What is the purpose of a vacoliter?

A vacoliter is specifically designed to facilitate the creation and maintenance of vacuum pressure during the preparation of intravenous (IV) medications. This vacuum pressure is essential in certain compounding scenarios to ensure that medications are mixed correctly and safely without contamination from the environment. By using a vacoliter, healthcare professionals can draw up solutions more efficiently and with greater accuracy, which is particularly important in sterile environments where the integrity of the medication must be preserved.

The function of the vacoliter is not related to storing medical containers or measuring liquid medications; those tasks are accomplished using different types of equipment designed specifically for those purposes. Likewise, while mixing medications is a critical part of preparing IV solutions, the primary purpose of a vacoliter is tied closely to its ability to maintain vacuum pressure, making it a unique tool in pharmacy practice.