We value our partnership with LTC Communities across the country and it is always great to get feedback on how pharmacogenetics has impacted their residents, families and staff.
Gary Clason, RN/BSN/DON Fountain View Manor
We did a pharmacogenetic test (aka DNA testing) on one of our residents who is a 70 year old female with severe mental disabilities. She has expressive and receptive aphasia, she cannot communicate in any way other than pain. She was taking Tylenol #3 TID routine. Her pharmacogenetic test came back that she is a rapid metabolizer of codeine. So the doctor changed her pain medication to hydrocodone TID.
The change we saw nearly immediately with this resident was in her activity level. With Tylenol #3 she was sleeping for an hour after taking her routine dose. This impacted her sleep at bedtime. When changed to hydrocodone she began ambulatory more after medication administration. This gave her exercise throughout the day which made her tired at bedtime which lead to better sleep. ~Gary Clason
For more information on pharmacogenetic testing, contact: PGx Medical, info@pgxmed.com or 405-509-5112