RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 External contamination of antineoplastic drug vials: an occupational risk to consider
JF European Journal of Hospital Pharmacy
JO Eur J Hosp Pharm
FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group
SP 284
OP 286
DO 10.1136/ejhpharm-2020-002440
VO 29
IS 5
A1 Camille Cotteret
A1 Philippe-Henri Secretan
A1 Laurence Gilles-Afchain
A1 Julia Rousseau
A1 Fabrice Vidal
A1 Gabriel Salguero-Hernandez
A1 Jonathan Batista
A1 Vicky Valverde
A1 Jerome Guitton
A1 Salvatore Cisternino
A1 Joël Schlatter
YR 2022
UL http://ejhp.bmj.com/content/29/5/284.abstract
AB Risk management for workers involved in the handling and preparation of cytotoxic drugs is challenging. This study aims to investigate drug contamination of the exterior surfaces of cytotoxic drug vials. Two batches of commercially available cytotoxic drugs in unprotected vials (ifosfamide, etoposide phosphate and cyclophosphamide) and plastic shrink wrap vials (doxorubicin, cytarabine and busulfan) were tested without removing the flip-off cap or the plastic wrap, and without prewashing. The results showed significant trace amounts of cytotoxic drugs on the exterior surfaces in both unprotected (eg, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide) and protected plastic shrink wrap vials (eg, cytarabine), indicating that the secondary packaging of protected vials does not systematically prevent exposure to the handlers. These results focus on the need for guidelines to prevent cytotoxic vial contamination and safety recommendations for staff in the handling and storage of these vials.The data are available from our hospital.