Innovative Practice Form

Name: Bill Corriston / Providence Community Pharmacy

Address: 1001 4th Ave. #10

Phone #: (206) 554-7746

Fax #: (206) 554-7762

Innovation: Hypertension and Immunization

The hypertension and immunization projects at Providence Community Pharmacy are being developed. The pharmacy is located in downtown Seattle as part of a primary clinic with 15 physicians. The Sisters of Providence own the two organizations. Hypertension services are offered in conjunction with the clinic. A protocol for pharmacists to follow has been developed to bring patients into service for blood pressure monitoring, life-style changes, medication information and cost, etc. The object of this service is fill medication needs, monitor and counsel patients that the physicians of the clinic recommend to the pharmacy; the plan is to start with eight or ten patients and evaluate the benefits of the service. Walk-in patients, who are not part of the clinic, are welcomed.

The immunization aspect of the pharmacy includes a protocol for a travel immunization service. The patients and their insurance companies will be billed through the clinic. The pharmacist has the prescriptive authority and offers oral and injectable immunizations.

Methods of reimbursement include billing to the patients directly, billing to third parties, and charging walk-in customers up-front. Different rates are charged for different services offered and include:

$3 service charge: This service includes BP monitoring on a one-time basis. Approximately 5 minutes is spent with the patient.

$12 service charge: This service includes a one-time BP check with brief discussion of drug history and counseling. Approximately 15 minutes is spent with the patient.

$25/month: This service includes and on-going BP monitoring as needed. Follow-up phone calls are made to monitor progress and compliance. Data is collected and studied using DynaPulse. The patient pays $10co-pay and the insurance company is billed for the balance. The clinic keeps the reimbursement and the R.Ph. is paid for his time and the prescriptions.

Immunization: The patient and insurance company are billed through the clinic. The pharmacy will receive all reimbursements.

Specialized training is not required at present; the pharmacy operates with one full-time pharmacist and a clerk. In the future, a part-time technician will be hired to handle the processing of prescriptions. The pharmacist will do all monitoring and counseling. Appointments will be set up outside busy hours.

DynaPulse is used to monitor patients enrolled in the $25/ month monitoring service. The pharmacy requires only minimal information on the patient (i.e. patient name and social security number).

Interviewed by: Courtney Brown