Implementing changes to the state operations manual.

For most consultant pharmacists, long-term care pharmacies, and nursing facilities, preparation for and implementation of the new Pharmacy Services and Unnecessary Medications guidelines in the State Operations Manual will be a multistep process. In the final guidelines released in December 2006, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services made modifications to the "Advance Copy" version of the guidelines released in September 2006. Consultant pharmacists will play a key role in helping facilities interpret the newest version of the guidelines and determine whether they need to alter their processes to maintain regulatory compliance.