OctariusRx, LLC

08/26/2025

Medication Safety Quiz 2025

The 2025 version of the OctariusRx medication safety quiz is about to be released. How are you assessing your staff? Use our tool to help enhance patient safety and satisfy the regulatory requirement.

https://octariusrx.com/medication-safety-quiz-2025/

Take the medication safety quiz to test your knowledge.

08/04/2025

Anesthesiologist stealing drugs

A federal jury in Oklahoma City found an anesthesiologist guilty on 18 counts of obtaining a controlled substance by deceit or subterfuge.

The anesthesiologist took advantage of his role to divert controlled substances, including fentanyl, ketamine, Dilaudid, and midazolam. The anesthesiologist in this case was faced with a maximum sentence of 72 years in federal prison. What steps is your facility taking to help protect patients and minimize the risk of diversion?

In this week’s client newsletter, we discuss the most common points of diversion, the negative impact diversion can have on patients and the facility, as well as ways to help minimize the risk of diversion.

https://octariusrx.com/anesthesiologist-stealing-drugs/

Anesthesiologist stealing drugs This week we discuss how diversion can harm patients and steps you can take to minimize your risk.

07/21/2025

Preview the New Medications of 2025

Because the medication reconciliation process is so critical to patient safety, each year we provide our clients with a reference tool of the newest medications on the market. The 2025 list is now available. Let us help you enhance patient safety.

https://octariusrx.com/preview-the-new-medications-of-2025/

This week we take a look at the new medications of 2025. These are the newest medications approved by the FDA so far this year.

07/07/2025

Drug Shortages Update: July 2025

This week we are once again providing an update on the most recent drug shortages.

Drug shortages are just below 90 different medications, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noting 88 products as being unavailable. Some of these shortages are short term, or limited availability, while others are completely unavailable with unknown release dates.

As noted above, the current list stands at 88 products, which is down two from our last update in April. In this week’s client newsletter, we have two separate lists of medications in short supply. The first list covers the most commonly used medications in ambulatory surgery centers, while the second addresses medications commonly used long-term care facilities.

In addition to the two lists of unavailable medications, we are also providing a link to Ten Steps to Dealing with Drug Shortages.

If you’re not a client and would like to benefit from all the resources and updates we provide, contact us today.

This week we discuss the most recent drug shortages, currently just under 90 different medications, and how you can minimize impact on patient care.

07/03/2025

Happy Independence Day!

With liberty and justice for all!

From all of us at OctariusRx, Happy Independence Day!
On this day, we celebrate the freedom and sacrifices that built this great nation.

Here’s to the stars and stripes!

“I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”—Patrick Henry

https://octariusrx.com/happy-independence-day-3/

Happy Independence Day! Join the OctariusRx team as we celebrate America's independence.

06/23/2025

How we saved our client $23,000 in five minutes

Would you like to make or save a lot of money in a short period of time? Sounds like a trick question, right? We’ve often heard that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. In this case, we helped a client save $23,000. All it took was reviewing our benchmarking studies, a three-minute conversation and an email. Read on to learn how...

https://octariusrx.com/how-we-saved-our-client-23000-in-five-minutes/

How we saved our client $23,000 in five minutes. This week we discuss how to use our benchmarking studies to save thousands of dollars.

06/02/2025

June is National Safety Month

June is National Safety Month and at OctariusRx we recognize and support the National Safety Council’s efforts to build and advocate for a culture of safety. Have you assessed your risks? Do you have a plan in place to mitigate those risks? Let’s look at some of the most common risks and how we can help.

https://octariusrx.com/june-is-national-safety-month-3-2/

June is National Safety Month. Let the OctariusRx team of consultant pharmacists help you enhance patient and staff safety.

05/27/2025

Our 2025 nursing calculations quiz is now available.

In the coming weeks, our clients can assess and enhance their calculations skills by using our new quiz. Are you an expert at performing medication calculations or do you need practice? Take the quiz and find out!

https://octariusrx.com/our-2025-medication-calculations-quiz/

Our 2025 Medication Calculations Quiz is being released. Find out how good you are at calculations by taking the quiz.

05/12/2025

Thank You to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association

Speaking at the ASCA 2025 Conference & Expo, April 30–May 3, in Denver Colorado was a great time.

A special thank you Gina Throneberry, Director of Clinical and Educational Affairs for the invitation.

My presentation focused on safe medication management through complete pharmacy documentation. I discussed the most common survey issues and provided practical tips for improving patient safety and survey success. Some of the topics I focused on included regulatory requirements/standards, policy development, the most often cited standards, allergy documentation, medication reconciliation, safe injection practices, confused drug names, high-alert medications and how to minimize the risk of drug diversions through proper documentation.

The most rewarding part of the conference was seeing old friends who traveled from many states to see me and meeting new ones. Continuing education is important as our field is always changing and best practices evolve. It was inspiring to learn from other speakers, each expert in their own area.

Congratulations to the Association for a great conference and offering their members exceptional educational opportunities.

https://octariusrx.com/thank-you-to-the-ambulatory-surgery-center-association/

Thank You to the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association for the invitation to speak at the 2025 Conference & Expo in Denver.

05/05/2025

Happy National Nurses Week!

Happy National Nurses Week to all our nursing colleagues, clients, friends, and family.

National Nurses Week is from May 6th through May 12th, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. As usual, the OctariusRx team is taking time to recognize and celebrate all the contributions and sacrifices nurses make daily.

Cheers to all nurses! Thank you for dedicating your life to helping others. May all the care and kindness you give to others come back to warm your heart. THANK YOU for what you do!

https://octariusrx.com/happy-national-nurses-week-5/

Happy National Nurses Week! Join the OctariusRx team as we celebrate our nursing colleagues and friends.

05/01/2025

It’s go time! Very excited to be in Denver for the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association’s Annual Conference! So many amazing speakers, clients, and friends are here. A great way to start the month of May. If you’re attending, come say hello. I will be presenting at 3:45pm and hope to see you here.

04/14/2025

Drug Shortages Update: April 2025

Drug shortages are just below 100 different medications, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noting 90 products as being unavailable. Some of these shortages are short term, or limited availability, while others are completely unavailable with unknown release dates.

As noted above, the current list stands at 90 products, which is down eight from our last update in January. In this week’s client newsletter, we have two separate lists of medications in short supply. The first list covers the most commonly used medications in ambulatory surgery centers, while the second addresses medications commonly used long-term care facilities.

In addition to the two lists of unavailable medications, we are also providing a link to Ten Steps to Dealing with Drug Shortages.

If you’re not a client and would like to benefit from all the resources and updates we provide, contact us today.

https://octariusrx.com/drug-shortages-update-april-2025/

This week we discuss the most recent drug shortages, currently just under 100 different medications, and how you can minimize impact on patient care.