cleanroom techniques
Anteroom
an ISO Class 8 room or area immediarely 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.
Asepsis
the absence of pathogenic microorganisms
Injection Port
a connector on the IV cubing 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
Bacterium
A small, single-celled microorganism that can exist in three main forms, depending on type: spherical (ie, cocci), rod-shaped (i.e., bacilli), and spiral (ie., spirochetes)
LVP (Large Volume Parenteral)
A sterile solution in a volume greater than 100 mL, used for hydration, nutrition, or medication delivery
Buffer Room
an ISO Class 7 or cleaner area where the PEC s are physically located; also called the IV or cleanroom
Aseptic Hand Washing
a more aggressive soap and water hand washing procedure, followed by use of an antiseptic agent before donning sterile attire
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 of the IV solution
Protozoan
A single-celled organism, some of which can cause infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals
SVP (Small Volume Parenteral)
A sterile preparation in a volume of less than 100 mL, typically used for medication delivery
Clean room
an ISO-classified room (or two-room configuration of a cleanroom arca) 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; also called the IV room or buffer room
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
Drop Factor
the number of drops that an IV tubing delivers to provide 1 ml; this number may be used by nurses to calculate the IV Now rate when using certain types of primary IV tubing; also called drop set or drip set
Superbugs
Bacteria that have become resistant to multiple antibiotics, making them difficult to treat.
Distillation
The process of purifying a liquid by heating and cooling to remove impurities
Zone of turbulence
An area in a laminar airflow hood where air flow is disrupted, increasing the risk of contamination.
TAutoclave
device that generates heat and pressure to sterilize objects instruments, and measures vessels
Primary Tubing
The main IV tubing used to deliver fluids and medications from the IV bag to the patient.
Epidemic
A regional widespread contagious disease
IVPB (Intravenous Piggyback)
a small-volume paren-teral (SVP) infusion (50 mL, 100 mL, 250 mL.) containing medications attached to a primary LVP IV solution
Positive Pressure
A controlled air pressure that prevents the entry of contaminants into a cleanroom or controlled environment.
Sterilization
The process of eliminating all forms of microbial life, including spores, from an object or surface
Secondary Tubing
IV tubing for another medication that is attached to the primary tubing at a Y-site injection port
Phlebitis
an inflammation of the vein from the administration of drugs
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
an air quality classification from the International Organization for Standardization measures the amount of particulate matter in room air, the lower the ISO number, the less particulate matter is present in the air.