Survey Hot Spots: The Pharmacy Issues Driving Citations In LTC Today

In this episode, Scott Stewart and Caitlin Little dive into the critical pharmacy-related compliance issues faced by long-term care facilities, especially focusing on F tags related to medication labeling, storage, and medication errors. They highlight practical strategies for facilities to improve systems, prevent deficiencies, and ensure quality resident care.

Key Topics Covered:

• Overview of major pharmacy F tags, especially F-761 (labeling/storage) and F-755 (pharmacy services)
• Common deficiencies such as short expiration dates on inhalers, nebulizers, and eye drops
• Tips for proper medication storage, including refrigerator temperature logging and secure storage of controlled substances
• The importance of accurate medication labeling, dating, and storage practices
• How medication errors are classified, with emphasis on significant errors that pose risks to residents
• The domino effect of medication inaccuracies leading to multiple deficiencies
• The interdisciplinary approach needed to reduce errors and improve compliance
• Emerging focus on chemical restraints and the importance of documentation

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Welcome and episode overview

(00:16) - Pre-podcast personal updates and banter

(02:00) - Observations on family dynamics and parenting challenges

(07:52) - The role of ProPublica in tracking deficiencies in nursing homes

(11:54) - Deep dive into F-761 (labeling/storage) deficiencies

(17:35) - Establishing systems for medication labeling and storage

(21:00) - Proper locking and security of controlled substances

(25:00) - The importance of refrigerator temperature logs and storage

(28:22) - Pharmacy services systems and medication ordering challenges

(34:23) - Managing medication access and errors with communication

(36:14) - Understanding significant vs. non-significant medication errors

(40:45) - The impact of resident condition, drug category, and error frequency

(48:50) - Examples of omissions and domino effect in deficiencies

(50:24) - Differentiating between significant and non-significant med errors

(55:35) - Common issues with medication timing, shaking suspensions, and crushing pills

(61:36) - The rise of chemical restraint concerns and documentation

(66:29) - Final thoughts on collaborative efforts to improve medication safety

Resources & Links:

[ProPublica Nursing Home Deficiency Data](https://www.propublica.org/ RN deficiency database)

ASHP Safe Practice Guidelines for Medication Administration

Connect with Scott Stewart:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottstewartpharmd/

Connect with Caitlin Little:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-w-987309177/

Stay tuned for more insightful episodes on compliance and resident safety in long-term care.