Book
Care for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy
- Procedures During Chemotherapy Preparation
- The preparation area for chemotherapy should be separate from other hospital departments to minimize contamination risk, as many chemotherapy drugs are fine particles that can easily be inhaled as aerosol.
- If the hospital lacks a chemotherapy preparation unit, a fixed, suitable area should be designated for preparation.
- A cytotoxic drugs spill kit must be available in chemotherapy rooms to handle any breakage or spillage of chemotherapy drugs. This kit should include: plastic gloves, a medical coat, safety glasses, absorbent cloths, cleaning solution, purple plastic bags, and shoe covers.
- Wash hands.
- Wear personal protective equipment, including:
- Long-sleeve gloves.
- Impermeable, long-sleeve protective gown.
- Protective glasses, face mask.
- Single-use shoes, head cover.
- Chemotherapy should be mixed in a Biological Safety Cabinet.
- The ampoule should be broken away from the face and covered with gauze or cotton.
- The diluting solution should be slowly introduced along the side of the ampoule or vial, ensuring that all powder dissolves before withdrawal.
- Prevent high pressure inside the vial when starting the mixing and adding the solution.
- Air should be purged from the syringe used for injection on a gauze piece, not into the air.
- Purge excess drug from the syringe by removing the needle and placing a sterile cotton piece to prevent aerosol spread.
- Do not refrigerate the prepared drug; it should be used as soon as possible. The stability period usually lasts 24 hours at temperatures between 2°C to 8°C.
- Return any unused doses or expired drugs to the pharmacy for proper disposal.
- The syringes, tubes, and IV devices used should be of the Leur-lock type.
- Write the patient's name and dose on the solution bag.
- Cover the solution before transporting it to the patient.
