PodcastRx

Nancy Chia from the OPTICS team is back for another psychiatric pharmacy care conversation. This time we focus in on the role of benzodiazepines for treating anxiety disorders. We touch briefly on the characteristics of some common anxiety disorders and then take a closer look at the reasons why benzodiazepines are a preferred treatment option for their acute symptoms. We also examine the downsides of benzodiazepine use, special concerns in the corrections environment, ideal therapeutic timeframes, treatment alternatives and more. For More About the OPTICS Clinical Pharmacy Team: www.diamondpharmacy.com/clinical-services

As a young girl in West Africa, Nancy Chia was fascinated by the seemingly “magical” properties of medication to treat everyday illness. Now as a clinical pharmacist with Diamond's OPTICS team, Nancy continues to parlay her childhood curiosities around medication into making a difference for vulnerable patients, especially regarding mental health care in the corrections environment. Nancy joins us to talk about her recent professional focus on psychiatric medications, her first impressions of correctional pharmacy practice, the overrepresentation of mental illness in corrections, shortages of mental health care professionals, and how ultimately pharmacists can help to ease an overburdened mental health care system. For more on the OPTICS clinical pharmacy team: www.diamondpharmacy.com/clinical-services

On this episode, Chris Bender from the OPTICS clinical pharmacy team stops by to preview his upcoming NCCHC spring conference presentation on proper inhaler use. With some 38 possible inhaler therapies available for asthma and COPD, providers can be easily overwhelmed and out of breath with the choices. I talk with Chris about demystifying inhaler therapies for better patient and cost outcomes, along with the factors behind higher asthma/COPD rates in the correctional patient population, the mechanics of inhalers, inmate security considerations, and more. If you're going to NCCHC at the end of April, be sure to check out Chris's entire presentation. Mentioned in the Show: NCCHC Conference Info: https://events.ncchc.org/spring-conference/HOME Allergy & Asthma Network Respiratory Treatments Poster: https://store.allergyasthmanetwork.org/digital-downloads/respiratory-treatments-digital-english-version-11-x-8-1-2

In November of 2023, Diamond's sister company InnovaScript became the official pharmacy partner to the Victoria's Voice Foundation, a non-profit drug education and addiction prevention support organization founded in memory of Victoria Siegel, a young woman who tragically lost her life to an accidental drug overdose. At the heart of this new partnership is the #GetGiveSave campaign, a national effort to increase the access to and the awareness of naloxone. On this episode, we welcome Mark Cady-Archilla, corporate partnerships director for the Victoria's Voice Foundation; Jason Baker, director of strategic initiatives for Diamond; and Chris Bender, pharmacist with Diamond's OPTICS team for a deeper discussion of this partnership and what it's doing to put naloxone in more lifesaving locations. Along the way, Mark gives us a greater introduction to Victoria's Voice (and shares his deeply personal connection to the foundation's work), we recap the efficacy and life-saving simplicity of naloxone, and we discuss the barriers of naloxone stigma and access, among many other areas of discussion. It's a longer conversation, but there's no shortage of powerful moments to be heard. Resources Referenced in the Discussion: The Victoria's Voice Foundation www.victoriasvoice.foundation www.getgivesave.org Joint InnovaScript/Victoria's Voice Foundation Website: vvf.innovascript.com WFTV Investgates:"Hidden in Plain Sight: The Fentanyl Crisis" https://www.wftv.com/news/watch-hidden-plain-sight-fentanyl-crisis/b939d91c-dd6d-45fe-ac7b-fd5586b170cf/

On this episode, we welcome (for the first time) executive consultant pharmacist Tim Welsh. As a youngster growing up in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Tim's fascination with drug stores and his admiration for a local pharmacist set him on a career path that made stops at Duquesne University, retail chains, and ultimately Diamond. With almost 26 years at Diamond now under his belt, Tim looks back at his formative pharmacy experiences and sheds light on the unique challenges and rewards of being a consultant pharmacist for correctional and long-term care facilities. If you have little understanding of the role of pharmacists beyond the retail and hospital settings (as Tim himself once did), then you'll definitely want to listen to our conversation.

For this final episode of 2023, we welcome back regular contributor Chris Bender from the OPTICS clinical team to pick up our conversation about GLP-1 weight loss medications. With the FDA approval of Zepbound (or tirzepatide) for weight loss in November, the profile of these potent and high-profile medications only continues to rise. We take a closer look at tirzepatide- how it compares to semaglutide, what the clinical data shows for its potency, and what promise it shows for obese and overweight patients. We also discuss some exciting new weight loss medications in development and what all this new drug development and approval could mean for the future of bariatric surgery. Referenced in Show/Further Reading: PodcastRx Episode 36: GLP-1 Agonists and Weight Loss: A Closer Look with Chris Bender, Pharm. D., BCACP "Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity" The New England Journal of Medicine https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038 "Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity" The New England Journal of Medicine https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

On this episode, Diamond nurse practitioner and infection control coordinator Debi Yackuboskey returns to discuss the outlook for the 2023-24 respiratory disease season. We talk about all three "tripledemic" respiratory diseases - influenza, COVID, and RSV- and what's new and/or noteworthy about each in terms of basic virology, prevention, and treatment. With the debut of the RSV vaccines and newly updated COVID vaccines in the mix, there was a lot for us to cover. CDC Respiratory Disease Outlook: https://ow.ly/iPVo50Q6wbA

On this episode, we welcome back Henry So, clinical pharmacist for Diamond's OPTICS team. As we recorded this, Henry was days away from giving an NCCHC conference presentation on evaluating high cost therapies for type 2 diabetes patients. We discuss why he was inspired to develop a presentation around this topic, look at the use of different diabetic agents in special patient populations, and dive into his clinical rationale for helping providers choose between newer often pricier agents and older more established therapies. If you missed Henry's presentation at NCCHC, you can catch up with this podcast. Links to studies mentioned in the show/futher reading: Empagliflozin, Cardiovascular Outcomes, and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetes | New England Journal of Medicine Canagliflozin and Cardiovascular and Renal Events in Type 2 Diabetes | New England Journal of Medicine Dapagliflozin and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes | New England Journal of Medicine Dapagliflozin in Heart Failure with Mildly Reduced or Preserved Ejection Fraction | New England Journal of Medicine Empagliflozin in Heart Failure with a Preserved Ejection Fraction | New England Journal of Medicine Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes with Empagliflozin in Heart Failure | New England Journal of Medicine Liraglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes | New England Journal of Medicine Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes | New England Journal of Medicine Dulaglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (REWIND): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial - PubMed (nih.gov) Semaglutide for cardiovascular event reduction in people with overweight or obesity: SELECT study baseline characteristics - PubMed (nih.gov)

On this episode, we welcome back Deborah Milito, director of clinical and consultant services for Diamond's long-term care division, to talk about the threat of candida auris. Since first appearing in Japan in 2009, this drug-resistant fungus has showed up around the world and poses a threat to the sickest of the sick, especially in places like skilled nursing facilities. Deborah gives us the rundown on c.auris - why it's deadly, how it resists drugs, and what providers can do to protect patients. If you're not very familiar with c.auris, this podcast is an easy-listening primer. Mentioned in the show/futher reading: "List K: Antimicrobial Products Registered with EPA for Claims Against Clostridium difficile Spores" : https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-k-antimicrobial-products-registered-epa-claims-against-clostridium "List P: Antimicrobial Products Registered with EPA for Claims Against Candida Auris" https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-p-antimicrobial-products-registered-epa-claims-against-candida-auris Intro and outro music by Coma-Media.

On this late summer episode, Chris Bender of the OPTICS clinical pharmacy team sheds light - sunlight in particular - on drug-induced photosensitivity. He breaks down phototoxicity and photoallergy and how exactly the sun causes these conditions, cites the most common medications susceptible to photosensitivity, and talks about treatment. We also discuss the relationship between drugs and heat-related illness, how drugs impair thermoregulation, and what medications are prone to heat risk. Grab a cool beverage for this one. Further Reading/Mentioned in the Show: "The Sun and Your Medicine" - FDA https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/sun-and-your-medicine "Heat-Related Illnesses" - American Family Physician https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2019/0415/p482.html

On this episode, we're joined once again by Dr. Deborah Milito of Diamond's long-term care division, to discuss recent changes to the CMS State Operations Manual for long-term care facilities. We review a number of revisions and updates related to infection control, immunizations, medication stewardship, and more. It's an easy-listening regulatory roundup for any skilled care pharmacist or professional.

On this episode, pharmacist Henry So from the OPTICS team returns for a straightforward clinical discussion of bariatric surgery.  We talk about history of bariatric procedures, their efficacy, and the risks and downstream effects of surgery. We also cover what role pharmacists have in post-bariatric patient care and what Henry and his team have done to assist providers in this area.

On this bonus episode of PodcastRx, we're joined by Deborah Milito, Diamond's director of clinical and consultant services for the long-term care division, for a quick and concise conversation about psychotropic stewardship. Deborah explains the CMS regulatory reasons behind her recent focus in this area, what psychotropic medications are of interest to CMS surveyors, and what ideal psychotropic stewardship looks like in the long-term care setting. We also talk about the strategies that Diamond consultant pharmacists use to promote effective psychotropic stewardship for client facilities.

With our many previous discussions about opioid-related topics on this show, it was given that OPTICS pharmacist Chris Bender would return to discuss the latest news surrounding the over-the-counter approval of Narcan nasal spray. We look at how naloxone products work, why 4 mg NARCAN nasal spray in particular was chosen for OTC status, concerns over costs and accessibility, and what the designation means for destigmatizing Narcan use. And we have some fun at the end by talking about what additional medications we'd like to see get the OTC treatment. Mentioned in the Show/Further Reading: Narcan Educational Resources: https://www.narcan.com/healthcare-professionals/narcan-educational-kit-form/ https://www.narcan.com/public-service-educational-kit-form Next Distro: https://nextdistro.org/pachoice "How Over-the-Counter Narcan Can Help Reverse Opioid Overdoses" - Scientific American https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-over-the-counter-narcan-can-help-reverse-opioid-overdoses/ "Emergent's Statement on Over-the-Counter Access, Availability and Pricing of NARCAN® Naloxone HCl Nasal Spray 4 mg" https://www.emergentbiosolutions.com/media-statement/emergents-statement-on-over-the-counter-access-availability-and-pricing-of-narcan-naloxone-hcl-nasal-spray-4-mg/

OPTICS clinical pharmacists Chris Bender and Nancy Chia stop by to give a sneak preview of their upcoming presentations at the NCCHC Spring Conference on correctional healthcare. We find out what topics they're focusing on, the novel ways they're presenting the information, and what they hope attendees will take away from the conference. We also discuss the opportunities that presenting at NCCHC provides for clinical pharmacists, and what Chris and Nancy are most looking forward to during their trip to New Orleans. As heard in the show: NCCHC Conference Information: https://events.ncchc.org/spring-conference/2617224 Link to Chris and Nancy's Webinars: www.diamondpharmacy.com/watch-full-optics-webinars-for-ncchc/

Before John Crupie became a pharmacist supervisor for Diamond, he spent nearly 30 years ascending the heights of retail pharmacy management with Kmart. With his many years working for a big chain, John was the perfect guest to discuss the ongoing pharmacist shortage plaguing retail pharmacies across the country. We get John's thoughts on the systemic factors driving the phenomenon and what possibly can be done to keep pharmacists from fleeing retail positions. We also talk about John's fascinating professional journey, how his current job compares to his old one, and the workplace factors that make Diamond a great destination for pharmacists. Mentioned in the Show: "American Pharmacists Association on move to cut pharmacy hours" https://pharmacist.com/APhA-Press-Releases/american-pharmacists-association-on-move-to-cut-pharmacy-hours

On this special two-part episode, clinical pharmacist supervisor Zane Gray and pharmacist Chris Bender from the OPTICS team join us for a look at drug shortages and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act. In part 1, Zane discusses some of the current shortages of prescription and over the counter drugs affecting Diamond customers, the factors behind these shortages, and how Diamond ultimately helps clients and patients to work through them. And in part 2, Chris lays out the tenets of the recently passed Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act, how it changes buprenorphine prescribing for opioid use disorder, and what positive effects the act could have on medication assisted treatment programs in the correctional environment. Recording Dates: 1/30 and 1/31/2023 Mentioned in the Show/Further Reading: "The Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act: A historic reform." www.endsud.org/mat-act-history "NCCHC Hails Passage of MAT Act to Prevent Overdoses and Support Recovery" www.ncchc.org/ncchc-hails-passage-of-mat-act-to-prevent-overdoses-and-support-recovery/ "Maine's Prisons Taught Washington a Crucial Lesson in Fighting Opioids" https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/01/08/maines-prisons-opioids-00076822?_ga=2.63826730.486483318.1673281616-1414629604.1579021963 "Behind Bars II: Substance Abuse and America's Prison Population" https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED509000.pdf "Study Shows Easing Access to Methadone Helps Patients with Opioid Use Disorder" www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2023/01/12/study-shows-easing-access-to-methadone-helps-patients-with-opioid-use-disorder

On this episode, we welcome SapphireHealth Sales and Implementation Coordinator Nikki Tuskey and Lead Architect and developer Geff Caruso. When Diamond Pharmacy decided to develop corrections-focused eMAR and EHR software over a decade ago, Nikki and Geff were there at the ground level. Our conversation goes back to those early days to learn about the people and processes instrumental in building Sapphire into a reliable and trusted tool of correctional health professionals. We also discuss the impact that Sapphire can have on a facility's healthcare program and why an effective EHR is much more than just the software. Learn more at www.sapphire-health.com.

