CHS Pharmacy News

November 2023

Business Hours

Upcoming Holiday Hours:
Thanksgiving Day: Closed *
Christmas Eve: 9 AM – 3 PM
Christmas Day: Closed *
New Year’s Eve: Normal Business Hours
New Year’s Day: Closed *
Normal business hours are 9 AM – 5:30 PM M-F, and 9 AM – 3PM Saturday and Closed on Sunday
*Emergency services available 24/7/365

November is National Diabetes Month*

Tips to help with prevention, pre-diabetes, and manage diabetes:

• Take small steps: adjusting lifestyle and daily habits
• Move more: getting at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week
• Choose healthier foods and drinks: increased fiber and lower fat and sugar
• Lose weight: improve diabetes or risk by losing 5 to 7 pounds
• Seek support: support from family and health providers can help make necessary lifestyle changes
• Get vaccinated: Stay up to date on vaccinations such as influenza, pneumococcal, COVID-19, hepatitis B

SAFETY: Insulin Pen Usage**

Important points when using insulin pen devices:

• Make sure to remove both caps of the insulin needle tips once attached to the insulin pen
• Prime the insulin pen to remove air bubbles from the needle. It also allows one to ensure that the needle is open and working.
• The pen must be primed before each injection
• To prime, turn the dosage knob to 2 units, or up to 5 units depending on pen manufacturer. Press the plunger to verify that at least one drop of insulin appears.
• Dial the pen for dosage and verify correct before injection.
• DO NOT USE AN INSULIN SYRINGE TO DRAW INSULIN FROM AN INSULIN PEN. Newer insulins may be of a higher concentration and the pen is specifically calibrated to deliver the selected units for administration.

CMS Appendix PP: In the Know***

Drug Regimen Review:

• The licensed pharmacist must review resident drug regimen at least once a month.
  • In addition to the medical chart
• The licensed pharmacist must report any irregularities to the attending physician AND facility’s medical director AND director of nursing
  • These reports MUST be acted on
• The facility must have developed policies and maintain these policies and procedures for the monthly drug regimen review. Detail of steps to address or disagreement needs to be responded to for each irregularity identified.

1. * nih.gov
2. ** clevelandclinic.org
3. ***KDADs, Appendix PP, page 551