Designing Hospital Pharmacy HVAC Systems: Complying With USP 797 PDF

The furor over compliance with United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) General Chapter 797, Pharmaceutical Compounding— Sterile Preparations, has somewhat subsided with the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations’ decision not to enforce its requirements. As of this writing, at least 10 states require compliance (in whole or in part). However, many facilities may desire to comply now to prepare for future federal, state or industry regulations. Operational modifications are the primary means of compliance, but the pharmacy’s HVAC system also must be evaluated. USP 797 offers some confusing requirements for HVAC system designers, but compliance in an existing facility is not as difficult as it may seem.