PACE Pharmacy News & Updates
PACE Case: Transitioning to a Comfort Care Path

BB is an 80 year old female who takes 15 maintenance medications. BB and her PACE physician feel that she is on too many medications, now that she is on a comfort pathway. BB's physician asked the CareKinesis pharmacist to help reevaluate her medication regimen. BB's Medication Risk Score reveals that her sedative burden is high, and BB has complained of fatigue. Her current medication regimen is:

Spironolactone

Pregabalin

Polyethylene glycol 3350

Pantoprazole

Lorazepam

Lisinopril

Levothyroxine

Insulin degludec

Fexofenadine

Ferrous sulfate

Duloxetine

Carvedilol

Bumetanide

Atorvastatin

Aspirin

 

Click here  to read the CareKinesis clinical pharmacist's recommendations and the intervention results.
Don't Miss Out on End-of-Year Savings! 

Time is running out to secure 2017 pricing for MedaCube. For more information, please email [email protected]. The MedaCube is available for all PACE organizations, and does not require a comprehensive pharmacy services contract with CareKinesis.  

Educating our PACE Participants

At a recent PACE partner visit,  Sabina Kaminski, PharmD, demonstrated to participants appropriate inhaler techniques. She relayed important counseling points, including rinsing the mouth after use of steroid inhalers, using caution with handling dry powder inhalers, and proper use of spacers. This educational session was very well-received!

If you are interested in scheduling inhaler training for your participants, please contact us today!
Opioid & Non-Opioid Analgesics for Pain in the ED 
 
A study recently published in JAMA analyzed the degree of acute extremity pain reduction in 411 emergency department patients after a single dose of treatment--either opioid or non-opioid medication--for acute extremity pain. In this randomized clinical trial, pain was assessed two hours after ingestion of the following four medications:
  • 400 mg of ibuprofen and 1000 mg of acetaminophen
  • 5 mg of oxycodone and 325 mg of acetaminophen
  • 5 mg of hydrocodone and 300 mg of acetaminophen
  • 30 mg of codeine and 300 mg of acetaminophen
Results suggest that ibuprofen and acetaminophen may be an effective treatment alternative to opioid analgesics, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and codeine, for this indication.
Quiz Time! Do you know the correct answer?  

Concurrent therapy with sertraline and primidone results in _____ concentrations of sertraline and potential _____.

a. Increased, toxicity
b. Increased, ineffectiveness
c. Decreased, toxicity
d. Decreased, ineffectiveness 

Email us the correct answer for a chance to win a prize! 
CareKinesis Donates to Hurricane Relief 

CareKinesis team members donated generously to American Red Cross Hurricane relief by relinquishing PTO day(s), through payroll deductions, and through online donations. Parent company TRHC matched donations by all its team members, for a grand total of $69,545! Funds were sent to the American Red Cross to benefit those affected by Hurricanes Harvey (Texas), Irma (Caribbean), and Maria (Puerto Rico). 
Upcoming Events
Reminder: Don't forget to plan ahead when participants need vacation-supplies of medications! Though the CareKinesis pharmacy will be closed on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1, medications needs will be managed, and CareKinesis clinical pharmacists are available 24/7 throughout the holiday season. 
Happy Holidays! 
STAY CONNECTED: