Enhancing the Quality of Life Through Personalized Medicine
“With CMS phasing in new star ratings for quality measures, we wanted to focus on helping nursing facilities and home health companies find a solution before those changes take place”
PRWeb: Effective immediately – Oklahoma based PGx Medical takes innovative program to the next level by focusing on improving the quality of life in seniors through their pharmacogenetic program.
“It was an easy decision for our company. We saw a need and we are addressing it. With CMS phasing in new star ratings for quality measures, we wanted to focus on helping nursing facilities and home health companies find a solution before those changes take place,” said Clay Bullard.
Bullard, Founder and CEO of PGx Medical, is a person experienced in the challenges of medication management. Through a personal experience with a family member, Bullard quickly realized the trial and error process wasn’t providing much hope or direction for treatment – not to mention the financial burden and loss of valuable time. “The idea of avoiding trial and error and having a personalized treatment plan for pharmaceutical usage captivated me.” It is at that time he started his professional journey with what is now PGx Medical.
PGx Medical has a proprietary process that impacts quality, adds value and addresses clinical concerns such as falls, dementia, pain, medication management and overall staff efficiencies, via pharmacogenetics.
Pharmacogenetics aligns current and future medications with each person’s unique genetic profile.
Drug-related problems are common in the elderly and include drug ineffectiveness, adverse drug reactions, overdosage, underdosage, and drug interactions. This is one of the reasons PGx Medical made the decision to focus primarily on the field of aging services.
With over 43.1 million adults 65 and older and that number is growing rapidly, statistics show proper medications play a role in improving the quality of life for older Americans. In the LTC community population, medication-related problems currently cost $177.4 billion a year. (ascp.com).
Bullard adds, “ PGx Medical has spent years educating healthcare professionals on the benefits of pharmacogenetics, how it impacts current medications and it is a roadmap for the future. We never really focused our time on one targeted space. After working with clinicians in the field of aging services, we realized there is a need, not only for residents, but also for the clinical caregiver and the family member. You want your loved one to be up and active, living a quality life. That doesn’t happen if they are overmedicated or not receiving proper therapy from the medications they are taking.”
Pharmacogenetics is a one-time diagnostic lab reimbursed by Medicare B. PGx Medical partners and provides a solid program that includes education on pharmacogenetics and the testing process, assistance with implementation, and ongoing support. Providers across the country are using the PGx program to increase quality and enhance clinical outcomes via pharmacogenetics.
Medicare estimates 4.3 billion prescriptions were written in 2015 and studies show 65 percent of doctor visits result in a prescription. If ineffective medications continue to be prescribed, we as a nation will continue to deal with the negative outcomes.
For more information on pharmacogenetics, contact, Clay Bullard at cbullard@pgxmed.com or 405.818.9327, or visit www.pgxmed.com.