April Blog Post:
            

          This month was a real success with the planning of my activity project, which I chose to pick Answer 3 to represent within it. My answer 3, the use of technician's assistants that pharmacists should take use on in order to create more time to focus on consultation with patients while techs work on the pharmacist's minor works of store related responsibilities such as medication, prescription packaging, and other products in the pharmacy. Over all, I hope when I go back to the pharmacy at my mentorship that I am able to use some of their supples for this event in my Senior Project. Now I must prepare for I only have a few weeks to gather everything for this huge presentation :) wish me luck!!!!

Independent Component Blog

Blog 19:  Independent Component 2

Independent Component

Label:  Independent Component

Due Date:  Friday 4/27 by 8AM

Content: 
LITERAL:

(a) Statement saying: “I, student name, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

 “I, Adrienne Alba, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

 (b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component

 Article:

Jauhar, Sandeep. ʺNo Matter What, We Pay for Others’ Bad Habits.ʺ The New York Times. The New York Times, 29 Mar. 2010. Web. 23 Oct. 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/health/30risk.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22RI%3A13%22%7D

Article:

Chen, Pauline W. ʺThe Choices Patients Make.ʺ The New York Times. The New York Times, 09 Oct. 2008. Web. 05 Nov. 2014. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/health/10chen.html?pagewanted=print

Article:

Wick, Jeannette Y. ʺAdherence Issues in Elderly Patients.ʺ Adherence Issues in Elderly Patients. N.p., 13 Jan. 2011. Web. 29 Jan. 2015. http://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/issue/2011/January2011/RxFocus-0111

Article:                                                                           

Karalis, Nicholas. ʺDay in the Life: Adherence.ʺ Day in the Life: Adherence. N.p., 22 Mar. 2011. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.

(c) Provide a digital spreadsheet (aka log of the 30 hours).   Post it next to your mentorship log.
Independent Component 2

 

(d) Explanation of what you completed.   
INTERPRETIVE
Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.

After volunteering at the Activity Center in Glendora Grand Nursing Home, I learned the value of patient care. The Activity Center is a place where patients can enjoy themselves, to have fun while their stay in Glendora Grand Nursing Home. The Activity Center offers many events and small activities that patients may do within their free time. The way the Activity Center works is that it is a place where a patients can get away from their caregivers (nurses) and get out of their rooms once in awhile to maybe stretch and check what the center has to offer. Yet what makes the work difficult within the Activity Center is the free-for-all atmosphere for patients who comes in and participates. Whatever patients needed for the Activity Center, the members have to do their best to provide what’s best for them.

Our job at the Activity Center is to make sure patients are enjoying themselves with the events we have offer to them. Pharmacists provides as much services for the patients that may assist them with their medication like consultation, handouts (with specific directions and information about the medication), or organization medication boxes (to keep track). In the Activity Center, we provide activities patients may enjoy for themselves during their stay in the nursing home such as nail polish services, permission to use the Wii, painting or color utensils, building blocks and more. We even provide savoring snacks for the patients. Patients are free to ask for whatever they need in the program and we will do our best to provide them of what they need.

My work is as similar as the other employees, to monitor patients and setup for activity event. Every morning there is always a new activity, whether it be drawing, dancing, exercising, or a movie, patients are always excited to come in. Every afternoon is always the same routine of Bingo. Seniors in Glendora Grand Nursing Home loves Bingo that one time they rioted when the Activity Center canceled the event and replaced it with painting. Usually I come to the nursing home every weekends at 10am or 11am - 4pm or 5pm or Fridays at 1pm-5pm.

Every Friday is Bingo, my routine is:
1:30pm: Set up for Bingo
2pm-4pm: Bingo Game
●       Within this event, I assist a few Seniors who need help physically to play the game (AKA: Stamping the cards and repeating the numbers)
●       2:50pm: Snack Serving, I set up the snacks and pass them around, providing Seniors a healthy eating before the next game at 3pm.

After Bingo, dinner time is already set by 5pm, so at the meantime, everyone is setting up for dinner within a hour. During this time, I set up hot beverages for the Seniors: hot chocolate and coffee. I stand at my post and wait for the Seniors to come up and asked for their request which is a difficult position than it sounds. There is no line or patience these Seniors have. Most of the Seniors come at once, telling me they want hot chocolate and one wants coffee at the same time. Throughout this process, I am multitasking everywhere with the cream, sugar, hot water, etc. But at the end, I succeed my task by 5:30pm and call it a day.

APPLIED

How did the component help you answer your EQ? Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped.

