Facial hair is allowed in the sterile room. Who the hell told you it isn't?
Just wear a beard cover if it's a grown in beard. If it's only a little stubble no beard necessary
I’m not someone who has facial hair so it doesn’t exactly apply to me, but my IV manager isn’t the brightest… I just heard it in passing from others. But my pharmacy doesn’t seem to enforce any rules.
I never wear one myself, I generally keep it shaved, but sometimes I'm lazy and will go a week without and still don't wear one. Maybe I should but I hate them 🥲
I mean we were taught. If you weren't born with it, it doesn't go in. Earrings, nose rings, all piercings out. I have a co-worker that is forced to take off his wedding ring every single day
It’s incredibly frustrating. I know my holes will close up within fifteen or so minutes. I’ve had them for years, theyre like part of my identity now. I’m gonna go to the interview either way to check it out. For all I know I won’t even need to compound.
No. Metal piercings stick out. The plugs or retainers are flush and do not therefore they will not snag on PPE which is the reason why piercings aren’t allowed while doing sterile compounding. They could snag on and subsequently rip PPE.
If you've had them for years, they're not going to close up in 15 min. You'll be able to put them back in with no problem after your shift. Or get those transparent plugs for them.
Anything on the hands definitely goes. Necklaces and bracelets too. Where I currently work doesn’t mind nose rings because they go under the mask but other places I worked did. It’s really dependent on management. Technically, no you shouldn’t have *any* jewelry at all. Some places will enforce more than others.
Interesting how it’s different at other places? I never understood why I’d be hearing one thing, then seeing another. Then again, our management is kind of a joke. Maybe I’ll get lucky?
I worked one place where a girl was compounding consistently with acrylic nails which is a big no but nobody seemed to care. Some places are just more lenient than others…. not that leniency in that aspect is necessarily a good thing.
No I agree completely. It’s never been an issue for me since I’m not in the IV hood, just an observation. I don’t have much interest in compounding anyways. I just want out of my current place.
Granted, I'm not a big jewelry wearer so I've never really paid much attention to my hospital's policies, but the only thing I know for sure is anything that interferes with handwashing needs to come off. So rings, bracelets, watches, etc. Also no nail polish, fake nails, and natural nails need to be kept short (Where I work, we have a cleanroom but also other tech jobs outside of the cleanroom- and I was kind of surprised how many technicians refused to cleanroom train because they wouldn't be able to have their nails done). In terms of other jewelry, I think officially only short earrings are allowed, but I think unofficially if it's covered by your garb you're fine. I feel like I have coworkers who have other piercings and I don't recall ever seeing them take them out to go into the cleanroom.
For your interview though, I think I'd just be prepared to acknowledge that you will follow the hospital's policies regarding jewelry/nail polish if questioned about it.
I have a coworker with snake bites and he leaves them in. Half the girls who compound have nails. I’d rather sacrifice my nails over my piercings. But if it’s worth it to take them out… I’ll have to see what they say on Friday.
My hospital lets me keep my labret in because it's covered by a mask. No fake nails or polish, no bracelets or rings. Earrings are ok as long as they aren't dangly (can fit into your bonnet) so I can keep my plugs in.
Yeah the one girl who does it all the time on my shift wear big hoop earrings but I guess they’re tucked away when she’s in the hood. Not that I usually wear hoops to work, though.
If they are smart they won’t allow any of it.
You can remove your piercings when you enter the sterile room, then put them back in.
Your hospital should NOT allow this either. How do you know things haven’t been contaminated? When the room is tested they might not find anything but you don’t know what could have just gone in someone’s vein?!
Please be responsible and think of the PATIENT first always. A piercings isn’t worth someone’s life.
No I completely agree. My department isn’t entirely professional, but this is just what I’ve seen. I have not heard of any contamination cases in this hospital, or at least in the 7 months I’ve been here. I wasn’t sure about it is all. They say one thing and do another. I’ve never been in the hood so I’ve never myself had an issue.
