A Pharmacy Consultant Case Study on the Utilization of Metabolic Validation
Garrett Huxall, Pharm.D, CGP, FASCP
Executive Director, PharmCareOK
As a pharmacy consultant with over 20 years of experience and now nursing home owner, I understand that medications and their side effects can critically impact a patients’ care. To aid physicians in their management and choice of medications for various disease states, I have been utilizing a metabolic validation program that allows me to recommend proper medication therapy more quickly and accurately. The tool from PGx Medical replaces the “trial and error” process consultants cannot afford in a nursing home setting.
I have numerous stories on how a metabolic validation report impacted my dosage recommendation or regimen changes. However, small adjustments in dosage or selection of a new pharmaceutical agent with guidance from the Metabolic Validation report, have lead me to now select medications that can be properly metabolized. Where in the past, I would have just gone to the next drug and hoped for a better outcome.
Below is the second in a series of case studies I have written:
Case Study #2 – [Male patient, multiple med, pain regimen not providing therapy] This patient was on Loritab, asprin and an NSAID for several months. Patient continued to complain of strong pain and medication dosages were increased with no effectiveness in pain reduction. Upon requesting a metabolic validation diagnostic, patients was placed on Dilaudid . Once we reviewed the test results, we were able to lower his dose of Dilaudid, twice daily while continuing with Asprin. Before the test he was taking loratab, asprin and an NSAID. We reduced the patients’ pain medications by 50% and he is doing much better.
In reducing the medications by 50% we are also helping to eliminate many of the complications often associated with heavy dosages and large regimens of pain medications. And reduce the cost of treatment to Medicare for this patient.
Previously, without the testing results to guide us, this change may have taken several different methods and a longer time frame to achieve results. It was very reassuring and validating to me that we were able to intervene with this resident on a much quicker basis and help him avoid falls, which is a benefit to the clinical team and the medical director.
Educating the clinical team and medical directors at the facility on the value this tool provides is crucial, as it is 100% covered by Medicare. It’s important to reassure residents and family members that the medications they are taking are the most appropriate and able to provide proper therapy. A less medicated, cognizant, mobile resident allows for the home to be more efficient and profitable.
For more information on the metabolic validation program, info@pgxmed.com or 405-509-5112