We are beginning to take a closer look at opioid utilization in the inpatient setting with the goal of reducing use of opioids, especially IV route, in our inpatient adult surgical population. There are both safety (less adverse events) and economic (reduction of LOS) reasons to pursue this. While some of our service lines have had ERAS protocols in place, we would like to take a more holistic approach for all service lines by developing guidelines and revising order set(s).

Greetings,

I am wondering what other institutions/health systems are using for risk mitigation strategies with HD Fluzone due to the risk with two (2) syringes being in a single packet and administration to a single patient?

To date we are formulating a Nursing Safety Alert, but no other strategies have been implemented. Are other sites using CPOE warnings, Pyxis Alerts, unpackaging the doses, etc?

All input appreciated.

Thank you,
Karen

Trying to determine if any other institutions call epinephrine 10 mcg/mL anything other than Epi-sticks. At our hospital, it's commonly referred to as epi "spritzers" and, since that is always how I've known it, I didn't think it was weird until I brought it up at a system meeting. Our nurses asked if we could put "spritzer" in as an alias name for it, but I do worry that might actually be making the problem of using nicknames for drugs worse if I do this.

We used to order cardioplegia from CAPS pharmacy, but now we have to compound it in-house. It is a very comprehensive and time-consuming prep with seven additives. Any other hospitals compounding? How have you added efficiency without compromising safety to the process?

Dear MSOS Team, I would like to know if your hospital uses Anti-Xa assay to monitor heparin vs. aPTT? Much appreciate your feedback.

Maggie Ton, Pharm.D, SIDP, CMSO, APh.

What's everyone doing for Pharmacy week from a medications safety standpoint?

Hello,

Hello,

Wondering what other organizations have used as their standard practice.

When delivering medications to nursing units, my organization places all compounded and premix IVs in the refrigerator by default, unless indicated by package insert that it cannot be refrigerated. In those cases, we will place a do not refrigerate sticker and place in a bin in the med room.

Do other organizations follow this practice, or do they perhaps do the opposite where all IVs are placed in non-refrigerated storage unless otherwise indicated to refrigerate?

Hello,

Can anyone share any peds med safety metrics that you follow? Would love to see what other institutions are doing. Thanks!