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COMPARISON OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION WITH CYTOSTATICS IN FOUR AUSTRIAN HOSPITALS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A STANDARDISED TRAINING ABOUT SAFE HANDLING OF ANTINEOPLASTIC AGENTS ON THE WARD

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European Statement

Production and Compounding

Author(s)

Martin Munz, Ewelina Korczowska, Maria Costa, Christine Petter, Shahla Farokhnia, Katharina Kronister, Sandra Dunkler, Thomas Schweiger, Martina Anditsch, Martina Jeske

Why was it done?

Several studies show that contamination with cytostatics is found on various work surfaces in hospitals [e.g., Chauchat L et al. 2018, Hon CY et al. 2014]. Wipe sampling for surface residue of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in healthcare settings is currently the method of choice to determine the workplace’s environmental contamination with these drugs [Connor TH et al. 2016].

What was done?

Hospital pharmacists of four Austrian hospitals (Vienna General Hospital, Innsbruck University Hospital, Landesklinikum Horn-Allentsteig, and Landesklinikum Zwettl) differing in size, logistic requirements and production capacity, equipment (but all using Closed System Devices), and involved staff participated in the MASHA (Research about Environmental Contamination by Cytotoxics And Management of Safe Handling Procedures) project of the European Society of Oncology Pharmacy (ESOP).

How was it done?

In the first part of the project, surface contamination by cytostatics was investigated using wipe samples. Subsequently, training materials were developed and used for uniform training of medical staff involved in administering antineoplastic drugs. After the training, a second set of wipe samples of the same surfaces were taken and analyzed.

What has been achieved?

All four hospitals’ results in the first series of measurements were below the reference value given in the project of 0,1ng/cm², indicating “low” contamination. Only a small amount of samples show values between the limit of quantification (LOQ), dependent on the substance and analytical method, and 0,1ng/cm². The same is for the second series of wipe samples after the training. Considering that standards, recommendations or trainings by pharmacists or occupational health professionals has already been in place before this project, the impact of further training for the medical staff could not be quantified by measuring the residues. However, feedback from trained staff was exclusively positive, and our main objective to demonstrate that occupational exposure with cytostatics is low to non-detectable on our wards was achieved.

What next?

We want to encourage more hospitals to get involved in similar projects, and we hope that more powerful analytics will give us more answers for proper handling.

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