SOLUTIONS | I Screen. You Screen

I SCREEN. YOU SCREEN.

Pharmacists are crucial to preventive care

An apple a day might keep the doctor away, but routine screens stop the need to intervene.

Community pharmacists know this. But do patients know how important routine screenings are to their health? Apparently not. As of 2015, only eight percent of U.S. adults received all the high-priority, appropriate preventive care recommended for them, according to researchers with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Nearly five percent of adults did not receive any such services at all.

“Some of the commonly known reasons for not getting the recommended preventive services include lack of health insurance; lack of a usual doctor or nurse; and problems with healthcare delivery, including wait times,” said Amanda Borsky, who led the study for the agency.

The National Academy of Medicine (formerly called the Institute of Medicine) estimates missed prevention opportunities cost the United States $55 billion each year—approximately 30 cents on every healthcare dollar.

Pharmacists are in a pivotal position to provide healthcare screenings, which in turn can improve the health of their patients and communities.

LISTEN UP!

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PHARMACIES AT THE FOREFRONT

Pharmacists already provide medication therapy management services. You might offer a relevant screening or assessment by appointment, which conveniently coincides with the time your patient already picks up meds. You get to know your patient better, learn about possible drug interactions, clear up any compliance confusion, or suggest a specific supplement or product. For example, a patient may take high blood pressure medicine. But a screening shows their blood pressure is still stubbornly high. Do they understand the need to consistently take their meds? Do they inadvertently take an over-the-counter product with a counteractive effect? The pharmacist might suggest purchasing an affordable, easy-to-use blood pressure monitor, then demonstrate how to use it. Bremo Pharmacy in Richmond, Virginia, has offered a range of screenings for many years. “Our health screenings attract new patients into our pharmacy, and our current patients like having access to them as well,” said Regina Richardson, PharmD, PIC. “They serve both groups well.”

Pharmacists and healthcare providers have traditionally focused on biometric-type screenings, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipids. Bremo added A1C tests last year and food sensitivity tests two years ago. “The food sensitivity tests are especially beneficial,” said Richardson. “It gives us a chance to educate our patients and take time counseling them about lifestyle, food choices, and any medications they take. Plus, the tests are sent out to a lab, so we don’t have to pre-order supplies that we might not use before their expiration date.”

PROMOTING YOUR SCREENINGS

Bremo Pharmacy in Richmond, Virginia, offers one free health screening per quarter on a revolving basis, including blood pressure, glucose, and bone density (the pharmacy’s most popular). Regina Richardson, PharmD, PIC at Bremo, suggests several simple, low-cost ways to promote screenings.

IN-STORE PUBLICITY

Put up posters and hand out fliers. Also, verbally remind your patients about your screenings.

E-NEWSLETTERS

Highlight the importance of screenings in your e-newsletter. Promote a different screening in each issue.

WEBSITE

Use a full list of screenings you offer. Otherwise, patients may not know you provide them.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Piggyback on events like February’s American Heart Month to promote complementary screenings.

GOING BEYOND BIOMETRICS

The pandemic has highlighted the pressing need to focus on the whole person—particularly addiction and mental health.

Underscoring the urgency and scope of the issue, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended adults under age 65 get screened for anxiety and reiterated an earlier recommendation that all adults undergo routine screening for depression during routine care.

With screenings and clear, patient-prescriber-pharmacist communication and drug utilization reviews, pharmacists and staff can identify red flags such as “doctor shopping,” which can help mitigate the effects of substance abuse, particularly opioid dependency. Screening is also considered the most effective way to prevent or reduce the impact of domestic violence. Seen as especially trustworthy and accessible healthcare providers, pharmacists don’t need expertise in interpersonal or intimate partner violence to help. It's common to not quite know how to handle such situations— that’s okay. It’s a good idea to first determine, contact, and consult with local support services. Then, if a situation involving intimate partner abuse, assault, or stalking arises, you’re ready to talk about personal safety, health concerns, and suggest a referral to resources or programs.

The National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence provides patient brochures, safety plans, and educational tools to help healthcare providers respond to interpersonal and domestic violence in healthcare settings. Visit aaf.hhs.gov for details. Offering screenings for the whole person can be profitable for your business and valuable for your community.

IS YOUR PHARMACY UP TO DATE ON ITS HEALTH SCREENINGS?

Have a dedicated, private, and comfortable space for all screenings or other confidential interactions. You should review recent clinical suggestions or take a continuing education class to ensure you’re up to date with current testing. It might also be a good idea to have a list of physicians for referral. Here are some of the more common screenings and assessments community pharmacists can include in their offerings:

• ALCOHOL DEPENDENCY

• ANXIETY

• BALANCE AND FALLS

• BLOOD PRESSURE

• BONE DENSITY

• COMPREHENSIVE MEDICATION REVIEW

• DEPRESSION

• FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE

• FASTING CHOLESTEROL

• HEARING

• HEMOGLOBIN A1C

• HIV

• INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

• NON-FASTING CHOLESTEROL (TC/HDL)

• OPIOID DEPENDENCY

• SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE

• SUICIDE

• TOBACCO USAGE

NOT YOUR AVERAGE PHARMACY CALENDAR

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