Objectives The preparation of cytotoxic drugs requires high quality levels to limit biocontamination and chemocontamination risks. While standardised measures exist for biocontamination, this is not the case for chemocontamination. Despite precautions, chemocontamination can occur at many stages. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of decontamination solutions following intentional contamination on stainless steel surfaces inside a biosafety cabinet using antineoplastic drugs. Methods Three sessions were conducted to assess the effectiveness of four decontamination solutions (Surfa’Safe, Septalkan, ethanol 70% and Versol water) on areas contaminated with antineoplastic drugs. Ten areas were tested: one negative and one positive control area and eight contaminated areas followed by decontamination: four ‘wet’ (decontaminated immediately) and four ‘dry’ areas (decontaminated after 1 hour). The effectiveness of decontamination (Effq) and the impact of drying time were analysed using Kruskal–Wallis and Wilcoxon tests. Results Negative controls showed very low levels of contamination. Septalkan and Surfa’Safe, both quaternary ammonium-based solutions, were the most effective for decontamination (Effq >95%), with greater effectiveness in the ‘wet’ protocol than in the ‘dry’ protocol (Surfa’Safe: 95.3% vs 97.3%; Septalkan: 95.3% vs 98%). Despite a lower value, decontamination was not statistically significant between the two methods of decontamination (immediate and after drying; p=0.125). Conclusions Quaternary ammonium-based solutions appear to be the best options for limiting chemocontamination. Despite the similar effectiveness of Septalkan and Surfa’Safe, the latter seems to be a more efficient option for routine use of an appropriate cleaning solution.
Convert et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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