CHS Pharmacy News

February 2024

Business Hours

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

American Heart Month*

“February is American Heart Month, a time when all people can focus on their cardiovascular health. The Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention is shining a light on hypertension (high blood pressure), a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke.”

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.

Common Blood Pressure Medication Do’s and Don’ts**

Blood pressure can vary throughout the day and with change with a person’s stress. This stress can be both physical and emotional. Typically, blood pressure for those ≥65 years of age, 130/80mmHg or 140/90mmHg would be the recommended target. It is important to be as consistent with administration time of BP medications due to the length of their action within the body. Additionally, it is important, unless otherwise indicated, to not crush or break tablets that are extended release (ER, XR, SR, XL). There are a few that may be cut in half. Please contact the pharmacist whenever there is a question on splitting tablets.

Insurance/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.

New Year’s Day Trivia***

1. What is normal blood pressure?
2. What is a common symptom of high blood pressure?
3. What can untreated high blood pressure lead to?
4. T/F: White Coat Hypertension is a real diagnosis
5. T/F: Potassium can counterbalance the pressure increasing effects of sodium

Drug Monitoring: Amiodarone

Amiodarone is classified as an antiarrhythmic medication. It acts directly on cardiac tissue, slowing nerve impulses within the heart to maintain a normal heart rhythm.

1. Lab monitoring should be done routinely, specifically: LFTs, BMP, Thyroid
2. Can cause an individual to burn more easily in the sun
3. Recommend regular ophthalmic exams
4. May have drug-drug interactions, consult your consultant pharmacist
5. Recommend pulse checks to evaluate for bradycardia

Blood Pressure Trivia Answers

1. 120/80
2. headache
3. stroke/heart attack/kidney failure
4. True
5. True

1. * cdc.gov
2. ** acc.org
3. ***proprofs.com