What is the purpose of disinfecting gloves with IPA?

Disinfecting gloves with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) serves an important purpose in maintaining a sterile environment. The primary reason for this practice is to prevent contamination. When compounding sterile preparations, it's crucial to minimize any potential risk of introducing microbial contaminants. Disinfecting the gloves ensures that any surface bacteria or pathogens present on the gloves are eliminated before handling sterile materials, thereby safeguarding the integrity of the compounding process.

The use of IPA is specifically effective against many types of microorganisms, making it an appropriate choice for disinfection in a sterile compounding setting. This proactive measure is a key component of aseptic technique, essential for ensuring patient safety and the efficacy of pharmaceutical compounds.