What is one of the main causes of patient harm related to compounded sterile preparations?

One of the main causes of patient harm related to compounded sterile preparations is excessive bacterial endotoxins. Bacterial endotoxins are toxic components found in the cell walls of certain bacteria, particularly Gram-negative bacteria. When compounded sterile preparations are contaminated with these endotoxins, even in small amounts, they can lead to severe reactions in patients, including fever, shock, and organ failure. Ensuring that compounded preparations are free from these harmful substances is crucial for patient safety, which is why stringent sterility and contamination controls are employed during the compounding process. Monitoring microbial contamination and rigorously testing for endotoxins helps protect patients from potential harm.