Having a good summer? Although we don’t want to rush the summer to end, we have started to plan for the NYSCHP Midyear Clinicals!

Downstate: Friday, September 24, 2010
LaGuardia Crowne Plaza, East Elmhurst, NY

Upstate: Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Turning Stone Hotel, Verona, NY

Visit our website for more details!

2010- 2011 Newly Installed Board of Directors

Karen Vitacolonna Falk President

Henry Cohen President Elect

Vickie Powell Past President

Bruce Pleskow Treasurer

Ted Friedman Chair, House of Delegates

Gina Garrison VP Public Policy

Stephanie Seyse Chapter Services

Andrew Burgdorf Communications

Pam Weislo Education and Workforce Development

Joe Mislowack Industry Affairs

Nicole Lodise Pharmacy Practice

Kim Zammit Pharmacy Management

REMEMBER TO PLACE YOUR VOTE. 2011 BALLOT IS ON THE WEBSITE!

NYC Chapter

By: Joseph Pinto, President NYC Chapter

The NYC chapter had an active past 12 months, beginning in September 2009 where we held our annual Industry Relations meeting on Medication Errors and Prevention at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. The event was sponsored by close to 20 vendors and attended by over 100 members. In total the chapter held 7 continuing education programs with 9 continuing education hours. Back in 2008 in an effort to have greater student involvement we adopted a procedure that would offer the opportunity to pharmacy students to present a 5 – 10 minute clinical pearl prior to our general monthly CE meeting and since that time the response has been great. A special thank you goes out to Dr. Sally Arif and Dr. Mehta for providing the clinical pearl template and endorsing the students. In addition to the customary continuing education programs, chapter president, Dr. Monica Mehta organized several non-CE dinner and networking programs for the membership which were well attended and favorably received. Dr. Mehta and president-elect Dr. Kwaku Marfo have already begun to plan and schedule our chapter meetings for the next 12 months, so I’m sure the next year will be non-stop full of activities. In addition to these meetings we were able to start the process of forming ad-hoc committees, the first being an industry relations committee, we are working at adding a resident’s committee and clinical committee.

One of the chapter’s main focuses is to give back to the community and represent our profession in a positive light. In October 2009 our chapter treasurer Ms. Fran Jordan organized a team for NY Cares Day, our chapter team was assigned to a NYC public school in the Bronx where we were given the chore of painting a wall mural as well as painting the school hallways and planting some spring blooms at the entrance of the school. Not only did the team do a great job in painting but we also rose close to $1,000. As has been tradition for the past several years the NYC chapter organized teams to walk in the fight against Breast Cancer and most recently in Aids Walk New York, where the chapter raised close to $1,500. The chapter’s most recent outreach program is through the Adopt a Highway program, beginning in mid-May the NYC chapter was permitted to maintain a stretch of roadway off the Kappock St exit on the Henry Hudson Parkway which boarders NYC and the Bronx. Keep an eye out for our sign.

In April 2010 the NYC chapter held our second annual health-system pharmacy career forum for pharmacy students at all stages of their education. The event was attended by over 70 students, primarily those in their 4th or 5th years. Our panel included a variety of health-system career professionals, including Director of Pharmacy Operations(Frank Sosnowksi, Joanne Meyer, Vickie Powell) Director of Pharmacy IT-Automation (Fran Jordan), Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Christine Kubin, Kwaku Marfo), Pharmacy Manager (Elizabeth Palillo), Preceptor-Academia (Monica Mehta, Mary Choy), and GPO-Contracting (Leila Tibi). The program was very successful as we received great feedback from the panelist and students alike. The chapter also collaborated with the Sanford Brown Institute’s pharmacy technician program in providing educational sessions for their pharmacy technician students. Fran Jordan presented on pharmacy automation and the role of technicians in pharmacy, Monica Mehta will be presenting on influenza vaccination and Leila Tibi and Mary Choy will be presenting later on in the year.

The NYCSHP 45th Annual Installation Dinner was held on Thursday, June 24th at the Manhattan Penthouse. The dinner was attended by 175 members and guest, the attendees witnessed NYSCHP President Karen Vitacolona-Falk install Dr. Monica Mehta as president and Dr. Kwaku Marfo as president-elect, Dr. Elizabeth Palillo as director at large, Dr. Mary Choy as director at large and Dr. Amisha Arya as secretary. The following Outstanding Student Achievement awards were presented to Teena Sam ( St. John’s Univ), Vy Nguyen (LIU), Jennifer Yam (Touro). The Harold Neham Memorial Award was presented to Dr. Sally Arif for her contribution to the profession through literature and teachings. The Joel Yellin Award of Merit was presented to Larry Schiller for his contributions towards the advancement of pharmacy in the NY metropolitan area. The NYC chapter is proud to acknowledge two of the chapter’s long time members on their recent recognition by the NYSCHP at this year’s Annual Assembly, Frank Sosnowski; Pharmacist of the Year and Karol Wollenburg; Pharmacist Achievement Award.

