Envarsus (LCP-tacrolimus) is a once daily tacrolimus formulation that increases adherence and decreases side effects in children with organ transplants. Recently Veloxis, the drug company who produces and sells Envarsus, restricted the use of the Envarsus copay card to patients 18 years old and up. This has resulted in pediatric patients transitioning back to IR twice daily tacrolimus, negatively impacting patient care. We are working with leadership groups (CHA and PPA) to ask Veloxis to reverse this decision.

Per our current hospital policy caregivers are allowed to wear headphones in non-patient care areas. Pharmacy staff are allowed to use headphones in the pharmacy. We have had some recent concerns brought up about this and how listening to music and especially podcasts and audio books can be distracting and increase the risk of medications errors when preparing and checking medications. I would love to hear about what stance or policies other health systems have on the use of headphones in the pharmacy. Thanks!

Our facility is going to implement a pharmacy to draw up Lantus policy. We use Sanofi brand and in the package insert it states to use as soon as possible. What is the stability you are given these drawn up doses?

Hello,

We have had recurrent errors in our pediatric hospital with programming weight-based bolus doses into the pumps (Alaris). The root cause appears to be the way these are displayed on the MAR: The most common error is programming the "Ordered Admin Dose" (volume in mL calculated from the mg/kg dose and concentration) instead of the "ordered dose" in mg/kg, sometimes resulting in 10 fold errors.

We are looking to evaluate the current medication contents of our Adult crash cart. Can we remove something? Is there something we should add? Just focusing on the Adult medication tray for now.

Would anyone be comfortable sharing their list or is there a standard list I cannot find? Thanks

Hello!

We are working on how to structure policy around use of PCAs (and other infusions) while patient may be off the unit.  
-If a patient has a PCA, do you allow the patient to go off the patient care unit? Are they accompanied? If so, what is the qualifications are required for someone to accompany the patient?
-For patients on other continuous infusions that may be high risk (heparin, insulin, etc) do you allow them to leave the unit? If so, what structure or limitations do you have?

Thank you!
Jess

Hi all

My institution is currently is currently conducting a gap analysis for pediatric continuous infusions in accordance to ASHP S4S recommendations. While conducting the analysis we have found a significant limiting factor in us trying to slim down the available concentrations are the extremely low weight NICU patients where we need dilutions so Alaris can administer. Our current practice is to dispense in either 30 or 50mL syringes to which Alaris has a minimal rate of 0.1mL/hr

We have had multiple complaints about adenosine injection potency in the last week. This has been across multiple locations, lot numbers, and two different manufacturers - Mylan and FK. Has anyone else had any issues reported? Thanks.

Walton Gibbons

Hi all,

Are your nursing units reporting issues with air in line alerts for your smart pumps? My institution received multiple reports of smart pumps alerting and worked with the manufaturer to trial BBraun ASV valve tubing. The number of alerts were reduced but did not stop after this change. I'm curious to see if other institutions have made successful changes to reduce overalerting of pumps?

Good Morning MSOS group,
This may be a big ask, but I was wondering if anyone within this listserv has a well thought out process for medication reconciliation implemented at their health system? Does the policy identify elements required to conduct a proper medication reconciliation?

Please include if there is individual who may be well known in this field or a professional organization that has additional resources.

Thanks,
Jocelyn