Powders, PPE, and Protection: Safeguarding Staff in Nonsterile HD Compounding

Overview of Nonsterile Hazardous Drug Compounding

Nonsterile HD compounding is presented as:

• A specialized and often underestimated area of pharmacy practice
• Increasingly complex when hazardous drug precautions are applied

Many practitioners may only have limited exposure, but full compliance requires deeper understanding.

USP <795> and <800>: Overlap and Key Differences

The session highlights how:

• USP <795> governs nonsterile compounding
• USP <800> introduces additional requirements for hazardous drugs
  

Key insight:

• These chapters must be applied together, not independently
• Hazardous drug handling significantly increases complexity

Facility and Equipment Design Considerations

Proper facility design is critical for safety.

Key elements include:

• Dedicated spaces for HD compounding

• Use of containment equipment (e.g., powder containment hoods)

• Separation from non-hazardous activities

Design must support containment and minimize exposure risk.

Powder Handling and Containment Strategies

Handling powders presents unique challenges:

• Powders can become airborne easily
• Increased risk of inhalation exposure
• Potential for surface contamination

Containment strategies are essential to control spread and protect personnel.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as the Last Line of Defense

PPE is described as the final layer of protection.

Key considerations include:

• Proper selection of PPE (gloves, gowns, respiratory protection, etc.)
• Correct use and donning/doffing procedures
• Recognition that PPE does not replace engineering controls

PPE supports—but does not replace—other safety measures.

Cleaning, Decontamination, and Residue Challenges

Nonsterile HD compounding presents unique cleaning challenges:

• Residue from powders can persist on surfaces
• Standard cleaning may be insufficient
• Specialized decontamination processes are required

Effective cleaning is critical to reducing occupational exposure.

Unique Risks Compared to Sterile Compounding

Compared to sterile compounding:

• Nonsterile HD compounding may feel less controlled
• Risks are more focused on personnel exposure rather than sterility
• Powder handling introduces different contamination dynamics

This makes it a distinct and often more complex practice area.

Best Practices for Staff Protection

The session reinforces a layered approach to safety:

• Engineering controls (containment equipment)
• Administrative controls (policies and procedures)
• PPE
• Cleaning and decontamination

Protecting staff requires integrating all these elements.