Key Takeaways
- Memorial Healthcare System launched a medication management initiative to improve adherence for patients with diabetes.
- The program identifies at-risk patients using data from DrFirst, aiming for early intervention to enhance health outcomes.
- Plans to expand the initiative to manage other chronic conditions like hypertension and COPD are underway.
Initiative Launches in Florida and Virginia
Memorial Healthcare System has initiated a comprehensive medication management program specifically targeting diabetes patients. This new initiative utilizes prescription fill data provided by DrFirst to identify patients at risk of non-adherence and polypharmacy—issues that significantly impact healthcare outcomes.
Medication non-adherence is a critical concern in the U.S., causing approximately 125,000 annual deaths and accounting for up to $300 billion in avoidable healthcare costs. Patients often encounter various barriers to medication adherence, such as high costs and complex medication regimens. By addressing these obstacles, Memorial aims to enhance patient engagement and advance their health outcomes.
The program will reach over 1,100 diabetes patients and leverage DrFirst’s population health management solution. Pharmacy care teams will engage these patients through telehealth and digital tools, ensuring timely clinical interventions to foster better adherence. DrFirst’s long-standing partnership with Memorial, lasting nearly a decade, has established a foundation of trust and efficacy in managing medication histories, which is vital for informed prescribing decisions.
Dovena Lazaridis, PharmD, Director of Ambulatory and Population Health Pharmacy Services, expressed that this proactive approach allows for early identification of adherence barriers. By improving access and optimizing therapy, the initiative aims to prevent complications that often lead to hospitalizations, thereby enhancing care quality while minimizing unnecessary costs.
Memorial Healthcare is now integrating DrFirst’s population health tool into its Epic electronic health record system, simplifying access to real-time prescription data. This advancement is expected to streamline clinical workflows and inform decision-making effectively.
DrFirst CEO Laizer Kornwasser emphasized the importance of timely intervention in adherence programs. Identifying patients who may struggle with their medications enables healthcare providers to shift from reactive to proactive care strategies, enhancing overall patient outcomes.
Additionally, the healthcare system has plans to broaden its Population Health Pharmacy initiatives to include the management of other chronic conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Memorial Healthcare System, with a workforce of around 17,000 and a commitment to quality care, focuses on removing barriers and ensuring equitable access to health services for its community. This new initiative represents a significant step towards achieving those goals.
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