"Understanding USP 797" and "Environmental Controls for Sterile Compounding" Technical Papers are Now Posted on PublicRelationsNewsroom.com In Light of the Continued Regulatory Focus on Hazardous Drug Handling in the Workplace
Two technical papers produced by Baxa Corporation – “Understanding USP 797” and “Environmental Controls for Sterile Compounding” are now posted for media and professional access on PublicRelationsNewsroom.com. Since the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) released USP 797 in January 2004 and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published its 2004 alert on the health risks posed to those working with hazardous drugs, there has been a renewed focus on safety within the hospital pharmacy environment. These papers address the various issues under discussion.
Englewood, CO (PRWEB) January 30, 2005 -- With hazardous drug handling brought to the forefront of public scrutiny in 2004 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) USP 797 and a related National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert, Baxa Corporation has published two related technical papers: “Understanding USP 797” and “Environmental Controls for Sterile Compounding.” Both papers are now posted on www.PublicRelationsNewsroom.com for both professional and media access (click either the ASHP USP 797 tab or the compounding tab if accessing from the home page), according to Greg Baldwin, Chairman and CEO of Baxa Corporation. Baxa is a proponent of closed system technology (CST) that prevents the workplace contamination threats as delineated in the NIOSH Alert.
“Understanding USP 797” is found at http://www.publicrelationsnewsroom.com/_wsn/page4.html. This paper is authored by Baxa Corporation’s Michael Hurst RPh, MBA.
Hurst worked for 18 years at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, WA, in operational management, including positions as IV Supervisor and Assistant Director of Pharmacy. His implementation of a syringe infusion system in 1984 had national implications. For the next nine years Hurst wrote, spoke, consulted and acted as a reference site for syringe infusion installations across the country.
Moving to industry full time in 1994, Hurst joined Baxa Corporation as Vice President of Infusion Systems. His job duties have included customer support for syringe infusion system installations, new business and product development roles, and professional services support for various Baxa pharmacy and nursing product lines. Hurst is currently consulting with a hospital system in the development of a comprehensive USP 797 compliance template that can be applied in other hospital pharmacies.
“Environmental Controls for Sterile Compounding” is found at http://www.publicrelationsnewsroom.com/_wsn/page6.html.
Baxa Corporation is a proponent of closed system technology (CST) for safe handling of antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs. CST uses dry connections and a built-in expansion chamber to prevent drug aerosol leakage and subsequent transfer into the work environment. As a closed system, it contains hazardous drugs throughout the entire process of drug transfer, preparation, transport, administration and disposal - eliminating the risks of environmental and occupational exposure. CST is currently in use for handling hazardous drugs in more than 200 leading cancer hospitals in the US. CST is also used in progressive hospitals throughout Europe.
About Baxa Corporation
A leading provider of devices and systems for the preparation, handling, packaging, and administration of liquid medications, Baxa Corporation 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.
Additional resources regarding this subject matter:
Understanding CleanRooms: A Q&A Document
http://www.publicrelationsnewsroom.com/_wsn/page7.html
Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs in the Workplace: Expert Perspectives
http://www.expert411.com/_wsn/page9.html
"What if the Cure is Also a Cause?
The Same Chemo Drugs That Save Some Cancer Patients' Lives Put Health Workers at Risk"
A Major Daily Newspaper Looks at This Issue in Depth: February 15, 2005
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A24458-2005Feb14.html?referrer=emailarticle
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
http://www.baxa.com
Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, Absolutely Public Relations
303.984.9801, 303.669.3558 Email: maggie@absolutelypr.com
http://www.absolutelypr.com
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