title: Reusing cytostatics in a centralised pharmacy preparation unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure and provide an economic assessment of the preparations returned to a centralised cytostatic drug preparation unit, analyse reasons for their return, propose measures for minimising returns and assess their impact on the Medical Oncology division's outpatient services.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study contained two phases. During the first, we registered all returns, motives, cases of reuse and costs. In the second phase, we analysed returns at the Oncology outpatient division after having adopted measures to minimise the returns.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the first phase, 218 preparations (worth € 51,131) were returned. The Oncology Day Hospital returned 1% of the preparations worth 1% of the total value; during the second phase, these figures were 0.56% of the preparations and 0.14% of the total value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Favouring reporting on and identifying expensive treatments with little stability and using returned preparations as a quality indicator for Oncology has improved management of the central cystostatic preparation unit.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitario Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, España. sramlin@gobienodecanarias.org
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramos Linares
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Merino Alonso
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Román González
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tévar Alfonso
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Díaz Ruíz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gorchs Molist
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D002497:Centralized Hospital Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054697:Cytostatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000191:economics; D016527:Drug Costs; D004355:Drug Stability; D004363:Drug Utilization; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008508:Medication Errors; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D054697:Cytostatic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations