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Using a closed-system protective device to reduce personnel exposure to antineoplastic agents
Catherine Wick1, Matthew H Slawson, James A Jorgenson
1Department of Pharmacy Services, University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, Room A-050, 50 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. catherine.wick@hsc.utah.edu
Summary
A closed-system device, PhaSeal, significantly reduced surface contamination and healthcare worker exposure to antineoplastic agents cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in a chemotherapy center.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pharmaceutical Science
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Antineoplastic agents are associated with significant health risks for healthcare personnel.
- Surface contamination and personnel exposure are key concerns during chemotherapy preparation and administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the PhaSeal closed-system protective device in reducing surface contamination and personnel exposure to antineoplastic agents.
- To assess changes in cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide levels before and after PhaSeal implementation.
Main Methods:
- Surface wipe samples and 24-hour urine samples from healthcare personnel were collected before and six months after PhaSeal implementation.
- Samples were analyzed for cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS).
Main Results:
- Pre-implementation, all surface wipe samples showed detectable cyclophosphamide, and 11/17 had detectable ifosfamide.
- Post-implementation, 7/21 wipe samples had detectable cyclophosphamide and 15/21 had detectable ifosfamide.
- Pre-implementation, 6/8 employees had detectable cyclophosphamide and 2/8 had detectable ifosfamide in urine; post-implementation, none were positive for either drug.
Conclusions:
- The PhaSeal closed-system device effectively reduced surface contamination with cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.
- Implementation of PhaSeal significantly decreased occupational exposure to these antineoplastic agents among healthcare personnel.