The World Health Organization (WHO) convenes technical consultations in February/March and September each year to recommend viruses for inclusion in influenza vaccines for the northern and southern hemisphere influenza seasons, respectively.
Read more »FDA Committee Approves Influenza Vaccine Strains for 2017-2018
USP <800> Hazardous Drugs – Handling in Healthcare Settings Drives Pharmacy Renovations
Pharmacies are being forced to undergo significant renovations to build out facilities that meet the requirements described in USP <797> Compounding Sterile Preparations and USP <800> Hazardous Drugs – Handling in Healthcare Settings. Compounding sterile preparations has and...
Read more »The Joint Commission Medication Management Update for 2017
Earlier this month, the nation’s top pharmacists gathered at the ASHP summer meeting. The Joint Commission provided a medication management update for 2017 which highlighted key issues that pharmacists are encountering. The top four non-compliant standards for hospitals were as...
Read more »Reducing Overexertion and Enhancing Facility Design for Nursing
“Musculoskeletal injuries have been reported to comprise about 43% of all nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses reported that the musculoskeletal injury rate for health care workers (252 cases per 10,000) was more than seven times the average national rate for all...
Read more »The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) Approves a Statement on Vaccine Storage and Management
If vaccines are not stored under appropriate conditions, they may lose potency or become inactivated, meaning the vaccine will not provide optimal protection from preventable disease.
Read more »New Web Page for Innovative i.C3® Information Center
The i.Series® line of temperature controlled storage products features the i.C3® Information Center, an integrated control and monitoring system. A new page has been created on the Helmer Scientific website to make it easier to discover the benefits of the i.C3®.
Read more »Safely Storing Neuromuscular Blockers
Neuromuscular blocking agents such as Rocuronium and Suxamethonium, are labeled high-risk medications because of their history of causing injuries or death when used incorrectly. These drugs are used during tracheal intubation, during surgery, and to facilitate mechanical...
Understanding the CDC Recommendation for Having a Certificate of Calibration
Proper vaccine storage and monitoring equipment is essential to delivering safe and effective vaccines to patients. Medical-grade vaccine refrigerators and accurate temperature monitoring devices can be thought of as an insurance policy for sensitive and expensive...
Don't Let Refrigeration Stand in the Way of Storing Controlled Substances on the Units
Securing refrigerated controlled substances in the pharmacy can be challenging, but storing these medications on nursing floors adds yet another layer of complexity. Not only do regulations and guidelines for storing controlled substances need to be considered, it is...
An Evaluation of Two Compact Refrigerators Marketed for Medication and Vaccine Storage
Recognition of the need for medical-grade refrigeration is on the rise. Tight temperature control has proven to be very influential in the potency and effectiveness of certain vaccines and medications. This has led to an increase in regulation, guidelines, and...