Safeguarding Patients, Relatives, and Nurses: A Screening Approach for Detecting 5-FU Residues on Elastomeric Infusion Pumps Using HPLC-DAD

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The leakage of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) from elastomeric infusion pumps used in cancer therapy poses a potential risk of unintentional exposure to multiple individuals, including patients’ relatives and healthcare professionals, and may also compromise the accu...

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Main Authors: Andreia Cardoso, Ângelo Jesus, Luísa Barreiros, Daniel Carvalho, Maria dos Anjos Sá, Susana Carvalho, Patrícia Correia, Fernando Moreira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Toxics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/416
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author Andreia Cardoso
Ângelo Jesus
Luísa Barreiros
Daniel Carvalho
Maria dos Anjos Sá
Susana Carvalho
Patrícia Correia
Fernando Moreira
author_facet Andreia Cardoso
Ângelo Jesus
Luísa Barreiros
Daniel Carvalho
Maria dos Anjos Sá
Susana Carvalho
Patrícia Correia
Fernando Moreira
author_sort Andreia Cardoso
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> The leakage of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) from elastomeric infusion pumps used in cancer therapy poses a potential risk of unintentional exposure to multiple individuals, including patients’ relatives and healthcare professionals, and may also compromise the accurate administration of 5-FU dosages to patients. This study aimed to develop, validate, and apply an analytical method to detect and quantify 5-FU residues on the external surfaces of infusion pumps. <b>Methods:</b> A high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) method was optimized for the quantification of 5-FU contamination across different components of the infusion pump, including the hard casing, infusion tubing, and catheter connection port. A mobile phase containing 5% acetic acid was used to obtain more efficient separation of 5-FU and the detection was performed at 260 nm. The method was evaluated for linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, selectivity, robustness, and stability. <b>Results:</b> The method demonstrated linearity within the range of 0.150 to 3.000 µg/cm<sup>2</sup>, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.05 µg/cm<sup>2</sup> and 0.14 µg/cm<sup>2</sup>, respectively. Relative standard deviations ranged from 1.8% to 12.7%, and accuracy exceeded 85%. In real sample analysis, detectable residues were found around the catheter connection port. <b>Conclusions:</b> This screening-oriented method addresses an existing gap, as previous contamination reports were based solely on self-reported user observations. The detection of 5-FU residues highlights the critical need for safe handling practices and the consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect healthcare workers, especially nursing staff involved in the removal of the infusion pumps, after treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-72e2fb397a464bfdb7e87bd79fbdcfe12025-08-20T02:33:51ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-05-0113541610.3390/toxics13050416Safeguarding Patients, Relatives, and Nurses: A Screening Approach for Detecting 5-FU Residues on Elastomeric Infusion Pumps Using HPLC-DADAndreia Cardoso0Ângelo Jesus1Luísa Barreiros2Daniel Carvalho3Maria dos Anjos Sá4Susana Carvalho5Patrícia Correia6Fernando Moreira7Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, PortugalLAQV/REQUIMTE, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, PortugalEscola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugali3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, PortugalCentro Hospitalar Universitário Do Porto, Hospital de Santo António, 4099-001 Porto, PortugalCentro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, PortugalLAQV/REQUIMTE, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, PortugalLAQV/REQUIMTE, Escola Superior de Saúde, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal<b>Background/Objectives:</b> The leakage of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) from elastomeric infusion pumps used in cancer therapy poses a potential risk of unintentional exposure to multiple individuals, including patients’ relatives and healthcare professionals, and may also compromise the accurate administration of 5-FU dosages to patients. This study aimed to develop, validate, and apply an analytical method to detect and quantify 5-FU residues on the external surfaces of infusion pumps. <b>Methods:</b> A high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD) method was optimized for the quantification of 5-FU contamination across different components of the infusion pump, including the hard casing, infusion tubing, and catheter connection port. A mobile phase containing 5% acetic acid was used to obtain more efficient separation of 5-FU and the detection was performed at 260 nm. The method was evaluated for linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, selectivity, robustness, and stability. <b>Results:</b> The method demonstrated linearity within the range of 0.150 to 3.000 µg/cm<sup>2</sup>, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.05 µg/cm<sup>2</sup> and 0.14 µg/cm<sup>2</sup>, respectively. Relative standard deviations ranged from 1.8% to 12.7%, and accuracy exceeded 85%. In real sample analysis, detectable residues were found around the catheter connection port. <b>Conclusions:</b> This screening-oriented method addresses an existing gap, as previous contamination reports were based solely on self-reported user observations. The detection of 5-FU residues highlights the critical need for safe handling practices and the consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect healthcare workers, especially nursing staff involved in the removal of the infusion pumps, after treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/416cytotoxicchemotherapyantineoplastic5-FUHPLC-DADoccupational exposure
spellingShingle Andreia Cardoso
Ângelo Jesus
Luísa Barreiros
Daniel Carvalho
Maria dos Anjos Sá
Susana Carvalho
Patrícia Correia
Fernando Moreira
Safeguarding Patients, Relatives, and Nurses: A Screening Approach for Detecting 5-FU Residues on Elastomeric Infusion Pumps Using HPLC-DAD
Toxics
cytotoxic
chemotherapy
antineoplastic
5-FU
HPLC-DAD
occupational exposure
title Safeguarding Patients, Relatives, and Nurses: A Screening Approach for Detecting 5-FU Residues on Elastomeric Infusion Pumps Using HPLC-DAD
title_full Safeguarding Patients, Relatives, and Nurses: A Screening Approach for Detecting 5-FU Residues on Elastomeric Infusion Pumps Using HPLC-DAD
title_fullStr Safeguarding Patients, Relatives, and Nurses: A Screening Approach for Detecting 5-FU Residues on Elastomeric Infusion Pumps Using HPLC-DAD
title_full_unstemmed Safeguarding Patients, Relatives, and Nurses: A Screening Approach for Detecting 5-FU Residues on Elastomeric Infusion Pumps Using HPLC-DAD
title_short Safeguarding Patients, Relatives, and Nurses: A Screening Approach for Detecting 5-FU Residues on Elastomeric Infusion Pumps Using HPLC-DAD
title_sort safeguarding patients relatives and nurses a screening approach for detecting 5 fu residues on elastomeric infusion pumps using hplc dad
topic cytotoxic
chemotherapy
antineoplastic
5-FU
HPLC-DAD
occupational exposure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/5/416
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