Using a closed-system protective device to reduce personnel exposure to antineoplastic agents

Abstract

Surface contamination with and personnel exposure to antineoplastic agents before and after the implementation of a closed-system protective device were studied. Samples were collected before and six months after implementation of PhaSeal, a closed-system device for limiting exposure to antineoplastic agents during preparation and administration. Personnel exposure was evaluated by collecting 24-hour urine samples from pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nurses working full-time in a chemotherapy drug infusion center and pharmacy. Surface contamination was assessed by wiping potentially exposed surfaces. Both types of samples were analyzed for cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. All 17 wipe samples collected before implementation of PhaSeal had detectable levels of cyclophosphamide, and 11 were positive for ifosfamide. Six months after system implementation, 7 of 21 wipe samples had detectable levels of cyclophosphamide and 15 were positive for ifosfamide. Of eight employees who provided urine samples, six were positive for cyclophosphamide and two for ifosfamide before implementation, and none were positive for either drug after implementation. The PhaSeal system appeared to reduce exposure of health care personnel to cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide.