CHS Pharmacy News
November 2020
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
*Emergency services available 24/7/365
Normal business hours are 9 AM – 5:30 PM M-F, and 9 AM – 3PM Saturday and Closed on Sunday
COVID-19: Operation Warp Speed (OWS)*
The goal of this initiative “is to produce and deliver 300 million doses of safe and effective vaccines with the initial doses available by January 2021.”
Currently, OWS and private partners are developing a plan for delivering product to Americans as quickly as possible. National and local pharmacist will be part of distribution plans for Phases 1a and 1b as existing, effective and efficient resources to deploying vaccine.
Administration Tips: Ellipta Inhalers**
Ellipta inhalers come under many brand names, however, the use and steps for administration is the same amongst them all. It is important to verify the administration recommendations are followed for optimal medication effect.
Steps:
- Open the cover of the inhaler
- Breath out
- Place inhaler to mouth and breath in
- Hold breath for 3-4 seconds
- Breath out SLOWLY
- Close cover to the inhaler
Hand-washing: Clean Hands Save Lives***
Hand-washing 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 hand-washing, 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.
Returnable Medications
Certain forms of medication cannot be returned to the pharmacy for credit since they can only be used for one person once opened. These could include inhalers, eye drops, creams, ointments, liquids, insulins or controlled medications. Consider having the physician sign an order allowing the resident to take these medications with them upon discharge from the facility, providing the order is still active and appropriate.
Pay Status Changes
To streamline billing procedures for both residents and facilities, please contact our pharmacy team regarding any resident pay status changes. Examples include, but not limited to: Medicare eligibility, Medicare A Skilled, Medicaid Pending and admission/discharge for Hospice Services.
Medication Administration Self Quiz
Can you answer these questions regarding the following medication order?
Diltiazem ER 120mg tablet po BID, hold if BP <110/70
a) How often is the Diltiazem to be given?
b) What must be checked prior to the Diltiazem being dosed?
c) Could this medication be crushed, if needed?
a) Twice a day
b) Blood pressure must be checked
c) ER formulations, in general, should not be crushed.
Always check with the pharmacist for clarification
“”One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”
- *Secretary, HHS Office of the, and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). “Fact Sheet: Explaining Operation Warp Speed.” HHS.gov, US Department of Health and Human Services, 14 Oct. 2020, hhs.gov.
- **gsksource.com
- ***Handwashing – Clean Hands Save Lives. (2019, October 8). Retrieved from cdc.gov