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?
Tag: Compounded Drugs
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Beyond the Basics: 3 Tips for Protecting Patients During a Public Health Crisis
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.
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June is National Safety Month
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.
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Drug Shortages: Three Reasons Why It’s Different During COVID-19
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?
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Happy National Nurses Week!
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.
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FDA Cautions Against Use of Hydroxychloroquine or Chloroquine for COVID-19
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.
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Healthcare Facilities: 5 Ways to Prepare for a World Post COVID-19
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.
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Ambulatory Surgery Centers Preparing to Reopen: A Consultant Pharmacist’s Advice
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?
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Consultant Pharmacist 101: How We Help Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Consultant pharmacists 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 also by helping individual patients. These pharmacists provide expert advice on pharmaceutical services, patient safety, and drug therapy management.
In a three-part series, we will discuss how a consultant pharmacist can benefit each client and how you can find the right consultant pharmacist for your needs. This month, we’ll focus on how ASCs can enhance patient safety by using an expert consultant pharmacist. In the coming months, this series will also discuss how consultant pharmacists can have a dramatic impact on long-term care facilities and on individual patients’ lives.
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The CDC’s Safe Injection Campaign Turns Ten: Compliance Tips from a Consultant Pharmacist
This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) One & Only Campaign turns ten years old. The One & Only Campaign, as you may know, focuses on eliminating unsafe injection practices. In the span of a single decade, healthcare facilities across the country have come a long way in improving patient safety via safe injection practices — but: there is still much work to be done.