Issue 13: The Collaborative Practice®

Spotlighting Innovation in Clinical Pharmacy and Ambulatory Care Practice

How is your clinical pharmacy practice shaping the healthcare of tomorrow? The answer lies in innovation.

This month’s Collaborative Practice takes a deep dive into the transformative role of technology, collaborative practice models, and the emerging influence of AI in clinical pharmacy. We explore how these innovations are not just changing the game but setting a new standard in healthcare delivery.

From enhancing patient interactions to leveraging AI for smarter decision-making, and optimizing the healthcare workforce, these advancements are pivotal in redefining the role of clinical pharmacists. Join us as we uncover the groundbreaking developments that are forging a more efficient, patient-centric healthcare future.

All the best –

The Team @ RxLive

Spotlight Interview:

Exploring the Frontiers of Pharmacy Innovation

RxLive’s CEO, Mark Engelen, shares his perspectives in the realm of clinical pharmacy technology and innovation, bringing a wealth of knowledge and ideas to this month’s spotlight interview. His insights into the evolving landscape of pharmacy practice, particularly in the context of AI and collaborative healthcare models, are both enlightening and inspiring.

Dive into the full interview to discover how Mark envisions the future of clinical pharmacy, navigating the complexities of patient care, technology integration, and workforce optimization.

Eager to join the dialogue and share your thoughts? We welcome your participation and insights.

Feel free to connect with us and be a part of this transformative journey in healthcare.

The case for pharmacist intervention

In this edition of The Collaborative Practice, we spotlight a particularly insightful case from a pharmacist in our network. Our aim? To showcase the critical impact of pharmacist interventions in enhancing patient care and healthcare efficiency. Here’s this month’s highlight:

Patient Case: Navigating Complex Medication Management

A recent case involved a 74-year-old male struggling with multiple health concerns, including hypercholesterolemia, allergic rhinitis, anxiety, and type 2 diabetes, yet without a history of cardiovascular events. His medication regimen raised several concerns:

  • Allergy Management: He was taking cetirizine and diphenhydramine for allergy symptoms. However, his allergy symptoms were poorly controlled, and the diphenhydramine potentially contributed to drowsiness, increasing his risk of falls.
  • Aspirin Use: He was also on low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, recent guidelines by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) advise against routine aspirin use for primary prevention in adults over 70.

Pharmacist’s Recommendations:

  • Optimizing Allergy Treatment: Consider adding fluticasone propionate nasal spray for better allergy control and contemplate discontinuing diphenhydramine to reduce drowsiness and fall risk.
  • Reevaluating Aspirin Therapy: Given the patient’s age and lack of cardiovascular history, discontinuation of aspirin was suggested.

Outcome:

Following the pharmacist’s intervention, there was a significant shift in the patient’s medication management. The recommendations for optimizing allergy treatment were adopted, leading to the discontinuation of diphenhydramine. This change aimed to reduce the patient’s drowsiness and subsequently lower his risk of falls, a crucial consideration for his age group. Additionally, the patient’s aspirin therapy was reevaluated and discontinued in alignment with current USPSTF guidelines, reflecting a more tailored approach to his cardiovascular health prevention strategy. These adjustments exemplify the impact of thoughtful medication management in enhancing patient well-being and safety.

This case highlights the invaluable role pharmacists play in optimizing medication regimens, ensuring that treatments align not only with clinical efficacy but also with patient-specific needs and the latest health guidelines.

Stories we’re following

This month’s healthcare stories reveal an evolving landscape where technological integration and personalized care are key. Walmart’s enhanced pharmacy services in diabetes management highlight the growing significance of pharmacists in chronic disease care. 

Meanwhile, Amazon’s One Medical for Prime launch showcases the tech sector’s expanding role in healthcare delivery. These developments reflect a shift towards more accessible, personalized healthcare, emphasizing the necessity for healthcare systems to continuously innovate and adapt to meet changing patient demands.

If your organization aims to elevate pharmacist involvement in ACO programs or Value-based Initiatives, we encourage you to connect with RxLive for expert guidance and solutions tailored to your needs. Get in touch with Rxlive – here!

Chandler Scoco