What should personnel do upon identifying a breach in sterile technique?

When personnel identify a breach in sterile technique, the most appropriate action is to immediately report and rectify it. This response is crucial to maintaining patient safety and adhering to the highest standards of sterile compounding practices. Recognizing and addressing any breaches promptly minimizes the risk of contamination and ensures that the compounded products remain safe for patient use.

Immediate reporting allows for timely interventions, such as re-evaluating the compounding process, initiating corrective actions, and preventing potential adverse outcomes. This practice underscores the importance of maintaining a culture of safety and accountability within the compounding environment, where personnel are encouraged to prioritize patient health and safety above all.

While documentation for future reference is important for quality control and continuous improvement, it does not address the urgent need to mitigate risks associated with the breach. Continuing to work to meet deadlines compromises the integrity of the compounding process and can lead to serious patient harm. Notifying external regulatory bodies is typically not the first step to take unless there is a significant and unresolved risk, as immediate internal corrective actions are paramount.