For pharmacy technicians working in the hospital setting, a good understanding of infection control procedures is critical. Patients with severe diseases often have compromised immune systems and are more susceptible to serious, and sometimes life-threatening, infections. In addition, microorganisms have a greater ability to adapt and become resistant to potent antibiotics in a hospital setting. In light of these facts, it is important for you to understand how infection spreads and how hospitals can employ special infection control practices to limit the possibility of contamination. Any breach in protocol increases the risk for serious infections for patients and healthcare workers.

Many drugs ordered for patients in hospitals and other healthcare settings are administered directly into veins, so they must be specially compounded in a strictly controlled environment that is as germ-free as possible. Though a technician (and pharmacist) needs special training to work in one of these compounding areas, it is essential that every pharmacy technician understands an overview of USP Chapter <797> and the goals, key concepts, cleanroom layout, and aseptic technique, in addition to the intravenous (IV) supplies and equipment for sterile compounding. Many of the concepts and supplies also apply in sterile hazardous compounding. Having this context will prepare you to understand the overview of the processes and procedures of sterile and hazardous compounding addressed in the next chapter.