Helena Ullgren, Karolinska University Hospital and Regional cancer-center, Stockholm-Gotland, President Swedish Cancer Nursing Society and co-chair of European Oncology nursing Society (EONS) Advocacy group, ONS, MSc Palliative Care, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden, gives insight on a survey run by EONS that gathered data from 38 European countries regarding patient safety in terms of cytotoxic drugs management. A worrying amount of nurses have reported that guidelines are not being followed to their full extent. The reason for such is not lack of access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), rather an intense work environment alongside a lack of expertize about health and safety protocols concerning administration of cytotoxic drugs. The survey sheds light on the alarming fact that special attention is not given to pregnant nurses whose work tasks involve exposure to cytotoxic drugs, emphasising the need to update directives such as those regarding cytotoxic mutagens. This interview was recorded via an online conference call with The Video Journal of Oncology (VJOncology).
