Is an independent double check with two chemotherapy competent professionals required for immunotherapy and biologics?

The ASCO/ONS Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards (Neuss et al., 2017) endorse performing independent double checks prior to the administration of any antineoplastic, including immunotherapy and biologics. As part of the verification, the following should be checked prior to administration:

• Drug name
• Drug dose
• The calculation for dosing, including the variables used in this calculation
• Infusion volume or drug volume when prepared in a syringe
• Route of administration
• Rate of administration
• Expiration dates/or times
• Appearance and physical integrity of the drugs
• Rate set on infusion pump, when used
• The calculation for dosing, including the variables used in this calculation
• Treatment cycle and day of cycle

Of note, it does not have to be two nurses who perform the verifications. Any two professionals who are competent to prepare or administer antineoplastics in the institution may perform these verifications. Therefore, it can be a combination of two nurses, one nurse and one pharmacist, or any other professional with this competency validation.

References:

Neuss, M.N., Gilmore, T.R., Belderson, K.M., Billett, A.L., Conti-Kalchik, T., Harvey, B.E., . . . Polovich, M. (2016). 2016 updated American Society of Clinical Oncology/Oncology Nursing Society chemotherapy administration safety standards, including standards for pediatric oncology. Oncology Nursing Forum, 44(1), 31-43 https://onf.ons.org/onf/44/1/2016-updated-american-society-clinical-oncologyoncology-nursing-society-chemotherapy