Opioid use has decreased, but overdoses have increased: How is that possible? Over the last decade, prescriptions for opioids have gone down significantly. Despite this, the number of drug related overdoses has increased. How can we have fewer prescriptions, fewer opioids and yet more people dying from overdoses? How does this impact our patients and prescribers?
U.S Antibiotic Awareness Week kicks off tomorrow (November 18th) and runs through November 24th.
Happy Halloween Weekend from the OctariusRx team! Halloween can be a scary time of year. Last year we focused on the tricks (the top five scariest things about Halloween). This year, we are focusing on the treats (the least scary things about Halloween). Can you guess what’s on the list?
What should I do with Look-Alike-Sound-Alike medications is one of the common questions I get from facilities. Having a policy and procedure for addressing this patient safety risk is an absolute necessity. Do you know what to include in your policy and what steps you should take to help reduce the risk of these medications being used in error? In this post we will show you some examples and provide some tips on how to safely handle look-alike-sound-alike medications (confused drug names).
Happy National Pharmacy Week to all our team members and colleagues!
Medication management and infection control are the most commonly cited areas during surveys. Do you know what the most targeted areas are? How do you ensure your facility is always prepared for survey? Survey readiness requires ongoing effort and expertise. Do you have a plan? In this post we will discuss some of the most common deficiencies and ways to avoid them.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the OctariusRx team has gone pink. We are spreading the word and supporting the cause by promoting the annual campaign to increase awareness of this disease.
A new drug shortage for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is something we hear about all too frequently. Today we discuss the shortage of fat emulsion, a necessary reversal agent and the impact it can have both on patient safety and regulatory compliance.
It’s Fall Prevention Awareness Week and the OctariusRx team is recognizing and helping to spread the word from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). COVID-19 has changed a lot of things, but one has stayed the same: Falling is NOT a normal part of aging. Join us this week (Sept. 21-25) in a nationwide effort to prevent falls among older adults.
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.
