INNOVATIVE PRACTICE FORM

Name: Jim Cusick

Address: Marlton Pharmacy, 6 East Main Street, Marlton, NJ 08053

Phone #: 609-983-0291

FAX #: 609-983-0226

E-mail/Information service: N/A

Briefly describe innovation

This is an office based pharmacy. It resembles a doctor's office, more than the traditional pharmacy. There is a weighing area, an area supplied with doctor's medical equipment, and a six by four area filled with over-the-counter medications. The counter where the filling of the medications and some counseling takes place is "U" shaped with partitions dividing the counter into more private areas more suited for counseling. In the middle of the counter is an island where the prescriptions are filled. The patient will drop off the prescription at one end of the counter, while counseling is done in the partitioned areas of the counter. The technicians fill and process the prescriptions while the pharmacist checks the prescriptions and counsels the patients.
There is a cubical area designated for glucose monitoring, blood pressure screening, and also serves for a more private area for counseling when needed. There is also a private room where patients are fitted with orthotic equipment.
Follow up telephone calls are made in the following situations: the pharmacy was extremely busy and counseling might not have been as effective, elderly patients who may need additional instructions, for antibiotic prescriptions, and calls are made two days after the prescription is filled for patients with a more strict treatment regimen.

The pharmacy does fill nursing home and assisted care prescriptions; these are filled unit dose and is done in a separate room apart from the main pharmacy. Two pharmacists are employed: one works in the retail setting while the other works in the nursing home/assisted care division. Eight pharmacy students are employed, two of which are there at any given time.

Method of Reimbursement

Payor(s): There is no reimbursement; however, patients are willing to pay for service. In the future as the number of adverse reactions and the like goes down, reimbursement from insurance companies, etc., is expected.

Specialized training required? yes. An employee of the pharmacy has been certified in orthotics, and she fits all patients with orthotic equipment.

Software/instrumentation required? HBS, Health Business Systems, is the program used in the retail pharmacy. BSI, Business Systems Inc. is used in the nursing home/assisted care division.

Interviewed by: Jada Branch