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KeePosted™
The Official Newsletter of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists. An ICHP membership includes free online access to all issues (4 per year). KeePosted offers its readers the latest news and important issues which affect the profession of pharmacy. KeePosted is also a great way to keep up-to-date on the latest in Pharmacy Law. In addition to providing timely information on the latest news affecting the pharmacy profession, KeePosted offers great technical articles to help its readers stay on top of the new trends and treatments in pharmacy. Current and archived issues are available for members to download.
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KeePosted Volume 37 Issue 04
Are You Ready to Take the Next Step? ICHP Leadership Could Be in Your Future!
Have you ever considered running for an ICHP office? Have you ever thought about what it would take to move to the next level of involvement in ICHP? This spring is your chance to think about taking that step and taking on a little more responsibility..
Board of Pharmacy Update
Thanks to the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists for this opportunity to communicate to Illinois pharmacists. In future issues, we hope to use this column to help keep the pharmacists informed...
College Connection, MWU - Residency or Not, Here I Come
As the field of pharmacy continues to grow, develop, and change amidst a time of healthcare reform, the increasing number of graduating pharmacy students must contemplate whether or not to pursue a residency. From a student perspective, one year...
College Connection, SIUE - Time to Get Clinical
What do peripheral neuropathy, retinal neuropathy, A1C tests, foot inspections, and blood pressure screenings all have in common? Anyone in the health field would recognize that as a recipe for diabetes mellitus. On January 29th, SIUE’s SSHP...
CPE Monitor Is Coming and Will Impact All Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians!
A new continuing pharmacy education (CPE) tracking service called “CPE Monitor†is entering the pilot test phase this spring/summer for all US pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. This service will change the way all...
Directly Speaking: Tech-Check-Tech - Are We There Yet?
Last month we reported on the Board of Pharmacy presentation by three energetic first-year pharmacy residents from Northwestern Memorial Hospital on their project to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of a Tech-Check-Tech pilot project...
Educational Affairs: A Crisis in Leadership
Please allow me to set the tone for this piece with 4 short quotes... “Most of what we call management consists of making it difficult for people to get their jobs done.†- Peter F. Drucker...
GAS From Springfield: The First Deadlines Have Passed, but We're Not Out of the Woods!
March 17th, St. Patrick’s Day is always a reason to celebrate! And this year there was another reason. It marked the deadline for substantive bills in both the House and Senate to be passed out of committee or be returned to the Rules (House) or...
Hi Tech: Innovating the Pharmacy Technician’s Role
If there is one thing that I have learned over the years with ICHP, it would be the many different roles of a pharmacy tech...
ICHP Leadership Profile Kristi Stice
Kristi Stice, PharmD, BCPS, NPN Chairman-Elect
ICHP Pharmacy Action Fund: Help Me, Help You, Help Pharmacy in Illinois
ICHP’s Spring Meeting is being held in St. Charles, MO in conjunction with the Missouri Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Because the meeting is a combined meeting and because MSHP doesn’t have a political action committee like...
IPC: “Bath Salts†and “Plant Foodâ€: The Latest “Legal†Street Drug to Appear in Illinois
New Practitioners Network: Pharmacy Practice Model Reform: A New Reality for New Practitioners in Health-System Pharmacy
Change is around the corner based on the recommendations of the Health-System Pharmacy Practice Model consensus summit, sponsored by ASHP. In November 2010, leaders in pharmacy practice from across the country met to discuss the most effective use...
Pharmacist of the Year Nominations Sought
Do you work with a pharmacy superstar? Do you know a pharmacist whose commitment and accomplishments are outstanding? Can you name a pharmacist who works harder than the Energizer Bunny for their patients, their health-system and their profession?
President's Message - Responsibility
It’s not my job†or “it really doesn’t affect me†may be phrases that you have encountered in your professional career. And have you ever worked with someone who complains or criticizes but then offers no solutions?
KeePosted_volume_37_issue_03
College Connection, CSU - Student Reflection
At Chicago State University - College of Pharmacy, each second year student is assigned to an Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) site in an institutional setting. This semester I have been assigned to the University of Chicago Hospital...
College Connection, MWU - Together, We Can Make a Difference
Students and health professionals came together to provide much needed services to the patrons of Saint James Food Pantry on the south side of Chicago this past January. The St. James Food Pantry provides food to a great number of households...
College Connection, SIUE - Student Reflection
As we (P3’s) near the end of our didactic education, we can’t help but look back over the past few years. When we applied for pharmacy school we had so many unanswered questions. What would we do if we did not get in? How many people are applying...
College Connection, UIC - Thoughts from the UIC-COP Webmaster
With the spring semester well underway and ICHP executive board elections drawing near, I realize that there is still so much I want to accomplish both as webmaster and as a student member. Just one year ago, our chapter website underwent a complete...
Directly Speaking: Who's Killing You?
A friend and colleague on the ASHP Executive Vice President Search Committee, Mark Siska, has a great favorite expression… “You’re killing me!†During our deliberations, he used it frequently. When asked about it, he explained that he uses it...
