Third Quarter Updates
Welcome to our third quarter newsletter! We hope you’re finding value in our quarterly newsletters!
In this edition, we share news about our exciting expansion into Canada, introduce Bruce Smith, and share some ideas to support memory care with your residents.
What would you like to see in our future newsletters? Let us know here!
A Patient Needs This Med… STAT!
The term “STAT” is very familiar in our industry, as it’s the official term for urgent prescriptions. The word ‘STAT’ comes from the Latin word “STATim” which translates to “immediately” and it means that the order should be prioritized first as it is needed urgently. A STAT medication order should generally be administered within 30 minutes of it being ordered.
The word “STAT” takes less time to say than “right now”. It’s shorter, only one syllable, and in urgent and life-threatening circumstances, communication needs to happen extremely quickly.
In the medical world, “STAT” became known as a need for urgency and can’t be misunderstood when compared to terms like “hurry” or “do it now”. In situations when “STAT” is required, it’s very important to convey the message as quickly as possible without any doubt.
Phoenix Canada Update
Since we announced in early 2023 that the full line of medication carts and products are directly available in Canada, the long-term care market has embraced the Phoenix LTC product line from the Maritimes Province and all across the country.
Phoenix is pleased to announce that our full line of medication carts is now available directly to purchase from the Phoenix Canadian group. Phoenix entered the Canadian market in the first quarter of 2023, and we have set up product warehousing to support both medication cart inventory and parts support.
Bruce Smith has been hired as the VP of Sales for the Phoenix Canadian organization. Bruce has extensive background in the long-term care and acute care markets for both pharmacy automation and pharmacy logistics. From Bruce, “the goal of the Phoenix organization is to make it easy for our customers and clients to do business with a medication cart manufacturer, providing high quality medication carts, quick order turnaround and reliability, and a new standard in warranty support.
Check out Our Easy-To-View Catalog
Phoenix Canada offers a full line of medication products to include punch card, Dispill, and pouch packaging carts. The cart offering also includes a wide variety of capacities and finishes (like painted or woodgrain furniture finish carts). The medication carts come with a full accessories package incorporating waste bins, divider systems in each drawer, both braking and tracking casters, laptop-ready systems, 5-inch casters, narcotic box systems, 3 keys for both the carts and narcotics, and pull-out shelf – all come standard on our medication carts.
Finally, Phoenix offers a 5-year full bumper-to-bumper warranty on all carts and accessories, and also a cart restore and restoration program that ensures your investment stays in good working order beyond the usual 5- to 7-year life cycle.
We added a new section to our website dedicated to the Canadian LTC medication carts market where you can read about Phoenix Canada, browse our special catalog for customers in Canada, and learn more about our carts and products specifically designed for the Canadian market. Please contact SalesCanada@PhoenixLTC.com – Your cart is ready for delivery.
Memory Games Your Residents Want To Play
It’s vitally important for residents in long-term care to stay physically (to the extent possible) and mentally active. Activities that focus on memory care are some of the most valuable actions long-term care facilities offer. In this article, we take a look at some memory games residents truly enjoy and want to play!
Crosswords
Searching through memory and connections are what make crossword puzzles a great activity that works the brain. Every single across and down clue helps patients work their memory and recall. There are so many different themes of crosswords to choose from – word definitions, pop culture, music, history, and so much more – both physical crossword booklets and digital apps offer an endless supply of puzzles to let your residents have fun while challenging them. Is there anything more satisfying than filling out those blank boxes? Doing so not only builds self-esteem… it encourages interaction and engagement when residents ask others for their opinions about what the words to fill out the crossword puzzle might be.
Trivia
Similar to crosswords, trivia demands memory recall. Physical games like Trivial Pursuit can be a fun group activity, residents watching the TV show Jeopardy can shout out answers, and there are digital apps aplenty that focus on trivia in all sorts of categories. Exercising memory recall is a wonderful way to keep your residents’ brain active!
Chess
Chess can be played on a phone or computer, or with a friend. A game of strategy, it also uses memory recall and planning because remembering the opponent’s previous moves and looking ahead are necessary. Computer chess games offer the ability to change the difficulty mode, working your residents’ brain.
Mahjong
Mahjong can enhance short-term memory, much like jigsaw and Sudoku puzzles. Online play allows residents to increase or decrease the difficulty of the puzzle. This numbers game is loved by young and old alike. Available as both physical puzzles on paper and digital versions, this brain-enhancing game is customizable based on ability.
Jigsaw Puzzles
Jigsaw puzzles are great for memory care, as they cause the puzzle solver to recall small details, such as where they saw colors, details of buildings or structures, and other pieces of graphics in the puzzle so they can successfully complete the picture. Another added benefit is applying puzzle glue to solved puzzles and using them as wall art!
Concentration
This game can be played in a few different ways. While there is a game with different pictures, concentration can be played with a simple deck of cards. You can also find online versions of this game. The idea is to find two items or cards that match, then to set them aside, removing them from the game. If a match isn’t found, the cards or pictures are placed face down and still in play. Using a timer adds additional difficulty to the game.
Sudoku
Sudoku is based on numbers, and as opposed to crosswords, may offer easier solving. Only using zero through nine, this game may be easier for residents than puzzles that require words. Like other puzzles in this article, residents can play this game on paper or online.
Words With Friends
If your residents are Scrabble fans, they might also enjoy Words With Friends. This game invokes memory recall of vocabulary. Boggle also does the same, challenging users to move around letters to form words with the highest score. Moving around letters to form words is a great way to exercise the brain!
We hope your residents enjoy playing these games to improve their memory, as well as participating in the engagement activities we shared in our June 2023 newsletter.
Turn It On! New StatSafe Features
Did you know that your StatSafe system has been automatically upgraded? All you need to do to benefit from the new features is turn them on!
- Order Code Request via Text or Email
- Two Step Verification
- StatCube Prefill RPh Verification
Stop by Our Both at the 2023 ASCP Annual Meeting & Exhibition
Our medication management solutions, our staff, and our 24/7/365 urgent support team are here to make your experience extraordinary, safe, and smooth
