Published November 2020 in the Pharmacy Times

Description: In July of 2019, DHP® Technology was installed in the cleanroom (i.e. medication compounding pharmacy) of a regional medical center in Indiana following a 2-year period of recurring environmental air sampling results that were considered “actionable” (i.e. failures in meeting requirements of the State Board of Pharmacy, the Joint Commission, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the national organization that sets standards for compounding pharmacies—the United States Pharmacopeia [USP]). Air and surface samples were collected as required by the respective organizations after DHP® installation.

Key Takeaways:

• Following the installation of DHP®, all air and surface samples revealed passing results according to USP standards. USP sets acceptable limits for the number(s) and type(s) of microorganisms detectable in air and on surfaces within specific areas of a cleanroom. Notably, the standards consider the presence of a single fungal colony forming unit in any sample a failing or actionable result. Prior to installation of DHP®, this facility had struggled with detection of a number of fungal species including Cladosporium species, Alternaria species, and yeast in successive air samples.
• The prior actionable (i.e. failing) results were traced to a variety of problems, including pharmacy staff practices, faulty HVAC filters, and a water-damaged wall. Each problem was individually addressed; however, the ongoing failures presented significant financial, logistical, and safety challenges to the facility.
• The hospital’s Infection Preventionist and Pharmacist determined that an environmental solution that operated continuously and which could reduce pathogens in both the air and on surfaces, was needed to prevent future failures.
• Installation of DHP® in July 2019 led to resolution of the failing results and ongoing compliance with state and USP standards.

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