Other Chronic Disease Research

Other Chronic Diseases

"Chronic diseases account for 75% of the $2.6 trillion the U.S. spends annually on health care."

About the Issue

Chronic diseases account for 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year and approximately 75% of the $2.6 trillion the U.S. spends annually on health care.1 The APhA Foundation believes that pharmacists are a solution to better controlling chronic diseases and has focused substantial research efforts on demonstrating the value of pharmacists in improving health outcomes and lowering overall costs for chronic disease patients. The Foundation has implemented its Project ImPACT process of care model to study its effect on chronic diseases such as Osteoporosis, Depression and Hypertension. ImPACT stands for Improving Persistence and Compliance with Therapy and the ImPACT care model encompasses a collaborative effort between the patient, caregiver, prescriber, and pharmacist to improve chronic disease control.

 

 

Solutions for Atrial Fibrillation Edvocacy

The aim of this demonstration project was to create an additional access point in the community at local pharmacies for Afib screening, detection, and referral to physicians for follow-up and initiation of evidence-based therapy when appropriate.

Project ImPACT: Hyperlipidemia

Helped patients with high cholesterol improve their health by connecting them with community pharmacists and point-of-care cholesterol testing. Through this process, over 90% of patients continued taking their cholesterol medication for the duration of the project, and over 60% achieved their cholesterol management goals, as defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP).

Project ImPACT: Osteoporosis

Demonstrated that community pharmacy-based bone mineral density (BMD) screenings play a vital role in identifying, educating, and referring patients who are at risk for osteoporosis. 70% of people screened were at high or moderate risk for future bone fracture and many were referred to physicians for further diagnosis. Additionally, pharmacists provided medication therapy management services to patients who were diagnosed with osteoporosis.

Project ImPACT: Depression

Employed a collaborative care model that expanded the role of community pharmacists to help improve patient adherence to depression therapy, reduce symptoms and increase productivity. Patients with severe depression achieved an 83% remission rate, 56% of all patients in the project achieved remission, and 80% of all patients saw some improvement in depression assessment scores.

Project ImPACT: Hypertension

Evaluated the use of home blood pressure monitors that could wirelessly transmit readings to a community pharmacist to assist in the ongoing coaching and monitoring of people with high blood pressure. The use of the wireless devices allowed the pharmacist to identify hypertensive triggers, counsel the patient on lifestyle modifications, and identify ways to optimize medication therapy.

Alzheimer's Disease: Cognitive Memory Screening and Referral Program

Established memory screening services in community pharmacies in order to improve the identification of patients at risk for Alzheimer’s and refer them for diagnosis and treatment by physicians. The project established a scalable process that can improve early detection and referral of at risk patients to assure they receive appropriate treatment to delay future memory loss if needed.