blog posts

Knowledge Center

Delve into the latest advancements, expert insights, and industry stories in the realm of intrathecal pain management and more.

My Journey to Ketamine in Chronic Pain Management

Our journey into exploring intrathecal ketamine for chronic pain began in the late 1990s, inspired by clinical curiosity. Despite toxicity concerns, low-dose infusions show promise, especially in cancer pain management. Studies highlight its efficacy, emphasizing its potential in pain relief.

The Evolving Role of Ketamine in Chronic Pain Management

Many doctors have incorporated ketamine into their treatment regimens for chronic pain, while others are exploring its benefits, either intrathecally or intravenously. Let's discuss the latter.

Setting Up an Intrathecal Practice

Starting an intrathecal pump program is a challenging journey requiring unwavering commitment and strategic planning. This article highlights key insights, emphasizing the need for desire, interdisciplinary cooperation, financial acumen, and efficient systems to navigate this complex therapy successfully.

Ensuring Quality: A Guide to Choosing Your Compounding Pharmacy

Learn how to choose a compounding pharmacy wisely; due diligence is crucial. Understand quality assurance, environmental monitoring, equipment, and procedures. Ask the right questions to ensure patient safety and practice integrity.

Environmental Monitoring: Surface Testing

Ensure the quality of your intrathecal medications with thorough surface testing for microbials. Hartley Medical exceeds industry standards by conducting daily tests, providing peace of mind for both physicians and patients. Discover how we uphold the Hartley Standard for uncompromising quality assurance.

The Importance of Fingertip Sampling in Quality Assurance

Discover the significance of fingertip sampling in ensuring the safety of intrathecal medications. Learn about its history, process, and importance in maintaining pharmaceutical integrity. At Hartley Medical, we adhere to rigorous fingertip sampling protocols to uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and patient safety.

Understanding Clonidine Hydrochloride: A Comprehensive Overview

Explore the multifaceted benefits of clonidine hydrochloride in hypertension and pain management. Learn about its analgesic properties, stability in intrathecal use, dosing considerations, solubility, and side effects. At Hartley Medical, we provide comprehensive drug reviews and information to enhance patient care. Read on to explore further!

Finding the Right Sterile Compounding Pharmacy

Ensure optimal patient care by selecting a compounding pharmacy with a robust quality assurance program. Learn about key areas to consider such as environmental monitoring, staff training, and ongoing assessment. Conduct due diligence to guarantee the highest quality sterile preparations for your intraspinal infusions.

Baclofen: A Historical Journey and Modern Applications in Spasticity Management

Explore the rich history and current uses of baclofen, a key drug in managing spasticity. Learn about its mechanism of action, research milestones, and stability in intrathecal administration. Trust Hartley Medical for expert insights and high-quality compounded medications. Contact us to learn more.

Efficacy and Patient Satisfaction: Sufentanil vs. Fentanyl in Intrathecal Pain Management

Delve into the comparative efficacy of fentanyl and sufentanil in managing chronic pain through intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS). Explore Seemann and Willis' retrospective study, uncovering insights into pain reduction, potency, and patient satisfaction. Trust Hartley Medical for expert insights and high-quality drug reviews.

Resiniferatoxin: Using Extreme "Heat" to Treat Pain

Discover the potent world of resiniferatoxin (RTX) and its origins in chili peppers. Learn how RTX, derived from the Euphorbia resinifera plant, interacts with TRPV-1 receptors to produce prolonged analgesia. Explore its extreme heat, surpassing even pure capsaicin, and its mechanism of action in relieving pain. Trust Hartley Medical's commitment to quality, utilizing advanced HPLC testing for precise quantification and ensuring the highest standards in compounded pharmaceutical preparations.

Fentanyl: Clinical and Pharmacological Profile for Spinal Analgesia

Fentanyl's high potency, rapid onset, and significant efficacy in treating chronic pain, make it a viable option for addressing complex cases. Read on to learn more.

The Importance of Endotoxin Testing in Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance

Horseshoe crabs play a vital role in endotoxin detection, showcasing the link between nature and science. At Hartley Medical, we use advanced endotoxin testing to ensure drug safety, emphasizing our commitment to high-quality pharmaceuticals.

Ensuring the Highest Standards in Compounding Pharmacies

Explore the complexities of compounding pharmacy regulation, where adherence to USP 797 guidelines varies by state, leading to quality assurance disparities. Recent tragedies underscore the necessity of surpassing minimum requirements for patient safety. Explore Hartley Medical's commitment to exceeding standards, ensuring the highest quality sterile preparations.

4 Steps to Choosing the Right Compounding Pharmacy

Learn how Hartley Medical serves as a reliable source of information and top-quality pharmaceuticals, advocating for a thorough selection process for compounding pharmacies. Explore four essential steps to ensure informed decisions and foster transparent, long-term partnerships with clients.

The Importance of Endotoxins and Bacterial Endotoxin Testing (BET), Part II

Discover the meticulous microbial contamination testing protocols at Hartley Medical, ensuring the safety and efficacy of compounded medications. With cutting-edge technologies like the PYROSKINETIX FLEX instrument, we prioritize patient care and exceed industry standards for pharmaceutical excellence.

Comparing Intrathecal Morphine and Fentanyl for Pain Management

Morphine is a standard in pain management, but fentanyl is an alternative when morphine fails. Differences in potency and distribution require cautious conversion. Consider a 1 to 25 rate for a safer transition.

Enhancing Quality Assurance with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Hartley Medical's journey to excellence in quality led to the adoption of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), revolutionizing our quality assurance program. Despite initial challenges, investing in HPLC unlocked unmatched analytical precision and research opportunities, driving continuous improvement and patient safety.

Ziconotide: Clinical Insights on Efficacy, Dosage, and Drug Interactions

Ziconotide, marketed as Prialt, offers pain relief via intraspinal administration that is outside of the familiar opiate arena. Careful dosing, drug interactions, and reimbursement considerations are vital for healthcare providers. Understanding its efficacy and safety enhances patient care in managing neuropathic pain and RSD.

The Importance of Endotoxins and Bacterial Endotoxin Testing (BET)

Endotoxins, originating from gram-negative bacterial walls, are pivotal in intrathecal drug therapy. Bacterial Endotoxin Testing (BET) ensures safety in parenteral preparations. My journey from studying endotoxins to mastering BET reflects a commitment to rigorous safety standards, optimizing outcomes in drug therapy.

Quality Assurance in Pharmaceuticals: A Vital Necessity

At Hartley Medical, our commitment to quality assurance sets us apart in the pharmaceutical industry. Unlike many pharmacies, we invest in dedicated staff and advanced instruments to ensure the purity of our compounded preparations. Quality assurance isn't optional—it's essential for patient safety.

The Importance of Rigorous Quality Assurance in Sterile Compounding

Dr. Lawrence Trissel's study underscored the importance of stringent quality assurance in pharmaceutical compounding. Inspired by his findings, Hartley Medical implements rigorous protocols, including frequent Fingertip Assessments, to ensure minimal contamination and uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.