How frequently should laminar flow hood certification be conducted?

Laminar flow hood certification should be conducted yearly to ensure that the equipment is functioning properly and providing the necessary sterile environment for compounding sterile preparations. This annual certification is critical to maintaining the integrity of the cleanroom environment, ensuring that airflow patterns remain effective, and that the hood is free from contamination.

Regular annual certification is designed to catch any potential issues with the flow hood before they can affect patient safety or the quality of sterile products. Compliance with this requirement is crucial for pharmacies, especially when compounding sterile preparations such as injectables.

The other timeframes suggested (every six months, every two years, or every three years) may not align with the regulatory or best practice guidelines typically recommended for sterile compounding environments, where the annual certification is the widely accepted standard.