CHS Pharmacy News
January 2025
Business Hours
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
The New Year’s & Pay Status Changes
To streamline billing procedures for residents and facilities, please notify our pharmacy team of any changes to a resident’s pay status. Examples include, but are not limited to, Medicare eligibility, Medicare Part A Skilled, Medicaid Pending, or admission/discharge from Hospice services.
Returnable Medications
Certain medications cannot be returned to the pharmacy for credit because they are designated for single-patient use once opened. These include items such as inhalers, eye drops, creams, ointments, liquids, and insulins. To avoid waste, consider having the physician issue an order allowing the resident to take these medications with them upon discharge, provided the order remains active.
Medication Safety and Technology*
The use of technology is regarded as a high-leverage strategy for optimizing clinical decision making— but its effectiveness depends on users’ trust in the technology aligning closely with its actual reliability. While technology plays a crucial role, it is
equally important for clinicians to integrate their clinical training and judgment to safeguard against adverse outcomes for the patients under their care.
Wound Prevention and Healing**
Residents may be at increased risk for nutritional deficiencies, which can elevate the likelihood of wounds and other skin issues. A multivitamin rich in zinc and vitamin C is crucial for supporting collagen metabolism and synthesis. Additionally, vitamin A is particularly important for individuals on corticosteroid therapy. Evidence suggests that fish oil supplements
can reduce the prevalence of pressure ulcers and skin tears by attenuating the inflammatory response while avoiding suppression of key components necessary for wound healing. Another important consideration for residents with recurrent wounds is their protein intake, as protein is essential for maintaining skin integrity and promoting tissue repair.
New Year’s Day Trivia
- Which ancient civilization is credited with being the first to celebrate the New Year, starting the tradition around 4,000 years ago?
- In what year did the New Year’s Eve ball first drop in Times Square, New York City?
- Which country is the first to ring in the New Year due to its time zone?
- What two years did the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball not drop?
New Year’s Day Trivia Answers
- Ancient Babylonians
- 1907
- Kiribati
- 1942 and 1943