by brant bullard | Dec 11, 2014 | Journal articles
Medication nonadherence drives the largest avoidable cost
According to an article in IMShealth.com, patients not adhering to their doctors’ medication guidance experienced complications that led to an estimated $105 billion in annual avoidable healthcare costs. While the underlying reasons for nonadherence are varied and longstanding, the growing use of analytics and collaboration among providers, pharmacists and patients appear to be advancing both the understanding and effectiveness of intervention programs.
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by brant bullard | Dec 8, 2014 | Testimonials
PGx Medical loves to hear success stories and how our metabolic valdiation program, via pharmacogenomic testing helped your patient. Below is a story from one of our partners, Parks Edge Nursing Center.
“As a result of the PGx Medical Metabolic Validation program, we were able to change the quality of life for one of our residents. This resident would wander and yell and every attempt to console her would fail. After testing, we found out she was on the wrong antidepressant and the wrong anti-psychotic. The physician changed her depressant and stopped the anti-psychotic. With a change in a few medications, she is happier and in less distress. We are proud of the change she has made. She no longer cries and yells for “Momma”. She has also stopped wandering looking for “Momma”. She is much happier!” ~Tonya, DON~
If you have a story you would like to share, or you would like to schedule testing at your clinic or LTC facility, you can contact us at:
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
info@pgxmed.com
405-509-5112
www.pgxmed.com
by brant bullard | Nov 3, 2014 | Metabolic Validation Program
At PGx Medical, our goal is to educate healthcare professionals across the country on our Metabolic Validation (pharmacogenomics) test.
Metabolic Validation is a way to “personalize” medicine. Personalized medicine isn’t a fad, it has been around for over a decade. But it is now coming to the forefront of the healthcare industry.
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by brant bullard | Oct 27, 2014 | Partners
As part of our ongoing relationship with our partners, PGx Medical loves to share what they are saying about us and our program.
PGx Medical Metabolic Validation Program
Interview with:
Karen White, Director of Nursing
Cordell Christian Home
Q: As a DON and/or Administrator, do you find the PGx Medical Metabolic Validation Program to be easy to administer?
DON: Yes it is very easy.
Q: How much time do you and your staff allow to test your residents?
DON: I haven’t actually given that a lot of thought. We wait until we have a few residents that need the test, then obtain a buccal sample and send it off.
Q: Do you find the test results to be helpful when dosing or treating your residents?
DON: Yes! We are able to understand our residents’ needs better.
Q: Tell us why your home chose to implement Metabolic Validation testing?
DON: We thought the testing would improve how we care for our residents and it did. Also, our OSDH survey team was really impressed with our steps to help keep the psychotropic drug use at a minimal amount.
Q: How has metabolic validation (aka pharmacogenomics) changed the culture of your home and med review for patients in your home?
DON: We are able to provide even more individualized care to our people.
Q: What % of residents on average do you see, after testing, are in need of a dose change or med change or discontinuing of a medication?
DON: We have made a few changes in medications. But I have a peaceful mind that we are doing everything we should be doing for our residents to perform at their highest practicable.
Q: Has metabolic validation played a role in avoiding F-tags in your home?
DON: I think it helps in our defense as to why someone requires a larger dose of a certain medication, or why someone needs a medication more often than others. 2014 was the first year that we did not get the ‘unnecessary drug’ tag!
For more information on how you can schedule Metabolic Validation Testing, contact:
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
Info@pgxmed.com
405-509-5112
by brant bullard | Oct 10, 2014 | Testimonials
PGx Medical is proud to partner with Parks Edge Nursing & Rehab!
Once Parks Edge Nursing & Rehab learned about Pharmogenetic Testing, we did not hesitate to offer this benefit to our residents. The process was very easy from beginning to results. The PGx Medical consultant met with us at our facility and walked us through the process of getting the testing started. Their process is called Metabolic Validation (pharmacogenomic testings). PGX Medical even took care of most of the paperwork. We only had to provide the resident’s information, medications, and diagnosis to complete the paperwork.
The testing is as simple as swabbing the inner cheek. Parks Edge was able to test 75% of our eligible residents in a few hours. PGX Medical also makes sending the swabs off to their lab an easy process. They provide all the tools needed to complete the testing. The testing results are available online usually with 48 – 72 hours. Again PGX Medical provides a consultant to help the facility understand the test results.
Parks Edge and our Medical Director decided to take the test results and triage the residents needs. The Director of Nursing took the test results and compared them to the residents medications. The residents current medications were highlighted indicating whether the medication was properly metabolized or if the physician needed to consider a change. This made the process of reviewing the results easier. We started with our resident with “behaviors”. Next the medications that indicated “Avoid use” were addressed. This process took less than 30 minutes of the physician’s time each week. We were able to address the test result of approximately 50 residents in just a few weeks.
Most of our residents had medications that needed to be changed. The physician was able to reduce the amount of medications that some residents receive. We look forward to seeing the long term benefits of this testing.
Tonya Mitchell, RN, DON
Parks Edge Nursing Center
For more information on the PGx Medical Metabolic Validation Test, contact:
PGx Medical
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
info@pgxmed.com / www.pgxmed.com
405-509-5112
