Expanding Opportunities in the Postacute Long‐Term Care Setting: Bringing Medication Safety to the Next Level

Abstract

Skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes are care settings that offer increasing opportunities for pharmacists to take the lead when addressing the new updated Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements coupled with enhanced quality measures reporting. In addition, the complexity of the medication-related needs and comorbidities of the patients served in long-term care facilities promotes pharmacists practicing to the top of their license. Medication stewardship needs to be an interdisciplinary team activity led by the pharmacist. This article highlights areas of opportunity and innovation focusing on the four areas that reflect new regulations and enhanced scrutiny by CMS: psychotropic medications, transitions in care, antibiotic stewardship, and pain management.

Innovations in Medication Safety: Services and Technologies to Enhance the Understanding and Prevention of Adverse Drug Reactions

“…Innovations in medication safety expand beyond the hospital to include long‐term care facilities and community settings as well. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently updated the requirement of participation for long‐term care facilities, and the changes include an emphasis on the safe and effective use of medications, which is an opportunity to advance pharmacy services . Bacci and colleagues discuss the novel changes occurring in community practice as pharmacists expand their services to include patient direct care in addition to providing drug products .…”

“…The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently updated the requirement of participation for long-term care facilities, and the changes include an emphasis on the safe and effective use of medications, which is an opportunity to advance pharmacy services. 24 Bacci and colleagues discuss the novel changes occurring in community practice as pharmacists expand their services to include patient direct care in addition to providing drug products. 25 Overall, innovations in medication safety require a deeper understanding of ongoing and newly presenting ADRs, early warning signals for the prevention of ADRs, and an enhancement of technologies and services in all patient care settings.…”