Going back to school for patient safety is something we should routinely do. It should come as no surprise that the biggest threats to patient safety are also the items we take for granted. As the kids head back to school to take on new challenges, we should challenge ourselves to renew our focus on enhancing patient safety.
Should I get the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine/booster?
Should I get the flu vaccine and the COVID vaccine/booster? As flu season approaches and the discussion heats up about COVID-19 booster shots, many are asking whether they should get one, the other, or both. Hopefully by now you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but regardless, in the coming weeks to months, you will have the opportunity to protect yourself against the flu. Should you get either vaccine? Can you take both at the same time?
Drug Diversion and Patient Safety
Drug diversions are not only a regulatory issue, they can also lead to patient safety issues. Most diversions happen with controlled substances, but did you know there are risks and liabilities beyond your narcotic box? Proper medication management is critical from both a regulatory and clinical standpoint. Do you know what steps to take to maintain regulatory compliance and to keep your staff and patients safe?
Medication Safety Quiz 2021
The 2021 version of the OctariusRx medication safety quiz is about to be released. Ongoing education and assessment of staff medication management competency are standards of good practice. Medication competency and your consultant pharmacist are two things that should go hand-in-hand. How are you assessing your staff? Use our tool to help enhance patient safety and at the same time, satisfy the regulatory requirement.
Documenting Patient Allergies
Documenting patient allergies is not only an expectation of surveyors, it’s a critical patient safety function. How does your facility document patient allergies? Are you asking the right questions? Are they documented in a prominent and consistently defined location? Are you providing appropriate clarification of all noted allergies? This is a task we often take for granted, but doing it incorrectly could result in survey deficiencies, or worse…patient harm.
Get your new DEA-222 forms!
Get your new DEA-222 forms before October 30, 2021. The old DEA-222 form will no longer be used after this date. Don’t wait until the last minute to get yours. Delays could happen for a variety of reasons, leaving you without the ability to order certain controlled substances. If you haven’t already done so, act now to avoid alterations or interruptions in patient care.
What are the most commonly used insulins?
What are the most commonly used insulins? There are quite a few more insulins available today than there were just a few years ago. For patients, this means more options and more flexibility, but it also increases the risk of confusion and potential errors. How does your facility perform medication reconciliation? Would you recognize the newer insulin products? Do you know how long each one lasts? The answers to these questions will help you better manage blood sugar perioperatively.
Some of the Most Common Deficiencies in Recent ASC Surveys
Some of the most common deficiencies in recent surveys are directly related to medication management and safety. How does your facility oversee pharmaceutical services and patient safety to avoid survey deficiencies? Let our pharmacy consultants help you.
What Does a Consultant Pharmacist do?
What does a Consultant Pharmacist do? Consultant pharmacists provide expert advice on pharmaceutical services, patient safety, and drug therapy management. They are medication management specialists who work in a variety of settings like ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), senior care facilities (e.g., nursing homes, assisted living facilities) and with individual patients.