Oncology medication safety: a 3D status report 2008

Area of Science:

• Oncology Pharmacy
• Medication Safety

Background:

• Safe medication use is critical in oncology.
• Three organizations surveyed practitioners on safe practices for IV vincristine, general chemotherapy, and oral chemotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the implementation of current safe medication practices in oncology.
• To establish a baseline for adoption rates of these recommendations.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to members of the Hematology Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and the International Society of Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP).
• The Institute of Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) also solicited responses from its newsletter readers.
• Results were compared to a 2006 ISMP survey on IV vincristine safety practices.

Main Results:

• Awareness of WHO IV vincristine guidelines is high, but implementation rates range from 24.1% to 53.6%.
• Significant improvements (25.8-37.4%) were noted in adherence to safe practices compared to 2006, yet IV vincristine minibag administration remains low (<40%).
• Most respondents (80%) implemented at least 21 general chemotherapy safety strategies, but 32.4% did not view oral chemotherapy with the same safety concerns as parenteral therapy.

Conclusions:

• This survey establishes a new baseline for safe medication practice adoption in oncology.
• Barriers to implementing identified safe practices require further investigation and intervention.