%) and 29.2% (48.4%), respectively. The rate of "yes" as a response in the item concerning "permeation test" was low. On comparing the response provided by the management staff and field workers, the rate of "the permeation test result of the target substance was obtained" was 27.7% for management staff and 41.2% for field workers (p = 0.022). Regarding the cuffs of CPGs, the rate of "to fold back and to prevent sagging" and "mounted with tape" were 30.5% and 21.8% for management staff and 50.2% and 42.2% for field workers (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001), respectively. DISCUSSION: This survey results suggested that the knowledge of "permeation test" of CPGs was not yet popular at industrial workplaces. It is necessary to disseminate knowledge related to "permeation test" to the users from manufacturers of CPGs. Additionally, the employer should appoint an administrator to ensure that CPGs are worn and increase the understanding of correct knowledge and usage of CPGs among workers.

Occupational Skin Disease Prevention: An Educational Intervention for Hairdresser Cosmetology Students.

Cosmetologists frequently develop occupational skin disease related to workplace exposures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate an educational intervention to increase cosmetology students' occupational skin disease knowledge and use of preventive practices. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate students' knowledge, behaviors, intentions, expectancies, and expectations. A 20-minute verbal presentation and printed two-page educational handout were provided for participants. Statistically significant increases in knowledge, frequency of glove use, and frequency of moisturizer use were found, but the frequency of handwashing did not increase. In addition, the Behavioral Strategies subscale, the Intention subscale, and the Expectancies subscale showed statistically significant improvements. The results of this study suggest an educational intervention can increase cosmetology students' knowledge of occupational skin diseases and their use of preventive strategies.

Biossegurança em serviço de embelezamento: conhecimento e práticas em uma capital do nordeste brasileiro / Bioseguridad en los centros de embellecimento: conocimientos y prácticas en una capital del nordeste brasileño / Biosafety in beauty centers: knowledge and practices in a state capital in Northeast Brazil

Resumo OBJETIVO Avaliar o conhecimento e as práticas de biossegurança adotadas por profissionais do segmento da beleza. MÉTODOS Pesquisa descritiva do tipo survey. Foram entrevistados 238 profissionais de serviços de embelezamento entre agosto de 2014 e 2015. As variáveis foram apresentadas por meio de frequências absolutas e relativas, bem como média e desvio padrão. RESULTADOS 62,6% dos profissionais tiveram contato com sangue de clientes sem uso de luvas; instrumentais para o atendimento e 32,8% dos entrevistados não utilizaram equipamentos de proteção individual durante suas atividades laborais. CONCLUSÕES As doenças mais citadas quanto ao risco de contágio e de transmissão na prática laboral foram as hepatites virais, HIV e fungos. Quanto aos procedimentos de biossegurança adotados, o autoclave é o equipamento menos usado na esterilização dos instrumentos.

Resumen OBJETIVO Evaluar el conocimiento y las prácticas de bioseguridad adoptadas por profesionales del segmento del embellecimiento. MÉTODOS Evaluar el conocimiento y las prácticas de bioseguridad adoptadas por profesionales del segmento del embellecimiento. RESULTADOS: 62,6% de los profesionales tuvieron contacto con sangre de clientes sin el uso de guantes; el 74,4% higienizaban las manos entre los atendimientos, el 16,8% reutilizaban materiales desechables. Ningún profesional informó la cantidad adecuada de instrumentos y el 32,8% de los entrevistados no utilizaban equipos de protección individual durante sus actividades laborales. CONCLUSIONES Las enfermedades más citadas con respecto al riesgo de contagio y de transmisión en la práctica laboral fueron las hepatitis virales, el VIH y los hongos. Acerca de los procedimientos de bioseguridad adoptados, el autoclave fue el aparato menos utilizado en la esterilización de los instrumentos.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the knowledge and biosafety practices adopted by professionals of the beauty segment. METHODS Descriptive study, of survey type. 238 professionals of the beauty segment were interviewed between August 2014 and 2015. The variables were expressed by means of absolute and relative frequencies, as well as average and standard deviation. RESULTS 62.6% of the interviwed professionals reported having had contact with blood from customers when they were not wearing gloves; 74.4% said they washed their hands before and after each service, and only 16.8% of the respondents reported reusing nonsterilizable materials. None of them was able to inform the correct number of sets of tools needed , and 32.8% of the respondents did not use Personal Protective Equipment during their work activities. CONCLUSIONS The most frequently reported diseases associated with the risk of infection and transmission in the work activities were viral hepatitis, HIV and fungi. Regarding the biosafety procedures adopted, autoclave is the least used method for sterilizing devices. Keywords: Beauty and aesthetics centers. Exposure to biological agents. Prevention of diseases.

