When Danielle woke up from a recent surgery at Mountain View Hospital, she wasn’t feeling her best. The procedure went smoothly but, like many patients, the anesthesia had left her feeling groggy, confused and even a little nauseated. Needless to say, she wasn’t looking forward to the stop she and her husband would need to make at the pharmacy.
“I never like going to get medications after surgery, so everyone can see me groggy and in pain,” said Danielle.
Fortunately, Mountain View Hospital made it possible for her to skip the pharmacy and go straight home with its meds to beds program.
“We know patients have better recoveries when they stay on a medication regime and take them the right way,” said Mark Keyes, Mountain View Hospital pharmacist. “We realized we had an opportunity to deliver all the medications our patients needed right to their beds before they checked out of the hospital. This helps us eliminate barriers for our patients and is the fastest way to get them the medicine they need.”
The immediate relief and convenience is a huge benefit for patients, especially when they are discharged before pharmacies open or after they are closed.
“The experience I had with the meds to beds program when I had surgery was amazing,” said Danielle. “The pharmacist came back just as I was about to go home, he took my payment right there and went over my new medications with me.”
Doctors can order medications for their patients when they are scheduling their procedures (this is what happened in Danielle’s case) or patients can choose to take advantage of the meds to beds program when they are checking in for their surgery. The program is free for patients – they only need to pay for the cost of their medications.
“I love meds to beds,” said Dr. Casey Huntsman, an orthopedic surgeon who performs hundreds of procedures each year. Ahead of each surgery, Dr. Huntsman makes sure he orders the medications his patients will need. “Before the program existed, patients were having to stop on the way home to get their prescriptions. Now, they receive them before they leave and can go home and focus on their recovery.”
Every prescription is delivered by a member of the pharmacy team, so patients can get expert counseling on how the medicines work and when to take them for peak effectiveness. This consultation is typically done when another family member is present to ensure everyone understands the care plan and has their questions answered.
The meds to beds program also allows physicians and pharmacists to have stronger communication. This helps improve patient’s care and can also keep more money in their pocket. For example, doctors and pharmacists can quickly identify when medications aren’t covered by health insurance and find alternatives that are included in a patient’s plan.
“You can see the relief on families' faces when they realize they have everything they need and no longer have to stop on their way home. The meds to beds program truly allows individuals to put all of their energy into focusing on their recovery,” said Keyes.
For Danielle, the program meant she avoided waiting in the parking lot of the pharmacy or being left alone at home while her husband ran back to the store. It made a difference.
“If I have surgery or another procedure done, I’ll be using this service without a doubt,” said Danielle.
Mountain View Hospital is the only hospital in the region to offer the meds to beds program.