Leatherstocking Chapter

By: Robert Wagner, President Leatherstocking Chapter

During the 2009 - 2010 year, The Leatherstocking Chapter had several excellent programs. A major Council event was also held in our area.

Current Officers: Past President, Robert Wagner, RPh Treasurer, Rebecca Kelly, PharmD, RPh

The NYSCHP Mid-year Clinical meeting was held at the Turning Stone Resort in October of 2009.

In January, Vicki Powell presented: Each One Teach One: Raising the New Generation of Pharmacy Leaders. Vicki had a chance to meet with some of our membership and develop an understanding of our needs and challenges.

Jim Zahra spoke at our February meeting. The topic was Parenteral Nutrition: An Overview.

Our March meeting was titled: Election of Officers, Committee member selection, Discussion on the Future of the Leatherstocking Chapter. No officers were nominated, however several committee members were appointed. The future of the chapter was discussed and was of great concern to those present. Suggestions were made about retaining former as well as attracting new members. A core group was developed to provide future direction and keep Leatherstocking viable.

Additional meetings were suspended due to lack of attendees.

Tom Lynch and I attended the Annual Assembly as delegates. We had a chance to discuss the issues we are having attracting members and providing CE programs. We remain optimistic that new technologies which have led to a membership decline will also provide solutions to once again growing our chapter.

James Fennimore Cooper, author of “The Leatherstocking Tales” and the inspiration for our geographic region, once wrote "Principles ... become modified in practice, by facts." The chapter is now much smaller than it once was. We face challenges in membership support and participation. Active membership is no longer viewed as a necessary component of professional practice. The principles that I trained under have been replaced by a new world of technology, access and communication. These are the realities and unfortunately, the facts.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me during my two years as Chapter president and for the many kind words that I have received. It has been my privilege to serve in this capacity.

NYSCHP proudly announces the 2010 Midyear Clinicals.

This year, the meetings will be held on Friday, September 24, 2010 at the LaGuardia Crowne Plaza in East Elmhurst, NY for Downstate and Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at Turningstone in Verona, NY for Upstate.

The meetings bring leaders in the pharmacy profession together while keeping you up-to-date with state of the art technologies and research. Being a part of the meetings gives you access to innovative companies and motivated individuals so you can continue to make an impact on improving pharmacy. With just three months left until the meetings, it is time to learn more and sign up!

Also included in the meeting is a Student Leadership Program/Residency showcase! Why participate? The Residency showcase is a great opportunity for prospective residents to meet programs’ current residents and preceptors in an informal session to gain information about their programs and institutions.

Fees:
Member: $100
Non-member: $200
Student/Tech: $35
Resident: $25

No refunds after September 15, 2010 for Downstate or October 10, 2010 for Upstate.

Please visit our website and look for updates on these meetings!

A special "thank you" to our sponsors: Amgen, GNYHA Services, Inc., Millennium Pharmaceuticals, sanofiaventis U.S., Centocor Ortho Biotech, Allergan, Nocartis.

Planned and conducted by NYSCHP, ASHP Advantagem PLEXUS, Medical Learning Institue, Inc., Center for Excellence Media, LLC., The France Foundation

Any questions? Contact the office at 518-456-8819 or email us at lmoscovic@nyschp.org

NYSCHP has upgraded to online CE processing. This is phenomenal news for you and the environment!

Now you can access your CE evaluations and credits 24 x 7! You can complete your evaluations when you want and then receive your credit immediately after you complete the evaluation

*No more waiting for your credits!* !
As a member, you have complete access online to view and print your credits 24 x 7

*no worries when you need proof of your credits quickly.* !
And together we will save thousands of trees and contribute to a healthier world for tomorrow!!

How do I get started?!

Go to: http://www.healthsystemce.org/

Click on: Member Login!

Enter your user ID: This is the e-mail address you have in your NYSCHP profile. *Be sure to update your e-mail address as necessary.!

If you do not know your password click on "I forgot my password" and instructions on how to reset your password will be mailed to the e-mail address we have on file. Please remember that passwords and CE codes are case sensitive and please remember to type your password exactly.!

In order to access the evaluation for the program and receive credit you need the code the presenter gave you during the educational program. Again this password is case sensitive!

