LESSON 3
STERILE PRODUCTS
Section I. GENERAL
3-1.
PHARMACY STERILE PRODUCTS PROGRAM
When the idea of sterile products and intravenous solutions began to be
accepted as standard medical practice, it was felt that only physicians had the skills and
knowledge to prepare them. Later it was admitted that a registered nurse had the
necessary skills and knowledge for their preparation. Finally, it was accepted that a
specially trained pharmacy specialist could do the job. With this acceptance, many
hospital pharmacies began to introduce a pharmacy sterile products program.
3-2.
ADVANTAGES
There are many advantages when the pharmacy prepares sterile products--the
pharmacy utilizes a quality control program unavailable to a nurse preparing the product
on the ward; product production is standardized; septic techniques are utilized;
information on product labels is standardized; and the pharmacy has a complete
incompatibility library which is missing on the ward. The greatest advantage is that the
pharmacy utilizes an aseptic work environment unavailable on the ward. This insures
complete sterility of all products produced in the pharmacy.
3-3.
EXPLANATION OF LESSON
This section on sterile products is not intended to produce sterile products
technicians. It is simply a general overview of sterile product production. Special
training is required to produce a qualified sterile product technician.
Section II. INFECTION CONTROL
3-4.
OVERALL PERSONAL HYGIENE
Personal hygiene is the most important factor in infection control. Aseptic
technique requires the individual preparing a sterile product to be as clean (aseptic) as
possible. Overall personal hygiene is important to reduce possible contamination;
fingernails should be short and clean; hair should be kept short or controlled through the
use of caps or hair nets so it will not contaminate the work area; and clothing should be
clean.
MD0811
3-2