The airline attendant instructs passengers in the event of an emergency to always put their safety equipment on first then help those who need assistance. This same message is resonating across healthcare systems from regulatory bodies to nurses and other healthcare providers administering and handling hazardous drugs (HDs). In order to safely treat and care for our patients, healthcare providers must first protect themselves.  In the effort to provide patients the best care possible, many nurses have sacrificed their own safety from skipping out on lunch, having minimum to no bathroom breaks, and not properly wearing their personal protective equipment (PPE). However, this effort from nurses can be detrimental to their own health. If nurses are not healthy how can they care for their patients?  Read more at https://www.oncnursingnews.com/contributor/karen-harris/2019/05/safety-first-the-importance-of-personal-protective-equipment.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center — has devoted more than 130 years to exceptional patient care, innovative research, and outstanding educational programs. Today, we are one of 50 National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, with state-of-the-art science flourishing side by side with clinical studies and treatment. The close collaboration between our physicians and scientists is one of our unique strengths, enabling us to provide patients with the best care available as we work to discover more-effective strategies to prevent, control, and ultimately cure cancer in the future. Our education programs train future physicians and scientists, and the knowledge and experience they gain at Memorial Sloan Kettering has an impact on cancer treatment and biomedical research around the world. Learn more about Memorial Sloan Kettering.