Clinical Updates

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.

Embecta is a new fully disposable insulin patch pump for patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. This patch pump has a larger reservoir holding 300 units of insulin allowing for extended use for up to 3 days to better accommodate higher insulin needs as seen with Type 2 Diabetes. The pump patch also is great for individuals who are doing multiple daily injections to manage their diabetes therefore improving compliance and convenience for individuals.

The minimum staffing standards final ruling was confirmed on April 22, 2024, thereby holding nursing homes accountable for staffing to provide safe and quality care for residents living in such facilities. This final rule has new comprehensive minimum nurse staffing requirements with the goal to reduce risks to residents, reduce medication errors, and improve on quality care. The ruling and implementation is outlined below:

As 2024 gets underway, it's time to prepare for any new guidelines that take effect this year and reflect on the areas that were identified in 2023 that need the most improvement.

On June 5, 2024, the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBAC) and FDA panel met and unanimously voted for the JN.1 strain for the new fall 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine formulation. A week later, based on updated data, the FDA asked the vaccine manufacturers to focus on the KP.2 and KP.3 strains of the JN.1 lineage as they are becoming the more dominant strains. It is anticipated that the change requested by the FDA will not cause any delays in the manufacturing of the new formulations.

May 6th was World Asthma Day, and SpecialtyRx is here to give you all the latest updates around Asthma guidelines!