Reimbursable pharmacy teaching program for adrenalectomy patients

A three-step, pharmacist-taught education program for adrenalectomy patients is described. Twenty-three patients were trained during the two years of the project. Training included: (1) an explanation of the patient's disease state and need for supplementary medication; (2) an explanation of each medication taken; and (3) training on self-administration of an i.m. dose of dexamethasone. Blue Cross agreed to pay the hospital ø25 per patient trained. Thirteen patients were available for interviews designed to evaluate the program. All patients knew the signs and symptoms of adrenal crisis and had excellent recall of information about their medication. Eight patients had increased their oral steroid doses as instructed to avoid adrenal insufficiency during stress. Substantial cost savings resulted from the program. The costs saved by offering the program justified the cost of supplying the service.