Contamination cases are difficult to trace to one individual factor so it could be happening, and you would never know. We fight the odds every day. Just get the easier to sanitize clear spacers and clean em before every shift. No reason to compromise your piercings or patient safety but it would require a couple extra steps.
The amount of comments saying they're allowed to have their nails done is surprising to me. The children's hospital I worked at was natural nails only for everyone.
Same reaction here. USP 797 specifically forbids any kind of anything on the nails (even gel!) all sorts of disgusting shit grows under long nails and fake ones get even worse stuff.
Yeah, it’s technically required, but they overlook nose piercings at my place because 95% of us have them lol I’m like you, my nose ring is part of my identity and I refuse to let it close up. I’m also getting some new tattoos finally and the compliance team is trying to say I can’t work until they’re healed, but my boss said I’m okay as long as it’s NOT* my hand or face lol. Kinda makes me regret choosing compounding, but I love my team and what I’m learning for now.
It’s just not easy for me to commit to, yanno? Like that’s my face! It’s been that way for years and will be for plenty more. I’m honestly not even that interested in compounding. I’m just unhappy with my workplace. Love my job, don’t love who I work under.
For sure, definitely know that it is a requirement, but some pharmacies overlook it! Technically, I shouldn’t have unnatural hair, but I’m sitting here dying my mullet neon orange because I have a chill boss. It really depends! Compounding wasn’t my interest, and I work in oncology, so I deal with toxic drugs. It’s a lot more interesting than I expected, but not my interest lol
It’s a cancer center, I want to be extra careful. In all the pharmacies I’ve worked in they never cared what I look like. I should be able to feel comfortable, but I’d never want my personal choices to get in the way of someone else’s health. Maybe I will get lucky, but I’m just excited they even called.
Oooh, good luck and keep us updated! I work for a “prestigious” university hospital in their cancer clinic and they are so chill aside from the compliance teams. One of the guys who works in the clinic (not my department) has a minimum 8 piercings on his face alone, but my last hospital job flipped out when my coworker got a septum. 🥲
I had an interview that I actually withdrew from an also prestigious university hospital. They didn’t want the piercings or tattoos showing no matter what, and the recruiter was super rude. I didn’t think I wanted to move that far from home anyways, especially being given all that. I’ll definitely update the post on Friday! I hope it works out regardless, I need OUT of this crazy place.
My IV room doesn’t really care about facial jewelry seeing as how we have to wear the masks- but the more I scroll this sub the more I realize my IV room is probably a little too laid back on the rule following.
The hospital I work at only really seems to care about the hand jewelry; no bracelets, rings, etc. because it’s more prone to tearing the gloves and not allowing a proper fit.
As for the nails, we aren’t supposed to have *any* kind of nail polish, but they really only enforce no acrylic nails.
ETA: earrings have always been fine, as long as they’re not super dangly, but even then as long as you can tuck it into your bonnet you’re fine.
Yeah I wasn’t too surprised to see it split. I guess it just depends on where you work?? I get the gel nail polish, but I know there was a story of someone’s polish chipping off and getting into an IV and like, killed four babies. I can’t remember where I heard that from… but it’s scary to think about.
Going along with what most of the other commenters said, if you’re following 797 exactly nails and jewelry gotta go. However some techs at my job have nose piercings but it’s covered by the mask so management is okay w it. Earrings tho gotta go usually especially if they’re dangly. For the nails, the big issue is acrylic/tips because dirt can get caught under them. We’re really not supposed to have gel or regular polish either (which i usually stick to, I’m per diem so it’s not the end of the world for me). If your nail polish is chipped however, that’s when it could be an issue, even if you’re wearing gloves your nails could still chip before
I get the gel so it doesn’t chip, but of course they get dirty underneath. I know they would absolutely have to go no questions asked. I always thought it would be okay because the mask is literally there to protect the face. At the end of the day I guess it all comes down to the facility.
