Learn how LTC facilities can prepare for the new year with pharmacy audits, medication reviews, and improved workflows.

As 2025 comes to a close, long-term care facilities have an opportunity to pause, reflect, and prepare for a successful year ahead. A thorough year-end review ensures compliance, efficiency, and improved resident care heading into 2026.

At Skilled Care Pharmacy, we work hand-in-hand with LTC teams to identify areas of improvement, streamline operations, and strengthen communication before the new year begins.

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Medication Audit

Year-end is the perfect time to review medication inventory, verify expiration dates, and ensure that discontinued medications are properly removed from stock.
Pharmacists can also help identify prescribing trends or patterns that may need to be revisited for safety or cost-effectiveness.

A pharmacy-led audit can:

• Identify redundant therapies.
  
  
• Ensure proper storage compliance.
  
  
• Highlight opportunities to consolidate medication orders and reduce waste.
  
  

2. Review and Update Policies

Policies and procedures evolve throughout the year. Reviewing them ensures that everyone is aligned with the most current clinical and regulatory standards.
Key areas to review include:

• Controlled substance documentation.
  
  
• Medication administration protocols.
  
  
• Communication workflows between pharmacy and nursing staff.
  
  

Skilled Care’s consultants can help facilities compare internal policies against best practices in long-term care.

3. Plan Staff Training for the New Year

Ongoing education improves confidence and care quality. Set training priorities early, focusing on:

• Medication safety and adverse event reporting.
  
  
• New technology tools such as digital MAR systems.
  
  
• Emergency response planning for pharmacy-related incidents.
  
  

By scheduling these sessions in advance, facilities can ensure strong compliance and staff engagement from day one of 2026.

4. Evaluate Pharmacy Performance

A year-end review is also an excellent time to assess your pharmacy partnership.
Ask:

• Are turnaround times meeting expectations?
  
  
• Are medication errors decreasing?
  
  
• Is the communication process efficient and consistent?
  
  

Regular feedback allows Skilled Care Pharmacy to fine-tune services and continue providing the reliability and precision you count on.

5. Celebrate the Wins

Lastly, take time to celebrate your staff. The past year’s dedication, long hours, and compassion deserve recognition. Highlight individual contributions and reinforce your facility’s shared mission—because every success, large or small, supports resident well-being.

In Summary:
Preparing for 2026 is about reflection, readiness, and renewal. With a pharmacy partner like Skilled Care, your facility can step into the new year equipped for excellence—ensuring every process, protocol, and prescription supports better outcomes