CHS Pharmacy News

November 2024

Upcoming Holiday Hours

Thanksgiving Day: Closed *
Christmas Eve: 9 AM – 3 PM
Christmas Day: Closed *
New Year’s Eve: Normal Business Hours
New Year’s Day: Closed *

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 Usage**

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.

RSV Vaccine:

The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and older, and for adults 60–74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV. The best time to get vaccinated is in late summer or early fall.

Conditions that increase the risk of severe RSV include:

• Chronic heart or lung disease
• Weakened immune system
• Certain medical conditions, including some people with diabetes and some people with obesity
• Living in a nursing home

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