CHS Pharmacy News
December 2019
First Edition!
2020 is upon us and with it comes the promise of growth and change. As part of our own expansion and growth, we’re excited to launch our first CHS Pharmacy Newsletter, specifically designed to help bring attention to topics being discussed within the long-term care arena.
Upcoming Holiday Hours
Thanksgiving Day: Closed
Christmas Eve: Normal Business Hours
Christmas Day: Closed
New Year’s Eve: Normal Business Hours
New Year’s Day: Closed
*Emergency services available 24/7/365 @ 620-855-0858
Normal business hours are 9 AM – 5:30 PM M-F, and 9 AM – 3PM Saturday and Closed on Sunday
Falls and Readmission Rates*
Readmission rates are of high importance with CMS. It is noted that fall-related injuries are among the top causes of 30-day hospital readmission rates for older adults. To avoid penalties, post-discharge fall prevention protocols should be reviewed by staff and administration to evaluate effectiveness and help identify areas of improvement.
Reordering – Stock & Control Meds
It is encouraged to reorder stock supplies and controlled medications Monday through Thursday from the pharmacy to reduce the likelihood of the facility running low on an item, especially during the upcoming holiday season.
What’s Wrong with this MAR Entry
Levothyroxine 100mcg
Give Levothyroxine 112mcg PO every morning on an empty stomach
- It is important to choose medications listed within the MAR system drug file to allow for appropriate identification of medications that will be dispensed from the pharmacy.
- By free typing the order, it creates ambiguity when medication orders are supplied to other healthcare entities, such as hospitals.
UTIs: Clinical Pearls
Classic urinary tract infection symptoms include dysuria, frequent voiding of small volumes, urinary urgency, fever or flank pain. Reminder, that confusion, foul smelling urine, dark urine or falls are not primary indicators of a UTI, however, they could be secondary symptoms. Current first line agents to treat UTI’s include fosfomycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or nitrofurantoin.
Vaccinations & Quality Measures
When administering insulin with pens, remember to “prime” the pen with 2 units before each dose. The pens are overfilled to account for this priming dose. Remember to check expiration dates for the pens before administering. Always use a new needle for each administration and rotate injection sites. Never share insulin pens or needles between residents. Insulin pens should NOT be refrigerated once punctured with a pen needle.
Insulin Pen: Clinical Pearls**
When administering insulin with pens, remember to “prime” the pen with 2 units before each dose. The pens are overfilled to account for this priming dose. Remember to check expiration dates for the pens before administering. Always use a new needle for each administration and rotate injection sites. Never share insulin pens or needles between residents. Insulin pens should NOT be refrigerated once punctured with a pen needle.
Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives***
Handwashing helps prevent illness. It involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illnesses. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel’”
- * Hoffman GJ, Liu H, Alexander NB, Tinetti M, Braun TM, Min LC. Posthospital fall injuries and 30-day readmissions in adults 65 years and older. JAMA Netw Open. 2019 May 3;2(5):e194276.
- ** Insulin Pen Injections Procedure Details. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/17923-insulin-pen-injections/procedure-details.
- *** Handwashing – Clean Hands Save Lives. (2019, October 8). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html.