What should the air quality be in an ante-area used for sterile compounding?

The air quality in an ante-area used for sterile compounding should indeed be at least ISO Class 8 or better. ISO classifications determine the maximum allowable particulate levels in the air, and for settings related to sterile compounding, maintaining a certain air quality is essential to ensure patient safety and minimize the risk of contamination.

The ante-area serves as a transition space where personnel prepare for aseptic compounding, and it is vital that this area is kept at a higher cleanliness level than ISO Class 9 to effectively reduce the risk of airborne contamination. ISO Class 8 allows for a maximum of 3,520 particles per cubic meter that are 0.5 micrometers or larger, which is deemed appropriate to support the activities happening in the ante-area, such as hand hygiene, donning gown and gloves, and preparing supplies.

In this context, air quality classifications that are higher than ISO Class 8 would be more stringent, such as ISO Class 7 or ISO Class 6, yet they are not strictly a requirement for the ante-area itself, which is why ISO Class 8 (or better) is considered the standard for this space.