INNOVATIVE PRACTICE FORM

Name: Butch Mullins
Address : 7001 Crestwood Boulevard , Birmingham, AL 35210
Phone #: 205-592-9522
FAX #: N/A
E-mail/Information service: N/A

Briefly describe innovation

Mr. Mullins has been titled an innovative practitioner for two reasons: First, he redesigned the structure of his pharmacy so that a closed off area has been made available to privately counsel a database of about seventy-five patients concerning their drug therapy. Secondly, he has been certified as a specialist in the case management of diabetic and dyslipidemic patients. Currently, he monitors a twelve patient database at least once a month. Initially, he obtains a baseline reading on the patient's weight, glucose, HgA1C, and cholesterol levels. Next, he will educate and implement the patient on an appropriate diet and exercise regimen as well as facilitate any other lifestyle changes for the patient in order to achieve optimal therapeutic activity of their medications and to improve patient compliance. Furthermore, Mr. Mullins will stay in close contact with the patient's primary care physician to discuss the different readings taken from the patient and to ensure that an appropriate drug choice and dosage regimen has been prescribed. In performing this service, Mr. Mullins has published literature to be distributed to the physician, third party, drug manufacturer, and patient to specify what exactly is being done.

Method of Reimbursement

Payor(s): Mostly the patient with no third party yet. He has signed a contract with a drug manufacturing company for reimbursement when the patient has maxed out on oral hypoglycemics and the pharmacist is able to correctly direct the patient to one of the company's products.

Reimbursement rate: Set annual fee which covers routine drug monitoring and private patient sessions or the individual patient can pay a flat per hourly rate.

Is documentation required? Yes
Mr. Mullins will chart the entire monitoring session. He will document all the patients' readings onto computer and paper forms and will put them into the patient's files. Also, he will send documentation to the physician and drug manufacturers.

Specialized training required? Yes
He was certified by passing the Nationally Approved Examination for Diabetes Education. Also, he attended the APHA training seminar for dyslipidemia. Now, he is currently involved in Project Impact which is provided by Merck drug company in conjunction with the APHA.

Software/instrumentation required? Yes
He uses numerous software including: Clinical Pharmacology, Diabetes Education, Ask Rx, Dynapulse, Lipid Management Program, and Entouch for glucose and HGA1C readings.

Interviewed by: J. Bryan Walker