HealthManagement, Volume 14, Issue 1/2012

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  • Small institutions should eliminate the risk by outsourcing the preparation of cytotoxic drugs.  Otherwise, centralise the preparation of cytotoxic drugs under the control of the pharmacy department. 
  • Involve the appropriate people within the pharmacy department in all aspects of planning and  design and operation of cancer chemotherapy services. 
  • Ensure risk is minimised by i) separating people from the drugs by use of barriers (eg protective  clothing, closed–systems, preparation in clean-rooms) ii) ensure containment equipment is well  maintained (eg regular servicing of clean-room equipment) iii) only allow trained and validated  staff to prepare drugs. 
  • Ensure written policies and procedures are developed, promulgated, implemented and evaluated  throughout the institution. 
  • Communication is key. 
  • While protecting your employees from the hazards of cytotoxic drugs, and creating a safe work  place for them will not be inexpensive, other hospital equipment is not cheap either e.g. compare  to the cost of one radiotherapy machine. 
  • Finally, don’t forget that you or a loved one may need their expertise one day.