We welcome back OPTICS clinical pharmacist Christopher Bender to talk about the rising popularity of GLP-1 agonists - semaglutide in particular. We talk about these drugs profound impact on diabetes and weight loss management and how drugs like Ozempic have become in-demand among celebrities and social media influencers. Of course, we also cover the basics: How they work, safety concerns, prescribing guidelines and much more. And along the way, we also uncover a surprising connection to Gila Monster venom. Recording Date: December 21, 2022

On this episode, Henry So of the OPTICS clinical team stops by to address questions related to transgender patient care. We discuss the steps pharmacists can take to optimize care for transgender patients, take a closer look at available hormone therapies, and talk about common questions that Henry and his OPTICS colleagues receive from providers. Recording Date: 10/31/2022 Further reading: Transgender and Gender Diverse Health Care in Correctional Settings (2020) https://www.ncchc.org/transgender-and-gender-diverse-health-care-in-correctional-settings-2020/ Guidelines for the Primary and Gender-Affirming Care of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary People https://transcare.ucsf.edu/guidelines

RN consultant and nurse practitioner Debbie Yackuboskey returns for a quick discussion of influenza. We explore the expected severity of the upcoming flu season, review the available vaccines, dive into vaccine hesitancy, and discuss the ultimate protections afforded by an annual flu shot. Link to "2022 National Survey: Attitudes about Influenza and Pneumococcal Disease, and the Impacts of COVID-19": https://www.nfid.org/about-nfid/newsroom/news-conferences/2022-nfid-influenza-pneumococcal-disease-news-conference/2022-national-survey-attitudes-about-influenza-and-pneumococcal-disease-and-the-impacts-of-covid-19/ Recording Date: 10.26.22

On this episode, we welcome OPTICS clinical pharmacist supervisor Zane Gray and special guest Mitchell Tonkin to the show. Mitch is in his final year of pharmacy school at Duquesne University and had the opportunity to intern with Zane and the OPTICS clinical team. We talk to Mitch about his formative pharmacy experiences, what makes Duquesne University a great pharmacy school, and of course, what he learned on rotation at Diamond. And we get Zane's perspectives on how a Diamond Pharmacy internship is designed to make you a better pharmacist and provide healthy doses of real-world pharmacy experience. On a special note, we recorded this episode during Mitch's final week on rotation here. We'd like to wish him the very best as he moves forward in his pharmacy education and career. For more information about pharmacy internships with Diamond, please reach out to Zane Gray, zgray@diamondpharmacy.com.

Pharmacist Henry So from Diamond's OPTICS clinical team makes his first repeat visit to the show for a discussion of monkeypox. We go over its origins, symptoms, transmission, and even the reason behind its unusual name. We also talk about the available vaccines and antiviral treatment options and what OPTICS is doing to help educate correctional healthcare partners about monkeypox. Recording Date: 8/18/22

OPTICS pharmacist Chris Bender is back for a rundown of a some timely COVID-19 clinical topics. We discuss the Novavax vaccine, the anticipated rollout of fall booster shots, the use(or underuse)of Evusheld, the Paxlovid rebound, and more. Chris also takes a moment thoroughly go over all the current clinical guidance for booster shots. Recorded 8.12.2022 Link to CDC guidance for booster shots: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

On this episode, our very own Dr. Deborah Milito returns to talk her big election win as President Elect of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists. We talk about Deborah's history with the ASCP and senior care pharmacy, the many professional opportunities ASCP provides pharmacists, and a few of Deborah's visions for the presidency. And we also take a brief digression to discuss the recent FDA authorization allowing pharmacists to prescribe Paxlovid for COVID-19 patients. Recording date: July 18, 2022

On June 23, 2022, Diamond Drugs CEO, President, and owner Mark Zilner will be inducted in the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame for his contributions to the local economy and leadership in business. Since joining his parents' company over 30 years ago, Mark has helped Diamond grow from a largely local business into the nation's largest correctional pharmacy provider and one of Pennsylvania's largest long-term care pharmacies, and as a result of that growth- one of Indiana County's largest employers. Mark has also been instrumental in the creation of Sapphire Health, an electronic health record and medical records developer; RemedyRepack, an FDA-registered drug repackager, and InnovaScript, a mail-order retail pharmacy. Business achievements aside, the Hall of Fame induction is also a big deal for Mark as he joins his parents, Gilbert and Joan Zilner, who were enshrined in the Hall of Fame's inaugural class back in 2015. On the occasion of this induction, we wanted to talk with Mark about his road to success ---why he chose to be a pharmacist, why he joined the family business, what motivates him as an entrepreneur, his visions for the future, and of course, so much more. Recorded 5.18.2022

