Introducing the Premier Senior Care Pharmacist Initiative
Holly Roy, Premier’s Chief Operating Officer and practicing physician assistant is proud to announce an innovative initiative designed to enhance the standard of care for Premier’s skilled nursing, long-term care, and assisted living community patients: The Premier Senior Care Pharmacist Initiative. This program focuses on optimizing medication management for the residents of Premier’s partner communities.
Barbara J. Pereira: A Leader in Post-Acute Medication Management
Barbara J. Pereira, RPh, Vice President of Clinical Pharmacy brings a wealth of expertise to Premier. With a career including roles as a long-term care Consultant Pharmacist, Clinical Manager, and Barb’s most recent position in executive leadership, where she developed and implemented a deprescribing program for a large post-acute physician’s practice, Ms. Pereira is a seasoned pharmacy professional. Her comprehensive understanding of state and federal regulations impacting medication utilization in Premier partner communities, coupled with her unwavering commitment to patient well-being and outcomes, makes her the ideal leader and clinical mentor for the Premier Senior Care Pharmacist Initiative.
Proactive Medication Management for Senior Population Challenges
Premier clinicians and leadership recognize the unique challenges associated with managing medications for our senior population. The Premier Senior Care Pharmacist Initiative is a forward-looking response to elevate the quality of care for our patients, ensuring that all medication regimens, including psychoactive and pain prescribing practices, are not only compliant and effective but also clinically appropriate.
Focus Areas of Premier's Clinical Pharmacy Initiative include:
Falls Prevention: Implementing strategies to reduce the risk of falls among senior patients.
Quality Assurance Metrics: Ensuring the highest standards of medication management through continuous monitoring and improvement.
Staff Education and In-Services: Providing ongoing education to our healthcare providers and facility staff on medication-related topics.
Antimicrobial Stewardship: Implementing practices to optimize antimicrobial use and combat antimicrobial resistance and adverse events.
Quality Measures Focus: Aligning medication management practices with industry quality measures for both our practice and Premier partner communities.
High-Risk Medication Focus: Identifying and managing high-risk medications to enhance patient safety.
Customized Medication Regimen Reviews: Tailoring medication regimens to individual patient needs.
Optimizing Medication Therapy: Employing evidence-based practices to optimize medication safety, efficacy, and clinical appropriateness.
Patient and Caregiver Counseling: Offering guidance and support to patients, family, and their caregivers on medication-related concerns.
Medication Cost Analysis: Ensuring high-value medication management solutions.
Chronic Disease State Management: Addressing chronic conditions through comprehensive medication management.
Provider Education and In-Service: Keeping Premier’s clinician team and the staff in Premier partner communities informed and updated on the latest advancements in medication management.
Community Impact and Endorsement:
Barbara Frye, Premier’s Chief Clinical Services Officer, emphasizes the broader impact of this program, stating, “This initiative not only benefits Premier patients but our partner senior care communities as well. Having served as the Director of Nursing for a market-leading continuing care retirement community, I recognize the tremendous value this program brings to supporting community front-line staff and facilitating optimal regulatory surveys by State and Federal agencies.”
Dr. Brad Goad, Premier Founder and CEO, expresses his admiration for the Premier team's responsiveness to this additional layer of clinical expertise, affirming, “At Premier, we believe that every senior and every partner community deserves the best care, and this optimal medication utilization program is a testament to that commitment. Furthermore, this program synchronizes perfectly with Medicare’s Value-Based Care goals. Our commitment to excellence in senior care remains unwavering, and the Premier Senior Care Pharmacist Initiative is another step forward in pursuit of this vision.”
To learn more about this initiative or Premier in general, please visit www.PremierGeriatric.com.
