Question for those older RPHs.. do you guys have hand pain from opening rx safety caps? any advices on opening those safety caps without causing any more damage to my hand? also any cap opener you guys use? I brought the one on amazon but it is not working well. Please help and thanks.
Carpal Tunnel syndrome from open cvs rx caps...
- Thread starter jack_hen
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If I can see the imprint through the vial, I dont open the cap. I have tendinitis and I'm only 30.
Cvs has zero tolerance policy on opening every vial and pouring it out on tray to verify then pouring it back in. Senior techs love to snitch on rph so be careful if you decide to cut corners and not do it. Even suppose to on rebills.
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I found that pushing down using body weight on the bottle cap while the amber vial is on the counter helps me.
80% push, 20% twist
I experienced my first wrist pain sometime last year, and it scared me to death.
Ever since I changed my tactic, I've been pain free.
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I developed tennis elbow, wrist pain, and had knee problems at one point in my mid 20's. I think it was cause i was working a lot of consecutive days. I recommend everyone take your days off and take vacations. Chasing the money is nice, but don't be cheap and invest in your health, physical and mental.
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Just palm it off. I can open with one hand if I want to...(been doing this too long)...rip off manufacturer safety caps with my bare hands too (aka "Chuck Norris"). Hands have yet to fail me 13 years deep in pharmacy (other than frequent paper cuts); I am an ambidexter though.
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You realize you can be terminated for not using the VVT right?
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He may not work for CVS.
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I assumed based on the title, my bad.
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I’ve worked with one RPh who trained her techs to put an easy off cap on everything. Upon verification, she would replace the cap with child-proof if required. It kept her from having to constantly be taking off the child-proof. I guess it worked for her. Not being used to it, it drove me nuts when I floated there.
I used to work for Rite aid for years. Never had to open vial but cvs policy requires us to use blue tray to check the product require so we must open the vials. Only been a year and I have all these pains. 🙁
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I feel ya but to be fair I have caught many broken pills since using the tray. But it seems dumb to use it for C2s which we fill ourselves and things like #4 ergocalciferol.
OMG!! your method really work!!! So my DM moved me out from my home store and to a hell store, so I kinda give up on QT too. so it really helped a lot with less typing too. Thank you so much your advice!
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I'm glad it helps!
We're in this career for the long haul, so find every small way to take care of your body.
Other neglected body parts that take damage:
1. Neck (if you're tall and look down, keep your neck in line with the spine - use your eyes to look down)
2. Traps (long periods of time on the phone - alternate which ear you use or invest in bluetooth)
3. Chest (puff out your chest a little to prevent rounded shoulders and upper back)
4. Lower back (standing for long periods of time without the right shoes - invest in good soles)
5. Postural muscles (lack of core activation will cause everything else to fall apart)
As my pharmacy grows, I am more confined to the verifying station and get to move around a lot less. Strategic rest and taking care of the body ensures I will still be a champion in 10+ years.
