CSTDs work by preventing the uncontrolled inflow and outflow of contaminants and drugs, preserving the quality of solution to be infused into a patient.
[2] Investment and interests in CSTDs continue to grow[4] over the past decade as concerns of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), together with increased awareness of drug risks have pushed the market to explore better options for handling hazardous materials.
[7] The definition of a closed system drug transfer device was first published in an alert warning released by the American National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
[8] CSTDs generally follow one of two design concepts, using either a physical barrier or an air-cleaning technology to prevent the escape of hazardous drugs into the work environment.
NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, US), recognized the importance of having a universal protocol for evaluating the performance of CSTDs (closed system transfer devices).
[10] The importance of this universal protocol is that it compares the safety and efficacy of all CSTDs including tasks that challenge different CSTD components in clinical procedures.
The 2-POE used as a surrogate in the protocol, tests effectivity the designs of CSTDs and the capacity of each component to prevent drug vapor, aerosol or droplet release.