Clinical Pharmacy Forum
Sunday, November 12, 2023
12:45 PM–02:15 PM
Abstract
Service or Program:
Chronic diseases lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Clinical pharmacist-led teams and technologies should be leveraged to improve health outcomes for patients with chronic disease states. This clinical pharmacy-driven network focuses on patient engagement and improving medication adherence in patients with chronic diseases, is currently available nationwide, and provides patient-centered care using clinical workflow and data management systems. This program was developed and delivered by clinical pharmacists to enhance patient engagement, as well as identify and resolve medication adherence concerns through combining analytics, individual case review, and pharmacist-led patient outreach with the goal of optimizing health outcomes.
Justification/Documentation:
This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational, pilot analysis of patients with recorded quantifiable measures from Central Texas over 12 months. Descriptive statistics were utilized to compare patients pre- and post-enrollment in the network. The primary objectives were to evaluate potential reductions in chronic disease control measures, medication adherence performance, and cost savings. The engagement and adherence programs were evaluated in a total of 12,158 patients. Following enrollment in the networks, improvements in uncontrolled rates of A1c and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were observed (A1c: 35% to 12%; SBP: 45% to 22%). Medication adherence increased between six to eight percentage points across three medication-related measures (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia), while 21-32% savings in healthcare expenditures per member per month were seen.
Adaptability:
Although this pilot evaluation was only conducted on patients from Central Texas, this process is available nationwide. Clinical pharmacists can engage with patients remotely and thus this program is easily adaptable to any area or patient across the country. Program success is dependent on the clinical pharmacists’ ability to proactively engage patients.
Significance:
Clinical pharmacist-driven services can be implemented and leveraged to improve chronic disease control measures and adherence, while reducing healthcare expenditures, to optimize patient care.
Presenting Author
Taylor Morrisette Pharm.D., M.P.H.
Medical University of South Carolina College of PharmacyAuthors
Jeff Bullard MD
Stellus Rx
Charles Worrall Pharm.D. Candidate
Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy
David Shirley Pharm.D.
Medical University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy