What is a key difference between a Segregated Compounding Area (SCA) and a Buffer Room?

The key difference between a Segregated Compounding Area (SCA) and a Buffer Room lies in the stringent environmental and processing requirements that each space must meet. The SCA is designed for the compounding of sterile preparations but does not have the same rigorous environmental controls as a Buffer Room. In a Buffer Room, which is part of a cleanroom environment, there are strict temperature and humidity standards in place to ensure the integrity and sterility of the compounded products.

While both areas may be used for compounding, the SCA is typically for lower-risk compounding procedures, allowing some flexibility with temperature and humidity, thus making it unnecessary for these standards to be as tightly controlled as they are in a Buffer Room. This distinction helps clarify the use cases and regulatory requirements of each space, emphasizing that while both contribute to sterile compounding practices, they have different levels of environmental management.