Bill to limit hydrocodone access wins broad Congressional support
By
McKnight's Staff
Mar 21, 2013
Bipartisan bills introduced Wednesday in both houses of Congress propose tightening access to hydrocodone painkillers such as Vicodin.
Nursing homes expected to miss 15% antipsychotic reduction goal, but officials focus on progress
By
Elizabeth Newman
Mar 20, 2013
Skilled nursing facilities are making progress in reducing the off-label use of antipsychotics but are expected to fall far short of an overall 15% reduction goal.
New oral medication shows promise for more quickly treating MRSA skin infections, researchers find
By
McKnight's Staff
Feb 14, 2013
A new oral antibiotic may effectively treat MRSA-related skin infections more quickly than the only oral drug currently approved, according to research published Wednesday in the Journal of the American...
Technology improves medication safety measures
By
Jeff Harrell, Pharm. D.
Jan 07, 2013
No matter your role in healthcare, medication safety is a challenge that has caused you concern. In my job as co-owner of SureCare Rx, an independently owned and operated pharmacy partner to long-term...
Nursing home must prove lack of negligence after documents go missing, appeals court rules
Jan 04, 2013
A federal appeals court has ruled that the jury in an improper medication suit against a nursing home was given proper instructions by a federal trial court. The decision put more responsibility on the...
Ambien among sleeping pills that increase risk of hip fracture, study suggests
By
McKnight's Staff
Oct 15, 2012
The class of sleeping medications thought to be safer for nursing home residents than traditional anti-anxiety drugs puts them at a 70% increased risk for hip fracture, a study found.
The medication has shown promise in strengthening the heart, new research suggests.
Nursing homes no longer subject to independent pharmacist regulation
By
McKnight's Staff
Apr 03, 2012
Federal regulators have reversed a controversial proposal that would have required facilities to hire consultant pharmacists to review residents’ medications.
Top geriatric medicine professionals gather at ASCP’s annual conference
Nov 10, 2011
The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists’ 2011 annual meeting and exhibition will take place Wednesday through next Friday at the Phoenix Convention Center. Kicking off the event will be a...
Study: Older adults make more than half of all trips to the emergency room for adverse drug interactions
Mar 14, 2011
Adults aged 50 and older made more than 1.1 million trips to the emergency room for adverse drug interactions in 2008, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report.