My Independent Component taught me the value of patient care and the difficulties to face when trying to communicate with patients. For these few months working at Glendora Grand Nursing Home, I got a taste of interacting with noncompliant patients and it tasted very bitter. All retail pharmacists have interacted with that one patient who is frustration to communicate with and difficult to consult about the use and effects of their medication. There are even patients who deny to have consultation with their pharmacist and at the end, they come back to the pharmacy to complain about the side effect they gotten from their medication.

In the Activity Center, we cannot give “everything” to what the patient has requested because there are a few restricted requests we cannot fulfill for them due to their specific medical conditions such as patients asking for hot chocolate, sugary treats, cream with their coffee, paints, Wii, or even crayons due to patients with uncontrollable arms. It is difficult to not fulfill patient’s request due to restrictions we must follow from nurses, doctors, and other healthcare providers’ recommendations. Such as there are times when patient’s demand for chocolate, like they really demand for it.

It was on a Friday afternoon, Bingo event was going on and it was time to take a small break and serve snacks to the patients in the center. As I was passing out cookies and oranges, an elderly man called out to me and asked me if I could get him hot chocolate. Since I am a volunteer, I needed official permission to give patients these treats. When I asked my advisor, she told me that I shouldn’t give any sweets to that man because he has a diabetes condition. I told the man that I wasn't allowed to give him hot chocolate and instead suggested to him if he wants juice. The man kept asking me why I couldn't get him the beverage he wanted, so I told him the truth that he has a diabetes condition and he shouldn't eat anything sweet. Then he kept telling me he was allowed to have sweets because apparently the doctor said he could. I didn't know what to do, but obviously I didn't believe the man. All I could have done is deny his request, which I did and apologize that I couldn't fulfill his request. Then the man started to yell at me, telling me I was a lazy employee and he was going to get the hot chocolate himself, which he did.

I found that event unexpected, but my supervisor told me that the fault will be on the man who got the hot chocolate because some patients do have the authority to do what they request. Some patients have permission to eat all the sugary treats even though they have a huge condition of diabetes. My supervisor told me that these types of patients have full fault at the end of their line.

This is just as similar as a pharmacists as they have consultation with patients and their benefits with their medication. Pharmacists cannot force to make their patients change their life style, but they can do their be to give the right advice and suggestions for patients to improve their healthy habits. If the patient still doesn't listen, then it will be the patient's full fault if he or she suffers noncompliant health problems with the decision he or she has chosen.

My component helped me understand the value of patient care and the use of other employees. If I didn't asked my supervisor's permission to serve hot chocolate to the man then I could have gotten  in trouble and cause a major problem with the man's diabetes. But instead, I didn't and the man causes himself to have problems with his diabetes with the beverage. As the health care provider, you sometimes cannot fulfill patient's request all the way. The importance of delivering patient care is doing the best you can to provide the patient with special need they request they may have. Trying to find another suggestion or solution to still benefit for the patient's need.

With the use of other employees, it can really help prevent human error to occur, such we set up for Bingo and clean it up. Usually at the Activity Center, there is about two people working, but adding a third person along, AKA me, can make set up and clean up end quickly. As we set up for Bingo, we are able to set up the game such as passing out materials and collecting the papers, only takes about a few seconds to finish. In the pharmacy, technicians were used for of the minor tasks of the pharmacists, then the pharmacist would have more important work to focus on while technicians cover up their minor works. Pharmacists can have more time to deliver the proper consultation to patients and to make sure their patient understand the purpose of their medication. 
 
 
 

 

 

 

March Blog:

I have finally found my best answer for my EQ!!!

ANSWER 3:
"With technicians managing store-related work in the pharmacy, pharmacists can have more time to consult with patients properly."

Pharmacists technicians are the other employees in the pharmacy who takes care of the packaging of medication/prescriptions and stocking of products. These employees' main role is to be of assistance for the pharmacist at all time in the retail store (pharmacy). In the US, there is tons of pharmacists technicians than pharmacists working in the pharmacy field. The work force for the pharmacist make it a lot difficult for them to deal with since they have multiple responsibilities to take care of in the store (e.g. prescriptions fill/refills, phone calls, paperwork, stocking). With tons of workload for the pharmacist, it lacks them from their main role which is being an expert of a variety of drugs and being of assistance for patients' medication-related problems.

Time is what the pharmacist is worry about during consultation with their patient, they do not have enough of it due to their busy schedule. The only way pharmacist can enforce patient compliance is to make sure they have properly deliver that service/advise to their patient and making sure they patient has a full understanding of what their pharmacist had said. It takes time and specific reasoning to develop full understanding from their patient. But how can pharmacist gain more time for consultation?

