![]() Health and Welfare Canada’s Intravenous Therapy Guidelines (revised 1991) appears to be the most comprehensive and accepted guidelines available for community pharmacists. Although this section applies to commercial manufacturers of sterile products only, the Health Protection Branch does expect appropriate procedures regarding technique, facilities, and equipment for sterile compounding to be followed by hospital and community pharmacists (1). The compounding of sterile products falls under Section C.01.065 of the federal Food and Drug Regulations (2). Pharmacists should be cognizant of the importance of technique, staff education, appropriate facilities (including a laminar air flow hood), and proper monitoring to maintain the safety of products for patient care. Pharmacists have a responsibility to provide sterile compounding services to their patients in a manner consistent with expected standards of practice, which are being developed by provincial regulatory bodies to ensure patient safety. The improper compounding of sterile products can lead to serious consequences for patients in community and hospital settings. Studies also show a wide variance between hospitals in their sterile compounding practices (1). Sterile compounding practices vary between community pharmacies, indicating that there are no clear guidelines for pharmacists to follow. Furthermore, pharmacists can compound sterile products if they have the skills and facilities necessary to ensure that certain products are prepared in a non-contaminated environment, free of particulate matter. Pharmacists are health practitioners educated and skilled in the science of compounding medications. Pharmacists may be asked to fill prescriptions for intravenous solutions, and prepare such products as ophthalmic and bladder preparations which require sterile compounding. Health care is increasingly moving into the home setting, creating new challenges for pharmacists. understand the principles of operation of a laminar airflow hood.understand the requirements for sterile compounding.understand the principles of sterile compounding.Portable vertical laminar flow hoods are also available when space is limited. A deeper workbench and floor space will be required due to fan and filter placement. Unlike a vertical flow hood, a horizontal flow configuration hood will require additional rear clearance to allow air to enter the enclosure. Since the fan and filters sit at the top of the unit the flow hood can be installed on a standard lab bench. Laboratories with limited floor space may want to go with a vertical configuration. A vertical flow helps move micro-contaminates onto the work surface or the laboratory floor, eliminating contaminants from floating around inside the enclosure. Particles not captured by the filters are pushed out through front access area of the unit. Things to consider before purchasing a flow hood is the direction the air should flow, operator safety, clearance requirements, work surface required.įans and filters are positioned at the top of a vertical configuration hood. A vertical flow hood will move air from the top of the unit through filters and down to the work surface. A horizontal flow hood will move air from the back of the unit through HEPA or ULPA filters and to the front of the work surface. Laminar flow hoods are available in horizontal or vertical airflow configurations. ![]() ![]() Airborne contamination is filtered through HEPA (filter 99.99% 0.3µm) or ULPA (99.999% filters providing the cleanest work area. Air flows in a uniform direction with a constant speed within the enclosed bench with little to no crossover air streams. Laminar flow hoods are designed to protect samples and parts from particulate contamination. Horizontal vs Vertical Laminar Flow Hoods
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