Introduction: The number of drugs used by healthcare workers increases proportionately with the number of newly discovered diseases. Antineoplastic drugs have non-selective affect on human cells. They affect damaged cells, but also the healty ones. With increased usage of those drugs, the risk of exposure for healthcare workers increases as well. Objective: The purpouse of diploma work is to find out the affect of antineoplastic drugs on reproductive health of healthcare workers and introduce the safety recommendations for handling antineoplastic drugs and reduce risk of exposure. Methods: We used descriptive method of work. Professional and scientific literature was reviewed. We used databases CINAHL and Medline for literature search. Key words that we used were: antineoplastic agents, anticancer treatment, chemotherapy, reproductive health, healthcare workers or nurses or medical workers or healthcare professionals. Using key words, we got the search string that lead to 190 hits. Exclusion criteria was: articles older than 10 years, articles not written in english language. We also excludet diploma works and masters thesis. Results: antineoplastic drugs affect reproductive health of health care workers. The number of sponatneous abortions is greatly increased at health care workers handling antineoplastic drugs. The level of oxidative stress is also greatly increased at those workers. The most effective measures for protection are: cleaning and disinfiction of hands and patients immediate environment, using the personal protective equipment at contact with antineoplastic drugs, transport, handling, ventilated kabins, closed systems and education for workers. Discussion: Antineoplastic drugs are dangerous drugs, that can affect health care workers health in different ways. They are oftenly used in health care system. Regarding the results of our literature review, we recommend further reaserch on how to minimize exposure of health care workers.
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