$20K grant to establish transitional pharmacist program

Springfield Hospital has received a $20,000 grant from the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation to implement a transitional pharmacist program.

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2016-11-02 / Local $20K grant to establish transitional pharmacist program Ji Chen, Pharm.D., Director of Pharmacy Services, consults with Caroline Kirkpatrick, Pharm.D., in the Emergency Department at Springfield Hospital. — COURTESY Ji Chen, Pharm.D., Director of Pharmacy Services, consults with Caroline Kirkpatrick, Pharm.D., in the Emergency Department at Springfield Hospital. — COURTESY SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Hospital has received a $20,000 grant from the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation to implement a transitional pharmacist program. An accurate medication history for each patient is critical to ensure medications are prescribed safely, particularly when hospital admission becomes necessary. The grant from the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation will allow Springfield Hospital to conduct a pilot program and have Caroline Kirkpatrick, Pharm.D., stationed in the emergency room several days per week. Through this placement, the pharmacist can initiate a comprehensive medication history by working with the patient’s primary care physicians to develop an accurate list of medications and assisting hospitalists with reconciliation of the medications during admission, according to a news release from Springfield Hospital. Services will also include preparing a discharge medication list and performing post-discharge follow up calls to patients about medication adherence and potential problems. “We are very fortunate to receive this generous grant from the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation to initiate the pilot program. It will further strengthen our ability to help patients manage their medication therapy after they are discharged from the hospital, in collaboration with their Primary Care providers,” said Ji Chen, Pharm.D., Director of Pharmacy Services. Coverys is one of the nation’s leading providers of medical professional liability insurance. The Boston-based company established the Coverys Community Healthcare Foundation to support charitable endeavors and organizations that provide healthcare services, thus improving patient safety and care. Springfield Medical Care Systems is a nonprofit, community-based health care system that includes a ten-site community health center network and Springfield Hospital. SMCS serves southeastern Vermont and southwestern New Hampshire. Health care services are accessible to all based on a sliding fee basis and include primary and preventive care for people of all ages, pediatrics, health screenings, behavioral health services, dental care, vision care, access to discounted pharmaceuticals, diagnostic lab and radiology services, and a broad array of acute hospital and specialty care services. For more information, please visit www.springfieldmed.org.