What type of pressure is maintained to prevent contamination during non-hazardous drug compounding?

In non-hazardous drug compounding, maintaining positive air pressure is crucial to preventing contamination. This positive pressure ensures that when the compounding area is accessed, air flows out of the clean room or controlled environment rather than allowing outside air, which may contain contaminants, to enter.

Positive air pressure is utilized specifically to create a barrier that helps keep unwanted particles, germs, and other potential contaminants from compromising the sterile environment necessary for drug preparation. This is particularly important in facilities where compounded medications are prepared for patients, as even minute levels of contamination could lead to serious health risks.

In contrast, negative air pressure is used in areas handling hazardous drugs to ensure that any airborne contaminants are contained within the compounding area and do not escape into the surrounding environment. Static and variable air pressure do not precisely address the contamination prevention required in non-hazardous drug compounding environments. Thus, maintaining a controlled, positive pressure is the accepted standard to safeguard the integrity of compounded medications.