Laminar airflow hoods have two basic functions: To filter bacteria and exogenous materials from the air. These hoods are designed to reduce the risk of airborne contamination during the preparation of sterile products. Air quality sampling will be completed once a month, at a minimum, for sterile compounding areas used for low- and medium-risk preparations. All sterile compounding in a community pharmacy should be performed in a laminar airflow hood (2, 3). ![]() Air quality sampling will be completed weekly, at a minimum, for sterile compounding areas used for high-risk preparations. The laminar airflow hood shall be turned on continuously except for filter changes and other required maintenance. A log will be maintained documenting when the filters are changed. Pre-filters will be changed monthly or more frequently if necessary due to working conditions. Non-shedding cloths used to clean hood surfaces shall be discarded after use. All surfaces should be cleaned adequately. The laminar airflow hood shall be cleaned every shift and PRN with disinfectant solution. A hood should be cleaned at minimum at the beginning of every shift, every 30 minutes during continuous compounding periods, and upon any major contamination. Documentation of such maintenance will be maintained in the Pharmacy Department. Start by cleaning the ceiling of the unit first for horizontal laminar flow hoods. The laminar airflow hood shall have routine contract maintenance performed every six (6) months, or when the LAFW is relocated, to assure proper function to HEPA filters. Keep an eye on your cloth as you clean your flow hood. ![]() Also, work your way left to right as you clean. A vertical downward ULPA-filtered laminar airflow cascades unidirectionally from the front face of the cabinet creating an air curtain while continually. Your first focal point should be the ceiling of your flow hood, and you should wipe back to front. When cleaning a Vertical Laminar Flow Hood, begin by taking the wipe and spraying disinfectant onto the wipe. Make sure your cloth is wet with a cleaner, a dry wipe won’t work. Are the sterile compounding areas used for high risk, preparations? Air sampling will be performed in areas most prone to contamination during compounding activities. First, power your flow hood on for thirty minutes and allow air to blow. The independent contractor will certify that the LAFW or barrier isolator is functioning correctly and meets the air quality requirement of ISO Class 5. Clean benches can be used for certain clean activities, such as the dust-free assembly of sterile equipment or electronic devices, and they should never be used when handling cell culture materials or drug formulations, or when manipulating potentially infectious materials.Airflow Hood Maintenance The laminar airflow hood shall be certified annually by an independent contractor. These devices only provide product protection. ![]() Horizontal laminar flow or vertical laminar flow “clean benches” are not biosafety cabinets these pieces of equipment discharge HEPA-filtered air from the back of the cabinet across the work surface toward the user, and they may expose the user to potentially hazardous materials. Starting in the back, wiping side to side and working forward toward the user. Starting on the right, wiping side to side and working back away from the user. Starting on the left, wiping side to side and working back away from the user. Vertical flow hoods, on the other hand, provide significant protection to the user and the cell culture. A vertical laminar flow hood should be cleaned: a. The flow can be horizontal, blowing parallel to the work surface, or it can be vertical, blowing from the top of the cabinet onto the work surface.ĭepending on its design, a horizontal flow hood provides protection to the culture (if the air flowing towards the user) or to the user (if the air is drawn in through the front of the cabinet by negative air pressure inside). Laminar flow hoods protect the working environment from dust and other airborn contaminants by maintaining a constant, unidirectional flow of HEPA-filtered air over the work area.
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