Centralized preparation of hazardous drugs. A choice between isolator and laminar airflow.

In 1987, the manager of the Saint-Joseph Hospital (Paris, France) requested a reorganization of cytotoxic drug preparation. Protection for staff who handle hazardous drugs was the main concern. The conclusions drawn from a first analysis emphasize the advantages of a centralized reconstitution unit against a decentralized system. Subsequently, a workload study and an economic study (investment, maintenance, supplies, staff costs, comparative balance sheet and a 5-year simulation) were carried out, but to choose between a laminar airflow in aseptic room and an isolator in a conventional room. The selected isolator is the first of the conception: the central half-suit uses as a server, and four sleeves located on one side allow two technicians to work in a sterile and closed area without sterile garments.