INNOVATIVE PRACTICE FORM

Name : JoAnn Anderson R.Ph.

Address : Group Health of Puget Sound
Central Medical Center South
125 16th Avenue East
Seattle, Washington 98112

Phone # : (206) 326 - 2115

FAX # : (206) 326 - 3624

E-mail/Information service: None.

Briefly describe innovation :

Group Health of Puget Sound is a health maintenance organization (HMO) consisting of a physician's office and a satellite pharmacy. The sole purpose of the satellite pharmacy is patient counseling and pharmaceutical care. Patients, after their office visit, bring their prescriptions to the satellite pharmacy. JoAnn Anderson is responsible for counseling the patients, on their medications, as well as, checking for interactions and determining the appropriateness of the therapy. The prescription is then entered into the computer and sent to another pharmacy. The patient must travel to the other pharmacy to pick up his/her medication, which is dispensed by a pharmacy technician. JoAnn Anderson finds that the private counseling sessions, with the patient, not only decrease pharmacy and other related health care costs, but also help patients take a more active role in their therapy. Patients, realizing the importance and benefits associated with their medications will have an increased rate of adherence, with their drug therapy regimens. The pharmacist and the physician are in close contact at all times and frequent consultation occurs, between them, to ensure that the patient receives the best therapy possible. This program has an extensive follow-up system that allows pharmacists to check on their patients' status and ensure medication is being used correctly. This is a model pharmacy of the future, that not only benefits the patient, but the entire health care system, as well.

Method of Reimbursement :

Payor(s): Group Health of Puget Sound

The HMO covers both physicians visits and medications, therefore they pay for this service, in the hopes that it will lower costs for the organization.

Reimbursement rate: Non-Applicable

Is documentation required? Yes. The pharmacy has a computer software program that contains all documentation of patient counseling, interventions and follow- ups.

Specialized training required? No

Software/instrumentation required? Yes.

The software is a specialized program consisting of normal pharmacy software, that checks for interactions and therapy appropriateness, as well as an extensive database of patient records, including physician diagnosis, physician comments, etc. This program also allows for documentation, intervention information and extensive follow-up resources.

Interviewed by: Stacy McLeod