On this episode, Chris Bender of the OPTICS clinical pharmacy team breaks down recent developments surrounding the pneumococcal, Hepatitis B, and Shingles vaccines. We discuss the impact of new vaccines on the market for pneumococcal and Hepatitis B and how they compare with what's already available. We also talk about the updated CDC recommendations for all three vaccines. Recorded 4.28.2022 Links mentioned in the show: ACIP adult immunization schedule: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-combined-schedule.pdf Pneumococcal vaccine timing for adults: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/downloads/pneumo-vaccine-timing.pdf PneumoRecs app: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/hcp/pneumoapp.html

From a tender age, OPTICS pharmacist Henry So recognized the difference that patient advocacy and education could make in healthcare outcomes. As the child of an immigrant family, Henry watched his diabetic father grapple with language barriers, rigid prescription guidelines, and uncomfortable side effects from medication as he struggled with the disease. In these difficult moments, Henry could see the need for a supportive intermediary to bridge the gap between prescriber and patient, and who could take a more patient-centered approach. And thanks to a chance encounter at a career fair, Henry realized that being a pharmacist could fill that role. Now a practicing ambulatory care pharmacist with Diamond's OPTICS team, Henry is proud to be a both an educator and an advocate for many of Diamond's institutional patients. In this episode, Henry talks about his personal and professional journey into pharmacy and how his current role at Diamond has brought that journey full circle. If you're a pharmacy student or a pharmacist looking at a different career direction, we think you'll enjoy what Henry had to share with us.

On this episode, Chris Bender, clinical pharmacist with Diamond's OPTICS team, gives us a rundown on the latest oral therapies for COVID-19 patients: paxlovid and molnupiravir. We look at how these therapies work, how they compare to existing COVID therapies like monoclonal antibodies, and what side effects and safety considerations they carry. And we also talk with Chris about the overall accessibility of these medications and how he's seeing them utilized in corrections and long-term care. Recorded on 2/18/2022. Links mentioned in the discussion: Paxlovid FDA Fact Sheet for Providers: www.fda.gov/media/155050/download Molnupiravir FDA Fact Sheet for Providers: www.fda.gov/media/155054/download ASPR COVID-19 Therapeutics Locator: https://covid-19-therapeutics-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com COVID-19 Drug Interaction Checker, University of Liverpool: www.covid19-druginteractions.org

On this episode, it's Part 2 of our roundtable discussion with the clinical pharmacists of Diamond's Office of Pharmacy Therapeutics and Integrated Clinical Services, or OPTICS. On this side of the discussion, we get a bit personal to learn why the OPTICS team chose careers in clinical pharmacy and what OPTICS has done for their professional growth so far. And then we talk about the future of OPTICS and how the group plans to expand their clinical services and their reach overall. Special thanks to the OPTICS team: Zane Gray, Pharm. D., BCACP Stephen Ford, Pharm. D., BCGP Christopher Bender, Pharm. D., BCACP Henry So, Pharm. D., BCPS, BCACP Nancy Chia, Pharm. D., MBA Learn more: www.diamondpharmacy.com/opticsteam

In late 2021, Diamond Pharmacy's Drug Information Center was renamed the Office of Pharmacy Therapeutics and Integrated Clinical Services, or OPTICS. Since 2015, the clinical pharmacists of the Drug Information Center had been an invaluable resource to healthcare providers looking for answers to difficult medication questions. But in recent times, it became clear that these pharmacists had more to offer than just drug information, and that they could play a vital role in active patient care for Diamond's facilities. It was out of these realizations that OPTICS was born. In December of 2021, we were lucky to get the clinical pharmacists of OPTICS in one room for a roundtable discussion about their mission, their history and their goals for transforming clinical pharmacy in a correctional setting. And we also got to talk about the many unique opportunities OPTICS has presented these pharmacists, both in terms of practice and professional growth. For easier listening, we've broken this discussion into two episodes. In part 1, we cover the formation of OPTICS, how they're moving into patient care, how they're improving the perception of pharmacy, and how OPTICS is also making a difference internally at Diamond. Special thanks to the OPTICS team: Zane Gray, Pharm. D., BCACP Stephen Ford, Pharm. D., BCGP Christopher Bender, Pharm. D., BCACP Henry So, Pharm. D., BCPS, BCACP Nancy Chia, Pharm. D., MBA Learn more: www.diamondpharmacy.com/opticsteam

PodcastRx listeners- we'd like to thank you all for another year of continued support. It's very encouraging to see our listenership continue to grow. In fact, we've noticed people tuning in from new states and new countries with each episode. For this little show out of Indiana, Pennsylvania, that's really exciting. And of course we hope that number and reach continues to go up in the coming year. We're in the midst of a holiday break now, but we're anxious to bring you new episodes in 2022. If you really like what we do on this show, please make sure you leave us a rating and/or a review where you listen. And if you'd like to engage with us directly with your feedback or ideas for new episodes, feel free to email podcastrx@diamondpahrmacy.com From all of us at Diamond Pharmacy Services, we wish you a happy, festive, and joyous holiday season and terrific start to 2022.

On this episode, Dr. Deborah Milito, director of skilled and consultant services for Diamond's skilled division, returns to answer a fresh round of frequently asked COVID-19 vaccine questions. We delve into common queries about boosters, children's vaccines, natural immunity and more. And we also briefly chat about her recent experiences leading the Diamond Strike Force immunizers, along with her appearance at the ASCP annual meeting.

If your job is to sell pharmacy service to long-term care facilities, how do change your approach when your clients suddenly aren't accessible to you? And on top of that, how do you adapt your pitch when those same clients are facing one of the biggest crises to ever hit their industry? These are questions that Nick McFerron, regional healthcare sales executive for Diamond, was faced with for the better part of a year. He joins us for a look back at his pandemic experiences in sales and long-term care. We talk the importance of improvisation, customer service, and being a resource instead of a provider. And we also discuss the ways Diamond has stepped up service to long-term care facilities in the wake of the pandemic.

On this episode, we welcome back Judy Tomayko, senior respiratory therapist and infection control coordinator for Diamond Medical Supply. The fall of 2021 has been a trying time for Judy and her respiratory care team, as they've taken on an unprecedented surge in respiratory patients and dealt with various respiratory equipment shortages, all thanks to COVID-19. We discuss these and other difficulties, along with her outlook and advice for patients in the coming months. And we also learn about the recent expansion of Judy's respiratory care department and what she and her fellow therapists hope to achieve moving forward.

On this episode, we welcome back Deborah Milito, Pharm. D., Director of Clinical and Consultant Services for Diamond's Long-Term Care division, to revisit some frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. You might remember our special bonus episode from February featuring a vaccine town hall Q&A she gave for one of our nursing home clients. Dr. Milito goes over many of the questions from this first town hall, along with plenty of new ones. Why do another Q&A, you might ask? Well, with falling vaccination rates among the population, and with (in Deborah's world) recent CMS rules requiring COVID vaccine education for long-term care residents and staff, it's important to reiterate the facts about these vaccines to relieve any concerns, fears or misunderstandings about them. And because vaccination is crucial to lifting us all completely out of pandemic life, we feel this is information well worth repeating. EDITOR'S NOTE: At 10:49, Deborah incorrectly stated the duration between the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses. Pfizer doses are separated by 21 days while Moderna doses are 28 days.

Frequent contributor Chris Bender from the Diamond Drug Information Center is back - again- this time to talk about treating asthma in the correctional setting. According to a 2015 report from the US Department of Justice, the prevalence of asthma among correctional patient population was 15-20%, compared to just 10% among the general population. It should be no surprise then that Chris and his Drug Info Center colleagues field many asthma questions from providers. Because of this, and because major asthma treatment guidelines have been updated in the past few years, Chris felt asthma would be a timely presentation topic for this year’s Spring NCCHC Conference- and ultimately, this podcast. Chris treats us to a broad overview of asthma symptoms and therapies, before taking us deeper into the treatment issues found in jails and prisons. Along the way, we also talk about the relationship between asthma and COPD and what effect COVID-19 has had on asthma management. Resources we discuss in the episode: US Department of Justice Report- "Medical Problems of State and Federal Prisoners and Jail Inmates, 2011–12" https://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=5219 National Asthma Education and Prevention Program - 2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/all-publications-and-resources/2020-focused-updates-asthma-management-guidelines Allergy and Asthma Network - Inhaler Chart https://members.allergyasthmanetwork.org/store/viewproduct.aspx?id=16386141

Be honest- When you saw the title of this episode, did you let out a sigh, or maybe roll your eyes and think “They’re talking about COVID again?” Well, we understand. No matter what degree the pandemic has affected your life in the past year, it’s more than safe to say that you’re tired of it. You’re sick of it. And you probably felt that way just weeks into the pandemic, let alone months. Of course, pandemic fatigue is more than just annoyance or inconvenience. It’s a phenomenon that can have serious effects on public health. Diamond infection control coordinator Debbie Yackuboskey returns to talk about pandemic fatigue, how it makes us feel, the toll it’s taken on healthcare workers, and a few practical tips for living with it. And we also talk about what the future holds and when, perhaps, we can all rest a little easier.

