Aseptic Services

Aseptic Services, what does it mean?

Aseptic preparation is where products such as pre-filled syringes or infusion bags are made in a Clean Room environment using Isolators and controlled air supply via HEPA filters. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. These filters provide a high degree of protection from particle and microbial contamination.

Our unit mainly manufacture’s chemotherapy and supplies in the region of 3000 preparations every month to the hospital.

Chemotherapy Drug

Chemotherapy is the use of anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy cancer cells. Within our manufacturing unit we aseptically manipulate, reconstitute, and dilute these drugs. Some are given on their own but often several drugs may be combined, this is known as combination chemotherapy.

TPN – Total Parental Nutrition

Total Parental Nutrition is a nutritional substitute, which is made from a mixture of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins & minerals and trace elements. Each patient requires a bespoke combination of these that is prescribed by specialist teams.

TPN is used for patients across the Trust who are malnourished or at risk or becoming so as a result of their digestive tract not being fully functional or accessible or premature babies who do not have a fully developed digestive system.

Our manufacturing unit works alongside specialist teams to ensure TPN requests are stable (some combinations do not mix well) and safe / appropriate for each patient. The bags are ordered and supplied from a third party supplier on a daily basis.

Radiopharmacy

Radiopharmacy is the preparation of products which use small amounts of radioactivity, usually the radioisotope Technetium 99m. These products are then injected into patients to allow a specialist scan that will help detect various diseases. This is carried out in Nuclear Medicine. There are various different products which target specific areas of the body.

These products are aseptically prepared in a dedicated purpose built clean room within the Nuclear Medicine Department. Following preparation they must then be approved for use by one of our pharmacists.