Using simulation to improve pharmacy operators' handling of cytotoxic spills.

INTRODUCTION: International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners guidelines recommend having standard operating procedures (SOPs) and initial and yearly retraining programs on cytotoxic spill handling for pharmacy operators (POs). This study aimed to create a simulation-based training (SBT) program on this subject and evaluate its impact on POs' real-life performance.

METHODS: Randomly formed pairs of POs underwent a 2.5-hour training program, including two simulation exercises (a broken cytotoxic vial on the floor and a leaking cytotoxic bag) in a simulated pharmacy production unit. Each participant applied the cytotoxic spill handling SOPs. The PO and trainer-pharmacist did a debriefing after each exercise. Satisfaction was recorded on a 0-to-100% scale. A 20-item questionnaire assessed general knowledge about cytotoxic spill handling before and after the training. One month before and one month after the training, the POs underwent a real-life test when the trainer broke a fake cytotoxic vial in the cytotoxic storage area. Their performance in applying the SOPs was assessed on a 20-point checklist, and the time to handle the spill was recorded.

RESULTS: Twelve POs participated. Mean satisfaction score was 98.9%. Mean knowledge score improved from 10.8/20 (SD = 2.0) before training to 14.5/20 (SD = 1.6) after training ( p  < 0.05). Mean real-life SOP performance improved from 78.6% (SD = 7.4%) to 97.1% (SD = 5.2%) ( p  < 0.05). Mean time to handle cytotoxic spills decreased from 17.3 minutes (SD = 3.6 minutes) to 11.9 minutes (SD = 1.5 minutes) ( p  < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: POs improved their knowledge and real-life competencies for handling cytotoxic spills. This training will be included in POs' initial and continuing training programs.