CHS Pharmacy News 

May 2020

May Holiday Hours

Memorial Day: May 25th, Closed
Emergency services available 24/7/365
Normal business hours are:
9 AM – 5:30 PM M-F
9 AM – 3PM Saturday
Closed on Sunday

National Blood Pressure Month*

May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month. Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and recognized by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National High Blood Pressure Education Month raises awareness about the impact of hypertension.

New CMS, CDC Recommendations Released for Nursing Homes**

“The newest recommendations from the agency are as follows:

• Facilities should ensure they will continue to comply with CMS and CDC infection control guidance;
• CMS and CDC are urging State and local leaders to consider the needs of long-term care facilities with respect to supplies of PPE and COVID-19 tests;
• Nursing homes should immediately implement symptom screening for staff, residents, and visitors;
• Facilities should ensure that proper PPE is being used when staff is interacting with patients and residents; and
• Separate staff teams should be used for residents to the best of the ability of the facility.”

Statin Use Following Myocardial Infarction***

“Patients need to take statins for minimally two years after a first MI to achieve benefit, regardless of a patient’s age. If patients aged 80 and older are at high risk of dying within two years of a first MI, it is not beneficial to initiate statin therapy. If initiation of statin treatment is considered beneficial in contributing to patient-centered goals, it is important to ensure that the patient remains adherent because short-term treatment was not found to be beneficial.”

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.

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.

*Hypertension Communications. (2020, April 6). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from cdc.gov
**New CMS, CDC Recommendations Released for Nursing Homes. (n.d.). Retrieved April 16, 2020, from managedhealthcareconnect.com
***Data Supports Statin Use Following Myocardial Infarction in OAs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2020, from managedhealthcareconnect.com