title: Preparing cytotoxic agents in an isolator.
abstract: The design of an isolator and its use by an oncology satellite pharmacy for preparing cytotoxic drugs are described. The isolator (Iso Concept, Boulogne, France) is a totally enclosed ventilated biological-safety cabinet of class III polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with positive air pressure, a half-suit with a rotating seal, and attached neoprene gloves. There are three work-stations, one for the half-suit and two along one side of the isolator. The ventilation and air filtration system consists of one entry pipe with a full ventilation-filtration box fitted with one prefilter, one blower, one ball valve, one high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, one airtight nipple connected to an automatic sterilizer, alarms, and one exhaust pipe protected by a HEPA filter. The air lock consists of a rigid, transparent Plexiglas pass-through. The chamber is sterilized with heated compressed air mixed with 3.5% peracetic acid. Maintenance includes regular changing of gloves and HEPA filters; checking of the integrity of the PVC, half-suit, and gloves; and washing and decontamination procedures. Preparation of cytotoxics is planned in advance with prescription data and manufacturing sheets. In the half-suit, a pharmacy technician reads the label, supervises preparation of the sterile admixture, and writes a label. The operators on the side of the unit read the manufacturing sheet and prepare the dose identified by the label.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Pharmacy Service, CHU G. Doumergue, Nîmes, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Favier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hansel
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bressolle
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003264:Containment of Biohazards / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004356:Drug Storage; D004867:Equipment Design; D005602:France; D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006746:Hospital Bed Capacity, 500 and over; D006801:Humans; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D011482:Protective Devices; D013242:Sterilization
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents