Journal of
Oncology Pharmacy Practice
Letter to the Editor
J Oncol Pharm Practice 2015, Vol. 21(1) 80 ! The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1078155214563815 opp.sagepub.com
Taking the plunge?
I read with interest, the article on syringe plunger contamination in the recent edition of The Journal.1 The authors conclude the use of standard syringes are associated with potential exposure to health care workers during the preparation of hazardous dose forms. Health care workers rely on sound studies to make realistic and informative decisions in their workplace. They seek studies which reflect common practice. The aim of this study was to compare contamination levels with cyclophosphamide ‘‘under routine oncological compounding conditions.’’ Readers of this article may be misled to believe that the authors’ conclusions are applicable to their practice. The methods outlined in the paper indicate that a 50 mL aliquot of cyclophosphamide be drawn into the syringe and then injected back into the vial and then repeated two to eight times depending on which group was being tested. There is no preparation of a hazardous drug where this would be common practice, with the syringe being used in a ‘‘pump-action’’ manner. The conditions under which this test is performed are over-
stated, and do not apply to real practice. It may well be this exaggerated ‘‘pumping’’ of the syringe results in syringe failure and the contamination risk. While the information from this trial is informative, I am not convinced that this can be applied to standard compounding conditions. This study would be more powerful if a single transfer was analysed. While Equashield may address the risk of plunger contamination, this study does not reflect routine compounding conditions. Health care workers need to be better informed before making changes to their practice. Reference 1. Smith ST and Szlaczky MC. Syringe plunger contamination by hazardous drugs: a comparative study. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2014; 20: 381–385.
Jim Siderov Pharmacy Department, Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia Email: [email protected]
Editor’s comment: The authors of the original article were approached for a response to this letter but declined to comment
Downloaded from opp.sagepub.com at The University of Hong Kong Libraries on May 10, 2015
Oncology Pharmacy Practice
Letter to the Editor
J Oncol Pharm Practice 2015, Vol. 21(1) 80 ! The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1078155214563815 opp.sagepub.com
Taking the plunge?
I read with interest, the article on syringe plunger contamination in the recent edition of The Journal.1 The authors conclude the use of standard syringes are associated with potential exposure to health care workers during the preparation of hazardous dose forms. Health care workers rely on sound studies to make realistic and informative decisions in their workplace. They seek studies which reflect common practice. The aim of this study was to compare contamination levels with cyclophosphamide ‘‘under routine oncological compounding conditions.’’ Readers of this article may be misled to believe that the authors’ conclusions are applicable to their practice. The methods outlined in the paper indicate that a 50 mL aliquot of cyclophosphamide be drawn into the syringe and then injected back into the vial and then repeated two to eight times depending on which group was being tested. There is no preparation of a hazardous drug where this would be common practice, with the syringe being used in a ‘‘pump-action’’ manner. The conditions under which this test is performed are over-
stated, and do not apply to real practice. It may well be this exaggerated ‘‘pumping’’ of the syringe results in syringe failure and the contamination risk. While the information from this trial is informative, I am not convinced that this can be applied to standard compounding conditions. This study would be more powerful if a single transfer was analysed. While Equashield may address the risk of plunger contamination, this study does not reflect routine compounding conditions. Health care workers need to be better informed before making changes to their practice. Reference 1. Smith ST and Szlaczky MC. Syringe plunger contamination by hazardous drugs: a comparative study. J Oncol Pharm Pract 2014; 20: 381–385.
Jim Siderov Pharmacy Department, Austin Health, Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia Email: [email protected]
Editor’s comment: The authors of the original article were approached for a response to this letter but declined to comment
Downloaded from opp.sagepub.com at The University of Hong Kong Libraries on May 10, 2015
