APhA Foundation launches new diabetes program

WASHINGTON — The American Pharmacists Association Foundation has unveiled its new Patient Self-Management Solutions aimed at reducing overall cost of care by approximately $1,000 per person with diabetes per year, improving health outcomes and increasing patient satisfaction.



Driving employee wellness is a key strategic imperative for most organizations. From increasing the number of days on the job to reducing the cost of benefits to improving employee motivation and morale, corporate wellness programs are more critical than ever to businesses, and the PSM Solutions can help address these issues, according to the APhA Foundation.



The APhA Foundation’s PSM Solutions were developed leveraging more than a decade of in-field use in the Foundation’s diabetes research in collaboration with employers, patients and providers. Based on the Foundation’s Project IMPACT: Diabetes, Diabetes Ten City Challenge, and Patient-Self Management Program for Diabetes, the PSM Solutions model includes the Patient Self-Management Credential for Diabetes, APhA Foundation’s software, a national network of pharmacist providers, and the methodology refined over the course of the Foundation’s research.



With the flexibility to add the PSMC for Diabetes to an existing program or develop an end-to-end solution, PSM Solutions are ideally suited for employers and health plans looking to address their chronic disease management needs, the Foundation stated. PSM Solutions allow providers to administer and manage knowledge, skills and performance assessments that identify patients’ individual needs and customize the care that is delivered to facilitate self-management.



“This solution enables pharmacists and other healthcare providers to gain a comprehensive understanding of their patients’ ability to manage their diabetes through the real world application of knowledge, skills and performance. Providers can then customize and effectively direct treatment in patient populations, resulting in better, more cost effective outcomes for all patients and a proven cost savings of over $1,000 per patient per year,” stated Benjamin Bluml, SVP of research and innovation for the Foundation.



PSM Solutions supply healthcare providers with targeted feedback about disease specific areas for focus and provide links to patient education resources that may be helpful to more efficiently and effectively address those needs. This ensures that the most appropriate level of care and targeted information is provided to patients based on their individual needs, resulting in increased patient satisfaction and outcomes, according to the APhA Foundation.



As a part of PSM Solutions, the APhA Foundation is bringing together a network of healthcare providers to deliver patient care services. Current network partners include Kroger, PrescribeWellness, and SinfoniaRx. In addition, Scientific Technologies Corp. has partnered with the APhA Foundation to integrate the PSMC for Diabetes into its technology platform. The Foundation’s network partners are available to provide services to beneficiaries of self-insured employers and other healthcare payers interested in providing care options that include the PSM Solutions.



“Diabetes costs American employers more than 15 million workdays every year and accounts for more than $176 billion in healthcare spending,” stated Mindy Smith, executive director of the APhA Foundation. “Our PSM Solutions are backed by years in the field, peer reviewed, and proven to improve outcomes and reduce the total cost of care.”