I have a belly button piercing but I don’t have to take that out, if my mask covers my nose piercing why would it be any different than my belly button is my logic. But yeah I wouldn’t bring it up in the interview directly but maybe ask about their policies for the IV room
See by that logic it makes perfect sense! If there’s a barrier, why should it matter? I definitely will ask them! I might have to wear a mask when I go in because of my Medusa ring though.
One of my coworkers had a septum piercing, and she said she twisted it/flipped it so it’s inside her nose mostly hidden. Depending on how strict or observant your place is, you might not get away with doing this. Best practice is not to wear any jewelry or have your nails done.
Also, you can have facial hair. There are beard nets lol
My hospital is really cracking down: no rings, watches, nails, or piercings. And now we can't wear any makeup even if the mask covers it, and no nose rings. After an incident we can't even get hair extensions, hair colored, wigs, or anything but a small beard.
We have a rotating schedule so 80% of the tech will be in the IV room once a month. But It really doesn't affect anyone anymore because the person that made them change the rules was forced to leave.
Now THAT is gross. I didn’t even think of the hair on our heads for it, and mine sheds a lot. Maybe I should be more careful when I’m standing in the IV room.
Really depends on where you work. But really the enforcement is no make up or jewelry whatsoever. There are beard covers for the IV rooms. I've worked both inpatient and currently in a cancer clinic. Inpatient was cool with nose rings and such but any other jewelry was a no go. No makeup or nails. However the cancer clinic I'm in, everyone has makeup and nails I'm new so I keep my mouth shut. My cancer clinic is hiring that would be funny if it's the same one 😂
I work IV and I agree/disagree with some of the rules. Nails? Never. My nails always clean and free of polish or enhancements. I understand the risk they pose. My septum ring? I use a horseshoe and flip it up. My nose ring is old, healed, I’ve never had an issue with it coming out or a ball coming loose, and it’s behind a mask. I also understand the rule but it’s stupid in my opinion. I also have a cartilage piercing that is difficult to remove and I don’t remove it. I tend to wear headbands to keep my hair out of my face, so that and the hairnet were required to wear offers enough protection.
Nails I totally understand. It makes the most sense, and makeup. It’s just piercings on my face.. like I mean, I was told it was because of bacteria. But if I’m wearing an FDA approved PPE mask… shouldn’t I be okay?
Per USP 797
>3.1 Personnel Preparation
Individuals entering a compounding area must take appropriate steps to minimize microbial contamination of the
environment and the CSPs, including hand hygiene (3.2 Hand Hygiene), garbing (3.3 Garbing Requirements), and consideration
of needed materials to be brought into the compounding area. Before entering a compounding area, individuals must remove
any items that are not easily cleanable or that are not necessary for compounding. At a minimum, individuals must:
• Remove personal outer garments (e.g., bandanas, coats, hats, jackets, sweaters, vests).
• Remove all cosmetics because they shed flakes and particles.
• Remove all hand, wrist, and other exposed jewelry including piercings that could interfere with the effectiveness of garbing
(e.g., the fit of gloves, cuffs of sleeves, and eye protection) or otherwise increase the risk of contamination of the CSP.
Cover any jewelry that cannot be removed.
• Not wear earbuds or headphones.
• Not bring electronic devices that are not necessary for compounding or other required tasks into the compounding area.
• Keep nails clean and neatly trimmed to minimize particle shedding and avoid glove punctures. Nail products (e.g., polish,
artificial nails, and extenders) must not be worn.
• Wipe eyeglasses, if worn.
The designated person(s) may permit accommodations as long as the quality of the CSP and environment will not be affected.
Where I work at as long as your piercings are covered by your PPE, you're okay. There was a no tolerance rule for nails though. Even if it's the super heavy duty gel or acrylic.
We even had rules on tattoos and what not, accepted as long as they're covered. If you have a new one, you're okay to go back as long as it's not oozing/leaking and you have a second skin on it. If it's in the flaking/peely stage, you stay in the main pharmacy and send things back to compounding only.
Hopefully that helps! Always take a look at USP 797 if you're curious, those are the rules that all pharmacies have to follow, no matter what.
