Medication errors in hospitalized pediatric patients can lead to significant patient harm, as well as increased health care-associated costs and longer length of stay. Technology and automated systems can be utilized to prevent errors and provide an additional layer of protection for these vulnerable patients. Consider the value of bedside bar code medication administration (BCMA) in reducing errors ... read more

Over the last 9 months, the University of North Carolina (UNC) Medical Center pharmacy department has experienced an alarming number of controlled substances (CS) shortages, affecting most IV opioids and benzodiazepines. Certain products, such as diazepam syringes, have been completely unavailable for months; the pharmacy department is now unable to offer this product to patients. Recently, the most ... read more

This article (Part 1) discusses appropriate hazardous drug (HD) personal protective equipment (PPE) for USP <800> compliance, including gloves, gowns, shoe covers, sleeve covers, donning and doffing, and PPE disposal. A future article (Part 2) will discuss appropriate respiratory protection, eye and face protection, and hair covers. While the purpose of USP <797> is to protect patients, ... read more

Outpatient pharmacies are established for a number of reasons: to service unique patient needs, to offer 340B benefits, and to help improve the bottom line. The Kansas City CARE Clinic (KC CARE) is a private, nonprofit clinic founded in 1971, providing quality care, access, research, and education primarily to underserved, underinsured, or uninsured patients. KC CARE promotes health and wellness ... read more

Ten years ago, it would not be unheard of for a pharmacist to run to the local hardware store for a new refrigerator when the pharmacy’s old unit went on the fritz. Perhaps most telling is that often the only indication back then that the refrigerator’s life span was reaching its outer limit was when it simply stopped working. Storing temperature-controlled medications in such a haphazard ... read more