Fireworks can be great this time of year, but as a consultant pharmacist, I don’t like to hear fireworks when it comes to surveys. Some deficiencies are fairly common and avoiding them is not that difficult. Today we will discuss three of the most common deficiencies in ambulatory surgery centers and ways to avoid them.
As the weather finally warms up and the country begins to open from the COVID-19 pandemic, our thoughts shift to summertime and the beach. As a consultant pharmacist, I am always working to help my facilities improve patient safety and achieve survey success. Here are five easy things you can do while sitting at the beach!
As a consultant pharmacist I often hear “USP Chapter <800> on hazardous drugs (HDs) was released for informational purposes only. Do I really need to comply with it?” My short answer is always “yes”, but do you know why and how?
Implementing, and adhering to, good infection control practices is critical to minimizing the impact of infectious diseases, including, but not limited to COVID-19. As a consultant pharmacist, I see additional opportunities for infection control practices that may not be as obvious as handwashing or PPE.
June is National Safety Month and at OctariusRx we recognize and support the National Safety Council’s efforts to build and advocate for a culture of safety.
With the recent addition of famotidine to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) list of drug shortages, the number of unavailable drugs is now well over 100. As a consultant pharmacist, I know that drug shortages have been on the radar for many years and will likely continue to be...so, why is it any different this time around?
National Nurses Week begins Wednesday May 6th and ends May 12th, Florence Nightingale's birthday. At a time when the world seems upside down and we begin to realize how much we have taken for granted, we recognize and CELEBRATE a profession that always makes us feel better.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently cautioned against the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for the treatment of COVID-19 outside of a hospital setting or clinical trial.
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic we are all facing is an extraordinary situation that has greatly modified so many of the things we take for granted. There are many lessons already learned...and, of course, others still to come. One thing we know for certain is that some processes will be forever altered — and others will need to be improved. Although it may seem overwhelming right now, it’s prudent to start thinking about things that can be modified going forward. As a consultant pharmacist, below are five key items I suggest you think about now to better prepare yourself, and your facility, for a world post COVID-19.
With the White House announcing the Guidelines for Opening up America Again, Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) should be ready to go when your state provides specific guidance. Have you taken the appropriate steps to prepare?