GAS From Springfield: "Old Age Ain't for Sissies" and Neither is Illinois Government!
By the time you read this column, bill introduction will be complete and the wheeling and dealing will be well underway. You will see from our current list of 27 bills that pharmacy and health care will not be excused from participation in...
Hi Tech: New Year's Resolution
Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Are you sticking to it? Mine is always the same every year. Try to be the best person I can be and push myself harder each day to achieve that goal. This can be easily put to the test at your work place...
ICHP is Going Digital!
By receiving KeePosted and dues invoices digitally, you can help ICHP “go green!†“Going Green†by reducing the amount of paper, postage, and print production means more than being environmentally friendly…
ICHP Leadership Profile - Julie Karpinski
Julie Karpinski, PharmD, BCPS, Assistant Editor, KeePosted
ICHP Pharmacy Action Fund: What is Your Profession Worth?
What is it worth to you to be able to continue in the profession of pharmacy? I know you pay membership dues to at least ICHP if you are receiving this, but in which other organizations are you a member? You should be an ASHP...
ICHPeople
Former ICHP President Herb Carlin dies; CSU Appoints New Dean of College of Pharmacy
New Practitioner's Network: Knowing Key Members of your Interdisciplinary Team - Outpatient Focus
During pharmacy school, aspiring pharmacists strive to achieve competency in each of the numerous topic areas of drug therapy and treatment. Professors introduce us to concepts in pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and even pharmacogenomics. Typically...
KeePosted_volume_37_issue_02
Board of Pharmacy News
The November Illinois Board of Pharmacy Meeting was held on Tuesday, January 11th in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. The following are the highlights of that meeting...
CSU College Connection: Midyear 2010 - A Trip We Won't Soon Forget
During the first week of December 2010, I was fortunate enough to attend the 45th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in Anaheim, California....
Directly Speaking: The Privilege of Precepting Students
I have the privilege to precept students from time to time in the ICHP office. Not as many as I would like, but on the other hand, sometimes more than I would care for. It just depends on the time of the year and more importantly on the attitude...
GAS From Springfield: Let The Games Begin!
The 97th General Assembly is ready to begin their attack on the State deficit, the Governor’s appointees, and much more over the next four to five months, and we’re ready to keep a watchful eye. One of the bills we will be watching closely is...
Hi Tech: Holy Cow!
That’s about all I said for the 4 days that I attended my first ASHP Midyear in Anaheim. “Holy cow†there’s a lot of people here…and “holy cow†there’s a lot of CE…and “holy cow†it sure was nice...
ICHPeople: Seven U.S. Organizations Honored with the 2010 Baldrige National Quality Award
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital named one of seven organizations to receive the 2010 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest presidential honor for performance excellence through innovation, improvement and visionary...
ICHPeople: SIUE School of Pharmacy Receives Prestigious National Award
The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Pharmacy is the recipient of one of only four national 2011 Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes...
ICHPeople: Two MWU faculty members are leading the charge in Illinois pharmacy practice
Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy is proud to be leading pharmacy practice in the State of Illinois, as two of its faculty members are currently serving as Presidents of Illinois’ top pharmacy associations....
Illinois Delegates to ASHP House Election Results
Thank you to all who ran for these important positions!
Important Compliance Information Regarding the Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act
A recent review of the electronic pseudoephedrine (PSE) sales logs revealed some pharmacies in Illinois selling packages of PSE containing more than 3,000 mg (3.0 grams) of PSE per package. The Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act, signed into law...
MWU College Connection: Residencies, Networking, Presentations - OH MY! ASHP 2010 Midyear Clinical Meeting Through My Eyes
s the blissfully bright sun touched my face through the plastic window next to my airplane seat, I instantly got anxious. I practiced my poster presentation over and over again - even exchanging presentation tips with the Vice-President of Ad...
New Practitioners Network: Knowing Key Members of your Interdisciplinary Team - Inpatient Focus
In most settings today, healthcare has a multidisciplinary face. We are required ever more to work in multidisciplinary teams to achieve the best patient outcomes. As we do this, we are sometimes forced to become more familiar with...
Poison Prevention Month is Approaching!
In 2010, the Illinois Poison Center reports that they handled more than 90,000 calls, 52 % of which involved children, on everything from household products and cosmetics to medicines and insect bites. March is Illinois Poison Prevention Month...
President's Message - February 2011
What does it mean to be a smart leader? At one point in our lives, I am sure we have all experienced or witnessed a great leader. What characteristics did those leaders possess...
Professional Affairs: Implementation of a Technician Checking Program at an Academic Medical Center
Technician checking programs are gaining popularity in hospital pharmacies to allow pharmacists to focus their time on more clinical functions including answering drug information questions and providing medication-dosing recommendations...
Record Number of Pharmacy Technicians Seek Certification Through PTCB
Record numbers of pharmacy technicians continue to seek certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), a pioneer in the credentialing industry. Over 400,000 pharmacy technicians nationwide have...
Roosevelt University gets the green light to begin admitting students for College of Pharmacy’s first class that starts in July
Roosevelt University has begun interviewing for admission students into its new College of Pharmacy following notification from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) that it has been granted precandidate status...