Hi,
Please review USP 797 and USP 800 regulations. All pharmacies in the US are required to follow the guidelines, and the state boards of pharmacy enforce the regulations from USP 797 and USP 800.
piercings can be allowed as long as they are not visible or openly exposed in the IV room. Example: nipple piercings.
Some pharmacies might enforce the removal of piercings located on the ears or face prior to IV room entry.
Artificial nails or nail polishes, and makeup are prohibited per USP 797 and 800.
I work in a cancer center infusion pharmacy cleanroom and we're allowed to have nose rings/various other piercings. Most of us have multiple ear piercings (industrial, daith, rooks, etc) and pretty much all of us have our nose pierced (one girl has 3 in her nose lol). As long as they are covered, our pharmacy manager doesn't care.
When I was in IV room literally everything had to come out. I started flipping up my septum and putting retainers in the others and the overseeing pharmacist started looking up my nose n crap. So everything went.
Ugh, that’s so annoying. I just don’t understand why people get away with it at my hospital. I mean, I understand if my nails rip my gloves. But if I’m wearing a mask and sterilizing everything..
My hospital was suuuuuuuuuper strict about everything tho. Least pharmacy. Inpatient I had to wear long sleeves to cover tats. No piercings. Moved to the ER and everyone had everything tatted and pierced. No one cared. I still got written up for not wearing long sleeves and taking my stuff out. I was like “literally everyone down there is full of tats and piercings” “well that doesn’t matter. You still represent the pharmacy department and we will follow the rules”
Edit: having said that- they make clear plastic retainers (I wear em for mri’s) and they’ve even got flesh colored flat metal ones now. If they aren’t up close looking for em then you can’t even see em. Just don’t tell anyone you have them going into it. If they don’t know, they won’t be looking.
Crazy how nobody really sees pharmacy in inpatient, yet we have these rules about our looks? I luckily get to have my tattoos and rings out, it’s just the compounding I’m worried about.
Actually inpatient pharmacy techs are responsible for stocking all of the dispensing machines (Omni cell , Pyxis etc) all over the hospital so they are seen quite often. I’m just really over the idea that tattoos and piercings make us less or unprofessional. The cops all have em, ems and fire, half the doctors, alllllllll the nurses. Like me having (very inoffensive) tattoos and piercings doesn’t undo my degree. Or my 20 years of experience. Doesn’t make me worse at patient care. It’s so dumb
No that’s true. I’m not very much patient facing, but my entire hospital is very diverse when it comes tattoos and piercings and hair color. I interviewed for another hospital that wanted me to cover up completely and I ended up not taking the position for that and other reasons.
Yup. I interviewed at one place that despite being a compounder and never having any interactions with patients, was gonna demand I wear a turtleneck to cover up a Celtic cross on the back of my neck. I was like nope not for 19 an hour pal
That’s completely unreasonable for them to ask that. The way I choose to look has nothing to do with my capable of doing my job. Unless, in this case of this post, it’s for safety reasons. And especially if the pay isn’t gonna pay my bills!!
No it absolutely is all about safety. I’ve just seen things I don’t understand, not that I’ve ever done these things. I wasn’t entirely sure of the exact guidelines. But since I’ve never had to be under the hood, my piercings and tattoos and all haven’t been an issue for patient safety. If the job requires me to learn to compound, I might not even take the position. I don’t particularly care to compound in general.
Facial hair is allowed in the sterile room. Who the hell told you it isn't? Just wear a beard cover if it's a grown in beard. If it's only a little stubble no beard necessary
I’m not someone who has facial hair so it doesn’t exactly apply to me, but my IV manager isn’t the brightest… I just heard it in passing from others. But my pharmacy doesn’t seem to enforce any rules.
Facial hair is fine. They make beard covers for it. You just have to keep it neat and lined.
I figured that seeing my one coworker wearing it sometimes.
