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 the PhaSeal(r) System, now distributed in the U.S. by Denver-based Baxa Corporation 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, the PhaSeal closed-loop drug
containment system was implemented in the chemotherapy infusion center, while
continuing the preparation and administration safeguards already in use. Six
months following the adoption of the PhaSeal System, 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 the PhaSeal System.
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.
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
#
# #
Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/11/prweb91277.htm