(BUSINESS WIRE) — B. Braun Medical Inc., a leading healthcare products and services company dedicated to patient and caregiver safety, continues its mission of Sharing Expertise(TM) with medical professionals through its educational programs and seminars at industry conferences. Most recently, the company presented training on JCAHO guideline USP 797 compliance at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) summer conference in Las Vegas.
The guideline, introduced in April 2004, is the latest in the roster of policy changes for JCAHO-accredited health care facilities. To keep the integrity of compounded medication unadulterated, the new guidelines provide stringent environmental and procedural standards to maintain sterile medication and infection control.
USP 797 is a challenging guideline, but one that will be strictly enforced. That is one reason why B. Braun is helping Hospitals and Outpatient Surgery Centers meet the growing challenges of compounding and dispensing pharmaceutical solutions through its subsidiary, Central Admixture Pharmacy Services, Inc. (CAPS(R)).
“We believe that educating pharmacists about the intricacies of USP 797 is a responsibility we share with the medical community,” said Eric Steen, President of CAPS, a subsidiary of B. Braun. “CAPS is fully compliant with the new mandated USP 797 requirements for sterile compounding. By outsourcing sterile compounding processes to CAPS, hospitals or other providers can be confident that they are meeting the requirements, while conserving and best utilizing precious staff resources,” he added.
Pioneered in 1991, CAPS is a nationwide network of state-licensed, FDA-registered pharmacies that deliver high quality admixture services and solutions to a dynamic and challenging pharmacy environment. CAPS services allow hospital and outpatient surgery center pharmacies to expand services and help enhance patient care without increasing staff.
CAPS offers USP 797 compliant facilities, clean rooms, and ISO Class 5 (Class 100) compounding hoods, as well as:
— Extensive formalized written policies, procedures, training
and USP 797 compliant Quality Assurance program
— Environmental control
— Equipment calibration, routine maintenance
Media Resource Available
Eric Steen is available to discuss the implications of USP 797, the CAPS program or our role in Sharing Expertise among pharmacists and hospitals. To arrange for an interview, please contact Emily Pihlquist at 212-508-9690 or [email protected].
About B. Braun
Since 1839, B. Braun has built an unparalleled store of knowledge and expertise in delivering innovative healthcare products, medical devices and programs that enhance both patient and health-professional safety. Its over 29,000 employees worldwide are proud of their commitment to translating customer needs into products with unmatched quality, superior technology, cost-effectiveness, and environmental responsibility.
Through its “Sharing Expertise(TM)” initiative, B. Braun promotes best practices for continuous improvement of healthcare products and services. For more information about B. Braun or its safety healthcare products, call 800-854-6851, or visit B. Braun at www.bbraunusa.com.
SOURCE: B. Braun Medical
CONTACT: Makovsky & Co.
Emily Pihlquist, 212-508-9690