Safe medication management practices not only improve the quality of care for those receiving chemotherapy but also protect the healthcare providers from the possible occupational hazards of chemotherapy. Study objectives were to assess medication management practices at Day Care Facility of Medical Oncology and compare the results with the American Society of Clinical Oncology/ Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards. Study was carried out at Day Care Facility, of Regional Cancer Centre of North India over a period of two months from 1st March 2012 to 30th April 2012. This study is descriptive and observational in nature. Key informants were selected by purposive sampling and interviewed to gain an insight into steps and processes involved in Medication Management. Unstructured interviews were done with three doctors and six nurses posted in day care facility. Unstructured in-depth Interview with Nursing In charge, Staff Nurses, Store officer, Store keeper and Group D staff was carried out. Medication management practices were evaluated against standards prescribed by American Society of Clinical Oncology/ Oncology Nursing Society Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards. All the parameters were assigned equal weightage and scoring was done by assigning non-compliance, partial compliance and compliance on a score of 0, 5 and 10 respectively. Data was collected through direct participant observation and by studying relevant hospital records. Overall compliance against the standards was observed to be 55.32%.

 

Keywords: Medication Management, Day Care Facility, Chemotherapy, Patient Safety