Medication management model as experiential education tool for students of pharmacy

A visiting nurse association (VNA) and a college of Pharmacy sought cost-effective models by which consultant pharmacy services could be offered at a rural branch office to improve medication management for high-risk patients. Through a collaborative relationship with the Albany College of Pharmacy, the Eddy VNA used the structure and support of the Partners In Care Foundation (The Model) Medication Management Model to simultaneously provide patient services and train Doctor of Pharmacy candidates. The Model brings the pharmacist into the homecare team to provide pharmaceutical care and can provide the framework by which pharmacist preceptors and interns can effectively provide services to high-risk patients identified through the agency's CQI process. Results from program implementation with 100 Medicaid waiver patients indicate positive staff response and an overall 43% acceptance rate with prescribers and suggest that this is a cost-effective medication management service with implications for adaptation by other HHAs.