Questions and Answers on USP 797: Answers Provided by Eric S. Kastango, MBA, RPh, FASHP:

• E15 Question: When wiping down a laminar flow hood, are there any specifications as to the type of wipes that are allowed?
   

• E15 Answer:  The language in the proposed changes in USP Chapter 797 says "All cleaning tools, such as wipers, sponges, and mops, are nonshedding and dedicated to use in the buffer or clean area. Floor mops may be used in both the buffer or clean area and anteroom area, but only in that order. Most wipers are discarded after one use. If cleaning tools are reused, their cleanliness is maintained by thorough rinsing and disinfecting after use and by storing in a clean environment between uses."  There are a number of vendors (ITW-TexWipe, www.texwipes.com) who can provide you with more information about wipers.

(Answer provided as a courtesy to usp797.org by Eric S. Kastango, MBA, RPh, FASHP. Please note that usp797.org is not responsible for this answer.)

• About Eric S. Kastango: Since its inception, Eric S. Kastango has been at the forefront of USP <797>. He is an elected member of the United States Pharmacopoeia Sterile Compounding Committee (2005-2010). Over the years, he has held multiple American Society of Health-System Pharmacists chairmanships and committee positions. He was responsible for creating the “Comprehensive Sterile Compounding Compliance Gap Analysis and Risk Assessment Tool.” In this capacity, Mr. Kastango frequents pharmacy events as an expert speaker, contributes to industry journals, and teaches. Mr. Kastango received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences and a MBA from the University of Phoenix. Since 1980, he has practiced pharmacy in a number of practice settings (including hospitals, community, and home care) in a number of different of roles, including the Corporate Vice President of Pharmacy Services for Coram Healthcare Corporation, which has 72 pharmacies in 44 states. He has also managed a FDA-registered cGMP manufacturing operation for Baxter Healthcare Corporation, and has made over 100 presentations on a variety of pharmacy practice topics.  Mr. Kastango is the President and CEO of Clinical IQ, and can be reached as follows:

Mr. Eric S. Kastango – President and CEO
Clinical IQ, LLC 
184 Columbia Turnpike, #282 
Florham Park, NJ  07932 
Tel: (973) 765-9393 --- www.clinicaliq.com