Compounding is defined as the preparation, mixing, assembling, packaging, and labeling of a drug, drug-delivery device, or device in accordance with a licensed practitioner's prescription for an individual patient, based on a professional agreement between the practitioner, patient, and pharmacist in the course of professional practice. While compounding intravenous (IV) medications and solutions is an essential component of pharmacy practice, nurses also are responsible for compounding. Most often, IV medications and solutions are prepared in a centralized pharmacy, especially in acute care and hospital settings. However, in other care settings, such as outpatient infusion centers, prescriber infusion suites, and patients' homes, it is common practice for nurses to compound medications before administration. For this reason, it is important that nurses understand the risks in sterile compounding that can have an impact on patient care, such as contamination, infection, and incorrect dosing. Without the guidance of standards, there is a risk of adverse outcomes, including death, that can occur if medications become contaminated or if their potency is altered.
展开▼
