Medication Management Program

On October 1,  2018, data will be collected to ensure that medication reconciliation is also completed at the time of admission.  The new Quality Measure – Drug Regimen Review, will evaluate the percentage of resident stays in which drug regimen review was conducted at time of admission and if facility staff followed up with the physician before midnight the next calendar day.   Facilities that are found non-compliant will have their Medicare Payment reduced 2%. Skilled nursing facilities are required to reconcile patient medications prior to discharge back to the community.  F661 – Discharge Summary states “Facility staff must compare the medications listed in the discharge summary to medications the resident was taking while in the facility.  Any discrepancies must be assessed and resolved, and resolution documented in discharge summary with rationale.” The Advancing Excellence “Medications at Transitions and Clinical Handoffs” (MATCH) toolkit incorporated experiences and lessons learned from staff of facilities that have implemented MATCH.  The toolkit helps facilitate a review and improvement of current practices to strengthen the process and improve patient safety. The World Health Organization has developed a Standard Operating Protocol for Medication Reconciliation and assuring medication accuracy in transitions in care. To write your policy and start your program, click the link below:  

ASK THE PHARMACIST…about FDA hand sanitizer warnings

Question:  I see hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere I go, from the grocery store to the bank.  I have heard that you can “over use” this type of hand washing, is that true? Answer:  The FDA supports the CDC’s recommendation to use plain soap and water to wash your hands.  When water is not readily available, a hand sanitizer may be a suitable alternative. The FDA is concerned about hand sanitizer’s ingredients and is undertaking a review of active ingredients used in over-the-counter antiseptic hand wash products.  They are also looking at the safety and effectiveness of the different brands.  There is growing concerns about the health risks of absorbing the anti-germ ingredients of ethanol, alcohol and a type of chloride into your body after repeated daily use. Regulators are also concerned about possible links between use of antiseptic chemicals and the emergence of superbug bacteria, which are resistant to antibiotics.  Go to this link to see the FDA’s option of hand sanitizers. To answer your question, skip the hand sanitizer dispensers and purell tubes and head to the closest sink.  Soap and water is not harmful and is the most effective way to prevent the spread of infection.  

Discharge Medication Program

Partner Care Pharmacy Services Discharge Medication Program Send every patient home with 30-day supply of medication. Ease the transition to home with all prescription drugs delivered to patients before discharge home.  Mandated DRUG RECONCILIATION on discharge is automatic with Partner Care Pharmacy Services’ Discharge Medication Program.  Patients that comply with their medication regime as prescribed by their physicians, have a 66% higher change of success in community and preventing readmissions to hospital. Complies with Quality Measure Drug Reconciliation upon Discharge Reduces readmissions by 66% Time–saving option, no stop to drop off prescriptions or pick up drugs No cost to facility, pharmacy accepts all insurances No missing doses This easy to implement program is just a fax or phone call away.  Start sending your patients home with a 30-day supply of medications, not a handful of confusing prescriptions. Start today by contacting the pharmacy below  

Post Traumatic Stress & the Elderly

After Hurricane Irma that displaced thousands of people and left them without power many elderly patients find it hard to “bounce back” from the stress.  The sudden and overwhelming nature of natural disasters can leave many shocked, emotional and uncertain about their future.  The constant warning and 24/7 news coverage of destructive weather this year can take a major toll on anyone’s mental health. People can develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder” at any time after experiencing a traumatic event, but 30 days is the minimum to receive a diagnosis.  After Hurricane Harvey and the catastrophic flooding, many people are suffering acute symptoms such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder and fear of the unknown.  For the elderly and those who have a history of mental illness or dementia they are at a greater risk for developing PTSD. Signs of PTSD include flashbacks and nightmares, avoidance of situations that bring them back to the trauma, heart pounding, trouble breathing.  The condition can also lead to feelings of depression and anxiety as well as insomnia. Being displaced during a storm, staying with other people (even family) needing to throw away damaged items, having to buy a refrigerator’s food, dealing with blocked streets and downed trees are stressful for healthy adults and even more so for an elderly person. PTSD in the elderly does

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Get Smart About Antibiotics

GET SMART ABOUT ANTIBIOTICS All staff should know the basics about Antibiotic Stewardship Program in your facility.  This is not limited to nursing staff, but must include housekeeping, administration, activities and dietary. Antibiotics are lifesaving drugs that can help fend off bacterial infection, but you can have too much of a good thing.  Inappropriate use of antibiotics can expose patients to unwanted risks of complications, such as Clostridium difficile (diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever) or a serious allergic reaction. Overuse can also cause antibiotic resistance, meaning your body can become drug resistant to prescription treatment. In new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hospitals continue to use powerful antibiotics to fight infections, and bacteria grow increasingly immune to treatment.  The study found that 55% of patients discharged received at least one dose of antibiotic during their hospital stay.   Federal regulation requires nursing homes to have an Antibiotic Stewardship Program and a nurse dedicated to the prevention and control of infections.  The CDC website has excellent nursing home specific tools and information on Antibiotic Stewardship.  A good first step is the Checklist found at http://www.cdc.gov/longtermcare/pdfs/core-elements-antibiotic-stewardship-checklist.pdf