Pharmacists are tasked with the responsibility of preparing vital medications for their patients. The pharmacists who work in a hospital setting are often required to handle medications that could be harmful.

Repeated exposure to certain medicines could result in an adverse reaction, so pharmacists need to use caution when filling prescriptions. The addition of a closed system transfer device (CSTD) into your hospital's pharmacy can offer both patients and staff maximum protection when handling medications.

1. A CSTD system helps maintain sterilization.

Medications that are administered in a hospital setting must often be compounded by pharmacists before being administered to patients. This compounding process requires pharmacists to combine several ingredients to create an effective medication.

Each component ingredient comes in a glass bottle that houses numerous doses. Using a CSTD pharmacy system helps to protect the bottle against potential contamination during the compounding process. Medications will remain pure and sterile, providing patients with maximum dosage benefits.

2. A CSTD system prevents the escape of hazardous drugs.

During the compounding process, pharmacists must use syringe needles to withdraw specified doses of each ingredient from a glass bottle. There is always the potential for some leakage to occur during the withdrawal process.

A CSTD pharmacy system gives pharmacists access to a specialized locking device that fits over the top of medication bottles. The syringe needle inserts into the device rather that penetrating the bottle directly.

Any medication that escapes during withdrawal will be captured within the locking device, preventing environmental contamination and ensuring the safety of pharmacy staff members.

3. A CSTD pharmacy system can be used with all medications.

Modern medications come in liquid, viscous, and powder form. CSTD pharmacy systems are equipped to work with medications in all forms.

Syringe and vial adapters are utilized to help manage the withdrawal and compounding of liquid and viscous medications. Port adapters fit easily onto IV bags filled with the liquid needed to reconstitute powdered medications. All of these devices offer your pharmacy the benefit of being able to work with hazardous drugs without the fear of contamination or exposure.

Administering the right medications is an important part of day-to-day operations within a hospital setting. Hospital pharmacies can improve the accuracy and sterility of their compounding processes by investing in a CSTD pharmacy system. Eliminating the threat of exposure to potentially hazardous medications will improve the function and efficiency of your hospital pharmacy in the future.