0000000000015874
AUTHOR
Matteo Federici
Efficacy of four cleaning solutions for the decontamination of selected cytotoxic drugs on the different surfaces of an automated compounding system
The automated aseptic preparation of ready-to-administer antineoplastic drug solutions with robotic systems reduces the risk of occupational exposure. However, the surfaces in the preparation area of the robot are to be cleaned by wiping with an appropriate cleaning solution. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cleaning efficacy of four cleaning solutions on four surface materials installed in the APOTECAchemo robot. Predefined amounts of cisplatin (Cis), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and cyclophosphamide (CP) were intentionally spread on test plates made of stainless steel, aluminium, polyoxymethylene, and polycarbonate just as installed in the robotic system APOTECAchemo. After drying, the …
Implementation and microbiological stability of dose-banded ganciclovir infusion bags prepared in series by a robotic system.
Objectives The implementation of dose-banding (DB) in centralised, pharmacy-based cytotoxic drug preparation units allows the preparation of standardised doses in series. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of DB for the prescribing of ganciclovir (GV) infusion solutions and to investigate the microbiological stability of dose-banded, automatically prepared ready-to-administer GV infusion bags by media-fill simulation tests and sterility tests. Methods The frequency of prescription of GV doses was retrospectively analysed before and after implementing the DB scheme. Four dose-ranges or ‘bands’ and the corresponding standard doses (250, 300, 350, 400 mg) were identified. Th…
Environmental and Product Contamination during the Preparation of Antineoplastic Drugs with Robotic Systems
Abstract Background Robotic systems are designed to minimize the exposure to antineoplastic drugs during automated preparation. However, contamination cannot be completely excluded. The aim of the study was to evaluate the contamination with antineoplastic drugs on the working surfaces and on the outer surface of the ready-to-use products (infusion bags and syringes) during automated preparation with different versions of a robot and manual preparation. Methods Surface contamination with platinum (Pt) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was measured by wipe sampling and quantified by voltammetry for Pt and GC-MS for 5-FU. Sampling was performed on pre-defined locations in the working areas before and…
Media-fill simulation tests in manual and robotic aseptic preparation of injection solutions in syringes
Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contamination rate of media-fill products either prepared automated with a robotic system (APOTECAchemo™) or prepared manually at cytotoxic workbenches in the same cleanroom environment and by experienced operators. Media fills were completed by microbiological environmental control in the critical zones and used to validate the cleaning and disinfection procedures of the robotic system. Methods The aseptic preparation of patient individual ready-to-use injection solutions was simulated by using double concentrated tryptic soy broth as growth medium, water for injection and plastic syringes as primary packaging materials. Media fills w…
Host detection and rate of parasitism by Acroricnus seductor (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), a natural enemy of mud-dauber wasps (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)
Abstract The behavioural ecology of ichneumonid wasps that attack aculeate Hymenoptera is still largely unknown. Field observations and morphological analyses were devoted to investigate host detection and rate of parasitism by Acroricnus seductor (Scopoli), a natural enemy of the black and yellow mud dauber wasp Sceliphron caementarium (Drury). At the study site, about half of the host nests suffered parasitism by A. seductor. No significant difference was found between the rate of parasitism in sheltered (inside human building) and unsheltered (outside building) nests. Larger nests did not suffer a higher rate of parasitism, and larger brood cells were not more likely to be parasitized. …