Pharmacy Service Lines Strengthen Outpatient Specialty Program Management

Team-based medicine helps highlight the role of the pharmacist, especially in outpatient management, such as diabetes, the results of a study presented at the ASHP Midyear 2021 conference show.

The key elements of focus were population health, regulatory changes on both the federal and state levels, and workforce shortages in rural communities.

The incorporation of the key metrics was developed to meet fiscal sustainability, the importance of the pharmacy program, patient and physician satisfaction, and quality outcomes.

Investigators found that quality outcomes and value-based results came from a foundation that supported new pharmacy service lines. It was proven that consolidating a diabetes center’s services under 1 organizational structure helped to transform the program.

Typically, there are 5 different individuals who help with alignment of goals, continuity of program activities, and efficient communication, but pharmacists’ skill sets allow them to be integrated into these structured roles.

In addition, physicians found that their workflow and efficiency strengthened with pharmacists’ roles expanding and creating other successful service lines.

The diabetes center that was used in the study was a community based tertiary care health system. There were multiple opportunities for coordinated expansion of pharmacist services in inpatient and outpatient programs.

Reference

Wohleb J. (Management case study) creating a future role for pharmacy, building a service line in a health system. ASHP Midyear 2021. Accessed December 2, 2021. https://www.eventscribe.net/2021/midyear/agenda.asp?BCFO=ADV%7CCLIN%7CEDU%7CGEN%7CINT%7CM%7CMSC%7CSTU&BCFO2=ON-DEMAND&pfp=OnDemandSchedule