CHS Pharmacy News
October 2020
Brest Cancer Awareness Month**
“The Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked in countries across the world every October, helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of this disease.
There are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year (IARC Globocan, 2008). Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide, both in the developed and developing countries.”
Aging With Atrial Fibrillation: The Dilemma of Anticoagulation***
“The CHA2DS2-VASc score should be utilized for patients with AF to determine the necessity of anticoagulation therapy, except for those with moderate to severe mitral stenosis or a mechanical heart valve. Additionally, patients with AF and moderate to severe mitral stenosis or a mechanical heart valve should be anticoagulated. Studies have shown that NOACs are at least as effective as warfarin at preventing stroke and systemic embolism and have a lower risk of major bleeding. As such, NOACs are now recommended over warfarin in patients with AF who do not have moderate to severe mitral stenosis or a mechanical heart valve.”
“In LTC patients, it is critical to perform a careful and meticulous evaluation of the risks and benefits through shared decision-making to achieve an appropriate balance between stroke prevention and bleeding risk. Ultimately, the benefits of stroke prevention may outweigh these risks because the event rates of stroke, thromboembolism, and death are greatly increased in older patients in LTC settings.”
Influenza Vaccinations****
“Flu vaccination is especially important for people 65 years and older because they are at high risk of developing serious complications from flu. Immunity from vaccination fully sets in after about two weeks.
Because of age-related changes in their immune systems, people 65 years and older may not respond as well to vaccination as younger people. Although immune responses may be lower in older people, studies have consistently found that flu vaccine has been effective in reducing the risk of medical visits and hospitalizations associated with flu.”
Medication Administration Self Quiz
Can you answer these questions regarding the following medication order?
Dilantin 100mg cap 1 capsule po QOD at 8AM
- How often is the Dilantin to be given?
- What time of day is the Dilantin to be administered?
- How many times per day?
- What route is the Dilantin to be administered?
Business Hours
Normal business hours are:
9 AM – 5:30 PM M-F
9 AM – 3 PM Saturday
Closed on Sunday
*Emergency services available 24/7/365
- Every other day
- 8 AM
- One time during the day
- By mouth
“Grant me courage to serve others; For in service there is true life.”
- *Image: October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- **“Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 16 Oct. 2012,
- ***Ann Longterm Care. 2020. DOI: 10/25270/ALTC.2020.2.00096 Received August 22, 2019; accepted October 31, 2019. Published online February 18, 2020.
- ****“Flu & People 65 Years and Older.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 22 Sept. 2020
