Earlier this month, the College hosted its first-ever Allergen Extract Mixing Course. More than 90 participants traveled to Chicago for the full day program, which focused on USP Chapter 797 compliance and included hands-on exercises to teach participants how to appropriately mix allergen extracts to ensure sterility and avoid contamination.
The course provided lectures and hands-on experience to teach participants how to:
- Identify the key changes to the allergen mixing environment and address the most recent cutting-edge research to advance immunotherapy.
- Prepare an allergen extract kit to include selection of allergens, diluents, and allergen standardization.
- Effectively implement the USP Chapter 797 guidelines for the preparation of allergen extract treatment sets and use resources to assist allergy practices in meeting the requirements.
- Complete the important tests needed to meet USP 797 standards, including the media fill test and glove tip test.
Faculty for the course included Drs. Maureen Petersen, Bryan Martin, Mike Nelson, Sara Spriet and Jim Sublett.
Dr. Jason Knuffman and his staff attended the mixing course. “It was a ‘home run,’” he said. “It was worth spending a Saturday at the course. It was extremely valuable, and we all learned so much.”
The College’s Allergen Extract Mixing Toolkit has many resources College members need to implement the USP 797 rule, including instructions, staff competency assessment, extract preparation guide, checklists and more. Free to College members!
The course was supported by an independent medical education grant from Stallergenes Greer.
Course faculty – Drs. James Sublett, Bryan Martin, Michael Nelson, Sarah Spriet and Maureen Petersen.
Participants prepare for the hands-on portion of the course.
