Clinical Pharmacy Forum
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
08:30 AM–10:00 AM
Abstract
Service or Program:
Intermountain Healthcare merged with a large health system, resulting in Intermountain Health growing to 60,000 caregivers across 7 states. Policies and procedures related to collaborative practice agreements (CPAs) differed across sites. Medication policy and compliance experts created and implemented a standardized process for developing and maintaining existing CPAs to improve quality, maintain compliance with varying state laws, and provide clear expectations.
Justification/Documentation:
Enterprise-wide implementation of a standardized policy and procedure for CPAs was assigned by pharmacy leadership. A workgroup conducted a gap analysis to evaluate varying CPA processes and review supplementary materials. The work group created a new policy blending both organizations' processes into one policy and procedure document. This harmonized policy was applicable to adult and pediatric and outpatient and inpatient practice sites. The new policy is flexible and inclusive of all areas where CPAs are used to deliver patient care.
A significant portion of the work included a review of collaborative practice-related laws in the 7 states where Intermountain is currently located. Due to varying state laws, a procedural table was incorporated into the harmonized policy that listed out requirements for pharmacists and providers, in addition to record-keeping requirements. Language in the policy was intentionally broad to apply to all current and possible future states.
Supplemental materials were revised or created, including a CPA Request Form, a CPA Protocol Manual Template, a CPA Development Checklist, and a CPA Frequently Asked Questions and Workflow. These documents complied with various state laws and set up standard expectations for all pharmacy caregivers.
Adaptability:
Health systems may benefit from a standardized approach to creating and maintaining CPAs.
Significance:
A flexible policy and procedure that is applicable to all areas of pharmacy and is compliant with multiple state laws helps to optimize and standardize patient care delivery.
Presenting Author
Sarah Yost PharmD, BCPS, BCACPIntermountain Healthcare
Authors
Meryl Biksacky PharmD
Intermountain Healthcare
Linda Iriye PharmD
Intermountain Health
Elizabeth Sebranek PharmD, BCPS, BCGP
Intermountain Health
Kathryn Simpson PharmD, MBA
Intermountain Health