Per the CMS Survey and Certification Memo 16-01 Hospital dated October 30, 2015, the Interpretive Guidelines for the Pharmaceutical Services section of the Medicare Conditions of Participation for Hospitals, has been revised. Compliance to USP <797> is now mandated in all areas of the hospital, including the OR and procedural areas. Two of the requirements cited in the S&C memo specify that all compounded sterile products prepared in the OR are considered “immediate use” and must be administered within 1 hour of preparation. Compounded sterile products, per USP’s definition, include not only IV admixtures and irrigations, but also medications drawn up into syringes for use during the procedure.
I have heard from a number of hospitals that they are having trouble in their OR and procedural areas in complying with this new requirement. I would appreciate hearing if anyone has experienced a similar issue and what you have done to comply with this new requirement?
Darryl S. Rich, PharmD, MBA, FASHP
Medication Safety Specialist, ISMP