Mejores prácticas para el lavado y manipulación de la bolsa de alimentación enteral Kangaroo / Best practices for washing and handling of the bag Kangaroo enteral feeding / Melhores práticas para a lavagem e manuseio do saco alimentação enteral Kangaroo

ResumenIntroducción: La nutrición enteral es una valiosa herramienta en la terapia de los pacientes hospitalizados, especialmente en las unidades de cuidado intensivo y en pacientes que, por sus patologías, pierden su habilidad de ingerir alimentos.Metodología: se aplicó la metodología que señala la práctica clínica basada en evidencia (PCBE) que trata de localizar hallazgos que respondan a la pregunta clínica planteada mediante el estudio y análisis de investigaciones primarias y originales de alta calidad científica.Resultados: Ningún estudio respondió directamente a la pregunta, sin embargo, varias investigaciones aluden que el lavado de manos y el uso de guantes limpios funcionan como estrategia para la manipulación y lavado de este dispositivo. La calidad de los estudios encontrados es baja ya que provienen de investigaciones basadas en la opinión de expertos y revisión de literatura de poca calidad.Conclusiones:No se encuentra evidencia significativa que respalde el uso de técnica aséptica médica y quirúrgica para el manejo y lavado de la bolsa Kangaroo de alimentación enteral.

AbstractIntroduction. Enteral nutrition is a valuable tool in the therapy of hospitalized, especially in intensive care units, and patients for their diseases lose their ability to ingest food patients.Method. The methodology pointing evidence-based clinical practice (PCBE) dealing with the study and analysis of primary and original research of high scientific quality, locating findings that respond to the clinical question posed was applied.Results. No study directly answer the question, however, several investigations allude to the fact that washing hands and using clean gloves as a strategy for handling and washing of this device. The quality of the studies found is low because they come from research based on expert opinion and literature review of low quality.Conclusion. No significant evidence to support the use of medical and surgical aseptic technique for handling and washing Kangaroo Enteral feed bag was found.

ResumoIntrodução.Enteral nutrition é uma ferramenta valiosa na terapia de hospitalizadas, especialmente em unidades de cuidados intensivos, e os pacientes para suas doenças perdem a sua capacidade de ingerir alimentos pacientes.Método. A metodologia apontando prática clínica baseada em evidências (PCBE) lidar com o estudo e análise de pesquisa primária e original de elevada qualidade científica, localização de resultados que respondam à questão clínica proposta foi aplicada.Resultado. Nenhum estudo responder diretamente a questão, no entanto, várias investigações fazem alusão ao fato de que lavar as mãos e usar luvas limpas como uma estratégia para a manipulação e lavagem deste dispositivo. A qualidade dos estudos encontrados é baixa, porque eles vêm de uma pesquisa com base em opinião de especialistas e revisão da literatura de baixo qualidade.Conclusão.Nenhuma evidência significativa para apoiar o uso da técnica médica e cirúrgica asséptica para manusear e lavar o saco de alimentação Canguru Enteral foi encontrado.

