Monthly cleaning includes all surfaces inside the buffer, ante, and segregated compounding areas. Monthly cleaning does not have to be done in one day. The components of monthly cleaning need to be done approximately every 4 weeks.
The daily cleaning and disinfection best occurs at the end of the day to leave the room to rest clean. Disinfection with sterile 70% IPA must occur to the interior surfaces of the PEC before compounding is begun the next day. Cleaning activities may not occur while compounding is taking place.
The entire compounding environment, which includes the clean rooms and ante-rooms or the SCA, must be cleaned and disinfected daily on days when compounding occurs. This includes floors, pass-through chambers, and frequently touched work surfaces outside the hood.
Everything in the PEC must be cleaned daily. This includes any trays holding supplies. Repeater pumps and automated compounding devices must be moved during each daily cleaning of the PEC. The PEC must be cleaned then disinfected daily.
A number of studies have demonstrated that the incidents of serious compounding errors that frequently occur in hospital pharmacies were largely due to the improper medication dose/concentration,1–3 infectious contamination,4–6 or incorrect product labelling.
Monthly cleaning includes all surfaces inside the buffer, ante, and segregated compounding areas. Monthly cleaning does not have to be done in one day. The components of monthly cleaning need to be done approximately every 4 weeks.
Excessive humidity levels in the sterile storage area or handling packages too soon after sterilization can also affect sterility. Soil can also compromise sterility. Any package that is visibly soiled or stained must be considered contaminated, and its contents should be either reprocessed or discarded.
The entire hood should be cleaned daily. Clean the hood again if any contamination is suspected, after any spills, or before performing a media test. Work surfaces should be cleaned before and after every use of the laminar flow hood.
To prevent the spread of pathogens—to your next patient, your partner, and yourself—be sure to disinfect a suction device after every use, even if there is nothing visible in the canister.
One general rule of thumb is to fully clean common areas at least once a week. This includes cleaning hallways, stairway areas, elevators, lobbies and entryways, laundry rooms, gyms or workout facilities, pools and locker rooms, restrooms, meeting rooms, and office spaces.
All work surfaces in the AECA where direct compounding occurs must be cleaned and disinfected daily and when surface contamination is known or suspected. The horizontal work surface must be cleaned with sterile 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) between each prescription set. Allow the alcohol to air dry.
Cleaning PECs
In keeping with the general top to bottom, cleanest to dirtiest rules, the surfaces of all PECs should be cleaned in the same order: ceiling; back; sides, IV bar, and hangers; anything on the deck (automated compounding devices, sharps units, etc); and the deck itself.
All food-contact surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized after they are used; before food handlers start working with a different type of food; any time food handlers are interrupted during a task and the items being used may have been contaminated; and after four hours if items are in constant use.
5.8 Mop the working area with 70% Isopropyl alcohol daily after completion of sterility test. 5.9 Fumigate the sterility room cooling zone, Inoculation room and air locks with Fogger machine on the week end after work is over.
Clean and disinfect PEC from cleanest to dirtiest using overlapping strokes and a new side of the cloth for each location. Start by carefully cleaning the grid covering the HEPA filter. LAFW (horizontal air flow) Clean top then sides then work surface. BSC and LAFW (vertical air flow) Clean back then then work surface.
In light traffic areas, a weekly vacuum is sufficient. However, in high-traffic zones like hallways or living rooms, twice a week is advisable. If you have pets or allergy sufferers at home, you might need to vacuum three times a week to keep the environment fresh and free from allergens.
Manufacturers still recommend daily changes of the catheter in order to reduce the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).
Inspect your exhaust system for grease buildup monthly. Expect to need a hood and filter cleaning quarterly or more frequently, and expect to need the entire exhaust system professionally cleaned - including the ductwork - at least once a year.
The ceiling of the hood should always be cleaned first, unless it is a vertical laminar flow hood that contains a filter on the ceiling. Exposed filters or filters with a grated protective shield should not be cleaned, as this could lead to damage.
The work surface of the laminar air flow hood must be kept clean and sterile to prevent contamination of samples and equipment. Proper cleaning procedures should be followed daily, using appropriate disinfectants and techniques. Visible cleanliness: The work surface should be free from dust, debris, and stains.
Do not store items other than clean and sterile supplies in the area, e.g., clothing, staff personal belongings. Transport and store packaged sterile supplies in a manner to maintain package integrity.
The single-dose 100% EO cartridges must be stored in a ventilated flammable liquid storage cabinet that is exhausted outside and positioned away from heat, sparks and sunlight.
Storage of Sterile Items
They should be stored in a closed cabinet and protected from moisture. As a general rule, packs wrapped in cloth or woven paper must be used within 1 month of autoclaving and sealed peel packs must be used within one year.