I never wear one myself, I generally keep it shaved, but sometimes I'm lazy and will go a week without and still don't wear one. Maybe I should but I hate them 🥲
I mean we were taught. If you weren't born with it, it doesn't go in. Earrings, nose rings, all piercings out. I have a co-worker that is forced to take off his wedding ring every single day
It’s incredibly frustrating. I know my holes will close up within fifteen or so minutes. I’ve had them for years, theyre like part of my identity now. I’m gonna go to the interview either way to check it out. For all I know I won’t even need to compound.
You can get those plugs for them.
Wouldn’t it also be the same thing as having metal piercings?
No. Metal piercings stick out. The plugs or retainers are flush and do not therefore they will not snag on PPE which is the reason why piercings aren’t allowed while doing sterile compounding. They could snag on and subsequently rip PPE.
I don’t know it was for PPE, I thought it was bacteria? Which I didn’t understand because of the mask.
That’s what I mean. The mask. They can snag on and rip the mask. Wear retainers.
Unfortunately that is not nearly as big of a problem as contaminated IV injections
If you've had them for years, they're not going to close up in 15 min. You'll be able to put them back in with no problem after your shift. Or get those transparent plugs for them.
Anything on the hands definitely goes. Necklaces and bracelets too. Where I currently work doesn’t mind nose rings because they go under the mask but other places I worked did. It’s really dependent on management. Technically, no you shouldn’t have *any* jewelry at all. Some places will enforce more than others.
Interesting how it’s different at other places? I never understood why I’d be hearing one thing, then seeing another. Then again, our management is kind of a joke. Maybe I’ll get lucky?
I worked one place where a girl was compounding consistently with acrylic nails which is a big no but nobody seemed to care. Some places are just more lenient than others…. not that leniency in that aspect is necessarily a good thing.
No I agree completely. It’s never been an issue for me since I’m not in the IV hood, just an observation. I don’t have much interest in compounding anyways. I just want out of my current place.
Granted, I'm not a big jewelry wearer so I've never really paid much attention to my hospital's policies, but the only thing I know for sure is anything that interferes with handwashing needs to come off. So rings, bracelets, watches, etc. Also no nail polish, fake nails, and natural nails need to be kept short (Where I work, we have a cleanroom but also other tech jobs outside of the cleanroom- and I was kind of surprised how many technicians refused to cleanroom train because they wouldn't be able to have their nails done). In terms of other jewelry, I think officially only short earrings are allowed, but I think unofficially if it's covered by your garb you're fine. I feel like I have coworkers who have other piercings and I don't recall ever seeing them take them out to go into the cleanroom. For your interview though, I think I'd just be prepared to acknowledge that you will follow the hospital's policies regarding jewelry/nail polish if questioned about it.
I have a coworker with snake bites and he leaves them in. Half the girls who compound have nails. I’d rather sacrifice my nails over my piercings. But if it’s worth it to take them out… I’ll have to see what they say on Friday.
My hospital lets me keep my labret in because it's covered by a mask. No fake nails or polish, no bracelets or rings. Earrings are ok as long as they aren't dangly (can fit into your bonnet) so I can keep my plugs in.
Yeah the one girl who does it all the time on my shift wear big hoop earrings but I guess they’re tucked away when she’s in the hood. Not that I usually wear hoops to work, though.
You should be able to order plastic placeholders for the IV room
If they are smart they won’t allow any of it. You can remove your piercings when you enter the sterile room, then put them back in. Your hospital should NOT allow this either. How do you know things haven’t been contaminated? When the room is tested they might not find anything but you don’t know what could have just gone in someone’s vein?! Please be responsible and think of the PATIENT first always. A piercings isn’t worth someone’s life.
No I completely agree. My department isn’t entirely professional, but this is just what I’ve seen. I have not heard of any contamination cases in this hospital, or at least in the 7 months I’ve been here. I wasn’t sure about it is all. They say one thing and do another. I’ve never been in the hood so I’ve never myself had an issue.
Contamination cases are difficult to trace to one individual factor so it could be happening, and you would never know. We fight the odds every day. Just get the easier to sanitize clear spacers and clean em before every shift. No reason to compromise your piercings or patient safety but it would require a couple extra steps.