Utilização das luvas na prática de enfermagem e suas implicações: estudo metodológico / Glove use in nursing practice and its implications: a methodological study / Utilización de los guantes en la práctica de enfermería y sus implicaciones: estudio metodológico

Este artigo originou-se da segunda categoria que emergiu na Dissertação de Mestrado Profissional intitulada "Tecnologia educacional como estratégia para o uso de luvas pelos profissionais de Enfermagem visando a precaução de contato",apresentada à banca examinadora da Escola de Enfermagem Aurora de Afonso Costa (UFF). OBJETIVO: identificar os fatores que interferem na adesão e/ou adequação às medidas de precaução de contato na utilização das luvas de procedimentos e estéreis pela equipe de enfermagem. MÉTODO: estudo metodológico com abordagem quantiqualitativa. Com um total de 66 participantes distribuídos em 4 etapas. NA 1ª etapa, foram entrevistados 45 profissionais de enfermagem das clínicas cirúrgicas em um hospital universitário entre janeiro e março de 2014. RESULTADOS: 93% dos profissionais apontam falhas no uso de luvas, e somente 7% não observam falhas. CONCLUSÃO: a adequação no uso de luvas é determinante para a segurança do paciente, do profissional, da sociedade e do ambiente.

This article originated from the second category that emerged on the professional master's dissertation entitled "Educational technology as a strategy for the use of gloves by nursing professionals aiming the contact precaution", presented to the Review Board of the nursing school Aurora de Afonso Costa, Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF ­ Fluminense Federal University). AIM: to identify the factors that interfere in the adhesion and/or adequacy of the precautionary contact measures in the use of procedure sterile gloves by the nursing team. METHOD: this is a methodological study using a quantitative approach, with a total of 66 participants distributed in four stages. In the first stage, 45 nursing professionals from the surgical clinics were interviewed in a university hospital between January and March 2014. RESULTS: 93% of the professionals report a failure in the use of gloves and only 7% do not observe failures. CONCLUSION: the suitability of gloves is crucial for the safety of patients, professionals, society and the environment.

Este artículo se originó de la segunda categoría que surgió en laDisertación de Maestría Profesional titulada "Tecnología educacional como estrategia para el uso de guantes por los profesionales de Enfermería buscando la precaución de contacto", presentada a la banca examinadora de la E scuela de E nfermería A urora de Afonso Costa (UFF). OBJETIVO: identificar los factores que interfieren en la adhesión y/o adecuación a las medidas de precaución de contacto en la utilización de los guantes de procedimientos y estériles por el equipo de enfermería. MÉTODO: estudio metodológico con abordaje cuanticualitativo. Con un total de 66 participantes distribuidos en 4 etapas. En la 1ª etapa, fueron entrevistados 45 profesionales de enfermería de las clínicas quirúrgicas en un hospital universitario entre enero y marzo de 2014. RESULTADOS: 93% de los profesionales apuntan fallas en el uso de guantes, y solamente 7% no observan fallas. CONCLUSIÓN: la adecuación en el uso de guantes es determinante para la seguridad del paciente, del profesional, de la sociedad y del ambiente.

Nurse Adherence to Safe-Handling Practices: Observation Versus Self-Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy medications place nurses at risk for occupational exposure, a primary nursing safety concern. No literature was available on adherence to following chemotherapy handling practices and nurses' perceptions of safe-handling practices. OBJECTIVES: The aims of the pilot study were to examine actual and subjective ambulatory oncology nurse adherence to chemotherapy safe-handling guideline recommendations that prevent chemotherapy exposure. METHODS: A prospective, comparative mixed-methods study was used to compare objective and subjective nurse behaviors of expected safe chemotherapy handling-specifically, micro-ethnography and questionnaires. Fisher's exact test was used to assess differences in the rates of observations and questionnaire responses. FINDINGS: Twenty-two cases of chemotherapy handling were observed, and 12 of 33 nurses completed self-assessments. Of observed practices, nurses completed three behaviors 100% of the time (disposing of gloves in a chemotherapy-approved container after initiating chemotherapy, discarding the chemotherapy bag and tubing after disconnecting chemotherapy infusions, and washing hands after chemotherapy was administered). When objective and subjective behavior adherence were compared, three behaviors were carried out with greater frequency than what nurses perceived on questionnaires (double gloving and gowning when disconnecting chemotherapy and properly discarding chemotherapy). Two behaviors were carried out with less frequency than nurses provided on questionnaires (double gloving and protecting work surfaces during administration).

