When should 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) be applied in relation to initiating compounding?

Applying 70% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) prior to initiating compounding is crucial in maintaining a sterile environment. This practice is essential for disinfecting surfaces, tools, and equipment that will come into contact with sterile products. The alcohol effectively reduces the microbial load, ensuring that contaminants are minimized before compounding begins.

Using IPA beforehand helps to ensure that any potential pathogens or bacteria are removed, contributing to the overall safety and efficacy of the compounded preparation. This step is part of the proper aseptic technique, which is crucial for preventing contamination and ensuring patient safety in sterile compounding.

It is not appropriate to apply IPA after the compounding process, as this would not prevent contamination during the actual preparation. Applying it simultaneously or infrequently would also not align with standard protocols to ensure a sterile environment throughout the entire compounding process.