Rural Physician-Pharmacist Collaborative Practice Agreements Managing Patients in Supportive Living and Assisted...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Pharmacy
• Clinical Pharmacy Services
• Rural Health

Background:

• Supportive and assisted living facilities house residents requiring ongoing care.
• Optimizing medication management is crucial for this population.
• The role of community pharmacists in extended care settings is evolving.

Observation:

• A case study was conducted in rural West-Central Illinois.
• Community pharmacists provided disease state management for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and anticoagulation.
• Services were delivered through collaborative practice agreements with physicians.

Findings:

• Pharmacists completed 86 visits over 6 months, averaging 5 visits per resident.
• 23 drug therapy problems were identified, with 19 (82.6%) recommendations accepted by providers.
• Enhanced clinical services demonstrated feasibility and effectiveness.

Implications:

• Community pharmacists can successfully implement advanced clinical services in assisted living.
• Collaboration between pharmacists and physicians optimizes medication management and patient outcomes.
• This model can expand the clinical role of community pharmacists in rural healthcare settings.