- Monograph -

Patient and Provider Safety with the Chemotherapy Infusion Process

Program Description The risk of patient and provider exposure to hazardous drugs has been identified as a problem of increasing health concern.  These hazardous medications are capable of causing serious effects to those exposed; including local reactions, cancer, organ toxicity, fertility problems, genetic damage, and birth defects.  Professional organizations, government agencies, and various regulatory bodies have called for and/or developed guidelines for handling hazardous drugs.  However, even with these measures in place, inadvertent exposures still occur and providers need to receive education on the availability and use of advanced safety equipment used in the preparation and administration of hazardous drugs. This monograph focuses on the safe handling, preparation and administration of hazardous drugs.  The monograph covers risk management, current chemotherapy guidelines, types of safety equipment, and use of closed IV preparation/administration equipment .

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and nurses will be able to :

• Outline the history of exposure risk to hazardous drugs.

• Describe the current guidelines surrounding the preparation and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs. Differentiate the types of safety equipment used in the preparation and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs.

• List the safety benefits and operational functions of different types of closed IV preparation/administration equipment.

Faculty

Seth Eisenberg, RN, OCN®
Professional Practice Coordinator
Infusion Services
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
Seattle, Washington

Steven L. D'Amato, RPh, BCOP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist
Associate Professor of Medicine
University of Vermont
Director of Pharmacy
Maine Center for Cancer Medicine
Scarborough, Maine

Authorship
Seth Eisenberg provided the primary authorship for this monograph.  The monograph was developed with content presented by Seth Eisenberg and Steven D'Amato at a continuing education symposium on May 16, 2008 in Philadelphia, PA.

CE Accreditation:

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians:
ProCE, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.  ACPE Universal Program Number 221-000-08-085-H05-P/T has been assigned to this home study program. This program is approved for 1.0 contact hours (0.10 CEUs) in states that recognize ACPE providers. The program is provided at no cost to participants. Statements of credit will be issued online upon successful completion of the post-test (> 70% correct).

Nurses: Nurse CE is provided for this monograph through collaboration between ProCE, Inc. and Wild Iris Medical Education, Inc. Wild Iris Medical Education, WSNA CEARP Provider number PA-5/Feb/11, is an approved provider of continuing education by the Washington State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses' Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.  California Board of Registered Nursing Provider #12300. This activity provides 1.5 contact hours of nurse CE credit.

Release Date: 09-01-08 Expiration Date: 11-30-10.

Funding
This program was supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Hospira, Inc .

Disclosure
It is the policy of ProCE, Inc. to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all of its continuing education programs. Faculty must disclose to program participants any significant relationships with companies that manufacture or market products discussed during their presentation.  Steven D'Amato and Seth Eisenberg both report having no relevant affiliations or financial relationships to disclose.  A portion of grant funds received by ProCE from Hospira will be used to compensate the faculty for this program.

Please note: The information and views presented in this monograph are those of the faculty through clinical practice and knowledge of the professional literature.  Portions of this program may include the use of drugs and/or devices for unlabeled indications.  Use of drugs and/or devices outside of labeling should be considered experimental.  Participants are advised to consult and verify manufacturer product information, the professional literature and use his/her professional judgment in applying the presented information in patient care activities.