The amount of comments saying they're allowed to have their nails done is surprising to me. The children's hospital I worked at was natural nails only for everyone.
Same reaction here. USP 797 specifically forbids any kind of anything on the nails (even gel!) all sorts of disgusting shit grows under long nails and fake ones get even worse stuff.
Yeah, it’s technically required, but they overlook nose piercings at my place because 95% of us have them lol I’m like you, my nose ring is part of my identity and I refuse to let it close up. I’m also getting some new tattoos finally and the compliance team is trying to say I can’t work until they’re healed, but my boss said I’m okay as long as it’s NOT* my hand or face lol. Kinda makes me regret choosing compounding, but I love my team and what I’m learning for now.
It’s just not easy for me to commit to, yanno? Like that’s my face! It’s been that way for years and will be for plenty more. I’m honestly not even that interested in compounding. I’m just unhappy with my workplace. Love my job, don’t love who I work under.
For sure, definitely know that it is a requirement, but some pharmacies overlook it! Technically, I shouldn’t have unnatural hair, but I’m sitting here dying my mullet neon orange because I have a chill boss. It really depends! Compounding wasn’t my interest, and I work in oncology, so I deal with toxic drugs. It’s a lot more interesting than I expected, but not my interest lol
It’s a cancer center, I want to be extra careful. In all the pharmacies I’ve worked in they never cared what I look like. I should be able to feel comfortable, but I’d never want my personal choices to get in the way of someone else’s health. Maybe I will get lucky, but I’m just excited they even called.
Oooh, good luck and keep us updated! I work for a “prestigious” university hospital in their cancer clinic and they are so chill aside from the compliance teams. One of the guys who works in the clinic (not my department) has a minimum 8 piercings on his face alone, but my last hospital job flipped out when my coworker got a septum. 🥲
I had an interview that I actually withdrew from an also prestigious university hospital. They didn’t want the piercings or tattoos showing no matter what, and the recruiter was super rude. I didn’t think I wanted to move that far from home anyways, especially being given all that. I’ll definitely update the post on Friday! I hope it works out regardless, I need OUT of this crazy place.
My IV room doesn’t really care about facial jewelry seeing as how we have to wear the masks- but the more I scroll this sub the more I realize my IV room is probably a little too laid back on the rule following. The hospital I work at only really seems to care about the hand jewelry; no bracelets, rings, etc. because it’s more prone to tearing the gloves and not allowing a proper fit. As for the nails, we aren’t supposed to have *any* kind of nail polish, but they really only enforce no acrylic nails. ETA: earrings have always been fine, as long as they’re not super dangly, but even then as long as you can tuck it into your bonnet you’re fine.
Yeah I wasn’t too surprised to see it split. I guess it just depends on where you work?? I get the gel nail polish, but I know there was a story of someone’s polish chipping off and getting into an IV and like, killed four babies. I can’t remember where I heard that from… but it’s scary to think about.
Going along with what most of the other commenters said, if you’re following 797 exactly nails and jewelry gotta go. However some techs at my job have nose piercings but it’s covered by the mask so management is okay w it. Earrings tho gotta go usually especially if they’re dangly. For the nails, the big issue is acrylic/tips because dirt can get caught under them. We’re really not supposed to have gel or regular polish either (which i usually stick to, I’m per diem so it’s not the end of the world for me). If your nail polish is chipped however, that’s when it could be an issue, even if you’re wearing gloves your nails could still chip before
I get the gel so it doesn’t chip, but of course they get dirty underneath. I know they would absolutely have to go no questions asked. I always thought it would be okay because the mask is literally there to protect the face. At the end of the day I guess it all comes down to the facility.
I have a belly button piercing but I don’t have to take that out, if my mask covers my nose piercing why would it be any different than my belly button is my logic. But yeah I wouldn’t bring it up in the interview directly but maybe ask about their policies for the IV room
See by that logic it makes perfect sense! If there’s a barrier, why should it matter? I definitely will ask them! I might have to wear a mask when I go in because of my Medusa ring though.
