Carmel Pharma: The largest ever published study on the efficacy of a closed-system drug transfer device.
Multicenter study on pre/post PhaSeal conducted at 22 sites across the United States.
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – COLUMBUS, OH (April 11, 2011) – A study published in the Journal of Oncology Pharmacy Practice shows the use of the PhaSeal System, a closed-system drug transfer device for the safe handling of hazardous drugs, significantly reduces surface contamination in hospital pharmacies when preparing the following antineoplastic drugs: cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and 5-fluorouracil. [1]
The objective of the study was to assess the ability of PhaSeal to reduce surface contamination compared to standard drug preparation techniques.
Sessink et al. collected 114 surface wipe samples from 22 hospital pharmacy departments during the study period. Samples were collected following the preparation using a traditional needle and syringe technique and again following the preparation using PhaSeal. The study was conducted over an extended period of time and employed a uniform study design to allow for a fair comparison.
The statistically significant reduction in levels of contamination is striking, with median values for cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and 5-FU being reduced by 95%, 90%, and 65%, respectively. This provides very clear evidence that the use of PhaSeal results in reduced operator exposure to hazardous drugs.
Background on Contamination
Over the last 20 years, several studies have been published showing environmental contamination with antineoplastic drugs in hospital pharmacies. In addition, the studies have shown that antineoplastic drugs are inadvertently absorbed by healthcare workers through environmental exposure.
Johan Ehn (Global) johan.ehn@carmelpharma.com
Laura Scherer (US) laura.scherer@carmelpharma.com
About Carmel Pharma (the maker of the PhaSeal System)
Carmel Pharma AB, headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, is the manufacturer of the PhaSeal System for the safe handling of hazardous drugs. In the United States, PhaSeal is distributed by an U.S. affiliate office, Carmel Pharma, Inc., located in Columbus, OH. The PhaSeal System has been in use in the U.S. since 1999 and implemented in more than 2000 cancer facilities, infusion centers and private practices, including M.D. Anderson and Texas Children’s in Houston, TX; City of Hope in Duarte, CA; Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, MA; Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN; and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, just to name a few. For more information on Carmel Pharma or the PhaSeal System, please visit www.phaseal.com or email info@carmelpharmausa.com. To request additional product details, high-resolution imagery, story ideas and expert references, or to learn more about the topic of safe handling from today’s clinical thought leaders, please visit www.carmelpharmausa.com/media or contact Laura Scherer at +1 614-318-2635 or laura.scherer@carmelpharma.com.