As we enter mid-fall and illnesses such as the influenza virus are on the rise, it is important to review the available vaccines, guidelines, and changes that have occurred. This guide will help consolidate key vaccine information into a single document for your reference and convenience as well as provide access to VIS and consent forms. Though this provides some general information, it is important to look at individualized patient needs and prescriber specific recommendations.
Flu CPT/CVS Codes Product List
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (VIS)
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (VIS)
Pneumococcal Vaccine Timing for Adults
High-alert medications are those with a high risk of causing significant harm if used incorrectly. They often have narrow therapeutic indices, complex dosing requirements, and similar names or packaging to other drugs.
Common examples include:
Prevention strategies include robust error identification, limiting access to these medications, staff and patient education, and ensuring rapid access to antidotes or reversal agents in case of errors. Vigilance and adherence to protocols are essential to mitigate risks associated with these medications.
At SpecialtyRx, every month is Safety Month—but in June, we proudly join the national spotlight to raise awareness around medication safety. As a leading long-term care pharmacy, SpecialtyRx is committed to delivering safe, accurate, and clinically appropriate medications through a multifaceted approach that combines advanced technology, clinical expertise, and an unwavering focus on quality.
Here are five core ways we lead the industry in preventing medication errors:
Medication safety begins with how medications are packaged. At SpecialtyRx, we utilize blister packaging (bingo cards) featuring detailed drug information and unique barcodes on every unit. Most medications are pre-packaged and pre-verified by our licensed pharmacists before they even hit the pharmacy shelves—providing an early checkpoint for identifying potential errors.
Each medication dispensed goes through a two-tier verification process:
This rigorous process ensures accuracy and minimizes the risk of human error.
SpecialtyRx’s direct integration with facility Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems allows us to automatically populate prescriptions using the exact data entered at the point of care. This minimizes manual input and virtually eliminates transcription errors.
In addition, our secure EHR access means our pharmacists can log in to verify patient details, clarify questions, or confirm directions without delay—supporting faster, safer decision- making.
Our clinical pharmacists go beyond simple order processing—they provide a thorough review of every prescription to detect potential drug-drug interactions, allergy risks, and dosing concerns.
By utilizing tools like the Specialty 365 Dashboard, our team maintains close communication with facility staff to foster a collaborative, transparent, and highly responsive care environment.
Safety isn't static—it evolves. Our Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement (QA/QI) teams are dedicated to tracking trends, auditing processes, and analyzing occurrences to identify potential risks before they become issues.
Led by our compliance department, this continuous feedback loop allows us to develop proactive solutions, revise protocols, and implement best practices that drive industry-wide improvements in safety.
People are the heart of safety. That’s why our team is constantly learning and growing. From new hire onboarding to ongoing training and retraining, our training department works hand-in-hand with our compliance team to ensure every team member is equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to perform at the highest standard.
Weekly huddles, department meetings, and hands-on education keep our staff informed, engaged, and prepared to uphold the highest safety standards in every role.
As temperatures rise and weather conditions become more unpredictable, SpecialtyRx takes proactive steps to ensure the safety, efficacy, and availability of medications across all of our facilities — especially in regions where heat and extreme weather are seasonal challenges.
Our focus is clear: to preserve medication integrity and support uninterrupted patient care, regardless of the forecast.
At SpecialtyRx, we begin preparing for the summer heat well in advance. Our pharmacy and logistics teams review and reinforce best practices for cold chain management and delivery protocols to ensure the protection of temperature-sensitive medications.
Here's how we ensure medications stay within the proper range during transport:
Temperature fluctuations can compromise the efficacy of medications and lead to waste. That’s why we remain vigilant — because patient safety is non-negotiable.
Summer weather can bring hurricanes, flash floods, and other natural disasters — especially in the southern regions we serve. SpecialtyRx maintains comprehensive emergency preparedness plans to ensure timely medication delivery and operational continuity in the event of any crisis.
Above all, we prioritize clear and proactive communication with facility teams to ensure that everyone is aligned and supported.
To help our partners stay prepared, we recommend the following actions:
