by PGx Medical | Sep 8, 2016 | Testimonials
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
-Cami McKinney, RN
“I can honestly say that the goals of pharmacogenomics can be realized and implemented effectively in an LTC community, because I’ve experienced it”
As a Corporate Quality Assurance nurse for an LTC Company, I see all kinds of great ideas and programs that promise benefits to my facilities and our residents. I evaluate most of them and then work with various companies to assist us in bringing the programs that add value to our communities.
One such program I saw a presentation on was Pharmacogenetic testing for LTC Communities. I began researching and saw great promise for the testing, but had no idea how to implement, the cost, or who to partner with at the time.
With the physician onboard, we did a small sample testing of five (5) residents who we thought test results would help us see what might be improved with the medication regimens. I will not mention the name of the lab or the representative in this article, but I can sum up our experience in one simple term: Disastrous.
We had issues with the specimen collection, getting results, and follow-up assistance with interpretations after the testing. Needless to say, I was very jaded to the idea of expanded testing and shelved the program for about 9 months.
Then I met Clay Bullard with PGx Medical at a conference where he was speaking. I was very skeptical to hear another pitch on pharmacogenetic testing, as you might imagine. However, I learned PGx Medical is not the lab, they partner with the community to assist in gathering information to properly and effectively implement a pharmacogenomics program.
So, I decided to partner with PGx Medical to implement their pharmacogenetic program and gave them a very tight deadline, with a long list of “to do’s” for one of my communities. To my great satisfaction, they delivered on time, met all my expectations, and then some. I have continued to engage PGx Medical with our pharmacy consultants, our EHR and training implementation now that we have test results.
I can honestly say that the goals of pharmacogenomics can be realized and implemented effectively in an LTC community, because I’ve experienced it. It is a valuable tool and it will be a quality program we continue to utilize on all of our current and future residents.
PGx Medical helped us implement this program and is a great resource and partner to LTC communities across the country. Their pharmacogenetics program helped us enhance our med management, falls and dementia programs. It also helped with compliance issues related to anti-psychotropic meds and overall unnecessary medication reduction.
For more information on pharmacogenetics, contact PGx Medical, info@pgxmed.com or 405-509-5112
by PGx Medical | Aug 31, 2016 | Testimonials, Uncategorized
Pharmacogenetics aligns current and future medications with each persons unique genetic profile.
“The promise of Pharmacogenetics is real and can provide tremendous clinical information for which any physician, practitioner or pharmacist can make adjustments to a patients medication regimen. What PGx Medical offers in partnering with clinicians and LTC communities eliminates a tremendous amount of the confusion and work surrounding the proper implementation of a successful pharmacogenetics program. Pharmacogenetics is a tremendous tool to help clinicians be more precise and efficient. PGx Medical is the partner with the experience you can trust.”
Jeff McCormack, Ph.D. , HCLD
Dean, College of Natural and Health Sciences
Lawson Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Clinical Professor of Pathology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
by brant bullard | Nov 15, 2015 | Testimonials
Below are testimonials we’ve received from doctors, directors of nursing, pharmacists and government officials regarding our medication management program, via pharmacogenetic testing.
PGx Medical is the trusted and experienced resource for the implementation of pharmacogenetics in the field of aging services.
Pharmacogenetics aligns current and future medication with each persons unique genetic profile.
As we work alongside long-term care communities, clinics and pharmacies, we have the privilege of receiving success stories on how pharmacogenetics has impacted residents, patients, family and staff.
Pharmacogenetic Testing Addresses Clinical Concerns Such As Falls, Dementia, Sleep, Pain And Overall Staff Efficiencies.
We recently implemented pharmacogenetic testing and feel it is very easy to administer. The test results are helpful when dosing or treating our residents, and saves our staff time and frustration as providers by making sure our patients are on the correct medications. On average, approximately 90% of our patients need a dose change, med change or to discontinue a medication after testing.
We had one patient we had tried so many SSRI/SNRIs and after her PGx test, we were able to find the right medication regimen and now she feels great! We would recommend this program to anyone who has patients on multiple medications. ~Rachel Moore, PA-C~
I have found the pharmacogenetic test to be very useful for patients in my clinic practice as well as my nursing home patients. It is quick to use! In fact, my nurses do all of the work and then they go thru the results and alert me of the medications that are less likely to work for those patients. It takes no time for me at all! The paperwork is very minimal and nurses can fill it out. It takes less than a minute to swab the inside of both cheeks. Then it gets mailed off and the results come back in just a few days.
I had a patient in my clinic that had seen multiple doctors, a psychiatrist and several counselors for her depression. She had tried many medications to help her depression but she complained that none of them made her feel better. We did a pharmacogenetic test and found out that the patient had a gene mutation that kept ALL of the antidepressants from working. No wonder she never felt better with the medications! From the test results we found some alternative medications that could be used to treat her depression. She was so relieved that there was a really good reason for the previous anti-depressants not to work.
I had a patient who had shoulder surgery who kept complaining that the Hydrocodone did not help his pain. The Naproxen actually did better in controlling his pain. We did a pharmacogenetic test and found out that Hydrocodone does not work well for his pain but Naproxen works best. This is helpful information if he ever has to use pain medication again.
I had a patient who complained that his pain meds were not working at all and would ask for more and more. I suspected he was a drug seeker but could not prove it. We did a pharmacogenetic test on him and discovered ALL of the narcotics work well for him. We now know he is a drug seeker and treat him appropriately.
The PGx Medical Pharmacogenetic test is helpful if a patient is not responding to a medication as well as we think they should. This helps us chose appropriate medications that are more likely to work and avoid those that may cause problems for the patient. It is very helpful with resistant depression, psychosis and ADHD medication failures. I am even starting to use the testing first before prescribing any medication. Patients love the testing because we can avoid the medications that are not likely to work or those that could cause adverse reactions; they get on the right medications quicker with less trial and error. Insurances like it because it saves them money by getting quicker results without multiple medication changes.
Nursing Home surveyors encourage nursing homes to use the pharmacogenetic testing on patients to try to keep patients off of multiple medications and to use those that work well. It also decreases the adverse reactions and helps keep patients off of anti-psychotics or at least on minimal doses of anti-psychotics. ~ Dr. Jami Benton ~
“The PGx Medical pharmacogenetic test program has yielded great results at our home. It is now a fully implemented tool my clinical staff reviews with all of our residents. The reports are easy to understand with clear actionable recommendations. I am thankful we were allowed to be the first to have such a tool to use here at our home. Each resident deserves our very best.”~Treva, MD~
“Seems too good to be true, but always produces positive results. I utilize the testing daily now in my practice. For Geriatrics provides the tool for easy medication adjustments. The reports are not complex. Very beneficial for identifying the effectiveness of analgesics in residents who are unable to communicate. There are residents that we may have labeled as ‘drug seekers’, and when the DNA test report is returned we discover that the analgesic they were prescribed is not being metabolized in their body and they are getting no relief from their pain. So they have legitimate pain and the analgesic has not been effective in reducing their pain. This test only has to be performed on each resident one time in their life. That makes it very cost effective. And the reimbursement process has been very easy. The families love it! It tells them exactly what their loved one metabolizes and what is best for them”. The DNA Test results give confidence to the residents that they are being prescribed the correct medications. Yes, would highly recommend this program! CMS should mandate the test for all residents on Antipsychotics!” ~Dr. Mike M, Long Term Care Physician~
“It is important to me to ensure that each of our veterans in all of our State VA homes are cared for on an individual basis. I was excited to learn of the potential the PGx Medical Pharmacogenetic Program offered and I brought it forward to our administrative and clinical teams, as it seemed to be a ‘no brainer’ for our homes to implement. I’ve heard nothing but positive results and praises of both the Program and PGx Medical.” ~Maj Gen (ret) Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs~
“This DNA Testing has been a Win-Win for both the residents and families! By utilizing the DNA test results we know exactly which medication is effective for the residents. It is a tremendous cost saver on medications. Not all people that we think are ‘pain seekers’ really are. We had one resident that kept begging for more and more pain meds. We did the DNA Swab Test on her and the test revealed that she was metabolizing zero percent of the pain medication. So she was truly in pain. We are such Believers in this program! It is a wonderful Marketing Tool! We can advertise that we provide the best care possible for residents on these medications!”~Brenda W. Clinical Manager~
“I was privileged to introduce the PGx Medical Pharmacogenetic Testing Program to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. As a State Representative, I felt this program was in the best interest of each of our Veterans living in the seven ODVA homes, and to those who are in the homes caring for and assisting them everyday. This program has been exceptional and has produced wonderful results while helping the homes practice a level of personalized care that was previously unattainable. The program has also been clinically and economically beneficial to veterans living in homes.”~State Representative~
“I perform about 20 of the DNA Tests a week. The results are a tremendous help in my practice. The DNA Report provides an objective list to choose from to help my patients. Not knowing the metabolic profile of the patients increases the risk of side effects. It is hit and miss without the test. There is no trial and error period when you use the DNA swab testing. It allows me to select from a list of medications that will help my patients. I recommend this program to many other Doctors and patients. It gives you an individualized report with objective information to correctly order the right medication.”~Dr. Timothy B, Pain Management Specialist~
“We initiated this DNA Testing program in response to the CMS Directive to reduce our Antipsychotic usage. Through the metabolic reports, we have identified that residents were receiving antipsychotics that were actually adverse for them. These residents have shown a marked improvement in abilities and a reduction in side effects. The residents are doing so much better now that they are off these medications. The Family members are very excited about the results. All the medication changes have been positive. When the swab reports come back we have been amazed. We then understand why the residents have been exhibiting behaviors and mood swings. This program is very individualized. It has positive results for everyone, but first and foremost the residents. Our Administrator Markets this DNA Testing as a great program for our residents and the facilities. We have multiple Physicians that see our residents. Some of the Physicians were skeptical at first, but now they are really happy with the results. When we had our Survey, we had signed up with AssureRx but had not put the program into place. The Surveyors asked that we write a letter for them to take back to their Office about out Pending DNA Antipsychotic Program. They were so interested that the Surveyor called back and asked if we would fax them copies of the results. The Surveyor stated their Supervisors were very impressed with the individualized data provided.”~Jennifer H., Director of Nursing~
“The PGx Pharmacogenetic Test was easy for us to see the clinical value it offers, even before implemented. The implementation process that PGx offered was very simple, with very little interruption to our staff. As a pharmacist, the information is extremely valuable on my monthly med reviews and for all new residents upon admission. It helps address the issues of polypharmacy, unnecessary medications and more importantly is another tool to help assure that our residents are getting the best therapy for them. It is a great tool for any pharmacist to have.”~Valarie, DHP~
For more information on how you can implement pharmacogenetics into your community, clinic or pharmacy, contact us at:
PGx Medical
Empowerment at the Source of Treatment
Individualized Care – Personalized Medicine
405-509-5112
info@pgxmed.com
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 | 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
