May 6-12 is National Nurses Week. All of us at PharMerica would like to take a moment to offer our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to nurses everywhere.
Thank you for being the heart of healthcare! 💗
PharMerica's Model Opioid Stewardship Program
Opioids continue to be a topic of survey focus, with substantial regulatory oversight afforded to this high-risk drug class. PharMerica has developed a model Opioid Stewardship Program to help facilities provide ideal pain management and operate as proper stewards of opioid medications. Updated annually, program elements include a core elements checklist, sample policies and procedures, reporting and tracking templates, educational resources, and consulting services with PharMerica's consultant pharmacists.
Adverse drug events (ADEs) can be severe or even life threatening. In this e-guide, learn how open communication, vigilance, and technology can help keep residents safe from unnecessary harm.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a persistent, involuntary movement disorder characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal and repetitive movements of the face, torso, limbs, and fingers or toes. It is associated with prolonged use of antipsychotic medication that may be necessary to treat individuals living with mental illnesses. Join industry leaders in raising awareness of this condition with TD Awareness Week during the first full week of May.
Prescriptions for controlled medications are subject to strict regulations to prevent fraud, diversion, and abuse. However, in emergency situations, a facility may not be able to wait for a written prescription. Our Compliance Cue reviews what constitutes an emergency situation, the requirements related to emergency dispensing, and how facilities can stay in compliance.
Compliance Cue: F602 — Freedom from Misappropriation and Exploitation
F602 provides guidance on protecting residents against misappropriation of property, such as identity theft, financial abuse, and diversion of medications, including controlled substances. In this Compliance Cue, learn more about the chain-of-custody policies facilities must implement, what surveyors look for, and how to stay in compliance.
White House Announces Release of Final Minimum Staffing Rule
On April 22, the White House announced the final minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes, including the provision of 3.48 hours of daily direct care per patient. Estimates indicate that about 75% of nursing homes will need additional staff to comply.
