September 30, 2016

Partnership with Community Pharmacists Benefits Family Medicine Patients

A new partnership with two local Meijer Pharmacies to provide hypertension management services for adult patients.

U-M patients will be able to visit participating Meijer pharmacy locations to receive a blood pressure check and assessment. If the patient’s blood pressure is elevated, the clinically trained Meijer pharmacist will communicate directly with the patient’s U-M Health System provider. The patient will also receive appropriate follow-up and education about disease, clinical goals, medications and lifestyle.

David C. Serlin, M.D.
David C. Serlin, M.D.

“We are excited to partner with Meijer to augment the care we provide for our patients.  This collaboration will help improve the health of our communities by providing more convenient options for our patients to receive hypertension evaluation and management. It builds on earlier efforts, as we work to expand the patient-centered medical home into the community, further expanding partnerships that we have previously established with CVS Pharmacy, Chelsea and Dexter Area Wellness Foundations and others to provide diabetes and prediabetes support,” noted David C. Serlin, M.D., assistant professor and associate chair for clinical programs.

In addition, documentation of the patient’s visit to their Meijer pharmacy will be recorded in their electronic medical record so the patient can easily discuss the reading and assessment with their U-M Health System provider at their next medical visit.

Patients at Briarwood Family Medicine are now able to utilize this exciting new service and it will open to patients at Ypsilanti Family Medicine in mid-October. The service will be available at two local Meijer Pharmacies on Ann Arbor-Saline Road and Carpenter Road.

 “This partnership is allowing us to provide our patients with clinical pharmacist services in the community,” says Hae Mi Choe, director and associate dean of pharmacy innovations and partnerships at U-M. “Our patients will have more access to an effective and safe hypertension treatment and monitoring program right in their neighborhood.”

Nearly 90 percent of Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy and a community pharmacist is one of the most accessible health care professionals in the U.S., according to the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.

Blood pressure monitor.

“Improving blood pressure control is one of the U-M Health System’s goals,” Choe says. “We’re hoping this partnership will allow patients another convenient access point to high-quality care and improved management of their condition.”

U-M Health System patients with elevated blood pressure will be identified at clinic visits and given the option to visit the Meijer pharmacy for their follow-up care. There will also be outreach to patients with elevated blood pressure who live in close proximity to the participating Meijer locations inviting them to visit their local Meijer pharmacy, or return to their physician’s office, for their follow-up care.

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