PHARMACIST-LED SERVICES TO PATIENTS WITH RESPIRATORY DISEASES- FEASIBLE FROM A QUALITY AND REIMBURSEMENT PERSPECTIVE?

Author(s)

Willey VJ*1;Simon S1;Akkineni S1;Reinhold JA1;Kelly BL2;Kim EA2;Willey KH2, Cawley MJ1 1University of the Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA, 2Quality Family Physicians, Hockessin, DE, USA

OBJECTIVES: Pharmacists are qualified to provide many services that are core to integrated care models.  Expanding services to diverse patient populations will increase pharmacists’ value.  This study describes the experience, preliminary outcomes and revenue model justification associated with the implementation of pharmacist-led care for patients with respiratory disorders. METHODS: Medical and billing record review was performed on patients with respiratory symptoms referred to the pharmacist from May 2011 to September 2012 within a community-based, medical home, primary care practice.  Patients referred were those with respiratory symptoms in which the physician sought objective lung function data and additional support to assist in properly diagnosing and treating the patient.  Pharmacist interventions included collection of a detailed pulmonary and medication history, spirometry, and on applicable patients, disease state education, medication care plans and device education, and smoking cessation.  Outcomes described included quality and results of spirometry testing, pharmacist recommendations, recommendations for specialist care and payment for services. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (76.5% female; mean age=49.6±17.6) were seen by the pharmacist and assessed by spirometry.  Spirometry met American Thoracic Society quality measures in 82.5% of tests with the following results: 64.7% normal, obstruction (8.8% mild, 14.7% moderate, 2.9% severe), and 8.8% probable restriction. Pharmacist recommendations that were implemented included the use of short-acting-beta-agonists (23.5%), corticosteroids (20.6%), anti-cholinergics (14.7%), and long-acting-beta-agonists (11.8%).  Smoking cessation was recommended for 11.8% of patients and 44.1% received specialist referrals.  The mean overall payment for the services provided at these visits was $144.43±36.34. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist involvement in the care of patients with respiratory disorders provided valuable, quality lung function data and care plan recommendations to physicians and education to patients.  These preliminary results support the pharmacist expanding their role in the medical home by providing physician/patient care services, including spirometry, to patients with respiratory disorders from both a clinical and economic perspective.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2013-05, ISPOR 2013, New Orleans, LA, USA

Value in Health, Vol. 16, No. 3 (May 2013)

Code

PHS73

Topic

Health Policy & Regulatory, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care

Topic Subcategory

Quality of Care Measurement, Reimbursement & Access Policy, Treatment Patterns and Guidelines

Disease

Respiratory-Related Disorders

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