CHS Pharmacy News 

November 2021

Business & Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving Day: Closed *
Christmas Eve: 9 AM – 12 PM
Christmas Day: Closed *
New Year’s Eve: Normal Business Hours
New Year’s Day: Closed *
*Emergency services available 24/7/365

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

November is National Diabetes Month*

Tips to help with prevention, prediabetes, and manage diabetes:

• Take small steps: adjusting lifestyle and daily habits
• Move more: getting at least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week
• Choose healthier foods and drinks: increased fiber and lower fat and sugar
• Lose weight: improve diabetes or risk by losing 5 to 7 pounds
• Seek support: support from family and health providers can help make necessary lifestyle changes
• Get vaccinated: Stay up to date on vaccinations such as influenza, pneumococcal, COVID-19, hepatitis B

SAFETY: Insulin Pen Usage2**

Important points when using insulin pen devices:

• Make sure to remove both caps of the insulin needle tips once attached to the insulin pen
• Prime the insulin pen to remove air bubbles from the needle. It also allows one to ensure that the needle is open and working.
• The pen must be primed before each injection
• To prime, turn the dosage knob to 2 units, or up to 5 units depending on pen manufacturer. Press the plunger to verify that at least one drop of insulin appears.
• Dial the pen for dosage and verify correct before injection.
• DO NOT USE AN INSULIN SYRINGE TO DRAW INSULIN FROM AN INSULIN PEN. Newer insulins may be of a higher concentration and the pen is specifically calibrated to deliver the selected units for administration.

CMS Appendix PP: In the Know***

Frequent Types of Medication Errors:

• Timing Errors: Medications prescribed before meals, but administered after meals; medications administered 60 minutes or more prior to or after the scheduled time.
  ** Residents to have the right to choose health care schedules consistent with their interests and preferences. Consider adjusting dosage times based on patient preference.
• Omitted Doses: One of the most frequent types of errors is a dose of medication that is ordered but not given (omitted). Specifically document to why a medication is not given, needs to have a reason and not just left blank.

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

• November 2: Compliance & Payment Update – Strategies for Fiscal and Clinical Success
• November 30: Ethics in Nursing
• December 7: MDS 1.18.11: Upcoming changes and the impact on our Quality Measures
• December 21: Dealing with SUBSTANCE ABUSE and Trauma (PTSD) – CONNECTING THE DOTS!

1. *nih.gov
2. **clevelandclinic.org
3. ***KDADs, Appendix PP, page 592