284611
Student pharmacists target the million hearts initiative for potentially at-risk Medicare beneficiaries
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Kate M. O'Dell, PharmD,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
George David,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Su Kang,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Sila Ozdemir,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Athena Xides,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Sian M. Carr-Lopez, PharmD,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Suzanne M. Galal, PharmD,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Rajul A. Patel, PharmD, PhD,
Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of the Pacific Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Stockton, CA
Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are sponsoring partners of Million Hearts, a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next 5 years. Million Hearts targets the "ABCS" of clinical prevention (appropriate Aspirin therapy, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation). Objective: This study measured "ABCS" outcomes and provided education to a Medicare population. Methods: Twelve healthcare outreach events were offered to Medicare beneficiaries in Northern/Central California between October and November 2012. Student pharmacists, under supervision of pharmacists, provided medication therapy management (MTM) services, along with blood pressure, cholesterol and other healthcare screenings with corresponding education. Data collection included beneficiary demographics, medication, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and cholesterol measurement, and smoking status. Results: 586 beneficiaries received MTM services, with 286 (49%) reporting daily aspirin use. Of those with self-reported hypertension who had their blood pressure measured, 103/239 (43%) were uncontrolled (defined as SBP ≥ 140 or DBP ≥ 90). Of those without self-reported hypertension whose blood pressure was measured, 40/131 (31%) were uncontrolled. Four-hundred sixteen (86%) indicated having their cholesterol checked within the last year. Of the 204 beneficiaries in whom cholesterol was measured onsite, 49 (24%) had a total cholesterol level ≥ 200 mg/dL. In total 414 (71%) were non-smokers and 144 (25%) were former smokers. Conclusion: Student pharmacists can assist in identifying at-risk Medicare beneficiaries through "ABCS" health screenings and provide education to improve beneficiary outcomes.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the "ABCS" outcomes of the Million Hearts Initiative in the Medicare beneficiary.
Keyword(s): Heart Disease, Disease Management
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I received my Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 1999 from the University of Michigan and completed a 2-year post-doctoral fellowship at Henry Ford Hospital in pharmaceutical outcomes research. I have been the principal or co-principal of many studies, yielding in 19 posters abstract and manuscript publications. Among my research interests has been the impact of pharmaceutical services in outcomes of people with chronic conditions.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
