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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/10/2014 12:00:00 AM CENTRAL
Updated: 4/10/2014 2:27:32 PM CENTRAL
For more information, contact Katie Johnson.
Lake Region Healthcare Pharmacists Teaming Up with DHS to Keep Older Adults in Homes

(Fergus Falls, MN) Lake Region Healthcare was one of the recipients of Minnesota Department of Human Services Community Service/Services Development Grants which focuses on helping older Minnesotans stay in their homes as they age. With this grant, Lake Region Healthcare pharmacists will be able to provide Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services via Tele-health and home visits in Otter Tail and Grant Counties. This service will allow older adults in rural areas to receive quality care without having to travel far from home.

Lake Region Healthcare’s clinic in Fergus Falls and Prairie Ridge’s Elbow Lake clinic will be equipped with “Tele-carts” allowing patients to partake in MTM with a pharmacist located in another clinic. This grant also allows pharmacists to conduct MTM visits in patients’ homes located within 10 miles of Fergus Falls or any facility within Otter Tail or Grant County that houses 4 or more patients (Assisted Living Facilities, Boarding Care Homes, Supervised Living Facilities, Board and Lodging Facilities, etc.). Lake Region Healthcare Clinic in Fergus Falls has a clinical pharmacist available by appointment to provide MTM services as well. 

What is Medication Therapy Management?

MTM strives to maximize the benefits of medication therapy while minimizing potential risks.  To achieve this, clinical pharmacists trained to identify and resolve medication issues visit with patients to discuss:

  • Indications for all medications
  • Appropriateness of doses
  • Drug-drug interactions
  • Drug contraindications or drug allergies
  • Appropriate length of therapy
  • Missing drug therapy
  • Therapeutic duplications
  • Appropriateness of laboratory monitoring
  • Adverse drug reaction or administration issues
  • Cost issues
  • Immunizations… and more.

Medication therapy is evaluated to determine if it is appropriate, effective, safe, and reasonably convenient for each individual patient.  The pharmacist then works with both the patient and his/her prescriber to provide education, facilitate communication, and enhance drug therapy outcomes. 

Medication use is often essential in the treatment of chronic disease.  Modern drug therapy can save lives; however, potential benefits can decrease over time and drugs can have adverse effects when not used properly… 

“The average American is ten times more likely to be hospitalized from an adverse drug reaction than from a motor vehicle accident.”1

“10.7% of hospital admissions in older adults are associated with adverse drug reactions.”2

“Improper medication use has been estimated to cost our nation $177 billion annually in total direct and indirect healthcare costs...”3

“For every $1 invested in pharmacist clinical services, $4.81 was achieved in reduced costs or other economic benefits.”4

Medication Therapy Management decreases the occurrence and severity of such adverse drug events.  Through comprehensive review of all medications (including over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbal remedies) pharmacists can identify potential drug therapy problems before serious issues arise.  Education of drug therapy expectations, clarification of drug-related questions, and referral for medical evaluation when necessary can prevent adverse drug events and improve disease state management.  A summary of drug therapy problems, education provided, and any additional relevant information is then provided to the patient and his/her prescriber following an MTM session. 

Growing evidence supports the impact of MTM on the prevention of adverse drug events, reduction in healthcare expenditures, and improvement of overall healthcare outcomes. MTM is an affordable service available to everyone, and in some cases is provided at no charge through certain health benefit plans. MTM is a covered service under Medicare and Minnesota’s Medicaid programs. To meet with a clinical pharmacist, please contact the Lake Region Healthcare Clinical Pharmacy Office at 218-736-8199. For more information on the program visit: http://www.lrhc.org/services-medication-therapy-management.aspx.

1.  Moore Thomas J. Prescription for Disaster, Simon & Schuster, NY:1998, p. 49.

2.  Kongkaew C, et al. Hospital admissions associated with ADRs: a systematic review of prospective observational studies. Ann Pharmacother 2008;42:1017-25.

3.  Ernst FR, Grizzle AJ. Drug-related morbidity and mortality: updating the cost-of-illness model. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2001;41:192-9.

4.  Isetts Bj, Schondelmeyer SW, Artz MB, Lenarz LA, Heaton AH, Wadd WB, et al. Clinical and economic outcomes of medication therapy management services: the Minnesota experience. J Am Pharm Assoc 2008;48(2):203-211.

Lake Region Healthcare

Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 70 medical staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.

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[1] This document was supported, in part, by a CS/SD grant from, Department of Human Services (DHS). Points of view of opinions do not necessarily represent official DHS policy.