The aseptic pharmacy unit at Poole Hospital is going to be delivering an improved service to patients with cancer using two new state-of-the-art chemotherapy preparation cabinets.
The isolators are used to prepare cytotoxic drug treatments in ultra-clean conditions, essential for patients with challenged immune systems.
The technology in the new cabinets will also reduce the risk of errors as the dose is automatically imported into the machine via the hospital’s prescribing system. Internal scales, camera and barcoding device then ensure every step of the drug production is accurate, with the cabinet’s IT system alerted if a part of the preparation is incorrect.
Lyn Jackson, lead pharmacist for cancer services, said: “This means less waiting time for our patients which is really important at what can be a very anxious time.”