title: Incorporation of hands-on sterile technique instruction in an introductory pharmacy practice experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine sterile technique and basic sterile compounding procedures among third-year pharmacy students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Third year pharmacy students participating in an introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) in 2012 (n=126) and 2013 (n=119) performed a modified low-risk compounded sterile product (CSP) media fill challenge test, then prepared a 5 mg/mL vancomycin solution that was subsequently analyzed for accuracy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To identify deficiencies in sterile procedures, students were observed while performing a modified low-risk CSP media fill challenge test. In the first year of conducting the challenge test (2012), 3 deficiencies were identified: hand washing before compounding, cleaning items with alcohol prior to start, and cleaning work area upon completion. In 2013, significant improvements were observed in these 3 areas after students watched a demonstration video. Examination of CSPs revealed less than 1% contamination in both years. Analysis of compounded vancomycin solutions showed that 84% and 71% of students prepared solutions in 2012 and 2013, respectively, were within 10% of the targeted final concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hands-on sterile compounding exercises are typically delivered early in the pharmacy professional curriculum with minimal reinforcement in subsequent years. Providing opportunities for advanced pharmacy students to refresh and practice sterile compounding procedures allows students to refine their skills before entering pharmacy practice.
authors: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors: Erika
authors: E
authors: Cretton-Scott
authors: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Cruthirds
authors: Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Birmingham, Alabama.
authors: Lori
authors: L
authors: Coward
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis; D001207:Asepsis; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004203:Disinfection; D004339:Drug Compounding; D004340:Drug Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004512:Education, Pharmacy / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013339:Students, Pharmacy; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000032:analysis; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin
keywords: USP Chapter 797; introductory pharmacy practice experience; sterile compounding