What should be done if contamination is suspected in a compounded preparation?

When contamination is suspected in a compounded preparation, it is essential to handle the situation with caution to ensure patient safety and maintain the integrity of the compounding process. Quarantining the preparation allows for the preservation of the item in question, preventing it from being administered to patients while further investigation can be conducted. This process enables the identification of the source of contamination while minimizing risk.

By notifying the appropriate personnel, such as the pharmacy manager or quality assurance team, a thorough investigation can take place to determine how the contamination occurred and what corrective actions need to be implemented. This step is crucial for understanding the nature of the potential contamination, whether it be microbial or particulate, and for preventing future occurrences.

Taking immediate action like discarding the preparation without further assessment might lead to unnecessary waste of a potentially usable product, while continuing to utilize the preparation until it's tested could pose a significant risk to patient safety. Additionally, sending the compound to a third-party lab for analysis may lead to delays in addressing the contamination and does not provide immediate resolution. Therefore, quarantining the preparation and alerting the proper personnel is the most prudent step in this situation.