Which system is used for drying hands in the anteroom?

In a pharmacy setting, particularly in the anteroom where sterile compounding occurs, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness is essential to prevent contamination. Lint-free towels or air hand dryers are specifically designed to minimize the risk of introducing particulates into a sterile environment.

Lint-free towels are advantageous because they do not shed fibers, which could compromise the sterility of the area and the products being prepared. Additionally, air hand dryers are effective since they do not involve any material that could transfer contaminants onto the hands after washing. Using air technology eliminates the concern over lint or fibers, ensuring that hands are dried in a manner that upholds the contamination control standards required in pharmacy practice.

In contrast, regular paper towels and household towels could introduce lint or other contaminants that are unacceptable in an area where sterile preparations are made, and personal handkerchiefs are not suitable due to potential individual contamination. Therefore, the use of lint-free towels or air hand dryers is the best practice for drying hands in the anteroom.