Patient Care

Pharmacists Are Like Shortstops Behind the Counter

I remember my dad taking me to watch the Atlanta Braves play the St. Louis Cardinals. I’ll never forget the Cardinals making their arrival, because their shortstop – Ozzie Smith – took the field with a trot, a cartwheel and a backflip. If a back flipping shortstop doesn’t make your heart race, you may not be a baseball fan. Theatrics aside, shortstops are exciting because they are often defensive captains whom others take cues from, the link between the infield and outfield and the second base ghost that keeps runners honest. Similarly, pharmacists are becoming the captains of the patient healthcare team: implementing patient care plans; connecting healthcare team members, patients and family members with meaningful assessments and therapy data; keeping conditions in check and intervening when necessary.

Focusing on Patient Outcomes, Not Just Prescriptions

We often equate regulatory mandates to government overreaching that impose roadblocks, which prevent pharmacists from providing solid healthcare to patients. However, changes and goals stemming from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could actually give community pharmacies a new competitive advantage.

Tis the Season

Flu season is here, meaning it is a great time to evaluate your status as an immunization provider. Since pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare professionals, we are valued members in our communities. Expanded scope and authority have provided pharmacists the ability to impact the availability and utilization of vaccines to a patient base that may not have otherwise been immunized.

The Millennial Patient

So far, 2016 comprises a heated presidential race, the summer Olympics, the continued growth of social networks and much more. In the mix of all that consumes our news, you may have missed the passing of the torch to the Millennial generation. Millennials, defined as ages 18-34 in 2015 by the U.S. Census Bureau, have reached 75.4 million of the population and surpassed the 74.9 million Baby Boomers.

The Senior Patient

Adults 65 years of age and older may be your most unique customers. These patients play a significant role in the success of pharmacies – retail, specialty and long-term care. According to the Administration for Community Living’s report on health and healthcare, seniors are likely to have multiple chronic conditions.

Patient-Centered Care Improved with Automation

Just over 20 years ago, Carmenza Meza had a vision of how healthcare should work and benefit patients. She worked at a health clinic and knew she wanted more for patients, especially senior citizens. So, she founded Comfort Health Medical Center, and turned her vision into a reality. In the greater Miami, FL area, Comfort […]

The Cost of Healthcare Means More Patient Care

With the cost of healthcare higher than ever, the need for improved patient outcomes is also higher. The focus on patient care has always been important, promoting patient safety and overall health. Now the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and other healthcare plan providers see the need to increase patient-care services in order […]