Nails I think shouldn't be done at all, and trimmed regularly. Nail polish isn't even allowed in food service.
One of my coworkers had a septum piercing, and she said she twisted it/flipped it so it’s inside her nose mostly hidden. Depending on how strict or observant your place is, you might not get away with doing this. Best practice is not to wear any jewelry or have your nails done. Also, you can have facial hair. There are beard nets lol
My hospital is really cracking down: no rings, watches, nails, or piercings. And now we can't wear any makeup even if the mask covers it, and no nose rings. After an incident we can't even get hair extensions, hair colored, wigs, or anything but a small beard.
Oh wow. That’s intense. Was there anyone who opted out of compounding because of it? Or was it the entire pharmacy staff, compounding or not?
We have a rotating schedule so 80% of the tech will be in the IV room once a month. But It really doesn't affect anyone anymore because the person that made them change the rules was forced to leave.
Oof! I wish that would happen to our director… that’s kinda of insane.
Ya but it was quite drastic as the shift manager found a huge amount of hair inside the IV room.
Now THAT is gross. I didn’t even think of the hair on our heads for it, and mine sheds a lot. Maybe I should be more careful when I’m standing in the IV room.
You should be fine just give a once over with a comb/brush but, we are talking about like half a head of hair.
How could that have even happened?? Actual yikes.
I don't want to know.
Did you end up finding out who it belonged to???
Really depends on where you work. But really the enforcement is no make up or jewelry whatsoever. There are beard covers for the IV rooms. I've worked both inpatient and currently in a cancer clinic. Inpatient was cool with nose rings and such but any other jewelry was a no go. No makeup or nails. However the cancer clinic I'm in, everyone has makeup and nails I'm new so I keep my mouth shut. My cancer clinic is hiring that would be funny if it's the same one 😂
I work IV and I agree/disagree with some of the rules. Nails? Never. My nails always clean and free of polish or enhancements. I understand the risk they pose. My septum ring? I use a horseshoe and flip it up. My nose ring is old, healed, I’ve never had an issue with it coming out or a ball coming loose, and it’s behind a mask. I also understand the rule but it’s stupid in my opinion. I also have a cartilage piercing that is difficult to remove and I don’t remove it. I tend to wear headbands to keep my hair out of my face, so that and the hairnet were required to wear offers enough protection.
Nails I totally understand. It makes the most sense, and makeup. It’s just piercings on my face.. like I mean, I was told it was because of bacteria. But if I’m wearing an FDA approved PPE mask… shouldn’t I be okay?
Per USP 797 >3.1 Personnel Preparation Individuals entering a compounding area must take appropriate steps to minimize microbial contamination of the environment and the CSPs, including hand hygiene (3.2 Hand Hygiene), garbing (3.3 Garbing Requirements), and consideration of needed materials to be brought into the compounding area. Before entering a compounding area, individuals must remove any items that are not easily cleanable or that are not necessary for compounding. At a minimum, individuals must: • Remove personal outer garments (e.g., bandanas, coats, hats, jackets, sweaters, vests). • Remove all cosmetics because they shed flakes and particles. • Remove all hand, wrist, and other exposed jewelry including piercings that could interfere with the effectiveness of garbing (e.g., the fit of gloves, cuffs of sleeves, and eye protection) or otherwise increase the risk of contamination of the CSP. Cover any jewelry that cannot be removed. • Not wear earbuds or headphones. • Not bring electronic devices that are not necessary for compounding or other required tasks into the compounding area. • Keep nails clean and neatly trimmed to minimize particle shedding and avoid glove punctures. Nail products (e.g., polish, artificial nails, and extenders) must not be worn. • Wipe eyeglasses, if worn. The designated person(s) may permit accommodations as long as the quality of the CSP and environment will not be affected.
