Robot in Charge of Administering IV Chemotherapy Drugs

The state-of-the-art technology has been introduced at Renji Hospital's daycare chemotherapy center to improve measurement accuracy, eliminate drug contamination, protect nurses from toxic drug exposure and control environmental pollution. "Vocational exposure to nurses while dispensing toxic chemotherapy drugs is something there isn't enough awareness of," said Wen Daxiang, vice president of Renji Hospital. "Nurses are always exposed while they are mixing different chemo drugs.

"Nurses cut their fingers while opening ampoules and spill drugs on their hands. Moreover, the toxic drugs can pollute the hospital environment."

Renji Hospital has the largest number of patients registered for daycare chemotherapy in the city — 800 to 900 a month.

The robot, which was developed by a local technology company, handles the whole process in an enclosed room in which negative air pressure is maintained to keep contaminants from leaking out.

All medical waste and air are processed to prevent environmental pollution. Most importantly, all drugs are accurately measured and the automatic registration of data improves traceability.

Nurses said they are happy that the robot is taking over the task because it gives them more time to take care of patients.

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