Question

USP 800 requires that certain areas have a ______ pressure gradient with respect to surrounding areas of the facilities to reduce the risk of contaminating areas where non-HD-authorized individuals work.

Answer 1

USP 800 requires certain areas to have a negative pressure gradient to reduce contamination risk. This means the air pressure should be lower in those areas. For example, in BSL-4 laboratories, protective suits maintain a positive pressure to avoid contamination from the laboratory.

Step-by-step explanation:

USP 800 requires that certain areas have a negative pressure gradient with respect to surrounding areas of the facilities to reduce the risk of contaminating areas where non-HD-authorized individuals work. This means that the air pressure in those areas should be lower than the surrounding areas, so that if there is a leak or release of hazardous drugs (HD), the air will flow into those areas rather than out of them.

For example, in BSL-4 laboratories where researchers work with highly infectious diseases, protective suits are used that have their own air supply and maintain a positive pressure relative to the outside. This ensures that if there is a leak in the suit, air will flow out of the suit, not into it from the laboratory.

By maintaining the appropriate pressure differentials, USP 800 helps to minimize the risk of contamination and protect the health and safety of non-HD-authorized individuals in healthcare facilities.