Well with the help of pharmacist technicians with management of the retail work in the pharmacy, the pharmacist doesn't have to worry as much for other works. The only difference is that technicians are only responsible for product-related works, not interaction/consultation with patients. With technicians running other works for the pharmacist in the store, it will create more time for the pharmacist to practice more on top of their license. (e.g. consultation, checking of prescriptions)

Here is a video for those who wonder what retail pharmacists have to deal with everyday :)
*just for laughs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULnBZ2T7CIg

Blog 18: Fourth Interview Preparation

Title: Fourth Interview Questions

Label: Interviews

Due Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015

 

Content: Post 20 open-ended questions you want to ask an expert in the field concerning your senior project. The focus of your questions should be on your answer to your EQ.

 

If you have already interviewed someone two times, you aren't allowed to interview that same person without House teacher approval.

 

The interview itself is not due until Friday, April 17th to turnitin.com. However, we want to give you as much time as possible, so we are asking you to complete the blog now. Remember that in addition to turning in the interview, you also need to turn in the verification sheet to your House teacher.

 

Pharmacists in profession more than 10 years (possible interviewer)

1. How effective is Good Pharmacy Practice in both Chain pharmacies and independent pharmacies in the US?
2. Do all of the rules of Good Pharmacy Practice must be followed precisely and if these rules are not followed, what are the punishment? If not, why? 
3. Is there any other profession who can assist the pharmacist with the patient information of their medication? If so, who? If not, how can they manage?
4. How has technology improve the work in the Pharmacy?
5. How useful is it to rely on online medical records of patients? Do you still prefer paper-folders? 
6. Are you willing to rely on Patient Portal? Why or why not? Explain.
7. Would you recommend this site to any one? Who or what kind of patients would you recommend Patient Portal to?
8. Do some pharmacies have a healthcare team within their retail? Who are usually in these teams?
9. Why do pharmacist aren't recommended as much into the healthcare team?
10. How are healthcare teams formed in the pharmacy?
11. How will having healthcare teams improve the enforcement of patient compliance?
12. What are the main issues about having an healthcare team in the pharmacy?
13. What blocks the way for the pharmacists to deliver compliance towards their patients?
14. How can pharmacists assist patients with financial debt with their medication?
15. Do pharmacists always offer consultation/therapy to all their patients? What are the most common responses from the patients?
16. What are clinician pharmacists and do they take any part in the pharmacy?
17. Who are the main employees to hire within the pharmacy besides the pharmacists?
18. How is the situation is resolved when communicating with a patient who speaks an entirely different language?
19. What are some ways to remove that language barrier between the pharmacists and their patients (language, educated, understanding of subject between the two)?
20. In your opinion, what is the best way for pharmacists to enforce patient compliance onto their patients/ 

 

 

 

Blog 17: Answer 3

Title:  Blog 17: Third Answer
Label: Research
Due Date:  Thursday, March 5th by 8AM
Content:
Just like you did for answer 1 and 2 post your:

• EQ 

What is the key way pharmacists can enforce patient compliance to prevent noncompliant health problems?

• Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)*

Time is what concerns pharmacists to provide consultation for noncompliant patients due to their responsibility in running the pharmacy, but with the assistance of the pharmaceutical team, the other employees can take charge of managing the retail while the pharmacists focuses on deliver compliance.

3 details to support the answer (a detail is a fact and an example)

1. The pharmacist is in charge of a variety of roles in the pharmacy: consultation, patient assistance, packing of medication, products organization, consulting with other medical professions, and managing their team. But sometimes the team can work on their own, the only work that the pharmacist does for the team is the supervise them.

2. There are two types of patients waiting in the pharmacy: patients who needs consultation and patient who needs their medication. The pharmacist cannot let these patients wait, so the technicians take care of patients with their medication (that doesn't need to be explained much) and the pharmacist takes care of patients who wants to be consulted.

3. Pharmacist technician help by managing the pharmacy with packaging of medication and organization of products, keeping the retail well adjusted. Meanwhile the pharmacist is able to focus on major issues that patients tends to have with their medication and consulting doctors able to fix the problems in between.

• The research source (s) to support your details and answer

 

Mentorship

"What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do?" What Does a Pharmacy Technician Do? N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.

"Are You Ready for Health Care Teams?" American Pharmacists Association. N.p., 28 Dec. 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
 "As U.S. Health Care Becomes More Team-based, Avalere Releases Report on Pharmacists' Role." American Pharmacists Association. N.p., 27 June 2014. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.

