Sterile Product Preparation

The pharmaceutical prescription is reviewed by a licensed pharmacist prior to preparation.

Pharmaceutical solutions must be prepared (compounded) using sterile technique by pharmacists and skilled pharmacy technicians in a controlled environment (often called a clean room or compounding room). The compounding room must be designed and maintained appropriately to prevent contamination. The specifications of home infusion compounding rooms typically exceed those of hospital environments because the compounded products must be capable of remaining sterile for longer periods of time than is required in the inpatient setting where infusion therapies are usually administered within 24 hours of preparation.

Preparing and delivering drugs to home care patients on a 24-hour cycle would be inconvenient, expensive, and impractical. Infusion pharmacists must also be knowledgeable about extended drug stability as well as compatibility with a wide range of venous access devices—issues that also are unique to this practice setting.