Regular contributor Chris Bender from Diamond’s Drug Information Center gives us a much needed break from all the COVID talk to discuss another serious, if understated, problem in healthcare- polypharmacy. Chris breaks down what exactly polypharmacy is, its negative effects on patients and health care as a whole, and what pharmacists can do to stop it. Along the way we also talk about the prescription cascade, deprescribing, and managing polypharmacy in corrections and long-term care settings. Clinical resource mentioned in the show: Epocrates www.epocrates.com

Hopefully, you remember our last regular episode before we took a little winter break- It was titled “Anticipating the Arrival of the Covid Vaccine” and our guest was Deborah Milito, director of skilled and consultant services for Diamond. We discussed where things stood with Operation Warp Speed, the development of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and how pharmacies were planning for the rollout, and other areas. Now, that was recorded back in late October, well over a month before the first patients in the US received the vaccine in early December. As of February 1, almost 30 million doses of the vaccine have been given in the US, so things have changed considerably since we last spoke with Deborah. In the meantime, Deborah did record a COVID-vaccine town hall for one of Diamond’s long-term care customers on January 2-, Inauguration Day. She answered some frequently posed questions about the vaccine- how we got it so quickly, how MRNA works, what to expect when you get a shot, when you can expect to be vaccinated, and so on. While this was geared to a long-term care facility staff in Pennsylvania, Deb does provide a lot of great vaccine info that a general audience could benefit from. This town hall was a Zoom call that Deborah recorded from her home, so please excuse the occasional chimes in the background. So while this is not a standard interview episode of the show, consider it a companion piece to our original Covid vaccine episode.

We can’t say enough about the efforts of healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic- from the doctors and nurses tending the ICU, to staff in long-term care facilities, and of course to pharmacists now vaccinating patients. But if there’s a group of professionals that might get a little lost in the shuffle, it’s respiratory therapists. While it’s a given that respiratory therapists would play an important role in fighting a respiratory disease, what might not be so apparent is just how deeply the counsel and comfort of a respiratory therapist is woven into patient care. Senior respiratory therapist Judy Tomayko from Diamond Medical Supply joins us to discuss the effect of the pandemic on her past year in the profession. She shares her experiences with improvising oxygen care for nursing facilities, infection control, workarounds for home visits, and much more. And we also talk about the positives to come out of the pandemic, including for the respiratory care field at large.

Deborah Milito, Pharm. D., BCGP, FASCP, returns to the show to talk with us about the progress of a COVID-19 vaccine. As a member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists’ Operation Warp Speed committee, Deb has an up-close look at the latest news regarding the development and distribution of the COVID vaccine. We chat about these topics, plus the effects of the pandemic on consulting, the role of pharmacists in vaccinating patients, and what Diamond is doing to prepare for the eventual arrival of the vaccine.

Audra Palmo took over as manager of Diamond’s Medical Supply division in early 2020, transitioning out of a 20-year career in long-term care. She was on the job but a few months when the COVID-19 pandemic reached the United States. Suddenly, Audra found herself jumping through procurement hoops to secure crucial personal protective equipment, comforting panicked customers, and facing unprecedented infection control risks. Thankfully, her past long-term care experience was exactly what equipped her to face these new challenges in a new career setting. You’ll hear all about Audra’s story and more on this episode of PodcastRx.

Vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in all of medical history. As the World Health Organization points out, there are now vaccines to protect us from over 20 potentially deadly diseases. Vaccination saves 2-3 million lives each year from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza and measles, to name but a few. And now as the world comes to grips with a historic pandemic, the anticipation to add COVID-19 to that list of diseases is top of mind for the medical community. On this episode, we welcome back Chris Bender, Pharm. D. As a pharmacist with Diamond’s Drug Information Center, Chris provides consultation and educational services to correctional facilities and occasional long-term care facilities. We talk about the history of vaccines, how they’re developed, what they do and don’t do, and their impact on Chris’ everyday practice as a pharmacist. And of course, we also discuss the ongoing development of a COVID-19 vaccine and what the future may or may not hold.

Debbie Yackuboskey is a registered nurse practitioner, a nursing consultant and Diamond’s infection control coordinator for the past 17 years. With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Debbie suddenly found her infection control expertise put to the test in unprecedented ways as she worked to protect Diamond staff and customers against the novel coronavirus. She joins us to talk about these planning and response efforts, the occasional challenges in applying CDC and state guidelines to pharmacy operations, and the impact of COVID-19 on her work as a nurse educator and med exchange supervisor for long-term care facilities.

