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Background <p>When working with cytotoxic drugs, compliance with protective measures is essential. International studies have identified shortcomings in this area. There are no findings on this subject in German veterinary clinics and practices. Thus, we initiated extensive standardized surveys of veterinarians and veterinary assistants in 2024, who should assess the situation in their institution.</p> Methods <p>In March 2024 approximately 1100 questionnaires were sent to veterinarians (VET). The survey focused on a)&#xa0;the exposure to cytostatic drugs in German practices and b)&#xa0;the implementation of organizational and personal protective measures for all activities involving the respective substances. In addition, veterinary assistants (VA) were invited by their professional association to take part in an online survey with the same content. Using bivariate analysis methods at an individual item level and multivariate methods for two weighted sum indices of the items on occupational health and safety quality (index&#xa0;1 without and index&#xa0;2 including preparation of cytostatic components; 0–1 = worst to best quality), the statements of both professional groups and those from practices versus veterinary clinics are compared.</p> Results <p>The response rate from VET was 49% (<i>n</i> = 531) and 91% of all responding VET denied carrying out chemotherapy. Responses on occupational safety when handling cytostatic drugs were available for 29&#xa0;practices and 18&#xa0;clinics. The same applied to 37&#xa0;VA involved in such activities. The mean value of the sum index for all activities except the preparation of cytostatic components was significantly higher for VET (0.84) than for VA (0.61) and higher in clinics than in practices (0.88 vs. 0.76). The mean value for the extended sum index (0.76) was similar.</p> Discussion <p>Occupational safety during preparation and application of chemotherapy being carried out at the workplace by veterinarians in our sample appears to be relatively high. The more positive responses compared to those from veterinary assistants, which also correspond to international studies, could be due to a&#xa0;selection bias in the veterinary collective.</p>

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Arbeitsschutz beim Umgang mit Zytostatika in veterinärmedizinischen Einrichtungen

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月16日

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  • Martina Michaelis,
  • André Heinemann,
  • Johannes Gerding,
  • Albert Nienhaus

摘要

Background

When working with cytotoxic drugs, compliance with protective measures is essential. International studies have identified shortcomings in this area. There are no findings on this subject in German veterinary clinics and practices. Thus, we initiated extensive standardized surveys of veterinarians and veterinary assistants in 2024, who should assess the situation in their institution.

Methods

In March 2024 approximately 1100 questionnaires were sent to veterinarians (VET). The survey focused on a) the exposure to cytostatic drugs in German practices and b) the implementation of organizational and personal protective measures for all activities involving the respective substances. In addition, veterinary assistants (VA) were invited by their professional association to take part in an online survey with the same content. Using bivariate analysis methods at an individual item level and multivariate methods for two weighted sum indices of the items on occupational health and safety quality (index 1 without and index 2 including preparation of cytostatic components; 0–1 = worst to best quality), the statements of both professional groups and those from practices versus veterinary clinics are compared.

Results

The response rate from VET was 49% (n = 531) and 91% of all responding VET denied carrying out chemotherapy. Responses on occupational safety when handling cytostatic drugs were available for 29 practices and 18 clinics. The same applied to 37 VA involved in such activities. The mean value of the sum index for all activities except the preparation of cytostatic components was significantly higher for VET (0.84) than for VA (0.61) and higher in clinics than in practices (0.88 vs. 0.76). The mean value for the extended sum index (0.76) was similar.

Discussion

Occupational safety during preparation and application of chemotherapy being carried out at the workplace by veterinarians in our sample appears to be relatively high. The more positive responses compared to those from veterinary assistants, which also correspond to international studies, could be due to a selection bias in the veterinary collective.