Workplace Activity in Health Professionals Exposed to Chemotherapy Drugs: An Otoneurological Perspective

Abstract

Introduction The manipulation of antineoplastic drugs presents high risk for accidents and occupational diseases. Objective To evaluate the auditory and vestibular systems of workers who are exposed to chemotherapeutic treatment in the University Hospital of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Brazil, and to identify the use of individual protection equipment, related to the obtained results. Methods This study is a cross-sectional study using a quantitative method. We evaluate 33 male and female workers, ranging from 21–60 years old, of the nursing and pharmacy sectors. The workers underwent conventional Audiologic Assessment; Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions; and Computerized Vectoelectronystagmography. Results The majority of the sample was female (90.9%). Individual protection equipment was used by 90.9% of the workers. Complaints of dizziness were reported by 56.25% of nursing workers and 52.94% of pharmacy workers. Audiological and vestibular assessment results were within normal limits, 96.97% and 74.20%, respectively. However, audiometric configuration of notch type was identified in 75.75% of all workers. Audiometric notches (76%) and altered caloric test (100%) were often associated with decreased use of coal masks. Conclusion Among the workers evaluated, the vestibulocochlear system was within the normal limits. The presence of notch configuration indicates the need to use individual protection equipment.

A Review of Occupational Hazards in Health Sector: Risks and Awareness

“…A study showed that non-rotatory dizziness and neurovegetative symptoms were observed in pharmacists and nurses exposed to chemotherapy medications, with worry and stress being the most common extra-hearing complaints [19]. Thus, an emphasis should be done on wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) during pharmaceutical compounding and dose dispensing of antineoplastic agents.…”

Chemotherapy Safe Handling through Educating Nurses: A Pre-Experimental Study

“…Furthermore, accidental exposure of chemotherapeutic drug(s) can possibly impede reproductive system by two-folds, retard nervous system and increase the likelihood of developing blood cancers [6,7]. A study done in Brazil reported that 75.75% nursing officers exposed to chemotherapeutic agents had audiometric notch, 56.25% had complaints of dizziness and all of them showed alteration in caloric test (100%) [8]. A macro scale RCT performed on about 56,000 registered nurses of Canada stated that they were put in jeopardy on account of their health due to increased risk of developing cancer in rectum and breast post occupational exposure to cytostatic agents [9].…”

Εκτίμηση Και Καταγραφή Διαταραχών Ακοής Σε Μουσικούς

“…Εκτός από την έκθεση σε θόρυβο, έχει παρατηρηθεί ότι και κάποια φαρμακευτικά σκευάσματα σχετίζονται με αυξημένη πιθανότητα εμφάνισης εντομών όπως περιγράφεται σε μια πρωτότυπη μελέτη κατά την οποία παρατηρήθηκαν εντομές σε ποσοστό 76% σε εργαζόμενους οι οποίοι χειρίζονταν χημειοθεραπευτικά φάρμακα παρόλο που το 97% των εργαζομένων είχε ακοόγραμμα εντός φυσιολογικών ορίων (Fernandes et al, 2016).…”