CHS Pharmacy News
April 2020
CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)
With full awareness and concerns for our senior population, please take a moment to review current and updated recommendations from the CDC and WHO.
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications/older-adults.html
WHO: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
Reminder, the simplest prevention options available are to wash hands regularly with soap and water, avoid touching the face, maintaining 6-feet distance between individuals, disinfect regularly, and decrease social contact.
World Immunization Week 2020*
April 24th through April 30th, 2020, “World Immunization Week 2020 aims to promote the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against disease. Immunization saves millions of lives every year and is widely recognized as one of the world’s most successful and cost-effective health interventions. Yet, there are still nearly 20 million children in the world today who are not getting the vaccines they need.”
“The theme this year is #VaccinesWork for All and the campaign will focus on how vaccines – and the people who develop, deliver and receive them – are heroes by working to protect the health of everyone, everywhere.”
Reducing Hospital Readmission Rates**
COPD readmission rates remain elevated at approximately 58% post 15 days hospital discharge. One of the main ways to look at lowering this number stems from improved transitions of care. In the long-term care setting, this becomes more complicated with the multiple staff members that will care for a resident. It is important to review administration techniques performed by nursing staff and assistance of inhaled medications. The consultant pharmacist is uniquely positioned to provide education on the administration of inhaled medications and educate administration to perform audits post training.
Dementia Care Practice Recommendations Alzheimer’s Assoc***
“Recommended practices for care include a comprehensive assessment and care planning as well as understanding behavior and effective communication. Strategies for implementing person-centered care rely on having effective staff approaches and an environment conducive to carrying out recommended care practices.” These approaches should be specific for each resident and include areas in:
- Social Engagement
- Food and Fluid Consumption
- Pain Management
Follow state or federal guidance documents and clinical recommendations in assessments to evaluate needed changes in the resident’s individual care plan.
NEW: Online Payment Options
We now have a Make Payment link on our chspharmacy.net website for customers to use to pay with a debit or credit card. Currently, it is an option to pay only. A blank field is presented for the account number to be entered, which is required for payment to move forward. After entering the account number, and click the pay now button a new page will be presented, Transaction Express, to enter card info, address, email, etc. Future updates to this service will include the option to review current balances, current statement, past statements, etc.
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.”
- * World Immunization Week 2020. (n.d.). Retrieved from who.int
- ** (n.d.). Retrieved March 23, 2020 from managedhealthcareconnect.com
- *** alz.org