TOP PROJECT WINNER:
HOPE +

Ryan Lethbridge
Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre and Health Sciences Centre

Ryan Lethbridge was awarded a Top Project HOPE Award for his project, ‘Continued use of Dose Vial Optimization’.

Ryan has been involved in Dose vial Optimization (DVO) since inception at his hospital. DVO is a process aimed at minimizing the waste of weight-based drugs from single-dose vials. The primary goal of DVO is to reduce the quantity of drug that is discarded when utilizing single-dose vials. Additionally, DVO has the potential to extend the sterility of a drug for up to seven days when used in conjunction with a closed system transfer device (CSTD). The project included 3 initiatives.

Developed an improved method for tracking DVO savings: Ryan created a new system for tracking DVO savings versus wastage. It is easy to use and record data, allowing quick access to past records. It effectively shows ongoing savings with new DVO drugs. This method revealed that his site saves about $200,000.00 in drugs each month that would be wasted otherwise, helping them gain more staff resources and funding.

Advocated for and educated pharmacy staff nationwide: Ryan advocated for and educated pharmacy staff across the country. Many had questions about the DVO process, with some new to it and others using it differently. Ryan’s CAPhO presentation generated significant interest. As a result of Ryans efforts, he was invited to join a National Advisory Group on waste mitigation, where pharmacists and pharmacy technicians met in Toronto to discuss waste reduction, including DVO.

Complete sterility testing of a new closed system transfer device to ensure the uninterrupted use of DVO: Ryan completed DVO sterility testing of a new CSTD in September 2024. The eight-day testing showed no microbial growth in all samples. Delays could have cost about $50,000.00 weekly in drug loss. Results were ready before the new CSTD’s introduction, which began in late October 2024 and has run smoothly since.