During audits, what is a key reason to perform environmental wipe or surface sampling in hazardous drug programs?

• A. To propagate the use of newly assigned PPE.
• B. To verify decontamination effectiveness and identify contamination hotspots.
• C. To assess staff multitasking ability.
• D. To measure pharmaceutical market growth.

Answer: (B)

Environmental wipe sampling is used to verify that cleaning and decontamination procedures in hazardous drug programs actually remove drug residues and to pinpoint where contamination persists. Surfaces, equipment, and high-touch areas can harbor hazardous drug residues, so checking them during audits shows whether containment controls are effective and whether cleaning protocols are being followed correctly. When results show low or no residues, it supports that decontamination and containment measures are working; when hotspots are found, the program can target those areas for remediation, adjust procedures, enhance cleaning frequency, or reinforce training. This approach directly supports safety by reducing staff exposure and demonstrates compliance with regulatory and accreditation expectations. The other options miss the core safety purpose—environmental sampling isn’t about promoting PPE usage, assessing staff multitasking, or measuring market growth.