IV Lab upgrade enhances quality and safety

Upgrades in the IV Lab at Christiana Hospital put Christiana Care well ahead of the latest federal regulations for operational quality and safety. The newly renovated facility became fully operational on Dec. 19.

The 10-week, complete renovation of the space on the lower level of Christiana Hospital was undertaken to become more compliant with newly revised and increasingly stringent standards for sterile compounding and handling of hazardous drugs.

“We’re committed to being exceptional today and even better tomorrow, as we ensure high-quality care and service for everyone we serve,” said Terri Corbo, Pharm.D., MHCDS, FASHP vice president of Christiana Care Pharmacy Services. “This upgrade ensures we exceed all of today’s regulatory requirements as defined by the latest federal regulations and that we are prepared for future regulatory revisions.”

The IV Lab is an environmentally controlled space where IV bags are made to ensure the safety and sterility of therapeutic solutions for treating both inpatients and ambulatory care patients throughout the Christiana Hospital campus, including the Surgicenter and any outpatient locations where IV therapy is given, except the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, which has its own IV lab.

The lab renovation required substantial, complex air-handling engineering expertise to ensure that appropriate ventilation, air-pressure gradients, temperature and humidity are all maintained to meet requirements for facilities that engage in IV product, chemotherapy and other hazardous drug preparation, Corbo said.