Rosalind Franklin University College of Pharmacy Announces Pre-Candidate Status
he Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science College of Pharmacy in North Chicago, Illinois has been granted pre-candidate status from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)....
SIUE College Connection: The Journey to Success
There are many careers that deal with offering a helping hand. Police officers are constantly putting their lives on the line to help the common citizen, fire fighters save people out of burning buildings and other dangerous situations, and of course...
Snowmageddon 2011!
The ICHP office was closed on Wednesday, February 2nd due to the blizzard...
UIC College Connection: My Midyear Experience
Beginning your residency search process and applying can be an exciting yet scary proposition. You spend time getting your applications together, waiting for responses back from programs, interviewing, and then waiting for the little wizards...
KeePosted_volume_37_issue_01
A Day in the OR Satellite Pharmacy
Until this past fall, I had not had the chance to truly know and understand all that goes on in a hospital pharmacy. During my most recent IPPE rotation at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois, I was finally able to experience the many aspects
An ICHP First
At the end of November or technically early December, ICHP experienced a “firstâ€. Our first staff member retirement!
Are YOU doing something CREATIVE at your practice site? Apply for the 2011 ICHP Best Practice Award!
Who? Members of ICHP practicing in a health-system setting who are finding creative solutions to either old or new professional challenges.
Call for Posters
Are you working on a project that others could learn from? Please consider sharing the outcomes with your colleagues at the poster session during the ICHP/MSHP Spring Meeting April 14-16, 2011!
Clinical Skills Competition at Anaheim - A Bittersweet Experience
ASHP held their 15th Annual National Clinical Skills Competition at the 45th ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in Anaheim, California this year. This is the first time ever that Chicago State University College of Pharmacy participated in this event. There we
ICHP Leadership Profile - Desi Kotis
Desi Kotis, Director-Elect, Northern Region
Illinois Reception at Midyear a Big Hit - Grab a Plate Quickly; the Food Goes Fast!
The 2010 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting is in the record books, and this year’s Illinois Reception was a popular meeting spot! The estimated 300 or so attendees polished off most of the food in under 60 minutes...
Leadership Retreat 2010 - “Minute to Win It!â€
As the Midwestern University Chicago ICHP Professional Chair, I attended this past November’s ICHP Leadership Retreat at Techny Towers in Techny, Illinois. In comparison to larger scale pharmacy meetings, this retreat allowed pharmacy leaders in practic
Legislative Day 101 Coming Your Way!
It’s January in Illinois, and while the General Assembly’s productivity has been more than suspect the last several years, it is still time to gear up for another legislative session with hope, anticipation, and excitement.
Meet Stephanie Lammi
I want to take a moment to introduce myself as the new Communications Manager of the Illinois Council of Health-System Pharmacists, tell you a little about myself and my passions, and explain how I’ll be involved in the organization.
Pharmacist Obtained Medication Histories as Part of the Medication Reconciliation Process
The Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goal 8 states that patients have medications accurately and completely reconciled across the continuum of care in order to decrease the incidence of medication related adverse effects and errors.
Pharmacist Providing Immunizations: Progression to a More Clinical Role
One of my duties as Vice-President of the ICHP student chapter was to collaborate with APhA to coordinate immunization site visits for the College. In the previous years, the two organizations worked together to compile a list of community pharmacies...
President's Message - January 2011
I am always excited during the holidays to receive Christmas cards in the mail. One card, in particular, listed the top ten highlights of their family over the course of the year. So I thought I would share with you some highlights of ICHP for 2010.
UIC Student Chapter Encourages Bears Fans to Get Lung Health Screenings
On a cold frosty morning, ICHP’s UIC student chapter volunteered at a COPD/tobacco awareness event at Soldier Field with the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago (RHAMC), in partnership with the COPD Foundation and NHLBI grant for rais
Want to get Linked into Leadership?
Are you the type of person that likes to be informed of all that is going on in both your personal and professional life? Do you stay connected through Facebook® or Twitter®, or use your cell phone to stay in touch with friends and colleagues? Well now
KeePosted_volume_36_no_10
2010 Elections Wrap-up and Strong Finish
The 2010 elections are history and the ICHP Pharmacy Action Fund’s contributions helped elect several candidates. In a few cases, the funds weren’t enough to turn the tide and even one friend in Springfield lost. Here’s who we (The ICHP Pharmacy Act
An Internship Experience to Remember: United States Public Health Services
The United States Public Health Services (USPHS) is a well known agency. They have health programs and clinics located throughout the United States. Perhaps the most recognized agencies in the USPHS are the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food a
An Interview with William “Bill†Wuller, ICHP President 1983
Board of Pharmacy News
The November Illinois Board of Pharmacy Meeting was held on Tuesday, November 9th in the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago. The following are the highlights of that meeting.
Call for Posters
Please consider sharing the outcomes with your colleagues at the poster session during the ICHP Spring Meeting on April 15-16, 2011. This is a great opportunity to share innovative ideas with others and learn about trends in Illinois health-system pharmac
Dear Diary
It seems like lately when I write my article that I am telling you all about my life. It’s almost like I’m writing in my diary. So I thought I would turn it into this month’s article.
Embracing Technology: Blackboard Uses within Pharmacy Student Organizations
The UIC chapter of ICHP has always aimed to increase communication among its members. This year the plan was to utilize newer technology to improve upon the pharmacy student opportunities already provided by our chapter. Unfortunately, my classmates can v
ICHP Election Results
Congratulations to these dedicated volunteers and to all our dedicated candidates for office.
Thank you for giving ICHP members a choice in their leadership!
ICHP Leadership Profile: Rochelle Rubin, PharmD, BCPS
Implementation of Evidence-Based Medicine into a Community Practice Intenstive Care Unit
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. However, the incorporation of EBM into practice requires both knowledge and perseverance.
Managed Care: Its the Future of Pharmacy!
These words were engrained in my mind as I applied to the AMCP/FMCP/Pfizer internship program. Prior to this internship, I had no previous background in managed care pharmacy. Our school curriculum rarely talked about managed care and a majority of the st
President's Message
The 2010 ICHP Leadership Retreat was an eventful weekend where much planning, strategizing, and socializing took place. A dedicated group of approximately 45 ICHP members, joined by 8 members of the ICHP staff headed north to Techny Towers Conference & Re
Sister Margaret Wright Receives the Creighton Alumni Merit Award
Sr. Margaret Wright received the 2010 Alumni Merit Award from Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.
Student Pharmacist Perspective: Where is the Profession of Pharmacy Headed?
What changes are next for the profession of pharmacy? What employment opportunities are pharmacists going to have in 5, 10, and 20 years? How are pharmacy residencies programs going to expand enough to support the increasing number of graduating pharmacy
Synthetic Marijuana: An Emerging Substance Abuse Phenomenon
Synthetic marijuana derivatives, which are marketed under brand names such as K2, Spice, Genie, Yucatan Fire, Sence, Smoke, Skunk, Zohai, and legal pot is a new designer drug that is touted to produce a high similar to marijuana. These are potpourri-like
The GAS From Springfield
The Nuts and Bolts of Mentoring: Should you be a Mentor?
Have you spent a few minutes thinking about serving as a mentor? Perhaps you have tried once or twice and been successful. There are several excellent publications about mentoring in KeePosted and of course in AJHP (see references).
Things for which I am truly thankful!
While this is the December issue of KeePosted, Thanksgiving wasn’t that long ago, and during this holiday season and year end it is always a good idea to reflect on the things for which we can all be truly thankful.
Tips for a Successful Interview
As the competition for jobs and residencies increases, every opportunity to shine to a potential employer is crucial. When you are invited to interview, consider it a privilege. You have their interest; now show them what you can do. Interviews can get yo
KeePosted_volume_36_no_9
A Different World of Pharmacy
This past summer, I had a rotation at a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) in Illinois. When I was first assigned to the rotation, I thought that a PBM dealt solely with insurance issues. After working in a retail pharmacy for a few years and dealing with ins
A Roller Coaster of a Year
It feels as if it was just yesterday that I graduated from Midwestern University - Chicago College of Pharmacy and spent endless days preparing myself for the NAPLEX and MPJE. I will never forget the feeling of pride that rushed through me upon opening th
Are You Ready for Some Fee Increases?
It’s fall and you’ve probably heard this on the TV a hundred times already, “Are you ready for some football?†Well if you haven’t already read the “Board of Pharmacy News†in this issue, you may want to before you read any further. Focus on
Auction With a Twist a Resounding Success!
I think we really uncovered the secret to fundraising for the ICHP Pharmacy Action Fund. Make it fun! Make it exciting! Make it like gambling!
Board of Pharmacy News
For the past several years the Board of Pharmacy has met once a year in Springfield for the purpose of allowing Department of Financial and Professional Regulation personnel to provide presentations on the legislative and fiscal developments for pharmacy
Call for ASHP Delegates for 2011 and 2012
If you are an ASHP member and want to provide some input to its policy making process, this might be the opportunity for you.
Clinical Practice and Research Network (CPRN)
Crossing the Finish Line
On your mark - get set - go! That was what the ICHP Annual Meeting Planning Committee heard back on April 26th of this year when planning began for the annual meeting educational sessions. The race started out with a crush of ideas, enthusiasm and adrenal
Fish Poisoning and Envenomation by Marine Organisms In and Around the United States
Humans can be exposed to various marine toxins through the consumption of certain seafood or via envenomation by certain marine organisms (e.g. some species of jellyfish, sea urchins, and lionfish). The United States has more than 80,000 miles of coastlin
Get to Know Our New SSHP-ICHP E-board
Have You Read a Good Book Lately?
You know that feeling when you’re reading a book and you think it is so good that you want to share it with everyone? I have just read that book.
ICHP Board of Directors Profile: Sheila M. Allen, Director, Division of Marketing Affairs
Where did you go to pharmacy school?
I went to the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Pharmacy and am a proud graduate of the class of 2003.
