Aseptic Technique Information Taken from D.McAuley Global RPh Inc www.globalrph.com/aseptic.htm

Some Important Rules (ASA) Always think of the patients Safety: The finished product must be free of contamination. The solution should be clear. All medications should be completely dissolved. All compounding medications should be checked for expiration date Accuracy (3Rs): Right Drug, Right Medication, and Right Concentration

Dangers of Poor Aseptic Technique Infections Emboli Occlusion AND even Death The IV route is the most dangerous route of administering drugs because it bypasses all of the body’s natural barriers.

So What is a Laminar Flow Hood ! It has a high efficiency bacteria-retentive filter Room air is taken into the unit and passed through a pre-filter to remove gross contaminants (lint, dust, etc) The air is then compressed and channeled up behind and through the HEPA filter in a laminar flow fashion ( purified air flows out over the entire work surface in parallel lines at a uniform velocity. The HEPA filter removes nearly all of the bacteria from the air

Why Control Rom Air? Room air may be highly contaminated. Example: sneezing produces 100,000-200,000 aerosol droplets which can then attach to dust particles. These particles can stay for weeks.

How Long Should the Laminar Hood Remain On? It should be on 24 hours a day. If turned off for any reason, it should be on for at least thirty minutes and thoroughly cleaned before reusing

Kinds of Laminar Flow Hoods There are two kinds in general: Vertical Hood Horizontal Hood

Vertical Laminar Hood

Horizontal Laminar Hood

Precaution with Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood When working in a horizontal laminar flow hood, all work must be performed at  a distance of no less than 6 inches from the front edge of the work surface. At a distance of less than 6 inches, laminar flow air begins to mix with the outside air and contamination is possible. Never become so engrossed in your work that you forget this basic rule

Remember !

And Never Forget This!

Also when pulling back the plunger of a syringe, the fingers should not come in contact with any part of the plunger--except the flat part at the end. Poor manipulation of the syringe is the most frequent cause of contamination. Waste and other items should never enter the hood. All calculations should be done before entering the hood.

AND Wash hands and arms before compounding or re-entering the hood Remove any jewelry from the hands and wrists. Always disinfect all rubber stoppers and ampul necks with alcohol before entering with a needle

How to Clean the Hood Before and after preparing a series of IV admixtures, or anytime something is spilled, the work surface of the laminar flow hood should be thoroughly cleaned with alcohol.  A long side to side motion should be used starting at the back of the hood and then working forward. The acrylic plastic sides should also be cleaned periodically.