Which of the following methods could potentially reduce CFU counts?

Proper garbing techniques are essential in maintaining the sterility of the environment in sterile compounding areas. When staff members appropriately garb themselves, it helps to minimize the risk of introducing contaminants into the compounding area. This is because proper garbing includes the use of gowns, gloves, masks, and sometimes hair covers, which serve as barriers to shed skin cells, hair, and pathogens that could contribute to the presence of colony-forming units (CFUs).

By ensuring that personnel are properly attired before entering cleanrooms or compounding areas, the likelihood of airborne and surface contaminants is significantly reduced, ultimately leading to lower CFU counts. Thus, employing proper garbing techniques is a critical practice in ensuring the integrity of sterile preparations.

In contrast, using open containers may actually increase exposure to contaminants, minimizing personnel might temporarily reduce movement but not necessarily address contamination from those present, and lengthening cleanroom operation hours does not inherently improve sterility without proper controls and practices in place.