ICHPeople
It is Shaping Up to Be a Great Semester for SIUE
The SIUE SSHP chapter is off to a wonderful start this year. Our first meeting was held in August and it was our chapter’s membership drive. Student turnout surpassed executive board expectations. We ran out of applications and had to make more copies d
Pharmacy Challenges with Short-term Medical Teams
Going to a developing country as the pharmacist on a medical team can be both exciting and daunting. Beyond the obvious requirements for personal vaccinations, passports and visas, clothes and personal items, the pharmacist has all of those patient medica
The Importance of Self-Confidence
There is much focus on strong performance in academics as pharmacy students; however, not everything can be taught in the classroom. Partaking in activities and professional events with organizations outside of school help students develop and sharpen ski
The President's Message
It is truly an honor for me to be the 47th ICHP President. I thank you for electing me to serve you and most importantly our profession.
The Reform of the Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
The recently passed Health Care Reform (HCR) law has tabled issues in healthcare that require the system to evaluate how to provide a higher quality of care at a lower cost. The reform is focused on shifting the current health care system from fragmented,
Why Do I Have to Complete Those Stupid Meeting Evaluations?
I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard that said at or after an ICHP Annual or Spring Meeting! And you know what…you don’t have to complete those stupid meeting evaluation forms. However, if you want to make ICHP meetings better, your constr
KeePosted_volume_36_no_8
The Marathon Year for Me Is Over ...
And what a year it has been. I have been so honored and humbled over the past year to serve as the President of this great organization. I want to send my true thanks to Scott Meyers, who has helped guide my year, and all of the staff at ICHP, the Executi
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KeePosted_volume_36_no_6
Cubs, Colleagues, and Cotton Candy!
Calling all new practitioners! Are you doing a residency here? Just establishing your own practice after a residency? Looking to network with other pharmacists at a similar place in their careers? Whether you are new to the area or born and raised here, i
Healthcare Reform: The Ultramarathon
The road to implementing a transformation in health care will be extremely long and difficult. We will encounter numerous ups and downs, sharp curves, and turbulent times before it is all said and done. While I can’t predict how our ‘health care legsâ
Pharmacy Education: Who's in Charge?
This month’s column may cause a bit of controversy, but most of us have been thinking it so I might as well say it. The pharmacy profession oversees its own educational process. Pharmacy leaders guide ACPE for both the professional degree program and th
Time to Meet the Board of Trustees
Hopefully by now, you’ve read last month’s ICHP Pharmacy Action Fund article and received the e-mail solicitation describing your chance to win something special and to contribute to the ICHP Pharmacy Action Fund’s Auction with a Twist at this yearâ
KeePosted_volume_36_no_5
2010 Keynote Address - SIUE Pinning Ceremony
Good morning everyone. Thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of the 2010 SIUE pinning ceremony. I always welcome an opportunity to come back to downstate Illinois where I spent three very enjoyable years working and developing long-lasting prof
An Auction with a Twist Fundraiser at the Annual Meeting
For the past several years the ICHP Pharmacy Action Fund, ICHP’s Political Action Committee, has held some sort of fundraiser at the Spring and Annual Meetings. The 2010 Annual Meeting in August will be no exception. However, this year we are asking for
Board of Directors Profile: Jennifer Ellison, Regional Director Central and President of West Central Society
Where did you go to pharmacy school? And why?
I attended Drake University in Des Moines, IA. I looked at the University of Iowa and Purdue as well, but I decided on Drake because I felt more at home there. I think the reason for this is that it is quit
Call for Affiliate Officers and Delegates to the ICHP House of Delegates
It’s that time of the year to begin the election process for ICHP affiliate positions. For each of the local affiliates, we are seeking nominations for Presidentelect, and for NISHP we are also seeking the Secretaryelect. The President of the affiliate
Double Dose Renewal Opportunity for Technicians!
In March, the ICHP Board of Directors voted to expand the double dose renewal program to include technicians. For the past few years, ICHP has had a double dose renewal program in effect for pharmacists. The double dose program allows a current pharmacist
ICHP Welcomes Pharmacy Delegation from the Republic of Kenya
ICHP staff welcomed a delegation from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board for the Republic of Kenya this past February 24 at the Loves Park headquarters as part of a Kenyan research and fact finding trip to the United States. The delegation included Dr. Ronald
It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over!
May has come and gone, and Illinois is still without a budget! No surprise really; it’s happened before, and it appears that there is no bravery in Springfield to do what it will take to dig us out of this hole! It will be interesting to see what happen
May 11th Meeting Highlights
The May meeting of the Illinois Board of Pharmacy convened on Tuesday morning, May 11th at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. Board Chair Sudhir Manek presided.
PTCB Gets a Big Win!
