Hospice Pharmacia Experiencing Increased Demand for Pharmaceutical Care Services in the Inpatient Unit Setting
Posted on: Monday, 11 September 2006, 09:01 CDT
Hospice Pharmacia (HP), a service of excelleRx, Inc., has experienced an acute increase in requests for pharmaceutical care services in the inpatient unit setting. Hospice partners view HP's unique method of Prospective Medication Therapy Management (PMTM) as the new standard of quality in this evolving segment of hospice care.
Hospice Pharmacia's model for medication management services in a hospice inpatient unit (IPU) supports the Food and Drug Administration mandate for safer and higher quality medication use. These services include electronic medication tracking for increased safety, electronic Medication Administration Records (MARs) that are updated real-time, and pharmacist collaboration with the care plan team in selection of appropriate medications. By integrating an on-site automated dispensing system with these services, Hospice Pharmacia helps ensure medications and supplies are secure, organized, tracked and ready for use.
Hospice Pharmacia services over 400 inpatient unit beds in 14 states. Recent inpatient units that have partnered with HP are Hospice of the Piedmont, Hospice of Charleston, Hospice of Volusia Flagler and Hospice of Cincinnati. HP is starting at least one new inpatient unit each month in 2006. "We are excited to work with Hospice Pharmacia and feel that its Inpatient Unit Services will allow us to effectively meet the needs of our palliative care patients," said Beth Fleming, RN, of Hospice of Charleston. "Working with highly trained pharmacists brings tremendous strength to our team and allows us to provide the best patient care available. Hospice of Charleston IPU will benefit from the 24 hour, 7 day-a-week, availability of the specially trained pharmacy staff that Hospice Pharmacia provides," stated Fleming.
"Hospice Pharmacia is passionate about assuring patient safety through the appropriate use of medication," explains excelleRx, Inc. Chairman and CEO, Calvin H. Knowlton, RPh, MDiv, PhD. "Our process calls for collaboration among pharmacists, hospice nurses and medical staff to provide a thorough assessment of each patient, resulting in a medication care plan that effectively and appropriately manages his or her symptoms."
Hospice Pharmacia currently provides comprehensive pharmaceutical care services to more than 700 hospices nation-wide. The number of hospices that have existing IPUs or are planning IPUs has grown exponentially in the last several years. Many hospices view the inpatient setting as a necessary component of hospice, both to ensure a smooth transition from the hospital to homecare and to provide homecare patients with a higher level of care during their stay on hospice.
About excelleRx
Established in 1996, excelleRx, an Omnicare company, provides pharmaceutical consultation and medication distribution services for hospice, chronic pain and organ transplant patients throughout the United States. By combining proprietary technology and clinical experience, excelleRx ensures optimal and appropriate use of medication and thereby enhances quality of life. excelleRx serves approximately 30% of the national hospice market. For more information, please visit the excelleRx web site at www.excelleRx.com.
About Hospice of Charleston
Hospice of Charleston (www.hospiceofcharleston.org) was incorporated in March 1980. The agency served its first hospice patient in 1981. And since then, we have become a community leader in end-of-life care. Our highly skilled, professional staff provides quality medical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their families. An interdisciplinary team of nurses, home health aides, social workers, chaplains and trained volunteers all work together under the direction of the patient's physician. A nurse is available 24 hours a day to respond to emergency concerns and questions.
Source: Business Wire
Related Articles
- InnovationRx Launches First-of-Its-Kind, Comprehensive Patient-Centric Medication Adherence Service
- Complete Care Medical Announces New Patient Acquisition Campaign Funded By Company Profits
- Complete Care Medical (OTCPK: CCMI) Switches to Medical Billing Institute, LLC to Handle Collections and Patient Billing
- Complete Care Medical, Inc. Markets to Over 1,000,000 Potential Patients Through Fulfillment Agreement With Medication Brokers, Inc.
- Complete Care Medical Acquires National Mail Order Company's 14,000 Patient Customer Base
- Complete Care Medical, Inc., Announces Agreement Between Diabetes Gold, Inc. And Patient Advocates for Prescription Drugs, Inc.
- Complete Care Medical, Inc., Announces Accord Between Carepharm LLC and Patient Advocates for Prescription Drugs, Inc.; Agreement Expected to Immediately Increase Carepharm's Mail Order Pharmacy Business
- Complete Care Medical, Inc., Announces Accord Between Carepharm LLC and Patient Advocates for Prescription Drugs, Inc.
- Complete Care Medical, Inc. Enters Agreement With LifeGuard Benefit Services, Inc.
- Complete Care Medical, Inc. Announces Acquisition of Diabetes Service Company
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds