Federal Employee Health Benefit

Preferred Care Patient Safety Initiatives

Preferred Care is a partner of the Rochester Health Commission, which has developed Patient Safety guidelines for both practitioners and members. There are no "goals" other than to disseminate the information as widely as possible. Preferred Care published the guidelines in all provider and member newsletters in 2003. The information is on the Preferred Care Web site in the provider and member areas.

As an active participant on the Outpatient Safety Drug Program Subcommittee, Preferred Care developed a list of questions that members should ask their physician and pharmacist. The list is made available through pharmacies, the Monroe County Medical Society and the Rochester Health Commission. In addition, the committee developed a medication profile for members so that they would have their pharmaceutical information available at their fingertips. This committee also supported the use of the "Medicine Bag Pharmacy Review" program throughout the community. The review program encourages members to bring their lunch and all of their current medications to a lunchtime seminar. This program is especially designed for anyone taking four or more prescription drugs. The Medicine Bag Review provides an excellent opportunity to talk one-on-one with a licensed pharmacist, who can answer your questions in a way that's simple and easy to understand.

Under the Medicine Bag Pharmacy Review:

The Pharmacist Will:

• Review all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamin/mineral supplements, herbal remedies and more.
• Look for potential drug-to-drug and drug-to-disease interactions, and make sure that a particular drug is not being dispensed in too high (or low) a dose.
• Answer questions you may have about your medications and how you take them.
• Provide a copy of the medication review to you and a copy to your physician.

Care Managers provide program listings for the You're In Charge!^SM program to help refer members to the appropriate classes. A direct on-line database for the Medicine Bag Review has been established for the Care Management team to register members directly.