Lets get started!

Thank you

The skill-set required of hospital pharmacists continues to change rapidly, and many schools of pharmacy are working to adapt their programs in order to ensure their graduates are prepared for those changes. One such institution is the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Founded in 1864, St. Louis is the oldest college of pharmacy west of the Mississippi River. The college, which recently graduated its latest class of nearly 180 students, is revamping its curriculum to take into account changes in the healthcare industry. It also has plans to reduce the number of traditional lecture classes, focusing instead on individual studies, workshops, and public service projects that emphasize teamwork, problem-solving, and communications skills. These updates reflect the new opportunities for clinical pharmacists as they become accepted members of a patient's healthcare team. Despite these changes, the expectations of students in the program remain as rigorous as ever. Admissions standards include high grade-point averages, letters of recommendation, and strong test scores. Freshman tuition runs $20,600, plus room and board, but 99 percent of students receive financial aid. The majority of the 1,250 students are from the St. Louis metropolitan area or Southern Illinois, but it also welcomes attendees from 25 other states, and its graduates are working around the nation and around the world. This year, 15 percent of graduates- a higher number than in previous years- will begin two-year clinical residency programs at hospitals and other healthcare facilities. When asked to comment on the changing programs at St. Louis, pharmacy practice professor Terry Seaton said, "Medication safety [remains] a very high priority for this college. We are preparing our students to select drugs in a particular situation, to modify them as necessary, and to monitor them for both efficacy and for safety."

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) has released the eighth edition of its Assuring Continuous Compliance With Joint Commission Standards: A Pharmacy Guide. The book, written by John P. Uselton, B.S. Patricia C. Kienle, M.B.A., FASHP, and Lee B. Murdaugh, Ph.D., updates chapters on the Joint Commission's survey process, as well as medication-related National Patient Safety Goals, and Medication Management standards. It also features a new chapter on the National Integrated Accreditation for Health Care Organizations surveys of Det Norske Veritas Healthcare. Additionally, it includes the new Joint Commission number system and most current updates, revised examples of forms and documents, updated checklists, and an expanded index.

The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) has announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will now require PTCB certifications for all pharmacy technicians employed at a grade GS-6 and above. This decision follows formal recommendations made by the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and mirrors similar certification standards in the private sector. When asked to comment on the new requirements, Michael Valentino, R.Ph., MHSA, VA Chief Consultant, Pharmacy Benefits Management, said, "The VA chose to adopt pharmacy technician certification for a number of reasons including: 1- certification will better equip technicians to perform their current duties, 2- certification will provide a platform upon which technicians can improve their skills to assume more complex duties, 3- in addition to education and experience requirements, certification gives VA pharmacy technicians a career ladder to progress to more demanding positions, thereby increasing job satisfaction and retention and 4- over time, emphasizing certification will raise the minimum skill sets required for technicians and will reduce variation in practice across the VA system." VA pharmacy technicians hold positions in a number of different pharmacy settings including inpatient hospital care, outpatient care, pharmacy automation, phone advice lines, and the Consolidate Mail Outpatient Pharmacy, which provides mail order prescriptions to veterans.

As bariatric surgery becomes more common, hospital pharmacists have an important role to play in developing patient education processes and materials necessary for the success and safety of the surgery. Following the surgery, patients can only swallow food able to fit through an opening approximately the size of a pencil, requiring them to convert tablet dosages to liquids in many cases. Unity Hospital in Fridley, Minn. has ensured hospital pharmacists are involved in the management of all bariatric cases for 15 years. Patients undergo a formal, one-on-one education session with a pharmacist, they receive a booklet that explains post-surgery medication changes, and all patients have a pharmacy consult on scheduled for the day following their surgery. These measures appear to be effective, as an analysis of the program's results show no re-admissions due to gastrointestinal blockage or medication misuse, and all recommendations made by pharmacists were accepted.

A panel at the American Pain Society's Annual Scientific Session recently discussed potential strategies and challenges for reducing opioid abuse. One of the challenges to deterring abuse is the wide variety of methods used to abuse opioid medications. A database that captures routes of administration in abusers includes oral, snorting, smoking, injecting, and other methods. The same database found that medications containing hydrocodone were most commonly abused orally, while fentanyl-containing medications were primarily smoked. Another study found that a subset of individuals who abuse opioids may begin taking the drug orally and later tamper with the agent so it can be snorted. These variations make it difficult to develop opioid medications that deter all types of abuse. Despite these challenges, the most common strategy for deterrence remains making it as difficult as possible for potential abusers to extract the active ingredient from a medication. One unpublished study indicated that 80 percent of opioid abusers would take up to 10 minutes to tamper with an agent in order to abuse it.

