Meet the Team
The SACT Safety Campaign is the brainchild of Alison Simons and Samantha Toland; both award-winning* Senior Lecturers at Birmingham City University. They share the passionate belief that closed system drug transfer devices (CSDTDs) should be mandatory to protect healthcare workers from harm before, during and after the administration of chemotherapy drugs.
ALISON SIMONS
Alison has worked in oncology for more than 20 years. Starting her career, as a staff nurse and then a junior sister in an inpatient setting, she then became a professional development sister for oncology and haematology.
SAMANTHA TOLAND
Samantha’s nursing career in oncology, haematology and bone marrow transplant, started over 20 years ago. In 2005 she became a Chemotherapy Nurse Trainer, which involved educating all staff working with SACT and raising awareness around health and safety issues.
key milestones
2004
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 2004. Alert issued Preventing occupational exposure to antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in health care settings 2004. Publication number 2004-165, Cincinnati (OH). Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2004-165/.
2007
International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners (ISOPP)
States that CSTDs are the best, most effective, preventive measure to avoid exposure to contamination during cytotoxic preparation and administration, International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners. 2007 ISOPP Standards of Practice. Safe Handling of Cytototoxic.
2014
HSE publishes ‘Safe handling of cytotoxic drugs in the workplace’
The recommendation is ‘Use totally enclosed systems where reasonably practicable’.
2016
European Policy Recommendations Preventing Occupational Exposure to cytotoxic and other hazardous drugs.
Recommendation 8 of 11: In order to improve healthcare workers safety, policies at the EU and national level should promote the use of effective CSTD, which have the potential to protect healthcare workers from being exposed to cytotoxic drugs.
sact safety priorities
inform
Share experience and knowledge about the risks of exposure to cytotoxic drugs for healthcare professionals and stimulate debate.
educate
Aim to keep healthcare professionals as safe as possible through education and training.
change
Campaign for closed system drug transfer devices (CSDTDs) to become mandatory for the preparation and administration of cytotoxic and other hazardous drugs.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
The SACT safety campaign website has been funded through an educational grant from Vygon (UK) Ltd. Vygon is the supplier of Qimono, a closed system drug transfer device. For more information telephone 01793 744830 or email marketing@vygon.co.uk
