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What is Telepharmacy?
Telepharmacy is a branch of telemedicine
that integrates pharmacy software, remote controlled dispensing
units and telecommunications technologies to enable the
provision of pharmaceutical services from a distance.
• What is the Telepharmacy
West SM program?
Telepharmacy WestSM is a nonprofit organization
funded by a grant from PacifiCare/UnitedHealthCare. Telepharmacy
WestSM
works closely with small and rural healthcare institutions
to provide compliant, cost-effective and efficient pharmacy
services.
• How does Telepharmacy work?
Telepharmacy
WestSM
maintains a pharmacy staff campus at Adventist Health
Medical Center (GAMC) that exclusively serves participating
small and rural hospitals. Hospitals continue to use their
existing Pharmacy Information Systems (PIS) but now that
is supported by connectivity to the Telepharmacy
WestSM
program. Nurses send order entries via order origination
devices such as a fax machine or a digital sender to the
Telepharmacy service center. Our pharmacists match the
order entry to the patient record by accessing the remote
hospitals’ PIS. The pharmacist reviews the patient’s
medication profile for drug interactions and other potential
problems before approving the order to be filled. More
On Services>
• How do we know if
the Telepharmacy West SM program is right for
our hospital?
Telepharmacy WestSM will perform a free initial
assessment including a cost effectiveness analysis and
a telecommunications and information systems readiness,
based on the program’s technical specifications.
• What does the grant* funding
provide for rural hospitals?
The grant* to Telepharmacy WestSM helps small
and rural hospitals create sustainable pharmacy improvements.
As a first step, Telepharmacy WestSM staff
will work with rural hospitals to help determine readiness
for participation in this remote pharmacy solution. |
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THE
INITIAL REVIEW INCLUDES:
•
Telecommunications and
Information Systems Compatibility
— Ensure fax and phone systems will support remote service.
— Assess pharmacy computer software for remote access
and patient information review.
• Cost Effectiveness
— Identify potential for operational reimbursements.
— Review medication formulary to help manage inventory
expense.
— Assess risk for medication errors and liability exposure.
— Assess opportunities for Federal funding of capital
improvements (i.e. automated medication dispensaries, etc.).
• The grant* also pays for Site Service Set-Up:
— HIPPA compliance solutions.
— IT interfacing solutions.
— Video conferencing from nursing units.
— Staff training.
— Program management including Quality Improvement and
Monthly Reports.
— Grant writing support for integrated equipment procurement
and upgrades.
• What if our hospital
is interested in integrating an automated drug dispensary
with the program?
Telepharmacy WestSM will assist your hospital with
acquiring federal and private funds through grant writing
for the purchase of the equipment and also assist with the
implementation of the dispensary.
• What if our hospital
pharmacy needs assistance developing a formulary?
Telepharmacy WestSM will provide the framework
for a management program that can generate additional cost
savings and quality improvement. In addition, a pharmacy formulary
may significantly contribute to managing inventory control.
• What is the turn-around
time our staff can expect from the order entries?
Telepharmacy WestSM will meet or exceed industry
standard turn-around times for stat orders (no more than 15
minutes) and routine orders (no more than 90 minutes).
• How difficult is it for our
nurses to access the remote Telepharmacy service?
The location of the remote service center is transparent to
the user. The service allows seamless integration with clinical
systems and the use of video conferencing will allow face-to-face
interaction between the pharmacist and user.
• How do our nurses communicate
with the Telepharmacy Team?
Physician orders are sent in by fax or scanned electronic
transmission. Our pharmacy staff is also available by either
phone or video conferencing. We can provide the video connectivity
for your hospital, as needed.
• What are the qualifications
of the Telepharmacy Team?
The Telepharmacy team consists of licensed, highly qualified,
service-oriented pharmacists and pharmacy technicians that
serve the needs of hospitals in this program exclusively.
•
What is the service quality that we can expect?
Telepharmacy WestSM will exceed industry standards
of 1 error in 1,000 for order entry, offering outstanding
service quality and reduced liability exposure. (The pilot
is 4.3 per 1,000,000.) |
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What hours of operation are available?
The Telepharmacy service is available 24 hours per day, 365
days per year.
• How does Telepharmacy
WestSM help with CDPH and Joint Commission compliance?
According to Barclays California Code of Regulations (Title
22 70261) enforced by the California Department of Public
Health (CDPH) and The Joint Commission (MM.4.10), all medication
orders need to be appropriately reviewed before they are administered
to a patient. By providing a 24/7 pharmacy service to your
hospital, the Telepharmacy WestSM program will
help bring your patient pharmacy into compliance.
• How does Telepharmacy
support the National Patient Safety Goals?
Telepharmacy WestSM will assist hospitals in achieving
the following 2009 National Patient Safety Goals: to “Improve
the Safety of Using Medications”, “Reconcile Medications”
and “Improve the Effectiveness of Communication Among
Caregivers”.
• How does Telepharmacy
WestSM safeguard patient privacy?
The Telepharmacy WestSM program is contracted to
your hospital with additional terms as outlined in the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). The
IT systems are also encrypted to ensure appropriate safeguards
to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability
of electronic health information.
• How are program costs
determined?
The cost is typically based on the average daily census of
participating hospitals and is prorated by shifts or selected
hours of service.
• How is the Telepharmacy
WestSM program sustainable?
The Telepharmacy WestSM program offers a customized
solution for each hospital with real dollar savings. Funding
provided for start-up and initial implementation as well as
federal cost reimbursement subsidies and a formulary cost
management program can create a combination of revenue and
savings.
• What kind and how often
will we receive activity reports?
Monthly performance reports generated for your hospital will
include:
— Turn around time details.
— Errors or exceptions.
— Billing statements.
• How do we schedule the
initial assessment or obtain additional information?
To schedule an assessment or for more information on the Telepharmacy
WestSM program,
please contact
us at:
Adventist Health Medical Center
Telepharmacy West
1509 Wilson Terrace
Glendale, CA 91206-4007
(818) 409-8022
Solutions@CATelepharmacy.org |
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