Glassware washers: cleaning glassware and implements used in compounding, Part 1

Clean, residue-free glassware and compounding implements are key to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of customized preparations. Although they can be a major investment, glassware washers, which are available in both under-the-counter and freestanding models, can clean compounding tools more thoroughly than commercial or residential dishwashers can, and they offer the advantages of automatic purified-water rinsing and drying cycles. The preselected programmed cycles of a glassware washer complete in much less time than that required to wash, rinse, and dry glassware by hand or dishwasher, and using a glassware washer enables compounding technicians to focus on preparing formulations instead of performing purified-water rinses. Despite those benefits, installing a glassware washer may not be the best choice for every pharmacy. In this first of a two-part series, we address the value added by using a glassware washer in a compounding laboratory and suggest factors that are important to consider before purchasing that equipment. A worksheet that can be used to determine whether a glassware washer would be a cost-effective investment is also provided.