On December 6, VHAN experts Jacky Bradley, PharmD, MBA, and Sophie Katz, MD, facilitated a Learning Exchange for network members to share best practices and learn how to leverage the resources from VHAN’s new Antibiotic Stewardship Program.
Antibiotics prevent millions of deaths each year, fighting bacterial infections that could otherwise lead to serious complications or even death. But after years of overuse and inappropriate prescription, various bacteria have become increasingly resistant to antibiotics. To ensure optimum use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), a team of physicians and pharmacists created the Vanderbilt Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (VASP). Learn more about the program’s successes in this case study.
At least 30% of outpatient-prescribed antibiotics are unnecessary, sometimes leading to ER visits for adverse drug events in patients of all ages. To increase the appropriate use of antibiotics and decrease the threat of antibiotic resistance, VHAN has launched a new Antibiotic Stewardship Program, focusing on Upper Respiratory Infections (URIs) in the first phase.
As the cost of prescription drugs continues to rise, patients’ refusal or inability to pay for costly medications contributes to an estimated 125,000 deaths every year. VHAN’s Care Navigators often take a closer look at patients’ medications and collaborate with the VHAN Pharmacy team to ensure patients are taking the most effective, affordable medications.
As COVID-19 cases begin to increase again in the region, new outpatient treatment options are available that may lessen the severity of infection and reduce patients’ chances of being hospitalized or dying from the virus. VHAN encourages its members and their staff to learn more about these options to help educate themselves, their family members and their patients about their availability. Making use of these treatment options will be powerful in keeping COVID-positive patients out of the hospital, ensuring beds remain available for patients needing care of all kinds.
As the omicron variant continues its dominance, many providers are looking for new ways to treat COVID-19 in patients. While new oral drugs, such as Paxlovid and molnupiravir, are authorized for emergency use, they can be difficult and time-consuming to prescribe. In partnership with VUMC, VHAN pharmacists have developed a guide to prescribing COVID oral antivirals in the outpatient setting.
VHAN’s pharmacy services help members improve medication management processes by helping patients with medication management and reducing the demand on staff.
In 2020, VHAN focused on 11 key aims to drive quality performance and improve patient care. Our new Impact Report outlines how the network performed across these key aims, including several personal stories that detail how VHAN providers have made a difference in patients’ lives.
The VHAN diabetes team continues to make telehealth more personal, particularly in the area of remote patient monitoring (RPM).