Abstract
The preparation of injection mixtures, mainly for intravenous hyperalimentation (IVH), is increasing in medical institutions. The importance of infection control in preparation of injection mixtures under sterile conditions, such as in a clean bench for IVH and a safety cabinet for anticancer drugs, has been emphasized. We conducted a questionnaire survey on the status of the preparation of injection mixtures in medical institutions. The questionnaire included whether the institution has clean benches and/or safety cabinets, which medical staff prepare injection mixtures, clothing during injection mixture preparation, and whether and what kind of filters are used for the preparation of injection mixtures and administration of IVH. Answers were obtained from 118 institutions.
Clean benches were installed in 94.1%, and safety cabinets in 71.2%, of the institutions. Most of them were installed in the pharmaceutical department. However, the preparation of IVH, anticancer, and other injection mixtures was often performed in under-equipped conditions by nurses. More than 70% of the pharmacists wore dust-free garments, gloves, masks, and caps, but far fewer of the other medical staff members wore such garments. The rate of the application of inline filters to IVH was 79.7%, and the rate of the application of membrane filters to injection mixture preparation was 49.4%.
Infection control requires the promotion of the utilization of equipments installed in pharmaceutical departments and preparation of injection mixtures by pharmacists.
