CHS Pharmacy News
September 2021
Business Hours
Closed for the Labor Day Holiday, September 6th
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
Influenza: What’s New for 2021-2022*
A few things are different for the 2021-2022 influenza (flu) season, including:
- The composition of flu vaccines has been updated.
- All flu vaccines will be quadrivalent (four component), meaning designed to protect against four different flu viruses.
- Flu vaccines and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time. (More information)
- More detailed guidance about the recommended timing of flu vaccination for some groups of people is forthcoming.
- Guidance concerning contraindications and precautions for the use of two flu vaccines – Flucevax Quadrivalent and Flublok Quadrivalent – were updated.
Cholesterol Awareness Month**
September is National Cholesterol Education Month! Help your audiences understand the importance of cholesterol management. About 38% of American adults have high cholesterol (total blood cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL). Too much cholesterol puts you at risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. High cholesterol has no signs or symptoms, so the only way to know if you have it is to get your cholesterol checked. Talk to your health care team about how you can manage your cholesterol levels and lower your risk.
CMS Appendix PP: In the Know***
Response to Irregularities Identified in the MRR “The medical record must show documentation that the attending physician reviewed any irregularities identified by the pharmacist. For those issues that require physician intervention, the attending physician either accepts and acts upon the report and recommendations or rejects all or some of the report and should document his or her rationale of why the recommendation is rejected in the resident’s medical record. It is not acceptable for an attending physician to document only that he/she disagrees with the report, without providing some clinical basis for disagreeing.”
Medication Update: Ivermectin****
CDC issued a warning Thursday, August 26, 2021, about the increased use of ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic. The drug is FDA-approved to treat certain infections caused by internal and external parasites. CDC notes that during the pandemic, “ivermectin dispensing by retail pharmacies has increased, as has use of veterinary formulations available over the counter but not intended for human use. FDA has cautioned about the potential risks of use for prevention or treatment of COVID-19”. The drug is neither authorized nor approved by FDA for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 infection.
Upcoming CE Programs
12p -1p CST; 1-hour CE Programs for Administrators & Nursing
*Presented by National Institute for Health Education & Training; Contact CHS Pharmacy to find out more.
- September 15: Part 2: Signs to Watch to Slow Down the Decline of ALF Resident
- September 29: Part 3: Ways to Enhance and Improve the ALF Activity Program