Key terms
Anteroom
an ISO Class 8 room or area immediately before the buffer room in which hand washing, hygiene, and garbing are done and supplies and ingredients are gathered between the pharmacy department and the cleanroom or buffer area.
Buffer room
an ISO Class 7 or cleaner area where the PECs are physically located; also called the IV or cleanroom
Distillation
process of boiling a liquid and capturing the condensed gases or vapor back into a purified liquid form
Horizontal Laminar Air Flow Workbench
also known as a laminar hood, a PEC used to prepare IV drug admixtures, nutrition solutions, and other parenteral products aseptically
IVPB
a small-volume parenteral (SVP) infusion containing medications attached to a primary LVP IV solution
Aseptic hand washing
a more aggressive soap and water hand washing procedure, followed by use of an antiseptic agent before donning sterile attire
Clean room
an ISO-classified room in which the concentration of airborne particles is controlled to meet a specified air-borne-particulate cleanliness class to prevent particle and microbial contamination of CSPs
Drip chamber
the small, open space just below the spike adaptor where the drops of fluid from the IV bag into the tubing are counted by the nurse to determine the flow rate
Injection Port
a connector on the IV tubing which allows the injection of IV fluid or medication other than that in the current IV bag to be infused into the patient's vein
LVP (Large Volume Parenteral)
IV solutions of more than 250 mL that may contain medications, nutrients, or electrolytes
Aseptic technique
the manipulation of sterile products and devices to avoid contamination by disease-causing organisms; includes cleanroom protocols and hand-washing and gowning procedures
Compounded Sterile Preparation
a medication prepared with aseptic technique in a sterile, cleanroom facility
Drop factor
the number of drops that an IV tubing delivers to provide 1 ml; also called drop set or drip set
In-Line Filter
a device used in the IV line to remove contaminants such as glass, fibers, bits of rubber, and bacteria from IV fluids
Macrodrip IV Tubing
IV tubing sets that have a sufficient diameter to deliver 10, 15, or 20 drops per milliliter; used for adult patients
Autoclave
a device that generates heat and pressure to sterilize objects, instruments, and measures vessels
Critical Site
the part of the syringe and/or needle that is at risk for contamination by touch or airflow interruption
Filtration
funneling of a liquid or gas through filters, or mesh screens with minute holes too small for biological and chemical contaminants to pass through
ISO
an air quality classification that measures the amount of particulate matter in room air; the lower the ISO number, the less particulate matter is present
Microdrip IV Tubing
IV tubing sets that have a smaller diameter and provide smaller drops and more drops per milliliter (60 gtts/ml); used for pediatric patients
Bactrium
a small, single-celled microorganism that can exist in three main forms, depending on type: spherical (i.e., cocci), rod-shaped (i.e., bacilli), and spiral (i.e., spirochetes)
Disinfectant
a chemical agent such as sterile 70% IPA used on inanimate surfaces and objects to destroy fungi, viruses, and bacteria, but not necessarily their spores
HEPA
a device used to filter over 99% of particulate matter from the air to establish an aseptic environment in which to prepare CSPs
IV administration set
a sterile, disposable device of many components (including the tubing and ports) used to deliver IV fluids to patients
Positive Pressure
air is being blown into a room and therefore it has higher pressure than the adjacent spaces so the net airflow is out of the area