About the artist: This month’s beautiful cover art, "Olé," was done in watercolor by Selma Roby, a resident of Leisure World in Silver Spring, Maryland.
FEATURES
Heading Off Medication-Related Problems: Tools and How to Use Them
David K. Buerger
The Medication Appropriateness Index, the Beers criteria, the Fleetwood risk factors. These tools and others are paving the way toward improved patient care. The challenge is knowing how to incorporate them into a risk assessment process. Here are some ideas.
Emergency Carts and Kits-Determining Appropriate Content
Jeannette Y. Wick
Once largely ignored in long-term care facilities, the emergency cart is raising its profile. Are your staff and your cart ready for a resident emergency today?
Accreditation Tune-Up: The Top 10 JCAHO Survey Pitfalls-and How to Avoid Them
Lynn Williams
Having seen the accreditation process from both sides, the author shares some practical tips on how to comply with 10 of the most difficult standards. Not only can these tips help your facility pass the survey with flying colors, they'll give you insights into how to create a better long-term care pharmacy.
Anti-Kickback Scrutiny of Pharmacy Services Arrangements: The OIG Offers New Guidance
Recent advisory opinions issued by the nation's top health care fraud watchdog, the Office of the Inspector General of HHS, shed new light on what may be considered appropriate-and inappropriate-in contracts between pharmacy providers and nontraditional clients.
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C O N T E N T S
March 1999
Volume 14, Number 3
Clinical Reviews
A Review of the Problems Associated with Screening Instruments
Used for Alcohol Use Disorders in the Elderly
Ernest J. Dole, Gireesh V. Gupchup
Lots of instruments are available for screening patients for AUDs, but
most of them haven’t been validated for use with the elderly. As a result,
the authors conclude, AUDs are underdiagnosed in the elderly, and until an
instrument is developed, clinicians need to understand the limitations of
the current tools and have a higher index of suspicion.
Developing and Implementing a Pharmacy Infection Control Program
Paula Zelle
A high-quality infection control program will not only improve patient care,
it will help protect employees from infection and reduce liability and risk
for provider organizations.
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