What is the recommended interval for cleaning surfaces in areas for sterile compounding?

In sterile compounding areas, maintaining a clean environment is crucial to prevent contamination and ensure patient safety. The recommended interval for cleaning surfaces is often set at each shift. This frequency allows for consistent removal of dust, potential contaminants, and helps maintain aseptic conditions. Cleaning surfaces more frequently, such as hourly, can also be necessary during periods of high activity or before starting a new batch of compounding.

Weekly or monthly intervals would not provide the level of cleanliness required in a sterile environment, as they would leave surfaces vulnerable to the accumulation of contaminants over an extended period. Therefore, while maintaining an environment appropriate for sterile compounding, cleaning surfaces each shift ensures they remain in optimal condition for safe medication preparation.