Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Event Title
Evaluation of Assisted Living Facilities and the Role of a Consultant Pharmacist in Midwestern States
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Location
Indianapolis, IN
Subject Area
Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Exercise Science
Start Date
11-4-2014 8:30 AM
End Date
11-4-2014 10:00 AM
Sponsor
Laurie Pylitt (Butler University)
Description
Background: The geriatric population has been vastly increasing. Most geriatric patients live alone, with relatives, in a skilled nursing facility, or in an assisted living facility. Skilled nursing facilities have had federal regulations that require medication therapy management (MTM) to reduce the incidence of medication adverse events. Assisted living facilities have been regulated by individual states, and currently, there has not been consistency of MTM in assisted living facilities.
Study Objective: The study reviewed the licensing requirements and medication monitoring in assisted living facilities for Midwestern states. In the assisted living facilities that performed MTM services, the personnel who have performed these services and their credentials were reviewed.
Methods: US Census definitions were used to identify the Midwestern states. For each state meeting the definition, official state agency websites were reviewed to determine if the state required a license for assisted living facilities; if the medication was self-administered with or without supervision, if the patient was given a reminder, or if the medication was administered by an employee; the credentials of the employee administering medications; if MTM was required; the credentials of the employee performing MTM; and the frequency of MTM per year for facilities that offered this service.
Results: Sixty-seven percent of the Midwest states required a license for assisted living facilities. Thirty percent of the states allowed self-administration without supervision, 50% allowed self-administration with supervision, 17% gave the patient a reminder, and 100% of all states had the option of medications being administered by an employee. Some required licensed personnel to administer the medications to the residents. Only a few of the states mentioned a pharmacist could assist in medication management. Only one state required that medication management services be performed by a licensed pharmacist.
Conclusions: There was a considerable variety in requirements for MTM in assisted living facilities, with some states resembling national nursing facility federal regulations of practice for pharmacy services, while others had few or no requirements for MTM. Pharmacists have extensive training in pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and other areas equipping them with the tools to perform a comprehensive medication review. This study suggests opportunities to increase the use of pharmacists in these facilities to decrease medication related errors and increase the patient's quality of life.
Evaluation of Assisted Living Facilities and the Role of a Consultant Pharmacist in Midwestern States
Indianapolis, IN
Background: The geriatric population has been vastly increasing. Most geriatric patients live alone, with relatives, in a skilled nursing facility, or in an assisted living facility. Skilled nursing facilities have had federal regulations that require medication therapy management (MTM) to reduce the incidence of medication adverse events. Assisted living facilities have been regulated by individual states, and currently, there has not been consistency of MTM in assisted living facilities.
Study Objective: The study reviewed the licensing requirements and medication monitoring in assisted living facilities for Midwestern states. In the assisted living facilities that performed MTM services, the personnel who have performed these services and their credentials were reviewed.
Methods: US Census definitions were used to identify the Midwestern states. For each state meeting the definition, official state agency websites were reviewed to determine if the state required a license for assisted living facilities; if the medication was self-administered with or without supervision, if the patient was given a reminder, or if the medication was administered by an employee; the credentials of the employee administering medications; if MTM was required; the credentials of the employee performing MTM; and the frequency of MTM per year for facilities that offered this service.
Results: Sixty-seven percent of the Midwest states required a license for assisted living facilities. Thirty percent of the states allowed self-administration without supervision, 50% allowed self-administration with supervision, 17% gave the patient a reminder, and 100% of all states had the option of medications being administered by an employee. Some required licensed personnel to administer the medications to the residents. Only a few of the states mentioned a pharmacist could assist in medication management. Only one state required that medication management services be performed by a licensed pharmacist.
Conclusions: There was a considerable variety in requirements for MTM in assisted living facilities, with some states resembling national nursing facility federal regulations of practice for pharmacy services, while others had few or no requirements for MTM. Pharmacists have extensive training in pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and other areas equipping them with the tools to perform a comprehensive medication review. This study suggests opportunities to increase the use of pharmacists in these facilities to decrease medication related errors and increase the patient's quality of life.