Restoring cleanroom integrity: HVAC renovations at 2 primary compounding locations
Author: Adam Castro
In 2024, Geisinger completed critical heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) renovations at 2 of its primary sterile compounding locations — Geisinger Wyoming Valley (GWV) operating rooms and Geisinger Medical Center (GMC) Hematology/Oncology Biologics Pharmacy suite. These upgrades addressed longstanding environmental control challenges that directly impacted sterile compounding operations and patient safety. The renovations represent a significant investment in infrastructure that supports regulatory compliance and the delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical care.
Engineering-driven upgrades
The renovations were initiated following comprehensive engineering assessments that identified persistent issues in temperature and humidity regulation, as well as unstable pressure differentials. These environmental inconsistencies compromised the integrity of cleanroom environments and chemotherapy hoods, posing risks to compliance with U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) standards <797> and <800>. Inconsistent pressure and exhaust controls created vulnerabilities in sterile compounding operations, threatening regulatory compliance and the reliability of medication preparation. The assessments provided a clear roadmap for targeted improvements that would restore environmental stability and support safe compounding practices.
Operational impact
Environmental deviations had a direct and measurable effect on pharmacy operations.
When cleanroom conditions fell outside acceptable ranges, USP guidelines required reduced beyond-use dating (BUD) for compounded sterile products. This limitation hindered the ability to prepare medications in advance, particularly for next-day chemotherapy services. As a result, pharmacy teams had increased medication waste, staffing inefficiencies and delays in patient care delivery. These disruptions strained clinical workflows and highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements that could support operational efficiency and patient safety. The inability to rely on extended BUDs also limited flexibility in scheduling and resource allocation, further emphasizing the importance of environmental control.
Renovation outcomes
The HVAC upgrades included several key enhancements. Air filtration systems were improved to support higher levels of particulate control. Zoned climate control was implemented to allow for precise regulation of temperature and humidity in each cleanroom.
Automated pressure monitoring systems were installed to stabilize pressure differentials between rooms and exhaust systems were upgraded to support consistent airflow and containment. Since implementation, both cleanrooms have maintained stable environmental conditions. Notably, no bacterial growth has been detected in either space over the past 7 months, demonstrating the effectiveness of the renovations and the restored integrity of the compounding environments. These outcomes reflect a measurable improvement in environmental quality and reinforce the value of the investment.
A model of collaboration
This success reflects a strong partnership between the pharmacy and facilities teams. A shared commitment to patient safety, regulatory excellence and operational resilience kept the project technically sound and aligned with clinical needs. The teams’ coordinated efforts enabled the timely execution of the renovations and reinforced the importance of crossfunctional collaboration in achieving infrastructure improvements. Regular communication, joint planning and shared accountability were essential to the project’s success and serve as a model for future initiatives.
Looking ahead
The HVAC renovations at GWV operating rooms and GMC Biologics Pharmacy suite represent a foundational step in strengthening Geisinger’s sterile compounding capabilities.
As Geisinger Pharmacy continues to prioritize environmental integrity in compounding areas, these upgrades serve as a model for future initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, efficiency and patient outcomes. Ongoing monitoring, staff training and proactive maintenance will support continued high-quality care and regulatory compliance across the health system.
The lessons learned from this project will inform future infrastructure planning and reinforce Geisinger’s commitment to excellence in pharmacy operations.
