Identification and reduction of hazardous drug surface contamination through the use of a novel closed-system transfer device coupled with a point-of-care hazardous drug detection system.

PURPOSE: Minimizing hazardous drug (HD) contamination is critical for protecting the health of healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients. Alarmingly, widespread HD contamination has been documented across a variety of clinical settings. Quantitative wipe sampling presents significant time and cost barriers, resulting in routine monitoring adherence rates around 25%. Closed-system drug transfer devices (CSTDs) and qualitative point-of-care tests can be implemented to overcome these barriers. METHODS: In this study, we tested the effects of the BD PhaSeal Optima (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a recently introduced CSTD, on HD contamination at 2 chemotherapy infusion centers. Wipe samples were taken at 29 workstations at each location prior to and a year following CSTD implementation. Additionally, traditional liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS) analyses were compared against a novel lateral flow immunoassay HD testing device (BD HD Check; Becton, Dickinson and Company) to determine the validity of the qualitative assay. RESULTS: We found a 46% reduction in HD contamination after incorporating the CSTD into clinical workflows. Across time points and sites, HD contamination reported by the BD HD Check device was 91% accurate against LCMS/MS and 98% accurate within its limits of detection. CONCLUSION: Collectively, the evaluated CSTD and lateral flow immunoassay device may help to reduce HD contamination and provide real-time measures of contamination, respectively. As part of a multifaceted approach, these devices may help minimize barriers to routine monitoring, ultimately improving the safety of HCWs and patients.

Sustainable Access to Antimicrobials; A Missing Component to Antimicrobial Stewardship-A Tale of Two Countries.

Antimicrobial stewardship encompasses a wide range of processes and interventions designed to ensure that antimicrobials are used in the most effective manner. An important, but often neglected process to include is medicine procurement within hospitals, as the untimely administration of antimicrobials has a direct impact on patient care and antimicrobial resistance. A tender system (an open Request for Proposal, RFP) in South Africa is used in the procurement process to supply medicines and pharmaceutical supplies, whereas in the United States, each hospital is responsible for their own procurement processes. Possible key challenges facing countries to ensure a sustainable medical procurement are poor procurement practices, outdated information systems, and unavailability of human resources to support the current system. This article describes the need for adequate pharmacist-led inventory management systems, for sustainable antimicrobial delivery and the successful implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs. Strategies to improve inventory control and medication delivery for public sector hospitals in South Africa include the development of national pharmaceutical data management standards. Pharmacist involvement in inventory management principles will ensure that antimicrobials are consistently in adequate supply for patient use, hence promoting safe and effective use while decreasing antimicrobial resistance.

International Mentoring Programs: Leadership Opportunities to Enhance Worldwide Pharmacy Practice.

Health-system and community pharmacy practice in the United States is experiencing transformational change; however, this transformation is lagging in the international arena. As a result, efforts are being made to provide support and education to the international pharmacy leaders and practitioners. This article describes one effort, the Mandela Washington Fellows Program, and suggests areas where pharmacy leaders can be involved to help advance the practice of pharmacy on an international level. The Mandela Washington Fellows Program for young Africa leaders consists of a US-Africa pharmacy-mentoring program identified ranging from educational opportunities to collaboration for implementation of patient care programs. The specifics of the mentoring program include daily meetings, clinic and ward rounds, round table discussions with mentors, and visits to various hospital care systems. Lessons were learned and strategies for sustaining the program are discussed. These types of programs represent leadership opportunities that may not be apparent to most pharmacy directors, but expanding their view to helping international pharmacists expand their practice only strengthens the professional goal of providing patient-centered pharmacy services.

Review of the 2015 Drug Supply Chain Security Act.

The integrity of the pharmaceutical supply chain is threatened by medication counterfeiting, importation of unapproved and substandard drugs, and grey markets - all of which have the potential to distribute drug products with the potential for serious harm. On November 27, 2013, President Obama signed into law Title II of the Drug Quality and Security Act, now known as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). Over the next 10 years, the DSCSA will require the pharmaceutical supply chain to implement medication tracking and tracing; serialization, verification, and detection of suspicious products; and strict guidelines for wholesaler licensing and reporting. This article reviews the important aspects of the DSCSA and outlines the role of health-system pharmacy leaders in ensuring compliance to the DSCSA. By verifying that medication supplies are free from adulteration and tampering, the DSCSA serves as a foundational law to ensure quality in providing patient-centered pharmacy services.