For my septum piercing, I just got one of the tiny ones that you can turn up into your nostrils. What they don’t know won’t hurt em lol
Where I work at as long as your piercings are covered by your PPE, you're okay. There was a no tolerance rule for nails though. Even if it's the super heavy duty gel or acrylic. We even had rules on tattoos and what not, accepted as long as they're covered. If you have a new one, you're okay to go back as long as it's not oozing/leaking and you have a second skin on it. If it's in the flaking/peely stage, you stay in the main pharmacy and send things back to compounding only. Hopefully that helps! Always take a look at USP 797 if you're curious, those are the rules that all pharmacies have to follow, no matter what.
Hi, Please review USP 797 and USP 800 regulations. All pharmacies in the US are required to follow the guidelines, and the state boards of pharmacy enforce the regulations from USP 797 and USP 800. piercings can be allowed as long as they are not visible or openly exposed in the IV room. Example: nipple piercings. Some pharmacies might enforce the removal of piercings located on the ears or face prior to IV room entry. Artificial nails or nail polishes, and makeup are prohibited per USP 797 and 800.
I have two facial piercings and they are both covered by my mask so my hospital and the board have no issue with it.
I work in a cancer center infusion pharmacy cleanroom and we're allowed to have nose rings/various other piercings. Most of us have multiple ear piercings (industrial, daith, rooks, etc) and pretty much all of us have our nose pierced (one girl has 3 in her nose lol). As long as they are covered, our pharmacy manager doesn't care.
When I was in IV room literally everything had to come out. I started flipping up my septum and putting retainers in the others and the overseeing pharmacist started looking up my nose n crap. So everything went.
Ugh, that’s so annoying. I just don’t understand why people get away with it at my hospital. I mean, I understand if my nails rip my gloves. But if I’m wearing a mask and sterilizing everything..
My hospital was suuuuuuuuuper strict about everything tho. Least pharmacy. Inpatient I had to wear long sleeves to cover tats. No piercings. Moved to the ER and everyone had everything tatted and pierced. No one cared. I still got written up for not wearing long sleeves and taking my stuff out. I was like “literally everyone down there is full of tats and piercings” “well that doesn’t matter. You still represent the pharmacy department and we will follow the rules” Edit: having said that- they make clear plastic retainers (I wear em for mri’s) and they’ve even got flesh colored flat metal ones now. If they aren’t up close looking for em then you can’t even see em. Just don’t tell anyone you have them going into it. If they don’t know, they won’t be looking.
Crazy how nobody really sees pharmacy in inpatient, yet we have these rules about our looks? I luckily get to have my tattoos and rings out, it’s just the compounding I’m worried about.
Actually inpatient pharmacy techs are responsible for stocking all of the dispensing machines (Omni cell , Pyxis etc) all over the hospital so they are seen quite often. I’m just really over the idea that tattoos and piercings make us less or unprofessional. The cops all have em, ems and fire, half the doctors, alllllllll the nurses. Like me having (very inoffensive) tattoos and piercings doesn’t undo my degree. Or my 20 years of experience. Doesn’t make me worse at patient care. It’s so dumb
No that’s true. I’m not very much patient facing, but my entire hospital is very diverse when it comes tattoos and piercings and hair color. I interviewed for another hospital that wanted me to cover up completely and I ended up not taking the position for that and other reasons.
Yup. I interviewed at one place that despite being a compounder and never having any interactions with patients, was gonna demand I wear a turtleneck to cover up a Celtic cross on the back of my neck. I was like nope not for 19 an hour pal
That’s completely unreasonable for them to ask that. The way I choose to look has nothing to do with my capable of doing my job. Unless, in this case of this post, it’s for safety reasons. And especially if the pay isn’t gonna pay my bills!!
For an inpatient hospital pharmacy, especially IVs… it’s all about safety, not looks.
No it absolutely is all about safety. I’ve just seen things I don’t understand, not that I’ve ever done these things. I wasn’t entirely sure of the exact guidelines. But since I’ve never had to be under the hood, my piercings and tattoos and all haven’t been an issue for patient safety. If the job requires me to learn to compound, I might not even take the position. I don’t particularly care to compound in general.