The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has received a CMS Health Care Innovation Award to improve medication adherence and effective medication usage among high-risk patients in the northwest and southwest sections of Memphis, TN. The program has served over 350 vulnerable adults (20-64) and seniors 65+ insured by Medicaid and/or Medicare who have multiple chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic lung disease, as well as polypharmacy and high-inpatient utilization. Through teams of pharmacists, nurse practitioners, pharmacy technicians, and licensed practical nurse outreach workers based in outpatient centers, the program has worked with primary care physicians and local pharmacies to provide comprehensive medication management. Ongoing analysis will assess whether this approach reduces drug therapy problems, patient morbidity and mortality, avoidable hospital admissions, and overall cost, while improving medication adherence, disease management, and patient health.
Over a three-year period, the University of Tennessee Health Science Center's program trained 10 workers, while creating an estimated 11 jobs. The new positions include outreach workers, outreach directors, and pharmacy techs.
