Learn Everything about Chemotherapy Preparation | Rainbow Children's Hospitals

Summary

This video demonstrates the step-by-step procedure for preparing chemotherapy in a controlled, sterile environment. It covers essential safety measures, including the proper use of PPE, biosafety cabinet setup, and the process of cross-checking medication doses. The nurses are shown preparing the chemotherapy drug, ensuring sterile handling and proper disposal of waste. Emphasis is placed on maintaining aseptic conditions throughout, as well as strict protocols for hygiene, medication verification, and safety during chemotherapy preparation to protect both the patient and healthcare workers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure the biosafety cabinet is ready by turning on the UV light with the door closed for at least 10 minutes, followed by switching on the blower and light.
• 😀 The nurse preparing chemotherapy should gather the required materials, including the drug chart, consent form, and drug calculations.
• 😀 Handwashing is essential before entering the chemotherapy preparation room. The nurse must sanitize hands with chlorhexidine, following the six steps of hand hygiene.
• 😀 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial: sterile gown, N95 mask, goggles or eye shade, cap, and crocs to protect from chemotherapy exposure.
• 😀 After wearing PPE, the nurse must sterilize hands again before putting on gloves to maintain aseptic conditions.
• 😀 All chemotherapy materials should be placed inside the biosafety cabinet, starting with a sterile drawer sheet.
• 😀 Two nurses should be present during chemotherapy preparation. One reads out the doctor’s order, while the other checks the medicine for accuracy.
• 😀 The patient’s identity and medication details should be confirmed multiple times before preparation to ensure the correct dosage and medicine.
• 😀 The nurse should check and cross-check the medication dose, preparing the injection by diluting it with NS as required.
• 😀 After preparation, the nurse connects the intrafix line, primes it in the laminar flow, and ensures that everything is sterile before proceeding.
• 😀 All chemotherapy-exposed materials should be disposed of in a yellow cytotoxic bin, and the nurse should remove gloves after handling chemotherapy materials.
• 😀 Once the procedure is complete, the UV light should be switched back on with the door closed to maintain a sterile environment.

Q & A

What is the first step in preparing for chemotherapy in this session?

The first step is to prepare the biosafety cabinet by switching on the UV light with the door closed for at least 10 minutes. After that, the UV light is turned off, and the blower and light are switched on.

Why is hand hygiene critical in chemotherapy preparation?

Hand hygiene is critical to maintain aseptic conditions and to prevent contamination, ensuring that the chemotherapy drugs are prepared in a sterile environment and that the nurse avoids exposure to harmful substances.

What personal protective equipment (PPE) does the nurse wear during chemotherapy preparation?

The nurse wears a sterile gown, cap, N95 mask, goggles or eye shield, and crocs to protect against chemotherapy drug spillage. This PPE is essential to maintain safety for both the nurse and the patient.

How are the drugs cross-checked during the preparation process?

The drugs are cross-checked by two nurses. One reads out the doctor’s orders aloud while the other checks the medication to ensure the correct dosage and medication are being used.

What is the significance of wearing two pairs of gloves during the procedure?

Wearing two pairs of gloves provides an extra layer of protection in case of any spillage of chemotherapy drugs. It reduces the risk of chemotherapy drug exposure to the nurse’s skin.

What happens if chemotherapy drugs spill during preparation?

If any spillage occurs, the nurse will clean the surfaces with alcohol swabs to disinfect them and minimize the risk of contamination or exposure.

What role does the laminar flow hood play in the chemotherapy preparation process?

The laminar flow hood is used to ensure a sterile environment during chemotherapy preparation. It helps maintain aseptic conditions by providing a constant flow of filtered air to prevent contamination.

What should the nurse do after preparing the chemotherapy medication and intravenous line?

After preparing the chemotherapy medication and priming the intravenous line, the nurse will place the product and line in a sterile tray, cover it, and then dispose of all exposed materials into a yellow cytotoxic waste bin.

What is the purpose of switching on the UV light again after the chemotherapy preparation is complete?

The UV light is switched on again at the end of the procedure to sterilize the biosafety cabinet for the remainder of the day. This step ensures that any potential contaminants are eliminated from the work environment.

Why is it important to dispose of chemotherapy-exposed materials in a yellow cytotoxic bin?

Chemotherapy-exposed materials are highly toxic, and the yellow cytotoxic bin is specifically designated for the safe disposal of such hazardous waste, preventing contamination and ensuring proper handling of dangerous substances.