If all components are sterile at the start of compounding, what must be maintained?

Maintaining sterility is critical in sterile compounding because the primary purpose is to prepare medications that are free from pathogenic microorganisms. Sterility must be preserved throughout the compounding process to ensure patient safety, especially when administering injections or other parenteral routes. This involves several practices, such as working in a sterile environment, using aseptic techniques, and selecting appropriate materials and equipment that do not compromise the sterile nature of the final product.

While stability, labeling, and quality control are important aspects of pharmacy practice, they pertain to different aspects of medication management and compounding. Stability relates to the chemical and physical integrity of the compounded product over time. Labeling ensures that products are correctly identified and provide necessary information to healthcare providers and patients. Quality control involves testing and checking procedures to verify that the products meet established standards. Although these factors contribute to the overall safety and efficacy of compounded medications, maintaining sterility remains the foremost priority when all components are sterile at the onset of compounding.