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, Inc. began testing pharmacy technicians in 1995 and has certified more than 365,000 technicians nationwide since then! However, success breeds imitators, and there is another nationally accredited certification
KeePosted_volume_36_no_4
A Great Day in Springfield
There are many components to political activism and the fund-raising solicitations and directed contributions you normally read about here are just two. Another component is being informed as an individual for both personal and professional reasons. You g
A Long Distance Collaboration
After reuniting at an ACCP conference last year, a friend and I decided to collaborate on a research project. She attends the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. We met through the organization and were involved in the student advisory board. We th
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
Advocate South Suburban Hospital is a 289-bed community hospital in Hazel Crest, Illinois. The newly renovated Pharmacy Department, which now sports a newly redesigned USP 797-compliant cleanroom, is staffed by the Director (Karen Gordon), 2 Clinical Coor
And the Rules Drag On!
In early March we were sure that the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) would approve the final draft of the Pharmacy Practice Act, which was amended by the General Assembly in 2007 and 2009. We couldn’t have been more wrong! Much to our sur
Be a Judge for the 2010 ICHP Best Practice Award!
We are seeking experienced pharmacists to help us judge the submissions for the 2010 Best Practice Award. There is a minimal time commitment (approximately 2-4 hours total), and you will get to see firsthand what innovative practices are taking place in I
Board of Directors Profile: Jacob Gettig, KeePosted Editor
Where did you go to pharmacy school?
Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Trace your professional history since graduation: where have you trained / worked, any special accomplishments?
Consider an Alternative Internship
In grade school I remember beginning classes for the year when inevitably, the teachers would ask the students to write an essay entitled, “What I did over summer vacation.†As much as I groaned and begrudgingly wrote about my summer adventures (or la
CPRN Does Not Stand for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Needed
The Clinical Practice and Research Network (CPRN) is off to a fantastic start. There was great networking and plenty of delicious food at Athena’s restaurant for the March meeting. Participants discussed issues affecting their practice such as use of ch
ICHP Health-System Pharmacist of the Year 2009
There was a new concept called Clinical Pharmacy and everyone at school was talking about it. As a UIC student, we talked about Clinical Pharmacy over coffee in the morning, colas in the afternoon and beers in the evening. (Even in the 1970s, pharmacy stu
Outdates
What can I say about Outdates? Just the word alone makes my head spin. You could even equate them with doing your taxes. It’s one of those things you have to do, and you have a deadline to meet. No one really wants to do them and everyone has a differen
Poison Prevention: A Lasting Impact
According to the CDC, poisoning was the second leading cause of injury-related death in 2006 (2009 data); 74% of the deaths were unintentional. An astonishing 96% of unintentional deaths were drug-related (both legal and illicit use). This is a cause for
Step Up and Step Outside Your World
On January 12th a monstrous earthquake hit just outside Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Before the earthquake struck, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western hemisphere and now has been shaken back another 30-40 years. People from all over the world have step
The Race to Expand Residency Programs
As I compose the President’s Message for the April KeePosted, we are completing our interviews for residency positions at Froedtert. For the upcoming 2010-2011 year, our program has once again expanded and will accept 10 residents (7 PGY1 residents and
We Want the Best - For Real!
ICHP is looking for someone special! Not a TV reality-show winner who outplays, outlasts and outwits the competition, but someone who has committed their career to providing high quality pharmacy care to their patients on behalf of their institution. ICHP
We’re looking for some leaders!
Lee Iacocca coined that phrase many years ago after salvaging a floundering Chrysler back in 1979 and 1980. At ICHP we’re happy to have a lot of followers all year long! However, now we need a few energetic members to say yes to the opportunity to take
KeePosted_volume_36_no_3
KeePosted_volume_36_no_2
96th General Assembly - Part 2
We are now in the second month of the second year of the 96th General Assembly of Illinois. The new bills are rolling in, but at the time of writing, are too few to be reviewed for this publication. However, now is a good time to review this year’s Gene
A Quick Glance at Some of the Top Papers from 2009
The Drug Information Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital prepares a list of clinically significant, practice changing and important publications to present during each month’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee meetings. Below is a list of our top
A Race to Change - Focus on Medication Safety
Having recently returned from the 2009 ASHP Midyear meeting, I find myself more focused on the importance of medication safety than ever before. I had the opportunity to attend the Opening Session given by charismatic actor Dennis Quaid (yes, the actor wh
Board of Directors Profile: Jaime Borkowski, Director of Professional Affairs
Where did you go to pharmacy school?
I went to Butler University in Indianapolis, IN.
January 12, 2010 Meeting a Quick One!
The first 2010 meeting of the Illinois Board of Pharmacy was convened on Tuesday, January 12th at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago with newly elected Board Chairman Sudhir Manek presiding. The extremely efficient and concise meeting took a
Tetrahydrozoline Toxicity: Truths and Tales
Many toxicology reference sources, including anecdotal case reports, point to the potential for toxicity from tetrahydrozoline-containing preparations, especially in children. Although there is a paucity of documentation, tetrahydrozoline has been implica
The Internet and Email: Useful Tools or Time Bandits?