Predictors of adherence to safe handling practices for antineoplastic drugs: A survey of hospital nurses.

Despite growing awareness of the hazards of exposure to antineoplastic drugs (ADs), surveys continue to find incomplete adherence to recommended safe handling guidelines. A 2011 survey of healthcare workers presents an opportunity to examine factors associated with adherence among 1094 hospital nurses who administered ADs. Data for these hypothesis-generating analyses were taken from an anonymous, web-based survey of healthcare workers. Regression modeling was used to examine associations between a number of predictors (engineering controls, work practices, nurse perceptions, and nurse and hospital characteristics) and three outcomes reported by nurses: use of personal protective equipment (PPE); activities performed with gloves previously worn to administer ADs; and spills of ADs. Adherence to safe handling guidelines was not universal, and AD spills were reported by 9.5% of nurses during the week prior to the survey. Familiarity with safe handling guidelines and training in safe handling were associated with more reported PPE use. Nurse-perceived availability of PPE was associated with more reported PPE use and lower odds of reported spills. Use of closed system drug-transfer devices and luer-lock fittings also decreased the odds of self-reported AD spills, while more frequent AD administration increased the risk. AD administration frequency was also associated with performing more activities with gloves previously worn to administer ADs, and nurse perception of having adequate time for taking safety precautions with fewer such activities. The results suggest that training and familiarity with guidelines for safe handling of ADs, adequate time to adhere to guidelines, and availability of PPE and certain engineering controls are key to ensuring adherence to safe handling practices. Further assessment of training components and engineering controls would be useful for tailoring interventions targeting these areas.

Health Care Workers' Knowledge, Perceptions, and Behaviors Regarding Antineoplastic Drugs: Survey From British Columbia, Canada.

Although nurses are knowledgeable regarding the risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs, they often do not adhere with safe work practices. However, the knowledge, perceptions, and behavior of other health care job categories at risk of exposure has yet to be determined. This study aimed to survey a range of health care workers from British Columbia, Canada about their knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors regarding antineoplastic drugs. A self-administered questionnaire was sent to participants querying the degree of contact with antineoplastics, knowledge of risks associated with antineoplastics, perceptions of personal risk, previous training with respect to antineoplastics, and safe work practices. Subjects were recruited from health care facilities in and around Vancouver. Fisher's exact tests were performed to ascertain whether there were differences in responses between job categories. We received responses from 120 participants representing seven different job categories. Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nurses were more knowledgeable regarding risks than other job categories examined (statistically significant difference). Although 80% of respondents were not afraid of working with or near antineoplastics, there were concerns about the suitability of current control measures and practices employed by co-workers. Only half of respondents felt confident that they could handle all situations where there was a potential for exposure. Only one of the perception questions, self-perceived risk of exposure to antineoplastic drugs, differed significantly between job categories. Not all respondents always wore gloves when directly handling antineoplastic drugs. Further, hand hygiene was not regularly practiced after glove usage or after being in an area where antineoplastic drugs are handled. The majority of responses to questions related to safe work practices differed significantly between job categories. Our results suggest that knowledge regarding risks associated with antineoplastic drugs can be improved, especially among job categories that are not tasked with drug preparation or drug administration. There is also a gap between knowledge and compliance with glove usage and hand hygiene.Training is also recommended to improve health care workers' perceptions of the risks associated with antineoplastic drugs.

Adherence to Precautionary Guidelines for Compounding Antineoplastic Drugs: A Survey of Nurses and Pharmacy Practitioners.

