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Antineoplastic agent workplace contamination study: the Alberta Cancer Board Pharmacy perspective Phase III

Tom Baker Cancer Center Site, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, susanbig{at}cancerboard.ab.ca

Heidi Schulz, CPhT

Cross Cancer Institute Site, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Roxanne Dobish, BSc (Pharm)

Cross Cancer Institute Site, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Carole R Chambers, BSc (Pharm) MBA

Alberta Cancer Board Pharmacy Department, Calgary/Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Objective. To continue with workplace contamination monitoring in the Alberta Cancer Board (ACB) pharmacy practice environment.

Setting. The ACB in the Canadian province of Alberta which includes two public tertiary centers and 19 associated community satellite sites based around the province in existing hospitals.

Methods. After the completion of a Phase 1 and Phase 11 study,¹ which investigated the feasibility of routine monitoring of antineoplastic agent contamination in the pharmacy practice environment, it was decided to launch a Phase III study. The Phase III study would be done at the Cross Cancer Institute in the main pharmacy department as well as at a brand new satellite pharmacy within the CCI hospital. Samples would be taken in these areas as well as on the outer exterior of latex gloves worn to prepare cyclophosphamide and other antineoplastics.

Results. The result determined that the area in front of the biological safety cabinet in the main CCI pharmacy department as well as the exterior of the latex gloves showed evidence of cyclophosphamide contamination. The results from the sample taken in the new satellite pharmacy showed no evidence of cyclophosphamide contamination.

Conclusion. Results from this study prompted a decision to launch a Phase IV study to determine the feasibility within our network, for routine monitoring as well as sampling throughout the clean room beyond the BSC.

Key Words: tertiary site • cytotoxic agent • workplace contamination • cyclophosphamide • routine monitoring

This version was published on September 1, 2009

Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice, Vol. 15, No. 3, 157-160 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1078155208101097


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