We are pleased to introduce a new platform for discussion here at Renal Pharmacists Network, called QID!  For those of you who are not familiar with QID, it is a secure collaboration network for pharmacists. Our launch will take place on February 1st 2022.

To claim your profile for free in the Renal Pharmacists Network community in QID.io, please complete the following steps:

1. Go to https://app.qid.io/RPN (this is your group’s personalised landing page)
2. Enter your email and click register
3. Verify your email (if you don’t receive an email from QID shortly after you click Register, check your junk mail)
4. Complete your profile

What can you do on the RPN QID page?

• Share your experience, best practices, questions and solutions with peers and experts in a secure pharmacist-only network.
• Discuss key issues that matter to you, from clinical cases and practice operations to the latest healthcare news.
• Learn from expert-led events specific to your practice and medical interests. Leverage the collective knowledge of thousands of pharmacists to support your clinical needs.

QID is your secure and exclusive pharmacy professional-only network, with a dedicated space for renal pharmacists on the RPN page. Thousands of members from across North America use QID to access trusted communities, learning opportunities, pharmacy peers, as well as curated information related to your professional interests.

Please note that following the launch of the QID discussion platform, the discussion forum on the RPN website will be deactivated.

Sincerely,
RPN Executive Committee

With flu season here, can anyone comment on their HD unit’s policy with regards to administering IM injections, such as the flu vaccine, to HD patients on IV anticoagulation for circuit patency ie. does your unit allow IM vaccinations immediately post-HD or only pre-HD?  This would be specifically for patients on LMWH (tinzaparin).  As a rule we have always done our IM injections pre-HD, but I’m curious what others are doing.

Thanks,

Tracy McCoy

Sault Area Hospital

Cheers,

Matthew

At Grand River Hospital Kitchener I believe we use:  magnesium powder vials made by Baxter.

Hope this is useful,

Regards,

Jen Lowry

Our hemodialysis unit in Thunder Bay & satellites have been adding mag chloride spikes to some of our low mag patients’ baths for some time now. Sadly our supplier Chief Medical is suddenly unable to supply them any more. Wondering if there are other sites out there using mag spikes and where they source them from/alternative options. We’re hoping to avoid IV mag if possible.

Thanks!

Matthew

In Scarborough, many of our hemodialysis patients on warfarin for atrial fibrillation have switched over the apixaban a number of years ago. We occasionally see patients on DOAC s for DVT treatment as well.

If patients are on transplant lists they usually stay on warfarin.

Elena

Hoping to touch base with other renal programs in Ontario to share their pharmacist or technician compliments for renal program coverage.

We currently have 1.7 FTE for 164 HD (spread over 3 dialysis units), 60 PD, 335 MCKC and 189 nephrology patients (stage 1-3).

Do other sites have pharmacy technician help for BPMH completion?

What are your BPMH goals? ie done at each clinic?  or every 90 days?

Thanks in advance!

/Linda

In the past year, we have had 3 patients use it with mixed results. I think most of the literature will recommend a 25 g IV dose given three times a week for a duration of 3 months (or at least what ODB EAP will cover). I have applied for thiosulfate via NIHB (you must use the Pfizer product DIN: 02137186) with a similar dose and length of prescription.

One of the limitations is how well the patient will tolerate it … it commonly causes nausea when infused (in our experience), but can be managed it with anti-emetics.

The results we have locally are confounded since we have our patients run from three times a week to six times a week for calciphylaxis. So did the increased dialysis frequency and/or the thiosulfate improve their calciphylaxis lesions?

I’m still not convinced it really works but then again, I haven’t seen some of the miraculous results as one of our nephrologists has personally witnessed when he was in his residency.