Effects of electron beam sterilization on polyethylene terephthalate: Physico-chemical modifications and formation of non-volatile organic extractables.

Our investigations hereby involve the effects of ionizing radiation as a sterilization method, and especially electron beams, on a medical grade Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). Ionizing radiations are known to induce free radicals formation in the polymer that will then either degrade or crosslink, depending on its chemical nature, ionizing type and irradiation atmosphere (Charlesby, 1967; Dole, 1972 and Dole, 1973). The evaluation of packaging material modifications under radiation sterilization is of great interest and the objective of our paper is to focus on both PET volume modifications and extractable analyses after electron beam sterilization.

Actinide-contaminated Skin: Comparing Decontamination Efficacy of Water, Cleansing Gels, and DTPA Gels.

Skin contamination by alpha-emitting actinides is a risk to workers during nuclear fuel production and reactor decommissioning. Also, the list of items for potential use in radiological dispersal devices includes plutonium and americium. The actinide chemical form is important and solvents such as tributyl phosphate, used to extract plutonium, can influence plutonium behavior.

[Preparation and administration of injectable antibiotics: a tool for nurses].

Nurses, the main caregivers to administer medications, often find themselves lacking the information which is nevertheless essential for the preparation of injectable antibiotics. This problem, frequent in hospitals, impacts on patient safety. On the initiative of the pharmacy and nursing staff, a tool has been created in the Percy Army Teaching Hospital in Clamart.

[Results and lessons of an innovating chemotherapy-induced nauseas and vomiting management strategy].

Current chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting management guidelines recommend taking into account the emetogenic potential of the chemotherapy employed as well as individual risk factors to such effects. We performed an interventional prospective study to assess the impact of an innovating therapeutic optimization strategy. The latter combines current guidelines application to a specific consultation in order to individualize the treatment.

[The nurse as the last line of defence against quality defects in medicines].

The administration of medicines, the last stage in the process, is mainly carried out by the nurse. She is therefore the last person to be able to intercept any quality defects in the medication which, despite the stringent safety measures taken by pharmaceutical laboratories throughout their manufacturing processes, remain unavoidable. These interceptions are vital for the patient's safety.