In the changing field of healthcare, especially in long-term care settings, the accuracy and completeness of medication histories are crucial for patient safety and quality care. Medical practice administrators, owners, and IT managers need to understand the importance of comprehensive medication histories. This understanding can greatly affect patient outcomes, reduce errors, and enhance the overall efficiency of care delivery.
Medication reconciliation involves obtaining a full view of a patient’s medication history, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and any supplements or herbal products. This task is particularly important during care transitions, like admissions, transfers, or discharges, when there may be changes in treatment plans. However, gathering this information can be challenging. Long-term care facilities often have to collect medication data from various sources, complicating safe and effective patient care.
Dawn Brostoski, Vice President of Operations at ActualMeds, mentions that “Having access to a patient’s medication information as they move from one care setting to the next can be challenging for staff at long-term care facilities.” Discrepancies in medication regimens can lead to adverse drug events and more frequent hospital readmissions, which negatively impact patient safety and facility costs.
Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and automated systems have changed the approach to medication reconciliation. Organizations such as ActualMeds are leading these changes. By integrating AI with their Pharmacist on Demand Services (PODS), they have improved how medication data is collected and analyzed. AI helps ensure the accuracy of medication histories by validating data from multiple sources, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and pharmacy dispensations.
Automation means that staff can rely on systems that perform repetitive tasks related to verifying and validating medication data. This reduces the workload on nursing staff and lowers the chances of human error, which is important for patient safety.
Chris Beekman from PointClickCare, a partner organization with ActualMeds, emphasizes the importance of working with technology firms. He states, “Helping our clients manage and improve patient and resident care is our core focus.” This allows care teams to spend more time on direct patient interactions instead of being burdened with administrative tasks. Such a shift can lead to better patient engagement and improved health outcomes.
Integrating comprehensive medication reconciliation systems in long-term care facilities also helps improve compliance with regulatory requirements. From October 1, 2023, facilities are required to meet updated Minimum Data Set (MDS 3.0) standards, which include documenting clinical reasons for medication use and managing non-covered medications when patients are admitted.
ActualMeds’ automated processes align with these requirements, facilitating smoother transitions of care while ensuring compliance. The accuracy of medication information during these transitions is important for reducing readmission risks related to adverse drug events, which also helps lessen liability for healthcare facilities.
The combination of clinical knowledge and technology makes comprehensive medication histories a stronger foundation for better patient outcomes in long-term care. Accurately capturing medication data allows care teams to create safer and more effective treatment plans. ActualMeds has reported actual improvements in patient outcomes, including higher satisfaction scores, better quality metrics, and decreased care costs.
The interoperability of systems—where different technologies function together effectively—is vital for enhancing patient care. The connection of ActualMeds’ platform with EHR systems like PointClickCare provides a full view of a patient’s medication history. This interoperability streamlines workflows and improves continuity of care for patients transitioning between settings, whether moving from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities or from home healthcare back into long-term care.
Long-term care administrators must also address the challenges associated with patient medication transitions. A large number of medication errors happen during these transitions when outdated or incomplete medication data is shared among providers. Research shows that incomplete medication histories are responsible for about 50% of adverse drug events during care transitions, highlighting the need for thorough medication reconciliation practices.
ActualMeds tackles this issue by providing systems that automate the reconciliation of historic routine medications, acute care discharge orders, and facility EHR orders during patient admissions. Dawn Brostoski adds, “ActualMeds can offer a true reconciliation and recommended medication regimens at the time of discharge to both the patient and the next provider.” This capability greatly facilitates the transition of care and promotes improved patient safety.
As technology evolves, further advancements in managing medication histories are expected. The future may see even more integration of AI into clinical workflows, allowing for predictive analytics that help care teams anticipate potential issues. This proactive approach to medication management could lead to fewer adverse drug events and better patient safety in long-term care.
Furthermore, as telehealth becomes more common, remote monitoring devices could provide useful data that enhance medication histories. Integrating this data into medication reconciliation processes will help care teams maintain an updated view of any changes in patients’ health, medication adherence, or side effects, leading to informed clinical decisions.
The use of advanced medication reconciliation tools and AI-driven platforms has wide-ranging effects for both patient safety and healthcare organizations. Automating medication management can lead to increased efficiency, lower costs, and better access to quality care. These improvements are crucial for surviving in an environment marked by staff shortages and rising operational costs.
Healthcare administrators can take advantage of these technological developments to create a culture that prioritizes quality care and patient safety. Enhanced medication management processes ensure compliance with strict regulations and allow organizations to better serve an aging population that relies significantly on long-term care.
Ultimately, a patient-focused approach in medication management helps improve patient engagement and adherence. ActualMeds emphasizes the importance of meaningful interactions that encourage patient involvement in their care. With comprehensive medication histories guiding treatment plans, patients can take a more active role in decision-making about their care, increasing satisfaction and outcomes.
Organizations should look into implementing automated solutions and forming technology partnerships that support safe medication practices. As healthcare services realize the importance of comprehensive medication histories, it becomes clear that the way forward depends on a flexible healthcare structure capable of efficiently incorporating advanced technologies.
By working together, long-term care facilities can change their approach to medication management and ultimately improve patient outcomes for the benefit of individuals and the healthcare system as a whole.
The integration is designed to enhance medication reconciliation for long-term care facilities, facilitating a seamless transition of care, supporting compliance with updated Minimum Data Set (MDS 3.0) requirements, and improving patient safety.
The service automates medication reconciliation by validating data from various sources, including PointClickCare orders and pharmacy dispensations, while also assessing patients’ home medication usage from claims and fill data.
It provides accurate and comprehensive medication information during patient transitions, reducing the risk of medication errors, readmissions, and adverse drug events.
Staff often struggle to compile up-to-date medication data from multiple sources when patients transition between care settings.
The updated MDS 3.0 requirements, effective October 1, 2023, mandate that facilities document clinical rationales for medication usage and manage requests for non-covered medications upon patient admission.
By providing automated and accurate medication reconciliation, ActualMeds helps ensure safe medication regimens during transitions, which lowers the risk of potential adverse drug events.
ActualMeds claims its technology-enabled medication management leads to measurable improvements in patient outcomes, satisfaction scores, quality metrics, and reduced care expenses.
Including these medications in the reconciliation process helps provide a comprehensive view of a patient’s medication history, which is essential for safe transitions and compliance with regulations.
ActualMeds combines technology with clinical expertise to automate reconciliation processes, reducing the administrative burden on healthcare staff and improving efficiency and accuracy.
The platform enhances efficiency in medication management, increases access to quality care, reduces overhead costs, and ultimately promotes better health outcomes for patients.
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