A Recap of the  April 27th USP <800> Preparedness Lunch + Learn

When attendees were asked if they have included items on their hazardous drug list that are beyond the scope of NIOSH, 60% answered yes they have added drugs to their hazardous drugs list beyond NIOSH 2016 or NIOSH 2020 and 40% said no they haven’t. 

As we work with our clients on USP <800> projects, the Assessment of Risk (AoR) is a common topic of conversation although there is not a lot of information available. Since March 2018, we've seen a large evolution regarding AoRs. 

Following are the questions posed and answers given by Rpharmy's Customer Experience Specialist Sherlene Christen on the April 20th USP <800> Lunch + Learn.

Through working with clients, we’ve seen how hundreds of hospitals are approaching the challenge of complying with USP <800>. We've noticed that in every single organization, there are gaps in the compiled information. We are not being critical; there's no way that one or two or even 25 human beings can catch every detail of this massive mandate. 

Following are the questions posed and answers given by Rpharmy's Customer Experience Specialist Sherlene Christen on the April 13th USP <800> Lunch + Learn.

USP <800>. November 1, 2023. Are you panicking yet? 

If you are, you are not alone. The hurry up and wait is over, and now it’s time to finish up any final updates and changes your healthcare organization needs to make before the Nov. 1, 2023 UPS <800> deadline. 

On April 6, we kicked off a webinar series designed to offer you the information and support you need to ensure your organization is ready for the Joint Commission, States Board of Pharmacy or other agencies that will be evaluating your USP <800> readiness. These events create a space for conversation and community among pharmacists and healthcare leaders. 

Who is Rpharmy? 
Rpharmy came to be after the founders suffered a personal loss due to a medical error and vowed to do what they could to help prevent other families from going through the same tragedy. While implementing Formweb, their medication safety solution, Rpharmy began to get requests from hospitals for ways to more easily and effectively document and share hazardous drug safety information across their organization. 

As is often the case, necessity is the mother of invention. Rhazdrugs was developed and is now helping many hospitals prevent dangerous exposure to hazardous drugs and also meet USP <800> safety information documentation and communication requirements.

In fact, while speaking to hospitals, we’ve seen that most underestimate how many healthcare workers are exposed to hazardous drugs each year. If you didn’t know, it’s 8 million, according to the CDC. 

Also, 70% plan to take more than a year to fully comply with USP <800>.

First shared in 2003, the ISMP’s (Institute for Safe Medication Practices) list of Do Not Crush Medications has been relied upon by healthcare facilities across the U.S. However, as of Nov. 17, 2022, the ISMP does not maintain or share this list on its website. 

Following are the questions posed and answers given by Rpharmy's Customer Experience Specialist Sherlene Christen on the April 6th USP <800> Lunch + Learn.

One observation I’ve made over the years is how isolated and siloed hospital pharmacists and pharmacy directors can be. While pharmacists are some of the hardest-working and most brilliant healthcare workers, they do not have the opportunities other healthcare professionals have to consult and share with other pharmacists. Many pharmacists are head down, working to manage a busy hospital pharmacy and provide medications to people who need them.