PharMerica's Quality Digest | December 2024
PharMerica
Comprehensive pharmacy management for long-term care settings. Providing value beyond medication.
PharMerica's Model Antibiotic Stewardship Program Updated for 2025
PharMerica’s model antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) addresses core elements of medication stewardship implementation as recommended by the CDC, including facility leadership support, accountability, antibiotic use policies, tracking tools, and diagnostic and infection management guidelines. Our program is reviewed annually by an infectious disease specialist to meet regulatory requirements and to ensure the program is up to date with treatment guidelines and other best practices.
Clinical Advisory: Notable Vaccine Updates
Significant updates have been made to FDA-approved prescribing information and ACIP/CDC guiding recommendations for use of select vaccines. This advisory provides a summary of the changes as well as action steps to ensure your facility is following the most up to date vaccine guidelines.
Did You Know? RSV and Vaccination for Older Adults
This updated resource details the available vaccinations for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as well as their indications and recommendations for use.
B3-Agonist Offers Non-Anticholinergic Option for Residents with Overactive Bladder (OAB)
Many OAB treatments demonstrate anticholinergic properties and are considered potentially inappropriate medications in older adults, according to the Beers Criteria?. B3-Agonists treat OAB through a unique mechanism of action that does not increase residents’ anticholinergic burden. Read more about Gemtesa? (vibegron), a B3-Agonist with multiple advantageous clinical aspects.
CMS Issues Survey Changes for 2025
On November 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued “significant revisions” to its long-term care surveyor guidance, with changes affecting admission and discharge standards, the use of psychotropic medications, newly adopted infection prevention practices, and more. The new requirements are scheduled to take effect on February 24, 2025.?