Prevention Guide - Safe Handling of Hazardous Drugs - Irsst

7. PLANNING THE ONCOLOGY PHARMACY
7.3 Preventive Measures
7.3.1 Identification RATING: +++
Clearly identify the entrances to the Pharmacy Department.
RECOMMENDATIONS
7.3.1.1 The oncology pharmacy premises (i.e., access door) must be identified with the
“Cytotoxic” hazard symbol.
ASHP, p. 1175-76 ♦ OSHA, Section Vb1
7.3.2 Planning the Oncology Pharmacy RATING: +++
Plan the oncology pharmacy for the preparation of hazardous drugs in accordance with
the following recommendations.
RECOMMENDATIONS
NOTE
The design parameters, such as the pressure gradient values, air exchange values and
other technical parameters, as well as the quality of the materials, will be specified in a
document prepared by the CHQ. The general principles are outlined here.
7.3.2.1 The oncology pharmacy should include a sterile preparation room and an ISO 7 airlock
or an airlock in compliance with the recommendations of the Ordre des pharmaciens
du Québec.
The pharmacy should also include an unpacking room/area (see 6.3.1), a storage
room/area (see 6.3.5), a data entry room/area and a patient counselling room (see
Figures 9 and 10).
7.3.2.2 There should be pressure gradients between the sterile preparation room, the airlock
and the other rooms in the pharmacy, in order to avoid spreading contaminants from the
sterile preparation area to the adjacent areas and bringing microbial and particulate
contamination into the sterile preparation area. The pressure values are defined in the
CHQ planning standard. With respect to the general principles, the most important
variable for the efficacy of a sterile preparation room is whether it is airtight (to
maintain the pressure gradients).
‣ The unpacking and storage areas should normally be under a slightly negative
pressure; however, the airtightness of these areas cannot be ensured, contrary to
what is required in the sterile preparation room and airlock.
‣ The sterile preparation room should be under negative pressure and the airlock
under positive pressure.
‣ All of the air in the sterile preparation room, airlock and unpacking and storage
areas should be exhausted to the outside of the building through a HEPA filter.
‣ The air in the pharmacy offices may be recirculated; however, as a precaution, this
air should be recirculated to the pharmacy only.
‣ There should be monitoring and alarm systems with respect to the parameters of the
ventilation and safety cabinets (monitoring of pressures, heat and humidity, etc.).
7-2 ASSTSAS PREVENTION GUIDE – SAFE HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS DRUGS