CHS Pharmacy News
February 2020
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.
Leap Year
Reminder, when calculating expiration or beyond use dating, February has 29 days this year. Many items, specifically including insulins and inhalers, have a specified shelf life once opened or left at room temperature. Please reach out to our pharmacy team if you are in need of identifying appropriate expiration dates.
Medication Safety and Technology*
The use of technology is considered a high leverage strategy to optimize clinical decision making—but only if the users’ trust in the technology closely matches the reliability of the technology itself. It is important that clinicians not only rely on technology, but the clinical training they have developed to prevent adverse outcomes to the patients we care for.
Wound Prevention and Healing**
Residents may be at a higher risk for nutritional deficiencies, increasing the potential for wounds and other skin issues. A multivitamin high in zinc and vitamin C plays a major role in collagen metabolism and synthesis. Vitamin A is especially important in those that are on a corticosteroid. Fish oil supplements have shown evidence that they reduce the prevalence of pressure ulcer, skin tears, etc. by attenuating the inflammatory response but avoiding the suppression of components necessary for wound healing. Something else to look for when a resident has recurrent wounds is the protein intake of the resident. Protein is key for integrity and repair of the skin tissue.
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 or insulins. 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.
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.
Administration Tips***
Latanoprost (Xalatan®) is an ophthalmic drop used to reduce pressure in the eye in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It should be administered in the evening because intraocular pressure is highest in the morning; when administered at night, Latanoprost maximum efficacy coincides with the high pressure. If being used with other eye drops, separate by at least 5 minutes. Latanoprost should be stored in the refrigerator until opened, after opening it may be stored at room temperature for up to 6 weeks. Use of this eye drop may cause darkening of eye color, eyelid and eyelashes, and increased growth and thickness of eyelashes. REMINDER: date the bottle upon opening to determine when drops should be disposed
“Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.”
- * ISMP May 2017. Accessed January 21, 2020. ismp.org
- ** Molnar, J. A., Underdown, M. J., & Clark, W. A. (2014, November 1). Nutrition and Chronic Wounds. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- *** Xalatan website. Available at: www.xalatan.com. Accessed January 21, 2020