A third of infection preventionists polled by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) indicated their facilities could be doing more to prevent and control the spread of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Fifty-three percent of respondents adopted additional control strategies over the last 18 months, though fewer than a quarter were able to hire more prevention staff. Institutions that failed to add interventions believe their rates of CDI are under control. The association's CEO, Kathy Warye, said the group is concerned about the large number of respondents that may not have the adequate staff and resources to protect patients. Institutions employ multiple strategies to address CDI: 83 percent have hospital-wide hand hygiene initiatives, 90 percent perform surveillance to promptly identify CDI cases, 94 percent always place patients with CDI on Contact Precautions, and 86 percent have increased their emphasis on environmental cleaning. Still, fewer than 30 percent of respondents monitor the number of colectomies at their institutions, which can serve as an indicator for a severe strain of CDI; and nearly a quarter do not monitor the effectiveness of environmental cleaning efforts. APIC President Cathryn Murphy, RN, PhD, CIC, said variations in hand hygiene, isolation, environmental cleaning and monitoring, and CDI testing and surveillance provide a valuable "roadmap" to improving the standardization of prevention measures.

A U.K. survey of 460 patients scheduled for elective surgery gauged their anxiety levels on 24 different issues, discovering that 85 percent of patients who answered questions shortly after their operations admitted to being anxious about receiving general anesthetic. The top five anxiety-inducing concerns were waiting their turn in theater, the thought of arriving at the theater door, dying while asleep, failing to awaken after surgery, and waking up during the procedure. Additionally, 41 percent of patients said they did not like the thought of trusting a stranger. Anxiety levels were lowest during interactions with medical staff and when the support of a partner or friend was evident. Dr. Mark Mitchell, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Social Care at the University of Salford, said the research underscored "the importance of patients receiving planned and timely information about [anesthesia], prior to the day of surgery, in order to limit their anxiety." Information about how anesthesia is managed should be provided to dispel the misconceptions that cause anxiety. Mitchell said the first step to paying closer attention to the psychological aspect of care is to provide a "formal and timely provision of information about the planned surgery--together with a patient-centered approach to the provision of information, such as pre-assessment clinics."

A new survey conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) indicates that 13 percent of formulary system decisions made by Pharmacy and Therapeutics committees in hospitals are influenced by pharmacoeconomic methods. In the study, 87 percent of respondents also noted that pharmacoeconomic methods should be used when considering additions or deletions to their hospital formulary. However, when making formulary decisions, the respondents said that clinical and therapeutic factors contribute most to these decisions (54 percent), followed by drug costs (24 percent) and patient quality of life (9 percent). These findings are based on a survey of 319 ASHP members who serve as directors of pharmacy or members of ASHP's Pharmacy Practice Managers Section. Based on their findings, ASHP and SHM encourage a wider use of pharmacoeconomics in order to allow hospitals to improve the quality and safety of patient care through management of the formulary system while also reducing costs.

It takes skill, technology, caring, commitment and most importantly teamwork to treat patients in critical condition, hospital nurses say. Without the support of a dedicated team, it would be close to impossible to carry out his extensive list of daily nursing responsibilities, said Brent Thomas, a registered nurse in Grady Memorial Hospital's Burn Center in Atlanta. "Helping burn patients recover takes a team that is willing to do whatever needs to be done," he said. Nurses assist one another with everything from two-hour dressing changes to general problem-solving. "My job is to help my staff develop and evolve as a team," said nurse Jacinta Okolie. It requires everyone's absolute focus to follow stringent infection-control measures and the evidenced-based standard procedures that help mitigate bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, catheter-related infections and bed sores. "When everyone is analyzing and monitoring care, the outcomes are always better," nurse Debbie Malone said.

Premier Inc. is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to test new technologies for predicting central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), which are linked to the use of catheters in large veins. The project seeks to automate the reporting of CLABSIs to the CDC's National Healthcare Safety Network. Premier--a strategic healthcare alliance--and the CDC intend to examine specific traits of positive blood cultures across a subset of Premier's 2,300 member hospitals to develop an automated electronic surveillance tool that can predict the presence of CLABSIs. In Chicago, Stroger Hospital researchers will assess the effectiveness of the tool in an actual clinical setting. The aim is to develop a standardized way of detecting and reporting infections using existing health information systems. Data will come from Premier's Perspectives database, its SafetySurveillor infection control and surveillance software, and Health and Human Services information systems. The project is expected to take about two years, and Premier will integrate the resulting surveillance tool into SafetySurveillor.