The registered nurses at the health
service here have asked me about a problem they have. A patient with rheumatoid
arthritis has come in with methotrexate ampoules -50 milligram size. The
patient is being treated by an external consultant. The dose is 25
milligrams, once per week. It would be nice if it came drawn up in a
syringe as the correct dose.
I have been looking at the local
information on cytotoxics and it does seem an extraordinary amount of equipment
is needed for this one small dose. I wonder if there is anyone out
there who has a procedure for working with small doses of cytotoxics because
the potential cost of getting all the equipment and having it sit around and
being only used once per week does seem extreme. I understand the risks
of cytotoxics but does the size of the dose matter? The Registered nurses are
concerned about the patient because she apparently has multiple problems as
well as the rheumatoid arthritis and they do not want to send her elsewhere. I
would appreciate advice on this matter.
Regards
Occupational
Health Nurse Adviser
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