1. health and fitness
2. disease
3. cholesterol

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
lvaldes@partnercarepharmacy.com
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: info@partnercarepharmacy.com
facebook.com/PartnerCarePharmacy