Reduction in surface contamination with antineoplastic drugs in 22 hospital pharmacies in the US following implementation of a closed-system drug transfer device.
OBJECTIVE
Surface contamination with the antineoplastic drugs cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and 5-fluorouracil was compared in 22 US hospital pharmacies following preparation with standard drug preparation techniques or the PhaSeal® closed-system drug transfer device (CSTD).


METHODS
Wipe samples were taken from biological safety cabinet (BSC) surfaces, BSC airfoils, floors in front of BSCs, and counters and analyzed for contamination with cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and 5-fluorouracil. Contamination was reassessed several months after the implementation of the CSTD. Surface contamination (ng/cm(2)) was compared between the two techniques and evaluated with the Signed Rank Test.


RESULTS
Using the CSTD compared to the standard preparation techniques, a significant reduction in levels of contamination was observed for all drugs (cyclophosphamide: p < 0.0001; ifosfamide: p < 0.001; 5-fluorouracil: p < 0.01). Median values for surface contamination with cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and 5-fluorouracil were reduced by 95%, 90%, and 65%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of the CSTD significantly reduces surface contamination when preparing cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and 5-fluorouracil as compared to standard drug preparation techniques.
Sessink
Paul J M
PJ
Exposure Control BV, Wijchen, The Netherlands. info@exposurecontrol.nl
Connor
Thomas H
TH
Jorgenson
James A
JA
Tyler
Timothy G
TG
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000032:analysis*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000032:analysis; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D004867:Equipment Design; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007069:Ifosfamide / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000379:methods*; D011482:Protective Devices; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D007069:Ifosfamide