• Concluding Sentence

The only way pharmacists can enforce patient compliance onto their patient is informing the necessary medical information through efficient communication. Communication is the main importance to deliver compliance advices and not only towards to patients, but they need more time to consult. Pharmacists do what they can to deliver their main message to both patients and doctors/health professions and the only request they wish from them is an understanding. With the help of technicians, the only issue pharmacist needs to worry about is enforcing compliance.
 

*Write your answer like you would write a thesis statement.  Please don't give us one or two words or start your sentence with "by".    Thanks!

February Blog:

This month felt a bit empty for me between my hours for mentorship and independent component 2. I was only able to go to mentorship once during this month because the pharmacists I have recently met was going to resign himself out of the pharmacy the week after. It was very disappointed because I have only met him for one day and this pharmacist, Sam Basta, had a long time experience in the field of pharmacy, but I am happy that I did met him. For my independent component 2, it was usually the similar routine I had to do every time I go to the nursing home with Bingo and beverages serving. But this month, I did not feel as empty handed as I should be for my Senior Project. I did found ideas for my Answer 1 and 2. I have decided for my ANSWER 1 is Patient Portal which a online website to keep health care providers connected with patients and their medical information. Answer 2 is evidenced-based practice which is monitoring the patient through any physical information and records they have gathered to gain proof of any compliant they might ask for their medications. So for now, I got to keep researching in order to gain the proper information for my answers. Hopefully next month, I am able to find a new mentor and finally finish all hours before April. *crosses fingers, wish me luck my friends!!!

Blog 16: Answer 2

Title:  Answer 2
Label: Presentation
Due Date:  Thursday, 2/19 by 8AM

1.  What is your EQ?

What is the key way pharmacists can enforce patient compliance to prevent noncompliant health
problems?

2.  What is your first answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

There is no simple solution to end the issue of patient compliance, but there is a possible way to help decrease and to slow the rate of noncompliant health problems by supporting Good Pharmacy Practice to pharmacists.

3.  What is your second answer? (In complete thesis statement format)

Technology has formed out the medical industry to be more efficient through machinery and medical records; even some patients connects with their health care providers online known as Patient Portal.

4.  List three reasons your answer is true with a real-world application for each.

• In 2009, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) passed by the Obama administration, includes a section called the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act promotes adoption of "electronic health records" (EHRs) to improve efficiency and lower healthcare costs. Anticipating that the widespread adoption of electronic health records would increase privacy and security risks under The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which is known as Patient Portal throughout the public. (Protected by HIPPA and HITECH "hack free")
• The purpose of this document is to help healthcare providers to understand how patient portals help achieve HIPAA compliance and to comply with HIPAA and HITECH. Complying with these ACTs (HIPPA + HITECH) requires an investment in the adoption of HIPAA Compliance Plans, training of staff and attention to the particular details of the ACTs. This benefits healthcare providers to keep organization of patients profiles and simply access patients medical records easily. 
• In the US alone, 36% of US citizens uses Patient Portal and the other 64% doesn't. But within 57% of the 64% are interested to have their own personal Patient Portal. In the generation of advance technology, people gain a better communication through the source of social media through many virtual emails. Patient Portal is a healthcare related online applications that allow patients to interact and communicate with their healthcare providers. The functionality of patient portals varies significantly through the secure access to patient's demographic information, appointment scheduling, payments, bidirectional messaging and access to clinical data if the portal is being provided by the EHR provider.

5.  What printed source best supports your answer?

Etherly, Andre. ʺUsing Patient Portals to Achieve HIPAA Compliance and Drive Patient Satisfaction.ʺ
Http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Patient-Portals-to-Achieve-HIPAA-Compliance-and-Drive-Patient-Satisfaction&id=7002481.
15 Apr. 2012. Web. 18 Sept. 2014.

6.  What other source supports your answer?

Crane, Kristine. "How Patient Portals Are Changing Health Care."
Http://health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2014/06/30/how-patient-portals-are-changing-health-care.
N.p., 30 June 2014. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.


7.  Tie this together with a concluding thought.

Between Good Pharmacy Practice and Patient Portal, they both have one method in common to bring a low rate of noncompliant problems, of medication, to occur throughout the US. It is communication of health care providers, the pharmacists, and their consumers, the patient. There is a language barrier between the pharmacist and the patient which causes communication to be less use. The patient cannot gain a full understanding of every bit of information the pharmacist had explain about their medication. Communication must be fixed between the two, it is like a French men talking to a Chinese woman.

On Friday, 2/20 for Advisory #2, you will be presenting what you have from this blog.  The presentation is more like a share-out and should not last longer than 2 minutes. You don't need a visual, and you should not read what you have written.