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KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. KNOWLEDGE SHARED IS POWER MULTIPLIED.
June 2021
SUMMER has always been a season I look forward to. Growing up in the northern part of China, the winters were excruciatingly harsh. It didn't get much better when I moved to Detroit, MI. I remember the days when my friends and I took out our Franklin Planners (The Original Day Planner) and penciled in the dates and places we wanted to visit when spring finally came back around again. Summer was like the favorite aunt you cannot wait to see, who showered you with love, affection, and gifts - or the much-anticipated starts of MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL seasons.

This summer came after a year of the most unimaginable event in our lifetime, and it will be especially appreciated. I am sure, like me, you have lots of plans - friends to see and places to visit. Before we rush through the summer and try to leap back into our old lives, I'd like to pause and reflect on what an extraordinary year we just lived through.

What things might I like to keep with me as I move forward? I like the slowness of pace, space to just sit with myself, and the more tolerance, vulnerability, and compassion we tried to show one another. I hope some of the good things resulting from the pandemic will stay with us permanently.

I recently came across an article on Fast Company that talks about six pandemic work habits we shouldn't lose as we transition to our 'new normal'. They are:
  1. Protecting your worth and well-being
  2. Showing vulnerability
  3. Increasing transparency and honesty
  4. Trusting our problem-solving skills
  5. Embracing technology
  6. Prioritizing humans

The last one - prioritizing humans - resonates with me the loudest. "When organizations meet six fundamental human needs – emotional and mental, relational, physical, financial, sense of purpose, and employability - employees tend to thrive."

Cheers to a great summer! (By the way, we will take a summer break from our monthly newsletter. See you in September!)

Mei
Electronic Data Transmission Prescriptions
The Business and Professions Code (BPC) Section 688 is a comprehensive law regarding electronic data transmission prescriptions. Below provides a high level summary of the key provisions of BPC 688 that take effect January 1, 2022.
Beginning January 1, 2022:

  • Health care practitioners who are authorized to issue prescriptions shall have capability to send electronic data transmission prescriptions.
  • Pharmacies shall have capability to receive electronic data transmission prescriptions.
  • Beginning January 2, 2022, a prescription issued by a health care practitioner shall be issued as an electronic data transmission prescription subject to some exceptions. For list of exceptions, refer to the full BPC section 688 text.

Other Key Provisions:

  • A health care practitioner who issues a prescription for a controlled substance but does not transmit the prescription as an electronic data transmission prescription shall document the reason in the patient’s medical record as soon as practicable and within 72 hours of the end of the technological or electrical failure that prevented the electronic data transmission of the prescription.
  • A pharmacy that receives an electronic data transmission prescription but has not dispensed the medication to the patient shall, at the request of the patient or other authorized person, immediately transfer or forward the electronic data transmission prescription to an alternative pharmacy.
  • If a pharmacy or its staff is aware an attempted transmission of an electronic data transmission prescription failed, is incomplete, or is otherwise not appropriately received, the pharmacy shall immediately notify the prescribing health care practitioner.
  • A pharmacist who receives a written, oral, or faxed prescription shall not be required to verify that the prescription properly falls under one of the exceptions above and may continue to dispense medications from legally valid written, oral, or fax prescriptions.
Clean Room Certification
Certifying your pharmacy's cleanroom is meeting UPS <797> requirements is critical to operations, ensuring the safe compounding of sterile preparations and protecting patients and staff.

ACHC has published a series of articles on cleanroom certification requirements that often require further clarification. Reviewing the procedures outlined in USP <797> and guidelines from the Controlled Environment Testing Association (CETA) can help you better understand testing procedures and requirements for cleanroom certification.

If your organization performs sterile compounding, we highly recommend you read these articles.

Clean Room Certification - Dynamic Smoke Study Test
Clean Room Certification -
HEPA Filter Integrity Test
Clean Room Certification - Dynamic Operating Conditions
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact us.
Date: Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Time: 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm ET
Discussion Topics: 
• Why is the ETS being issued now, 15 months into the pandemic? 
• Who is required to comply with the ETS? 
• Are any healthcare settings exempt? 
• When is the deadline to comply? 
• What are the main requirements of the ETS? 
• Does the ETS impose any new requirements on healthcare employers? 
• How does the ETS align with various states’ requirements? 
• What are the penalties for noncompliance? 
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