Frequently Asked Questions – RxCarbon Safety Solutions
FAQs
How is your RxCarbon Poly different from other barrier or chemo mats?
RxCarbon Poly is the only available absorbent pad with RP718 activated carbon to sequester hazardous drugs like oncology liquids. Barrier towels or blue chemo mats do nothing to the API’s in hazardous drugs, meaning; hazardous drug exposure risks still exist.
What are the top areas in Pharmacy and Administering of Hazardous Drugs most susceptible to contamination and practitioner exposure?
- Warehouse storage shelving for hazardous drugs
- Pharmacy sterile and non-sterile compounding surfaces
- Medication transportation carts
- Medication room counters
- Infusion tables and surfaces for starting and discontinuing IVs
- Under patient IV access sites
- Any surface that there is a possibility for a small spill of a hazardous pharmaceutical
- RxCarbon Poly should be used in all 7 of these areas
Is RxCarbon Poly Sterile able to be used in a clean room environment?
RxCarbon Poly meets the standards set by ISO 9073-10 and BS EN 13795 low lint and low particulate matter. (Not Class 5).
Has RxCarbon been independently tested?
Yes, RxCarbon has been proven to deactivate controlled narcotics and hazardous drugs like oncology liquids. In addition, RxCarbon Poly has been tested for wipe and absorption.
Why are chemo absorbent mats important in healthcare settings?
Chemo absorbent mats are essential for protecting healthcare workers, patients, and the environment by capturing hazardous drug spills. They help prevent contamination and exposure, ensuring compliance with safety regulations such as USP <800> and OSHA standards.
How do RxCarbon absorbent mats differ from standard absorbent pads?
Unlike standard absorbent pads, RxCarbon absorbent mats are specifically designed to handle hazardous drugs. They have chemical-resistant materials and prevent hazardous drug residues from spreading or being re-released.
Where should chemo absorbent mats be used to maximize safety?
These mats should be used in areas where Hazardous drugs are prepared, administered, and disposed of, such as pharmacy compounding areas, infusion rooms, and under IV lines to catch potential drips or spills.
What makes our chemo absorbent mat the only one that can sequester hazardous drugs?
Our mat is uniquely designed with activated charcoal embedded within the absorbent layers, allowing it to not only absorb but also sequester hazardous drugs. This ensures that the drugs are trapped at the molecular level, preventing re-release and reducing contamination risks.
How does activated charcoal improve safety and compliance?
Activated charcoal has a high adsorption capacity, meaning it binds hazardous drug residues effectively. This minimizes secondary exposure and makes disposal safer, assisting healthcare facilities comply with USP <800> and OSHA guidelines for hazardous drug handling.
How should I use the 12x12 RxCarbon Pad?
The RxCarbon Pad larger size 12”x12” is designed for use in 4 gallons or larger regulated waste containers. Each pad will adsorb and absorb up to 500 ml of liquid pharmaceutical waste. Additional pads may be added for containers requiring greater absorption and adsorption.
How should I use the 3x9 RxCarbon Pad?
The RxCarbon Pad smaller size 3”x 9” is designed for use in 3 gallon or smaller regulated waste containers. Each pad will absorb up to 120 ml of liquid pharmaceutical waste. Additional pads may be added for containers requiring greater absorption and adsorption.
Why is it important to use RxCarbon Pad in regulated waste containers of all sizes and colors (red, yellow, white, black, blue)?
Regulated waste containers are utilized by many healthcare practitioners to purposefully or inadvertently dispose of pharmaceutical waste. RxCarbon Pad eliminates the possibility of these pharmaceuticals being nefariously diverted.
USP<800> has identified contamination risks of hazardous pharmaceuticals as a significant health threat. It is important to both absorb and adsorb which will chemically bind any liquid hazardous pharmaceutical waste even trace amounts that could either evaporate or spill in accidental handling errors.
Any liquid pharmaceutical waste should be both adsorbed by activated carbon and adsorbed to contain the fluids to prevent diversion risks and improve safe handling until incinerated.
Will RxCarbon Pad work with reusable regulated waste containers?
RxCarbon Pad will work with a reusable regulated waste container. The 3”x9” size will fit in any wall or counter size container and the 12”x12” will work in all floor or cart mounted containers. RxCarbon Pad should be placed in the bottom of the unused container when the container is placed in service.
Does RxCarbon Pad require any special disposal instructions or processes?
RxCarbon Pad is an important upgrade to your current regulated containers of all sizes and types and follows the same guidelines for your facility for these containers. In short, no changes in disposal practices are suggested or required.
Does RxCarbon Pad help me comply with the new EPA Regulations for managing hazardous pharmaceutical waste?
RxCarbon Pad provides the ability to adsorb and render liquid controlled substances non-divertible in all containers.
RxCarbon Pad helps keep air and water discharges of pharmaceuticals from autoclaves from occurring.
Regulated waste containers of all types will be required to manage a significant increase of liquid pharmaceutical waste with the sewering ban for hazardous drugs and suggested elimination for all drugs. The regulated containers will need a solution to adsorb and bind the APIs as well as absorb the liquids in the containers.
Does RxCarbon assist with Drug Diversion?
By adding the RxCarbon Pad to your Regulated Waste containers, the liquid inside the container will be absorbed and sequestered, eliminating the possibility of drug diversion within the health care system. We encourage adding to all containers to help minimize the occurrence of drug diversion.