Defining and documenting pharmacist interventions beyond prescription revenue is essential to demonstrating the full value of pharmacy teams. Host Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Karen Thomas from the University of Illinois Chicago and Dr. Thom Platt from UK Healthcare to share insights from a multi-system survey exploring how interventions are captured and used. They discuss the variability in current practices, the important role of both pharmacists and technicians, and the opportunity to better quantify clinical and operational impact to C-suite.
Guests:
Karen C. Thomas, PharmD, PhD, MBA
Associate Director, Specialty and Infusion Pharmacies
University of Illinois Hospital and Health System
Thom Platt, PharmD, PhD, MBA ,BCPS
Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services
UK HealthCare
Host:
Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm
Pharmacy Executive Director, Regulatory Compliance
Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence
Show Notes:
00:05 – Introduction
Overview of VerifiedRx and the focus on pharmacy practice excellence.
00:14 – Episode Overview & Guest Introductions
Host Carolyn Liptak introduces the topic: capturing the value of pharmacist interventions beyond prescription revenue.
Guests:
- Dr. Karen Thomas, University of Illinois Chicago
- Dr. Thom Platt, UK Healthcare
00:57 – Health System Backgrounds
- UIC serves a diverse urban population with a strong Medicaid and Medicare presence
- UK Healthcare supports patients across Kentucky and surrounding states, including rural populations traveling long distances for specialty care
01:48 – What Sparked the Research
- Originated from a Vizient work group focused on outcomes and value
- Need for clearer frameworks to document and report pharmacist interventions
- Lack of standardized guidance from accrediting bodies and payers
02:56 – Survey Goals and Key Findings
- Explored how health systems define and document interventions
- Identified major variability in data collection and reporting
- Found alignment in defining clinical interventions, less consistency in non clinical ones
- Included responses from 24 health systems
04:21 – Broader Impact on Pharmacy Practice
- Reinforces the value of pharmacist contributions beyond revenue
- Highlights prevention of hospital visits and improved patient outcomes
- Emphasizes the need to better capture and communicate this value
05:38 – Applying the Research in Practice
- UIC developed a structured framework and documentation tool
- Supports initiatives like waste avoidance studies
- Aims to quantify cost savings from pharmacist interventions
06:49 – Relevance Beyond Specialty Pharmacy
- Concepts apply across all pharmacy settings
- Data can support staffing, funding, and program expansion decisions
- Helps communicate value to internal and external stakeholders
07:52 – Role of Pharmacy Technicians
- 96 percent of sites report technician involvement in non clinical interventions
- Examples include resolving medication access issues and addressing social barriers
- Technicians play a critical role in patient support and care coordination
09:58 – Future Opportunities
- Push toward standardizing intervention data collection
- Opportunity to reduce duplication of effort across health systems
- Goal to create scalable, shared frameworks
10:41 – Strategic Value of Intervention Data
- Supports conversations with leadership and external partners
- Demonstrates impact on outcomes like reduced ED visits and length of stay
- Strengthens partnerships with payers and manufacturers
11:34 – Additional Resources
- Study published in the Online Journal of Pharmacy
- Link available for listeners to explore further
12:03 – Closing Remarks
Final thoughts and appreciation for guests
Call to action: subscribe, share feedback, and stay engaged with VerifiedRx
Links and Resources: MDPI - Capturing Value: How Health-System Specialty Pharmacies Define and Document Pharmacist Interventions
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