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?
Look-alike-sound-alike risks with flu vaccine and insulin may not be something you normally consider, but the risk of patient harm is extremely high. Do you have a facility specific look-alike-sound-alike list? Is it updated annually and posted in areas of medication administration? As a consultant pharmacist, I have the following five suggestions for minimizing risks and increasing patient safety.
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recently reminded ambulatory surgery centers of the requirement and steps required to submit healthcare personnel (HCP) influenza data to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Healthcare Safety network (NHSN) by May 15, 2020. Is your documentation complete? Are you prepared to comply with DPH and CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) requirements?
