Solving these problems requires reimagining the workspace itself. Asking technicians to work harder or faster is not enough. The environment must support safe, repeatable, and efficient processes. By consolidating all essential tools into a single, standardized system, facilities can remove friction, reduce human error, and make compounding more predictable. 

Consider a typical workflow in today’s hospital pharmacies. A technician prepares a batch of IV medication and must step out of the hood multiple times, first to weigh the active ingredient on a scale located outside the sterile field, then to scan the barcode at a separate workstation, and finally to print labels from a printer across the room. Each movement introduces risk: distraction, contamination, and breaks in concentration. The process takes longer than necessary, and every additional step increases the chance for error.  

Now, imagine a streamlined workflow where all essential tools, like scales, scanners, cameras, and printers, are within reach, ergonomically positioned, and easy to use. The technician can perform every task: documenting, weighing, verifying, and labeling, without leaving the sterile field. Movement is minimized, concentration is maintained, and the chance for errors is drastically reduced.  

That’s exactly what Smarthood™ was built to do. 

Smarthood™ by Germfree brings this streamlined workflow to life, integrating all critical hardware into the sterile field and eliminating unnecessary steps. Smarthood™ connects seamlessly to your facility’s existing IV workflow software, functioning as a software-agnostic, cleanroom-ready hardware solution with no extra interfaces or integrations required.

Within the sterile field, you’ll find:

• Integrated high-resolution cameras (2) for real-time documentation and photo capture.
• Hands-free barcode scanning to speed up verification and reduce manual handling.
• Optional built-in Mettler Toledo scale with vibration-dampening technology for precise gravimetric measurements.
• Integrated printer and speakerphone to support communication and labeling without breaking aseptic technique.

By keeping all tools within reach, Smarthood™ reduces movement, minimizes contamination risk, and maintains an organized, distraction-free workspace.

Smarthood™ is available in 4’ and 6’ Horizontal Laminar Airflow Hood configurations, as well as 4’ and 6’ Class II Type A2 Biological Safety Cabinets. This flexibility allows it to fit into a variety of hospital pharmacies and healthcare facilities while providing the same standardization, safety, and efficiency.

By integrating tools, simplifying workflow, and prioritizing aseptic technique, Smarthood™ solves the most persistent challenges in IV compounding. It’s more than a hood—it is a fully integrated IV workflow solution that empowers your staff to focus on what truly matters: delivering safe, high-quality care to every patient, every time.