Baxa to Feature Closed System Technology For Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs at ASCO Annual Meeting in New Orleans June 5-8, 2004
Baxa Corporation is presenting closed system technology (CST) at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in New Orleans. PhaSeal is the only closed system for handling antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs that has been documented to reduce or eliminate human exposure to toxic hazards in the workplace. The meeting, which begins June 5 and continues through June 8, focuses on advancing the education of physicians and health-system professions in cancer care and facilitating the delivery of high-quality health care to oncology patients.
New Orleans, LA (PRWEB) May 26, 2004 -- At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting this year, Baxa Corporation will present closed system technology (CST) for handling antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs that has been documented to reduce or eliminate human exposure to toxic hazards in the workplace. The meeting, which begins June 5 and continues through June 8, focuses on advancing the education of physicians and health-system professions in cancer care and facilitating the delivery of high-quality health care to oncology patients. This is the first year that Baxa Corporation has participated in the ASCO event, which draws nearly 20,000 healthcare professionals.
CST consists of a set of disposable containment devices that connect the original drug vial, syringe and IV injection or infusion set together into a completely sealed pathway. The system's double membrane prevents drug leakage and keeps the connections dry. A built-in expansion chamber equalizes system pressure to prevent the release of toxic aerosols and vapors during reconstitution. With CST, hazardous drugs are contained throughout the entire process of drug transfer, preparation, transport, administration and disposal.
The timing of the ASCO meeting is especially good for discussion of environmental and personnel contamination, in that it closely follows the March release by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) of an alert entitled, "Preventing Occupational
Exposures to Antineoplastic and other Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings." The Alert reviews the recent studies that have demonstrated widespread environmental contamination by hazardous drugs in preparation and administration areas, as well as the human uptake studies and their results. Among the Alert's recommendations are the use of a closed-system drug transfer device to reduce the potential for worker exposure.
About Baxa Corporation:
As a leading provider of devices and systems for the preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of liquid medications, Baxa manufactures and markets a wide range of healthcare products for use in hospitals, critical care units and alternate-site pharmacies. Headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, Baxa has subsidiaries and sales offices in Canada, the United Kingdom; Denmark, and Germany; and distribution partners worldwide. Further information is available at http://www.baxa.com.
About The American Society of Clinical Oncology:
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is the world's leading professional society of multidisciplinary physicians who treat people with cancer. ASCO's more than 20,000 members from the U.S. and abroad set the standard for patient care worldwide and lead the fight for more effective cancer treatments, increased funding for clinical and translational research, and, ultimately, cures for the many different types of cancer that strike an estimated 10 million people worldwide each year. The society may be found online at http://www.asco.org
Click the following link to view a presentation by Jim Jorgenson "Using a Closed System Device to Reduce Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs." Jorgenson is Director of Pharmacy for the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Associate Dean for Professional Affairs at the University of Utah:
http://www.isips.org/presentations/PhaSeal/player.html
###
Contacts:
Marian Robinson, Vice President, Marketing
Baxa Corporation: 800.567.2292 ext. 2157 or 303.617.2157
Email: marian.robinson@baxa.com
Maggie Holben, Absolutely Public Relations
303.984.9801 or 303.669.3558
Email: maggie@absolutelypr.com
|
