Engineering controls in veterinary oncology: A survey of 148 ACVIM board ‐certified oncologists and environmental surveillance in 20 specialty hospitals

In this study, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine board‐certified veterinary oncologists were surveyed about their use of containment primary EC (C‐PEC) and supplemental EC (closed system transfer devices, CSTD). The survey was completed by 148 (38%) of practicing diplomates. All used EC. Both C‐PEC and CSTD were used at 92% of hospitals; however, US Pharmacopoeial Convention Chapter <800> (USP <800>) standards were met at only 19% of hospitals and oncologists did not know the type of C‐PEC at 18% of hospitals. Next, surface contamination and EC use were assessed with environmental surveillance for carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine in 20 veterinary specialty hospitals using a commercially available kit. No contamination with carboplatin, doxorubicin, or vincristine was detected, however, there was contamination with cyclophosphamide at 4 hospitals. Based on this study, most veterinary oncologists use C‐PEC and CSTD, but few meet USP <800> standards. Current measures appear effective for preventing contamination with IV drugs, but additional measures are needed for oral drugs.
Source: Veterinary and Comparative Oncology - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLE Source Type: research