How often should pharmacists visually inspect compounded sterile preparations (CSPs)?

Visual inspection of compounded sterile preparations (CSPs) after compounding is crucial to ensure the quality and safety of the preparation before it is administered to patients. This inspection helps identify any visible particulate matter, cloudiness, color changes, or other defects that could indicate contamination, degradation, or improper compounding techniques. Such issues can lead to serious patient harm if undetected.

By conducting this inspection after compounding, pharmacists can address any potential problems and take corrective actions, such as discarding the preparation, before it reaches the patient. This practice aligns with the standards set forth in USP 797, emphasizing the importance of visual checks as a final step in the safe compounding process.

Visual inspections before compounding and on a routine weekly or incidental basis are also important practices; however, they do not offer the immediate evaluation necessary to ensure the integrity of CSPs just before they are used. Therefore, the timing of the inspection after compounding is critical in maintaining the standards for patient safety and pharmaceutical integrity.