I use the internet and email every day. I have both on my cell phone because no matter where I am, I want to stay connected. Thank goodness for the internet and all the wonderful websites that provide me with most of the information I need to succeed dail
Unleash the Power: Start Using the CPD Learning Portfolio at the ICHP Spring Meeting
It is the start of a new year, a new decade, and another cycle of CE credits. Have you ever wondered how to retain and build upon knowledge learned at a lecture or a conference that you recently attended? If so, why not take the CPD tool kit for a test dr
KeePosted_volume_36_no_1
2009 Leadership Retreat - A Run Away Success
The 2009 ICHP Leadership Retreat took place November 13-15 at the Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello, Illinois. Over 40 leaders from across the state, including one Wisconsin resident (me), took part in this highly successful event.
A Case Report of Occupational Exposure to “That Gas Coming Off Green Cornâ€
A forty-six-year-old male agricultural worker presented to a local emergency department with the chief complaint of respiratory distress. He arrived approximately 6 hours after being exposed to the “gas given off by green cornâ€. The patient began to f
Announcing a New Network - Clinical Specialist and Research Network
ICHP is happy to announce a new Network â€" the Clinical Specialist and Research Network (CSRN). The CSRN is comprised of a group of ICHP member pharmacists or associates who practice in a clinical specialty or who conduct clinical research. This Network
ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting: The P3 Experience
ASHP has revamped the Midyear and Summer Meetings to include more student programming. Each one provides a different focus on opportunities to improve your career in the world of pharmacy. Whereas the Summer Meeting in Rosemont focused more on management
Attend This Year's Legislative Day 101 Session
On Wednesday, January 27th, the New Practitioners Network (NPN) will once again be co-sponsoring a continuing pharmacy education program entitled “Legislative Day 101.†This program is intended to provide participants with the fundamental knowledge ne
Characterization of the Indication for Use of Spironolactone and Frequency of Laboratory Evaluation in Ambulatory Patients
An increase in the rate of prescriptions of spironolactone for heart failure has been reported over the past decade. While heart failure may come to mind first, spironolactone is used to treat other chronic conditions including hypertension, edema, and ac
Daddy Needs a New Pair of Shoes
I would like to give a word of advice to all students attending the 2010 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Please wear comfortable shoes. You never really understand the size and significance of the Clinical Meeting until you spend its entirety walking from
Food Baskets for Mercy Hospital: A rewarding experience for SSHP members
Using the most advanced and effective methods, healthcare professionals heal and monitor patients. However, if the patient does not have the means to afford the basic necessities to maintain a good quality of life, what does good health care truly accompl
Hospital Visits by Trish: Delnor Hospital
Delnor Hospital is a 159-bed community hospital in Geneva, Illinois. The Delnor Pharmacy Department consists of 12 pharmacists, 13 technicians, the Director (Barbara Hagemann), a Clinical Coordinator, and a Clinical Specialist. The Pharmacy Department pro
ICHP Call for Posters
Please consider sharing the outcomes with your colleagues at the poster session during the ICHP Spring Meeting March 26-27, 2010! As health-system pharmacists, technicians and students we must problem-solve in an ever-changing environment. The poster sess
Influencing the Policy of Today: Impacting the Practice of Tomorrow
What does “Influencing the Policy of Today: Impacting the Practice of Tomorrow†truly mean? When I ponder this question, one thing and one thing only comes to my mind. HOW? How do we as student pharmacists effectively influence the policy of today to
Midyear 2009
Anxious. Intimidation. Reverence. Incredible. Those are the words that would best depict the progression of thoughts as Midyear weekend unfolded. As honored as I was for the chance to represent my school and organization, I was extremely nervous the day b
MWU's CCOP Receives AACP Student Community Engaged Service Award
Midwestern University’s Chicago College of Pharmacy will receive the 2009-10 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Student Community Engaged Service Award for developing an outstanding diabetes education program.
The Champions Program
There is a new campaign underway within ICHP to help the organization improve the quality of services it offers to its members and to help those that are not members learn about what the organization has to offer them. We are looking for a “Championâ€
Time Is Money with the Illinois Primary
February 2, 2010 is the Illinois General Primary Election in which all of the 118 State Representatives and 21 of the 59 Illinois State Senators are up for election in 2010. In addition, all of Illinois’ constitutional officers (Governor, Lieutenant Gov
Updating ICHP's Strategic Plan
President Karpinski has provided a comprehensive summary of the 2009 ICHP Leadership Retreat held at Allerton Conference Center outside Monticello, Illinois. For those of you who have never visited the conference center, it is a pleasant surprise to find
Very Important Things You Need to Know to Begin 2010
The new year is upon us, and there are a few very important things you need to know or remember as you spring from the starting blocks. First of all, 2010 is an even numbered year which, besides being obvious, means it is licensure and registration renewa
You Know You’re a Pharmacy Tech When
I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday and continues to have a productive New Year. I had a little help with this month’s article from my co-workers, and inspiration from comedian Jeff Foxworthy. This article was not meant to make fun of anyone, b
Volume 35 No. 10_2009
Volume 35 No. 9_2009
A Reflection on the ICHP Annual Meeting
This fall I was given the opportunity to attend my first ICHP fall meeting. As the current ICHP Board Representative for CSI, I was very excited to see how a typical state meeting in Illinois is organized and planned for the wide variety of attendees, inc
A Sign From Above
I’m a true believer in signs and fate. Sometimes things are just meant to be. Recently I’ve had such a sign. Let me tell you my story. Some of you may know where I’m going with this.
Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) Comes Alive!
There’s a band I enjoy listening to both on my iPod and in person. Their name is Cowboy Mouth. They’re not a headliner, platinum record type group but one that plays smaller venues like the House of Blues, a lot of University campuses, and local festi
Hey YOU!! Yeah, YOU
We’ve all been hearing the cliché since we started pharmacy school: “In pharmacy, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.†I can attest to that fact. All of my employment opportunities in pharmacy, including a residency, I found out about as
ICHP Annual Meeting: More Than Residency Information
Not having attended many professional meetings, I decided to go to the ICHP Annual Meeting this year expecting nothing more than a few informational lectures and a glimpse of the residency showcase. However, I experienced something quite different. Althou
ICHP Board of Directors Profile: Jered Bauer, Director of Government Affairs
Where did you go to pharmacy school?
I graduated from the St. Louis College of Pharmacy (StLCOP) in 1999 with my Pharm.D. StLCOP is a private pharmacy school located within the Barnes-Jewish and Washington University Medical Campus. They have a beautif
Inaugural Address
Before I begin, I would like to take a moment of silence to remember those ICHP members, friends and family we have lost this year. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.
It is with great honor and humility that I stand before you today as the 46th Pr
It’s Not Just a Trip to Tampa and Denver
If you are an ASHP member that is ready to make a difference for pharmacy practice, then it is time to make the next move up the organizational ladder. ICHP is looking for two delegates to serve as delegates to the ASHP House of Delegates in 2010 (June 6-
Lipid Emulsions
Background
Lipid emulsions (e.g. Intralipid®, Liposyn II®) are products used to provide caloric and fatty acid supplementation in patients requiring total parenteral nutrition. Emerging animal research and a few recent anecdotal human case reports have
Make it Automatic!
In case you haven’t noticed or figured it out, this regular ICHP Pharmacy Action Fund column consistently asks you and your colleagues for contributions. Often we tell you how we use the money many of you provide. Other times we tell you why you should
Medication Reconciliation: The Journey to the Goal
Last February, a sigh of relief was heard throughout our nation’s hospitals when The Joint Commission (TJC) announced it would not issue Requirement for Improvement (RFI) citations in 2009 for non-compliance with the Medication Reconciliation National P
SSHP 2009-2010 Executive Board
My name is Dennis LaChance. I am the SSHP Chapter President and a 3rd Year Professional student at SIUE. My interests in clinical pharmacy include critical care/nutrition support, infectious disease, pediatric/neonatology, and solid organ transplantation.
The Community to Hospital Transition
After working in a busy community pharmacy for two years, I thought I had seen everything in the business. I dealt with insurance companies, public aid, and prior authorizations, and was part of a 950-plus prescription day. Thus, I thought it was time to
The New Rules - Another Disappointment from Illinois Government!
The new pharmacy practice act draft rules were published for the first time on September 25, 2009, and the clock began ticking. Unfortunately, the draft was not the draft that all of pharmacy, medicine, nursing, PhRMA, and Hospital Association had all agr
We Captured More Than A Moment in Time!
“Process and Frame†was the tag line for the ICHP 2009 Annual Meeting - in keeping with the presidential theme of photography for the year. Though a photograph only captures a moment in time, this meeting provided several memorable moments ones th
Volume 35 No. 8_2009
Volume 35 No. 7_2009
Volume 35 No. 6_2009
Volume 35 No. 2_2009
Volume 29 No. 10_2003
Volume 29 No. 9_2003
Volume 29 No. 7_2003
Volume 29 No. 5_2003
Volume 29 No. 4_2003
Volume 29 No. 3_2003
Volume 29 No. 2_2003
Volume 29 No. 1_2003
2010... A Pharmaceutical Odyssey, But Where is Pharmacy?
In a 50-page report titled "Pharma 2010: The Threshold of Innovation," a team of pharmaceutical and life sciences specialists from IBM Business Consulting Services propose that the pharmaceutical industry can return to, and even exceed, the golden days of
ASHP Announces Launch of Public Relations Partners
At the semi-annual meeting of the ASHP Public Relations Action Network on December 10th during the Midyear Clinical Meeting in Atlanta, Ellen Wilcox, Director of ASHP's Public Relations Division described a new initiative to increase public awareness of t
Dental Insurance, you can live without it but...
How many of you pay for your dental insurance? Probably most of you pay at least a portion of the premium if your employer offers it.
ICHP Member Honored
Sister Mary Louise Degenhart, MBA, Executive Director of ASC Health in St. Louis, was named an honorary member of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists during the opening session of the 37th Annual Midyear Clinical Meeting in Atlanta on Decemb
Our Trip to Atlanta
This past December I had the wonderful opportunity of traveling to Atlanta with some other UIC students to attend the ASHP Midyear Meeting.
Time's Up
Standing in front of my ICHP peers and being inaugurated as an ICHP officer was a very exciting day for me at the ICHP annual meeting in October.