What is a requirement when preparing immediate use sterile preparations regarding manipulations?

When preparing immediate use sterile preparations, the requirement of simple manipulations is essential to minimize the risk of contamination. Immediate use sterile preparations are intended for situations where pharmacy personnel need to provide a sterile product quickly, often in emergent circumstances, such as for a patient actively undergoing a procedure.

The term "simple manipulations" refers to actions that are straightforward and require minimal steps, such as transferring a sterile liquid from one container to another, using only appropriate sterile equipment. This approach is critical because it reduces the number of handling steps, thereby decreasing the potential for introduction of contaminants that could jeopardize patient safety through infection or compromised treatment.

The concept of extensive or complex manipulations is avoided in this context since they would require a more controlled and sterile environment, which is not feasible for immediate use preparations. Therefore, the emphasis on simple manipulations aligns with the goal of maintaining strict sterility and minimizing risk while still providing rapid access to necessary sterile compounds for patients in urgent need.