Background To prevent the exposure of cytostatic drugs, trained and authorised technicians prepare the antineoplastic treatments in a unit of centralised drugs preparation (UCDP). Preservation of the safety of healthcare workers requires evaluating chemical contaminations.

Purpose The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of implementation of pharmaceutical procedures to minimise chemical contaminations.

Material and methods Different surfaces inside and outside of the isolator have been analysed every year since 2014 in our UCDP where technicians work under an overpressure isolator. 18 cytostatic drugs distributed in 4 groups were tested. The results of contamination were classified as low, medium and high. On 10 sampling points, 2 positive points of the isolator were selected to take appropriate corrective measures and to follow their efficacy: exit gate of the preparations (point 1) and neoprene glove (point 2). The first action was an annual re-evaluation of the manipulation competence by simulating the technique (fluorescein). The second action was decontamination with sterile water once a week for the point 1, every day after activity for point 2.

Results The results of this study showed a decrease in contamination with cytostatic on the 2 points. For point 1, 4 drugs were positives in 2014 (3 low, 1 medium), 2 in 2015 (1 low, 1 medium) and 1 low positive in 2016. The point 2 since 2015 has demonstrated 6 positives drugs in 2015 (3 low, 2 medium and 1 high) compared with 2 low positive drugs in 2016.

Conclusion We implemented an additional step in the maintenance of our isolator borne by the technicians and in their re-evaluation checklist. The decrease in contamination allows good acceptance of the procedures because their interest is measurable. Measuring the cytostatic contamination of surfaces every year could help in face to face prevention initiatives related to the risk of cytostatic drug reconstitution. It is important that working practices are continuously followed.

References and/or acknowledgements Crauste-Manciet S, Sessink PJ, Ferrari S, et al. Environmental contamination with cytotoxic drugs in healthcare using positive air pressure isolators. Ann Occup Hyg2005;49:619–28.

No conflict of interest