Session 3: An automated compounding cytotoxic unit

The automated compounding for IV admixtures has been developed since the early 2000s, but to prepare anticancer drugs, automatic systems have only been deployed in hospitals since 2010.

The new automatic systems are expected to address capacity issues as well as improving the safety, accuracy (in-process controls), workflow of chemotherapy compounding and decreasing risks to the operator (musculoskeletal disorders, repetitive tasks) and limit the risk of exposure to cytotoxic drugs.

The technical evolutions of the equipment (pumps or robots) have contributed for 10 years to the installation in our compounding units. The automation of compounding is now envisaged for units with a significant activity (> 40 000 doses/year) or that have decided to work in "banding dose".

Nevertheless, deploying an automated system requires a review of its organization and workflow.

The objective of this workshop is to discuss the different systems ( pumps, robots...), to define the types of units involved (number and type of doses) and to analyze the organizational elements to be put in place based on the experience of the speakers and by exchanging with the participants.

Workshop schedule :

• Present the different types of automated compounding systems of 4 units
• Interactive work around the question: Who is automation for?
• Interactive work around the workflow of the units with automated equipment:
  • Robots do not replace technician but assist him. How manage our staff?
  • Review workflow: anticipating prescriptions, dose-banding
  • Staff training
  • Validation of equipment
  • What to do in case of breakdown?