Precautionary guidelines detailing standards of practice and equipment to eliminate or minimize exposure to antineoplastic drugs during handling activities have been available for nearly three decades. To evaluate practices for compounding antineoplastic drugs, the NIOSH Health and Safety Practices Survey of Healthcare Workers was conducted among members of professional practice organizations representing primarily oncology nurses, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. This national survey is the first in over 20 years to examine self-reported use of engineering, administrative, and work practice controls and PPE by pharmacy practitioners for minimizing exposure to antineoplastic drugs. The survey was completed by 241 nurses and 183 pharmacy practitioners who compounded antineoplastic drugs in the seven days prior to the survey. They reported: not always wearing two pairs of chemotherapy gloves (85%, 47%, respectively) or even a single pair (8%, 10%); not always using closed system drug-transfer devices (75%, 53%); not always wearing recommended gown (38%, 20%); I.V. lines sometimes/always primed with antineoplastic drug (19%, 30%); and not always using either a biological safety cabinet or isolator (9%, 15%). They also reported lack of: hazard awareness training (9%, 13%); safe handling procedures (20%, 11%); and medical surveillance programs (61%, 45%). Both employers and healthcare workers share responsibility for adhering to precautionary guidelines and other best practices. Employers can ensure that: workers are trained regularly; facility safe-handling procedures reflecting national guidelines are in place and support for their implementation is understood; engineering controls and PPE are available and workers know how to use them; and medical surveillance, exposure monitoring, and other administrative controls are in place. Workers can seek out training, understand and follow facility procedures, be role models for junior staff, ask questions, and report any safety concerns.

Protective glove use and hygiene habits modify the associations of specific pesticides with Parkinson's disease.

Pesticides have been associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), and protective gloves and workplace hygiene can reduce pesticide exposure. We assessed whether use of gloves and workplace hygiene modified associations between pesticides and PD. The Farming and Movement Evaluation (FAME) study is a nested case-control study within the Agricultural Health Study. Use of protective gloves, other PPE, and hygiene practices were determined by questionnaire (69 cases and 237 controls were included). We considered interactions of gloves and hygiene with ever-use of pesticides for all pesticides with ≥5 exposed and unexposed cases and controls in each glove-use stratum (paraquat, permethrin, rotenone, and trifluralin). 61% of respondents consistently used protective gloves and 87% consistently used ≥2 hygiene practices. Protective glove use modified the associations of paraquat and permethrin with PD: neither pesticide was associated with PD among protective glove users, while both pesticides were associated with PD among non-users (paraquat OR 3.9 [95% CI 1.3, 11.7], interaction p=0.15; permethrin OR 4.3 [95% CI 1.2, 15.6] interaction p=0.05). Rotenone was associated with PD regardless of glove use. Trifluralin was associated with PD among participants who used <2 hygiene practices (OR 5.5 [95% CI 1.1, 27.1]) but was not associated with PD among participants who used 2 or more practices (interaction p=0.02). Although sample size was limited in the FAME study, protective glove use and hygiene practices appeared to be important modifiers of the association between pesticides and PD and may reduce risk of PD associated with certain pesticides.

Time to take the gloves off: the use of radiation reduction gloves can greatly increase patient dose.

Sterile radiation reduction gloves have been widely used over the past several decades in an effort to reduce hand doses during fluoroscopically guided proce- dures. While multiple studies have quantified the potential dose reduction to the fluoroscope operator from the use of such gloves, possible effects on the patient have not yet been quantified. The aim of this study was to examine the impact on patient dose when radiation reduction gloves are used. The impact on patient dose when using radiation reduction gloves in the field of view (FOV) was evalu- ated by measuring patient entrance surface dose rates (ESDR) using three C-arm fluoroscopes for a range of patient sizes and different operating and magnification modes. Multiple measuring fields were used in combination with both peripheral and central glove placement. ESDR were measured with no glove in the FOV, with one radiation reduction glove, and with double gloves in the FOV, to replicate the actions of some fluoroscope operators. Compared to an ungloved hand, the use of a single radiation reduction glove in the measuring field resulted in up to a 2.8-fold increase in ESDR. The use of double radiation reduction gloves resulted in up to a 4.9-fold increase in ESDR. In both cases, the increase in ESDR was dependent on the size of the patient and on the operating and magnification modes used, and ranged from no increase up to the aforementioned maximum. When used in the FOV, and particularly within the measuring field, radiation reduction gloves can substantially increase ESDR. This increase in dose, when considered against the relatively small published reduction in dose to the operator's hands, may mean that the increased risks from the use of radiation reduction gloves outweigh the benefits. In any case, hands should not be placed in the FOV if not required by the goals of the procedure. 

