Preparing students for research: faculty/librarian collaboration in a pre-doctoral physical therapy research course.

In this article, guest writers Susan Bigelow and Dr Salome Brooks from Springfield College, Massachusetts, present an overview of their evaluative research study in which a faculty professor and the liaison librarian collaborated to develop an information literacy course entitled Physical Therapy (PT) and Health care Research Skills, in order to teach necessary information literacy skills to upper-level undergraduate PT students. Triangulation of the Physical Therapy and Information Literacy standards in alignment with the course objectives strengthened the collaboration, course development and expectations of student performance. Student performance was assessed through formal and expected evaluative means, and the preliminary evidence suggests some key successes in the course outcomes.

Antineoplastic agent workplace contamination study: the Alberta Cancer Board Pharmacy perspective Phase III.

OBJECTIVE: To continue with workplace contamination monitoring in the Alberta Cancer Board (ACB) pharmacy practice environment. SETTING: The ACB in the Canadian province of Alberta which includes two public tertiary centers and 19 associated community satellite sites based around the province in existing hospitals. METHODS: After the completion of a Phase 1 and Phase 11 study,(1) which investigated the feasibility of routine monitoring of antineoplastic agent contamination in the pharmacy practice environment, it was decided to launch a Phase III study. The Phase III study would be done at the Cross Cancer Institute in the main pharmacy department as well as at a brand new satellite pharmacy within the CCI hospital. Samples would be taken in these areas as well as on the outer exterior of latex gloves worn to prepare cyclophosphamide and other antineoplastics. RESULTS: The result determined that the area in front of the biological safety cabinet in the main CCI pharmacy department as well as the exterior of the latex gloves showed evidence of cyclophosphamide contamination. The results from the sample taken in the new satellite pharmacy showed no evidence of cyclophosphamide contamination. CONCLUSION: results from this study prompted a decision to launch a Phase IV study to determine the feasibility within our network, for routine monitoring as well as sampling throughout the clean room beyond the BSC.

Antineoplastic agent workplace contamination study: the Alberta Cancer Board Pharmacy perspective.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of routine monitoring for workplace antineoplastic agent contamination in the Alberta Cancer Board (ACB) pharmacy practice environment. SETTING: The ACB in the Canadian province of Alberta, which includes two public tertiary centres and 17 associated community satellite sites based around the province in existing hospitals. METHODS: Obtained organizational support and input prior to launching the feasibility study (Phase I). Samples were analysed for a common cytotoxic agent - cyclophosphamide. Surfaces chosen were within the biological safety cabinets, workplace counter tops and on external surfaces of vials provided by manufacturers. Blank samples and known contaminated controls were included in Phase I to reconfirm the methodology in a previously published study. Feasibility aspects of logistics and financial expenses were examined. A second phase (Phase II) was completed to test other areas of the pharmacy and vials, with blank samples included to reconfirm previously mentioned methodology. RESULTS: The results determined that the samples tested were below acceptable detection limits with the exception of the known contaminated sample (Phase I) and exterior surfaces of vials (Phase II). CONCLUSION: This project has increased staff awareness of the sources for antineoplastic agent workplace contamination. Some practice changes were instituted during the project itself. Logistics and expenses were realistic for routine monitoring to be adopted.