Med Times Newsletter-Summer 2015
Transcription
Med Times Newsletter-Summer 2015
Med Times A pharmacy newsletter for the long term care community VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 SUMMER 2015 Three Year Anniversary Partner Care Pharmacy Services celebrated our three year anniversary on Friday, April 17th. Certificates of appreciation were given out to employees and a catered lunch and cake was served. Thanks for helping to make Partner Care Pharmacy Services a success! tos Ma Founding Member Niurka Owners Blanca Morales, Kelley Schild, John Schild Founding Member Sharik a Kendle Med Times A pharmacy newsletter for the long term care community s Valde Founding Member Lorena Founding Member Menso Colin Is your drug going generic soon? Here are some expensive brand-name drugs that will become available as affordable generics in 2014-15. Check yours and mark your calendar. Abilify ~ Actonel ~ Celebrex ~ Lovaza ~ Lunesta Micardis HCT ~ Nasonex ~ Nexium ~ Patanol Founding Member Rick Lopez Inside this issue: • New Blood Pressure Guidelines • Reducing Antipsychotics in Long Term Care • Information on FHCA Conference and Trade Show MED TIMES SUMMER 2015 Reducing Antipsychotic Use in Long Term Care Centers is a Win-Win The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has a new focus of reducing antipsychotic medications in long term care centers. In addition, this new implementation of reducing antipsychotics is one of the quality measures used to calculate a center’s five star rating. With this combination of incentives, there is a newfound interest among skilled care centers to implement programs to reduce rates of antipsychotic medication use. A Partner Care Pharmacy client has implemented this focus, Miami Shores Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; they have reduced antipsychotic drug use rates to 3%. This end result was the culmination of a process, which began with assessing the center to identify residents who were prescribed antipsychotic medications. After identifying the residents, all members of the interdisciplinary team were made aware of the goal of reducing antipsychotic medications and participated in the plans for achieving that goal. The staff was trained and educated on dementia care including the Partner Care Pharmacy Lunch & Learn on Reducing Antipsychotics and non-pharmalogical interventions for behaviors in patients. This intensive training brought more awareness and commitment from staff members in dealing with resident’s behavior issues. In order to achieve their goal, Miami Shores adjusted their staffing levels and changed their staffing model. This allowed them to create a more structured and resident-focused environment. Staff input, suggestions and planning according to their knowledge of resident’s preferences, was also critical to achieving the goal. Recreational activities geared toward the needs and behavior of the residents was also important. Music therapy, for example, proved to be very helpful to the residents. Miami Shores Nursing and Rehabilitation Center used root cause analysis to identify and understand resident behaviors. This was helpful in implementing successful non-pharmacological interventions. Miami Shores Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Administrator Mourine Brown concluded that reducing their off-label antipsychotic drug use has created an environment where residents are given more choices in their care. As a result, residents are more alert and responsive and staff is empowered by participating actively in planning resident’s care and schedules. Both residents and staff working together has been a win-win situation for reducing antipsychotic, resulting in a positive impact on care. Condensed and excerpted from “Reducing antipsychotics and the impact on care” by Mourine Brown, NHA in The Florida Health Care Association Pulse magazine, April 2015 FHCA Annual Conference & Trade Show Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando ~ August 2nd - 6th Monday, August 3rd 8:00am – 9:00am PARTNER CARE SEMINAR “Send Every Patient home Safe & Happy – How to turn discharged patients into repeat customers” Blanca Morales, Rph – Johanny Reyes, MSW – Kelley Rice-Schild, NHA Monday, August 3rd 4:00pm – 7:30pm Trade Show Cocktail Reception Tuesday, August 4th 10:30am – 2:30pm Trade Show Lunch and Raffle Visit Partner Care Pharmacy at BOOTH # 309! MED TIMES SUMMER 2015 Administrative Assistant’s Day Partner Care Pharmacy Services celebrated Administrative Assistant’s Day in style, attending the Firefighter’s Calendar Luncheon at the Doubletree Miami Airport Hotel on April 22nd. It was a fun way to celebrate the invaluable work of both administrative assistants and firefighters. Corporate Run Seventeen Partner Care Pharmacy Services employees registered to participate in the Fort Lauderdale Corporate Run, celebrating its 30th year. Billed “South Florida’s Largest Office Party” this was Partner Care Pharmacy’s first year participating. Runners and walkers donned bright blue shirts and enjoyed the path through Fort Lauderdale’s waterfront. A tent with food, drinks (and cheerleaders) was set up for Partner Care Pharmacy Services; a good time was had by all. MED TIMES SUMMER 2015 Continuing Education LUNCH & LEARN “Florida Laws and Rules AND Recent Survey Trends in South Florida” Florida Laws and Rules is a new requirement for licensure renewal for LPNs and RNs. Florida has recently seen a sharp increase in F-tag F329 (Unnecessary Meds). This lunch and learn will offer real examples of recent deficiencies cited. 2 CEU’s for NHA, RN, LPN Box Lunch included Wednesday, July 29th 11am – 1:30pm LOCATION: Epworth Village 5300 West 16th Avenue Hialeah, FL Fellowship Hall REGISTER: www.partnercarepharmacy.com [email protected] New CEU Requirement for Florida L.P.N.s and R.N.s A new subject for Continuing Education Unit requirements entitled “Florida Laws and Rules” will be due beginning with the biennium expiring 2015. L.P.N.s and R.N.s are required to prove attendance for 2 CEUs for licensure renewal. RENEWAL INFORMATION LPN License expires July 31, 2015 20 CEUs hours needed for renewal 2 Med Error 2 Florida Rules 2 Domestic Violence 1 HIV RN License expires April 30, 2016 (group 1) July 31, 2016 (group 2) April 30, 2017 (group 3) 20 CEUs hours needed for renewal 2 Med Error 2 Florida Rules 2 Domestic Violence 1 HIV For more information: http://floridanursing.gov MED TIMES SUMMER 2015 Ask the pharmacist Q: I heard recently that the optimal numbers for low blood pressure have changed. Is that true and what does it mean for me? A: High blood pressure continues to be a serious problem; it’s a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Many experts now say that millions of Americans don’t have to aim quite as low when trying to manage their blood pressure. The ideal blood pressure levels are the same: a systolic blood pressure of 120 millimeters or less (top number) and a diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) of 80 mmHg or less. Until recently, experts agreed that medication was needed if a person’s systolic level hit 140 or if the diastolic level reached 90. But the independent group of experts now concluded that most people age 60 or older don’t need medication until their levels hit 150/90 and that drugs aren’t necessary for most people with diabetes or kidney disease until their systolic pressure reaches 140/90. This finding means you might be able to delay or avoid taking blood pressure medication, which reduces side effects and lowers your cost. If, however, your blood pressure is 150/90 or above take these two key steps: Confirm the diagnosis and try lifestyle changes first. If after six months of serious attempts at diet and lifestyle changes your blood pressure hasn’t dropped, medication needs to be considered. Consult your physician and/or pharmacist if blood pressure continues to show elevated results to find the appropriate medication. 6555 Nova Drive, Suite 304 Davie, FL 33317 Blanca Morales, RPh., CPh. Phone: (954) 453-4990 Fax: (954) 635-6456 Website: www.partnercarepharmacy.com Email: [email protected] facebook.com/PartnerCarePharmacy