Preparing Your Chemotherapy (The James)

Preparing Your Chemotherapy (The James)

 

Chemotherapy is a medicine used to treat cancer. If you are getting chemotherapy intravenously, this handout is to help you know why it takes time to prepare your chemotherapy after you arrive for your appointment.

 

Why is my chemotherapy not made until I arrive for my treatment?

Before your treatment can be given, a number of safety checks will be done by the nurse and the pharmacist. When you arrive for your appointment, the nurse will:

  • Review the chemotherapy treatment plan ordered by your doctor
  • Do a health exam and talk with you about any concerns you may have about treatment
  • Review your labs to make sure it is okay for you to have your treatment
  • Check if you need any medicines to help with the side effects that may be caused by the treatment

 

What will happen before I receive my treatment?

After the checks by your nurse are complete, the nurse will let the pharmacist know so your chemotherapy can be prepared. While the Pharmacy is making your chemotherapy, you may receive:

  • Medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting
  • Medicines to prevent an allergic reaction
  • IV fluids

 

How is my chemotherapy made?

  • Two pharmacists will review your chemotherapy treatment plan to make sure everything is correct and complete.
  • The order will be sent to the pharmacy technician who will make your chemotherapy.
  • Orders for chemotherapy are processed in the order they are received. Your wait time will depend on the number of orders ahead of yours.
  • The pharmacy technician will make your chemotherapy in a special room to keep the medicine germ free. Each dose is carefully made for your specific treatment.
  • It can take up to 60 minutes, or more to make one dose of chemotherapy. Many times, a person will receive more than one drug and each one must be prepared in this way.
  • When your chemotherapy has been made, two pharmacists will check your prepared chemotherapy to make sure it was made exactly as ordered.
  • When your chemotherapy passes all the pharmacy safety checks, the pharmacist will tell the nurse it is ready for pick up.

 

What happens after my chemotherapy is prepared?

After your chemotherapy is prepared the nurse will do final safety checks before your chemotherapy is given.

  • Two nurses will check your chemotherapy using medicine safety guidelines.
  • After all safety checks are done, the nurse will start your treatment.

The process may seem slow, but there are many steps involved in preparing your chemotherapy. These steps are taken to make sure your chemotherapy is ordered, prepared and given in the safest way possible.

 

 

© February 3, 2023. The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

This handout is for informational purposes only. Talk with your doctor or health care team if you have any questions about your care.