Conducting a risk assessment of occupational hazardous drug exposure for nurses and midwives in an Australian health service: A multiple methods approach

Some drugs are toxic, even in small amounts. These drugs can cause cancer, harm an unborn baby, damage genes or hurt important organs like the kidneys and liver. Aside from cytotoxic or antineoplastic drugs used for cancer treatments, most nurses and midwives are unaware of their occupational exposure risk from hazardous drugs. My research investigated the healthcare settings where nurses and midwives are exposed to hazardous drugs during their routine work, and their knowledge and practices around mitigating this risk. This culminated in a risk management plan to safeguard nurses’ and midwives’ current and future health.