Biologic medications are some of the most innovative drugs on the market and some of the most expensive. In their place, biosimilar medications promise to make the treatment benefits of biologic drugs more accessible. While biosimilars bear no significant clinical difference to their biologic counterparts and face rigorous FDA approval pathways, biosimilars lack utilization, lack confidence from healthcare providers and patients, and struggle to come to market due to innovator biologic patents. Erica Gray of the Diamond Drug Information Center joins us to break down these factors and to give us a better understanding of just what is holding back biosimilars. Links to the material discussed in this episode: Biological Product Definitions. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/media/108557/download "Five things to know about biosimilars right now"- McKinsey & Company Available at https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/pharmaceuticals-and-medical-products/our-insights/five-things-to-know-about-biosimilars-right-now "FAILURE TO LAUNCH: Barriers to Biosimilar Market Adoption" - Biosimilars Council Available at https://www.biosimilarscouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/AAM-Biosimilars-Council-Failure-to-Launch-2-web.pdf "Biologics and Biosimilars: Background and Key Issues" - Congressional Research Service Available at https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44620.pdf "How logically impossible patents block biosimilars" - Nature Biotechnology Available at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41587-019-0196-x "Non-pharmacological Effects in Switching Medication: The Nocebo Effect in Switching from Originator to Biosimilar Agent." - BioDrugs. Available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30269270: Purple Book: Database of Licensed Biological Products. Available at: https://purplebooksearch.fda.gov/ US Food & Drug Administration. Patient Materials. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/biosimilars/patient-materials

Hey everyone. Thanks again for listening to PodcastRx. As you know, our favorite thing about this show is the chance to bring on expert guests who work right here at Diamond Pharmacy. But with the outbreak of COVID-19 affecting the vulnerable populations we serve, our staff members are understandably busy during this difficult and uncertain time. So new episodes are on an indefinite hiatus. We did get one new episode in the can before this pandemic exploded and we’ll bring that to you very soon. You can find all existing episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and Google Podcasts. Please leave us a review or rating on your favorite platform. And if you’d like to share your thoughts on an episode with us directly, you can email podcastx@diamondpharmacy.com. We know that many of our listeners are healthcare workers on the front lines of this public health crisis. From all of us at Diamond, we commend you and we thank you for everything you’re doing to keep your patients and the public safe. Stay well, everyone. We’ll be back as soon as we can.

No matter who is doing it, the illicit transfer and misuse of medications is an issue that greatly threatens the safety of both patients and healthcare providers. Chris Bender and Erica Gray of the Diamond Drug Information center join us to discuss drug diversion across institutional care settings and what providers can do to defend against it. In the first segment, we define drug diversion and get a truly eye-opening look at the ways both prescription and OTC medications can be diverted in the correctional setting. And in the second segment, we talk about diversion among healthcare workers and the resources that facilities can use to build a strong diversion prevention program. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: "9 Steps to Creating a Drug Diversion Monitoring Program"- HealthcareITNews https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/9-steps-creating-drug-diversion-monitoring-program ASHP Guidelines on Preventing Diversion of Controlled Substances https://www.ashp.org/-/media/assets/policy-guidelines/docs/guidelines/preventing-diversion-of-controlled-substances.ashx Controlled Substances Drug Diversion Pharmacy Technician Toolkit https://www.ashp.org/Pharmacy-Technician/About-Pharmacy-Technicians/Advanced-Pharmacy-Technician-Roles-Toolkits/Controlled-Substances-Drug-Diversion-Pharmacy-Technician-Toolkit "Behind Bars: The Truth about Drugs in Prisons" by Andrew OHagan and Rachel Hardwick https://medcraveonline.com/FRCIJ/behind-bars-the-truth-about-drugs-in-prisons.html Jail Medicine- A Correctional Health Blog- http://www.jailmedicine.com/

How do you optimize medication safety across different care settings, especially in the skilled nursing environment? To get some insight, we talked with Deborah Milito, Pharm. D. She is the director of clinical and consultant services for Diamond’s skilled nursing division. We discuss how medication reconciliation, drug regimen reviews, the IMPACT Act, and pharmacists themselves all work together to reduce medication errors across different care settings. About our guest: Dr. Milito is the Director of the Clinical & Consultant Long-Term Care Division for Diamond Pharmacy Services and Chief Antimicrobial Stewardship officer. She also serves as the team leader for the Joint Commission’s Performance Improvement, Provision of Care, Medication Management, and National Patient Safety Goals initiatives at Diamond. She is a long-time member of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and was conferred as a fellow in 2017.

A Holiday Message from PodcastRx by PodcastRx by Diamond Pharmacy Services

It’s unlikely that you’d ever think of a healthcare professional as someone who cares “too much”. After all, that’s the objective of their calling. But make no mistake, compassion fatigue is a real phenomenon and can take its toll on even the most seasoned healthcare professional. In this episode, we’re joined by Karen Harrell. She’s a registered nurse with decades of experience in managing assisted living communities. Karen recently presented on compassion fatigue at several of our 2019 Education Conferences. She gives us a rundown of the warning signs, the symptoms, and provides a few tips to help long-term care workers confront this sometimes debilitating condition. Compassion Fatigue Reading: https://www.compassionfatigue.org/ Professional Quality of Life Measure: http://proqol.org