Baxa Corporation Sponsors Symposium to Discuss Environmental Exposure and Biological Uptake of Antineoplastics at December ASHP in New Orleans
Traditional assumptions about safe drug handling are challenged by a study published in the current edition of the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (AJHP). This study confirms European findings that, despite existing protective measures, there persists widespread surface contamination with antineoplastic drugs in the workplace and employee exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic particulates and vapors. Results show that closed system technology (CST) can reduce or eliminate human exposure to cancer chemotherapy drugs. Baxa Corporation is sponsoring a breakfast symposium in New Orleans on December 9th reviewing this new data.
Englewood, CO (PRWEB) November 28, 2003
- Baxa Corporation will sponsor a breakfast symposium to discuss the findings in a study just published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (AJHP) at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists in December. The study, entitled "Using a Closed-System Protective Device to Reduce Personnel Exposure to Antineoplastic Agents," documents biological uptake of cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide in infusion center pharmacy and nursing staff in a newly built cancer center at the University of Utah. Study data indicates that standard worker precautions and safe handling guidelines did not prevent healthcare workers tested from environmental exposure and subsequent uptake of the chemotherapy drugs handled.
The presenter, Jim Jorgenson, RPh, is Director of Pharmacy for the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where the study took place. The clinicians who authored the study reported that urine samples collected from infusion center pharmacy and nursing personnel demonstrated that there had been biological uptake of the two drugs tested.
Additionally, surface contamination at the center was measured by collecting wipe samples of selected facility and equipment surfaces. These measurements yielded positive results for all samples.
Following the baseline tests, CST was implemented in the chemotherapy infusion center, while continuing the preparation and administration safeguards already in use. Six months following the adoption of CST, the presence of the two drugs originally detected in urine samples from center personnel had been reduced to undetectable levels. The study also showed that drug contamination initially detected on infusion center surfaces was significantly reduced following implementation of CST.
The study will be presented at the complimentary symposium on Tuesday, December 9th at the W New Orleans Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, beginning at 6:45 AM. Participants will be eligible for one credit hour of Continuing Education (CEU).
About Baxa Corporation
As a leading provider of devices and systems for the preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of liquid medications, Baxa manufactures and markets a wide range of healthcare products for use in hospitals, critical care units and alternate-site pharmacies. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, Baxa has subsidiaries and sales offices in Canada, the United Kingdom; Denmark, and Germany; and distribution partners worldwide. Further information is available at http://www. baxa. com (http://www. baxa. com).
Click the following link to view a presentation by Jim Jorgenson "Using a Closed System Device to Reduce Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs." Jorgenson is Director of Pharmacy for the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Associate Dean for Professional Affairs at the University of Utah:
Http://www. isips. org/presentations/PhaSeal/player. html (http://www. isips. org/presentations/PhaSeal/player. html)
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Contacts:
Marian Robinson, Vice President, Marketing, Baxa Corporation: 800.567.2292 ext. 2157 or 303.617.2157,
Email: marian. robinson@baxa. com
Maggie Holben, APR, Absolutely Public Relations: 303-984-9801 or 303-669-3558, Email: maggie@absolutelypr. com
