Article Text
Abstract
Objectives To determine prospectively the sources of risk of non-sterility during aseptic handling and to quantify the risks of each of these sources.
Methods A risk assessment (RA) of non-sterility according to Failure Mode and Effect Analysis was executed by a multidisciplinary team of (hospital) pharmacists and technicians, a consultant experienced in aseptic processing and an independent facilitator. The team determined the sources of risk of non-sterility, a 5 point scale for severity, occurrence and detection, and risk acceptance levels. Input about general applied risk reduction was collected by audits in 10 hospital pharmacies. The results of these audits were used for determining the remaining risks. The results, as well as scientific information and the experience of the team members, was used to determine scores for severity, occurrence and detection.
Results Multiplying the scores for severity, occurrence and detection results in the risk prioritisation number (RPN) which is a relative value of the remaining risks of non-sterility for each source. Incorrect disinfection techniques of non-sterile materials and the chances of touching critical spots were estimated as the greatest risks. The risk of non-sterility via the airborne route was low. RPN values were helpful in prioritising measures for additional risk reduction (this will be described in an accompanying article).
Conclusion The RA, described here, was a systematic survey related to all sources of risk of non-sterility during aseptic handling. The determined RPN values were helpful in prioritising measures for additional risk reduction.
- aseptic preparation
- audit, self-inspection
- compounding (individualised preparation)
- disinfection
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
- manufacturing, small scale
- protocols & guidelines
- reconstitution
- risk management
- validation preparation process
Data availability statement
All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. An Excel file with the data for figure 2 is available.
This is an open access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported (CC BY 4.0) license, which permits others to copy, redistribute, remix, transform and build upon this work for any purpose, provided the original work is properly cited, a link to the licence is given, and indication of whether changes were made. See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
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- aseptic preparation
- audit, self-inspection
- compounding (individualised preparation)
- disinfection
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
- manufacturing, small scale
- protocols & guidelines
- reconstitution
- risk management
- validation preparation process
Data availability statement
All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. An Excel file with the data for figure 2 is available.