What risk level is usually associated with a preparation that has no bacteriostatic agents added and is administered over several days?

The risk level associated with a preparation that has no bacteriostatic agents added and is administered over several days is classified as medium risk. This classification arises from the combination of factors that contribute to the potential for microbial contamination.

Medium-risk compounded preparations typically involve multiple individual or small doses of sterile products combined or pooled to prepare a medication that will be administered to multiple patients or to a single patient on multiple occasions. Since the preparation lacks bacteriostatic agents, which are intended to inhibit bacterial growth, the potential for contamination increases, especially as the compounded preparation is stored for an extended period.

Additionally, the absence of bacteriostatic agents means that once the preparation is opened or manipulated, there is a heightened risk of microbial growth, necessitating strict adherence to sterility protocols throughout the preparation and storage process. Due to these factors, this scenario does not meet the criteria for low risk—where sterile products are prepared under conditions minimizing the risk of contamination—or high risk, where non-sterile ingredients are used or the environment is inadequately controlled.

Understanding these nuances about risk levels is essential for ensuring appropriate guidelines are followed in sterile compounding practices, ultimately prioritizing patient safety.