Illinois to launch demonstration
program to help seniors manage complex medication regimens
Demonstration to serve more than 1,000
seniors in Illinois
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[December 01, 2016]
SPRINGFIELD
- The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is preparing to launch a
Medication Management demonstration program designed to help older
adults with multiple chronic illnesses simplify their medication
regimens and reduce the risk of admission or readmission into a
hospital or other long-term care facility. The program will launch
on December 1st and will run for one year.
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IDoA is partnering with Bolingbrook-based company, APC, to work
collaboratively with select Care Coordination Units (CCU’s) to
provide pharmacist-led in-home visits and conduct comprehensive
medication reconciliation and review. This process will combine
information from many sources, including case manager records,
patient-reported information, clinical assessments and insurance
review to develop a manageable, concise medication plan.
“Older adults in Illinois are especially susceptible to nursing home
and emergency room admissions due to overly complicated medication
plans,” commented IDoA Director, Jean Bohnhoff. “With this
demonstration, we have an opportunity to reduce those admissions and
help improve the quality of life for our participants.”
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Data indicates that when individuals are prescribed multiple drugs
and use complex dosing regimens, they are less likely to adhere to
their medication regimen, resulting in adverse effects, increased
hospitalizations and an increase in nursing home admissions.
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APC President, Michele Arling, will oversee the implementation of the
demonstration program. “We are thrilled to be working with the Department of
Aging on this project. Under the Department’s direction, we will work together
to improve the overall care for participants served through pre-selected Care
Coordination Units,” said Arling. “We will be working closely with nurses,
caregivers and physicians to enhance care coordination and ensure the
individual’s medication plan is clear and concise. We are confident this project
will improve the quality of care for these patients.”
The demonstration program aims to enroll a minimum of 1,000 participants, and
enrollment will be capped at 2,000. The program will run for twelve months and
include a six-month review. Outcomes and evaluation will focus on medication
adherence; reduction in the number of medications taken; reduction in cost of
medication error rates; reduction in readmission to long-term care facilities,
hospitals and emergency rooms; participant satisfaction with services; and
quality of life improvement.
[Illinois Department on Aging] |