Adherence to safe handling guidelines by health care workers who administer antineoplastic drugs.

The toxicity of antineoplastic drugs is well documented. Many are known or suspected human carcinogens where no safe exposure level exists. Authoritative guidelines developed by professional practice organizations and federal agencies for the safe handling of these hazardous drugs have been available for nearly three decades. As a means of evaluating the extent of use of primary prevention practices such as engineering, administrative and work practice controls, personal protective equipment (PPE), and barriers to using PPE, the National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a web survey of health care workers in 2011. The study population primarily included members of professional practice organizations representing health care occupations which routinely use or come in contact with selected chemical agents. All respondents who indicated that they administered antineoplastic drugs in the past week were eligible to complete a hazard module addressing self-reported health and safety practices on this topic. Most (98%) of the 2069 respondents of this module were nurses. Working primarily in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and physician offices, respondents reported that they had collectively administered over 90 specific antineoplastic drugs in the past week, with carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel the most common. Examples of activities which increase exposure risk, expressed as percent of respondents, included: failure to wear nonabsorbent gown with closed front and tight cuffs (42%); intravenous (I.V.) tubing primed with antineoplastic drug by respondent (6%) or by pharmacy (12%); potentially contaminated clothing taken home (12%); spill or leak of antineoplastic drug during administration (12%); failure to wear chemotherapy gloves (12%); and lack of hazard awareness training (4%). The most common reason for not wearing gloves or gowns was "skin exposure was minimal"; 4% of respondents, however, reported skin contact during handling and administration. Despite the longstanding availability of safe handling guidance, recommended practices are not always followed, underscoring the importance of training and education for employers and workers.

Hand eczema in The Odense Adolescence Cohort Study on Atopic Diseases and Dermatitis (TOACS): prevalence, incidence and risk factors from adolescence to adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have evaluated the incidence and prevalence of hand eczema in unselected adults. However, no studies have followed unselected adolescents from primary school into adult life to evaluate the course and risk factors for hand eczema. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence of hand eczema from adolescence to adulthood and the prevalence of hand eczema in young adults, together with risk factors for hand eczema. METHODS: A cohort of 1501 unselected eighth-grade schoolchildren (mean age 14 years) was established in 1995. In 2010, 1206 young adults from the cohort were asked to complete a questionnaire and participate in a clinical examination, including patch testing. RESULTS: The incidence of hand eczema was 8·8 per 1000 person-years. The 1-year-period prevalence of hand eczema in the young adults was 14·3% (127 of 891) and the point prevalence 7·1% (63 of 891), with significantly higher prevalence in females. At the clinical examination 6·4% (30 of 469) had hand eczema. Factors in childhood of importance for adult hand eczema were atopic dermatitis and hand eczema. Wet work in adulthood was a risk factor, as was taking care of small children at home. Interestingly, hand eczema among unselected young adults was associated with sick leave/pension/rehabilitation, indicating possible severe social consequences. Only 39·0% of patients participated in the clinical examination, while 75·0% answered the questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: A high incidence and prevalence of hand eczema were found in 28-30-year-old adults, and were highly associated with childhood hand eczema and atopic dermatitis, along with wet work and taking care of small children in adulthood. There was no association with smoking, education level or nickel allergy in childhood.