As consultant pharmacists, we are often asked about vaccines. In this week's post, we discuss the 2019-2020 influenza season. With the feel of Fall in the air, it is never too early to prepare for flu season! Every year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides updated guidance and answers to common questions related to the upcoming season. Are you familiar with this year’s version of the vaccine? Are you prepared to protect your staff and patients?
Do you know what the top ten prescribing errors are and how to avoid them?
In this week’s post we discuss an article published earlier this year in The Pharmaceutical Journal, focusing on the top ten prescribing errors and how pharmacists can help reduce them. These errors are often avoidable and can be very costly, both financially and from a patient outcome standpoint. Do you know what the top ten are? Are you working with a consultant pharmacist to help reduce your risk and improve patient safety?
Consultant Pharmacist Tips: Five Steps to Safe Medication Management and Avoiding Near Misses
Medication near-misses happen more frequently than we like. Are you doing all you can to prevent them? In this week’s post we look at a recent event reported to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices that could have been fatal. We will discuss what happened and give you five steps for improving patient safety.
FDA approves Eli Lilly’s Baqsimi, the first treatment for severe hypoglycemia that can be administered without an injection
In this week's post we discuss the approval of Baqsimi nasal powder. This is the first glucagon therapy approved for the emergency treatment of severe hypoglycemia that can be administered without an injection.
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Managing High-Alert/Hazardous and Look-Alike-Sound-Alike Medications in Ambulatory Care Settings
In this week's post we discuss managing High Alert and Look-Alike-Sound-Alike medications. These medications require special attention because they can cause significant patient harm when used in error.
Storage Guidelines and Shortened Expiration Dates
This week we talk about medication storage, shortened expiration dating and the big impact it can have on your survey results. Are you prepared?
Compounded Drugs
Does your facility use compounded drugs? Do you get them from an FDA registered 503B outsourcing facility? According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, about 11% of hospitals get compounded drugs from sources that are not registered with the FDA.
Medication Safety Quiz
In our most recent newsletter issue and during our customer visits, we have shared our updated "Med Safety Quiz". The quiz is designed to actually "teach rather than trick". If you’d like to try these questions and then check your answers, please reach out to us for more details.
Medication Storage Guidance
One of the key components for meeting the CMS requirements for the proper provision of pharmaceutical services is the requirement to properly store medications. First, we address the general requirements of medication storage. Second, we address the specific requirements for medication rooms and refrigerators. According to F-Tag 761, facilities must store all drugs and biologicals in locked compartments under proper temperature controls and permit only authorized personnel to have access to the keys. A facility, in coordination with a licensed pharmacist, which is generally its consultant pharmacist, must provide safe and secure storage, limited access, and mechanisms to minimize loss...