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| Rick Rondinelli of In Touch Pharmaceuticals, a solution provider at the marcus evans LTC & Senior Living CXO Summit Fall 2015, on medication automation in LTC facilities. |
NEW YORK, N.Y., Apr 15, 2015 - (ACN Newswire) - "The medication error rate in long-term care (LTC) is high and I believe, most of it undocumented. That leads to poor healthcare outcomes, unnecessary readmissions and medication waste," says Rick Rondinelli, President & Chief Executive Officer, In Touch Pharmaceuticals. Automating the process would transform the industry and help LTC facilities minimize costs, he adds.
A pioneer of short-cycle dispensing, In Touch Pharmaceuticals is a solution provider at the marcus evans LTC & Senior Living CXO Summit Fall 2015, in Palm Beach, Florida, July 14-15.
- What is lacking in most LTC facilities' pharmacy services?
A personalized approach to servicing customers is often missing. Is the delivery of medication appropriate? Is it on time? Are stats handled correctly? Is the dispensing process automated? How the pharmacy provides medication is extremely important for decreasing waste, as well as the opportunity for error.
The pharmacy must always look at ways to maximize positive pharmaceutical outcomes for residents, all within a budget, to ensure the facility is profitable.
- In Touch Pharmaceuticals pioneered seven-day, or less, dispensing, years before the government implemented it. What is the next step? What mistakes are made with short-term dispensing?
One of the biggest mistakes is to think that you can take this automation technology and just put it in a facility. On paper it looks fantastic, but if not done properly, it could increase errors by not having the pharmacist on site and not being capable of putting the majority of routine oral solids in the cycle.
We could provide the same outcome without additional nursing time and providing an accurate cycle. Patient safety is our main concern, at the same time saving nursing time and reducing medication waste.
As margins continue to decrease, automation could transition the entire pharmacy industry, including retail.
- How could the "less is best" approach lead to better therapeutic outcomes for patients?
In the geriatric population, overmedication is very common. Our approach is all about looking at what is necessary and appropriate for treating the disease state. Higher doses of some drugs may be needed, while others may need to be discontinued. The goal should be to enhance pharmaceutical outcomes, not decrease them.
Enhancing the medpass process, making it safer, more accurate and less costly, would give nurses more time to spend with residents.
- What opportunities for overall facility cost management are some facilities missing out on?
They have to work with their contracted pharmacy, physicians and nursing staff to develop a sound formulary, which should then be maintained and reported back to the facility to determine performance and actual drug spend. Cost does not necessitate clinical outcomes, but we want to enhance outcomes by looking at an economical process at the same time.
About the LTC & Senior Living CXO Summit Fall 2015
The 9th Long-Term Care & Senior Living CXO Summit is the premium forum bringing senior level executives and solution providers together. The Summit offers an intimate environment for a focused discussion of key new drivers shaping the long-term care industry. Taking place at the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, Palm Beach, Florida, July 13-14, 2015, the Summit includes presentations on ACO inclusion, improving profit margins, reimbursement management and strategy, and catering for the baby boomers.
For more information please send an email to press@marcusevanscy.com or visit the event website at www.longtermcaresummit.com/RickRondinelliInterview
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The Healthcare Network - marcus evans Summits group delivers peer-to-peer information on strategic matters, professional trends and breakthrough innovations.
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Please note that the Summit is a closed business event and the number of participants strictly limited.
About In Touch Pharmaceuticals
Established as a long term care pharmacy in 2004, In Touch Pharmaceuticals pioneered the short cycle unit dose because of founder Rick Rondinelli's desire to help clients improve performance and better manage their pharmacy costs. Known for its unique "hands-on" approach to customer service, In Touch has a staff of 25 pharmacists who are always just a phone call away 24 hours a day, seven days a week. www.intouchpharma.com.
Contact:
Sarin Kouyoumdjian-Gurunlian,
Press Manager, marcus evans, Summits Division
Tel: +357 22 849 313
Email: press@marcusevanscy.com
Topic: Trade Show or Conference
Source: marcus evans Summits
Sectors: Daily Finance, Daily News, Healthcare & Pharm
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From the Asia Corporate News Network
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