How often should personnel perform glove fingertip testing?

Glove fingertip testing is an essential component of ensuring aseptic technique in sterile compounding. This testing is performed to assess the effectiveness of an individual’s hand hygiene and glove usage, which are critical for preventing contamination of sterile products.

The correct response indicates that personnel should undergo glove fingertip testing at least annually for low- and medium-risk compounding, and semi-annually for high-risk compounding. This frequency is aligned with the standards set by USP 797, which emphasizes the need for regular competency evaluations in order to maintain a healthcare worker's ability to perform sterile compounding safely.

This approach allows for adequate monitoring and feedback: annual testing for lower-risk environments reflects that personnel need to demonstrate their competency less frequently, while more frequent testing for higher-risk environments acknowledges the greater potential for risk and the need for consistent performance. This balance ensures ongoing vigilance and adherence to aseptic techniques, which is crucial when handling sterile preparations.

In contrast, testing only once before starting work would not allow for the monitoring of competency over time and could lead to outdated practices. Testing every month or every week, regardless of risk level, could create unnecessary burden and may not be practical or warranted, as the standards acknowledge that more intensive monitoring is required only in high-risk