Feeling Alienated by Safety?

• Since HEPA filters prevent the passage of hazardous drugs out of the containment primary engineering control (C-PEC) such as isolators and BSCs, it gets loaded overtime.
• HEPA filters should be replaced when it gets loaded, damaged or when in-house safety protocol requires filter replacement.
• HEPA filters are fragile. During replacement, hazardous drug particles may be released to the area, thereby exposing the personnel and environment.

• Due to its inherent occupational hazard risk, HEPA filter change should be dealt by trained personnel with appropriate personal protective equipment only.
• In case of filter leaks, immediately stop the operation, cover the equipment with plastic, and notify your immediate supervisor.

Level of Protection

BIBO Safe Change

It utilizes a Bag-in, Bag-out Filter to safely remove the filter after biodecontamination. It provides protection against exposure for the maintenance personnel and the environment.

Low-contamination Filter Change

Filter change is done inside the closed isolator, through the glove ports. The used filter is placed in a safety disposal bag and removed from the isolator through the pass chamber. This provides a minimal exposure to the maintenance personnel and the environment.

Safe Change Procedure

Facilities shall develop SOPs for safe change of HEPA filters such as wearing of appropriate PPE. The filter should be changed and the scrap filter be placed in a safety disposal bag. However, among the methods for safe filter change, this is the least effective because the only protection is because the only protection is the PPE.