title: Evaluation of exposures to healthcare personnel from cisplatin during a mock demonstration of intra-operative intraperitoneal chemotherapy administration.
abstract: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancies in the United States. In 2006, the National Cancer Institute released an announcement supporting the use of intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer. It remains unanswered how many cycles of IP chemotherapy are required to maintain a survival advantage. There may be a benefit with as few as three IP cycles and possibly as few as one IP chemotherapy cycle.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In preparation for a clinical trial in which chemotherapy would be administered intra-operatively, the question of exposure to healthcare personnel arose, therefore, the purpose of this study was to perform an evaluation of healthcare personnel exposure to cisplatin during a mock demonstration of intraperitoneal chemotherapy administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Women's Cancer Center of Nevada, and the staff of the University Medical Center, Las Vegas, participated in this mock demonstration. Employees wore personal protective equipment recommended by NIOSH. Wipe, area, and breathing zone air samples were taken from the pharmacy and operating room, and during sterilization of equipment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All samples were negative for cisplatin, except for one surface wipe from the floor of the operating room (OR) after the mock procedure. Upon sanitization of the OR, no cisplatin was detected on the floor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was the first study evaluating the exposure of healthcare personnel to the administration of cisplatin intra-operatively. NIOSH endorsed this practice so long as the employees adhere to using the recommended personal protective equipment.
authors: The Kelly Gynecologic Oncology Service, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, 600 North Wolfe Street, Phipps 281, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. kushnir22@live.com
authors: Christina L
authors: CL
authors: Kushnir
authors: Aimee C
authors: AC
authors: Fleury
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Couch
authors: Michael C
authors: MC
authors: Hill
authors: Nick M
authors: NM
authors: Spirtos
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011482:Protective Devices
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002945:Cisplatin
keywords: Advanced ovarian cancer; Cisplatin; Healthcare safety; Intraperitoneal chemotherapy; Optimal cytoreductive surgery; Personal protective equipment