Bartell Drugs and QFC Pharmacy team with NACDS on pharmacy value demonstration project
SEATTLE — The National Association of Chain Drug Stores on Tuesday announced that the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, Bartell Drugs and QFC Pharmacy will partner with Washington State Health Care Authority in a unique demonstration project that aims to foster healthcare collaboration across the care continuum to increase pharmacy-based immunizations.
“We are excited about this demonstration project that brings together top community pharmacy providers and faculty from the School of Pharmacy with expertise in implementation science and population health," stated Sean Sullivan, professor and dean of UWSOP. "This project will build on our legacy of improving community access to pharmacist-administered vaccinations and evaluating the impact of these important services on population health outcomes.”
“Bartell Drugs has been a regional leader in promoting and providing convenient, affordable access to immunizations and this project will further our ability to reach more audiences in need of immunization,” added Billy Chow, VP pharmacy operations and clinical services for Bartell Drugs.
The demonstration project is one of three that aim to fulfill the goals of an $800,000 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant to NACDS. The project will examine innovative healthcare collaborations designed to demonstrate increased rates of pharmacy-based immunizations including influenza, pneumococcal, pertussis and herpes zoster.
NACDS showed its strong commitment to this $800,000 grant by contributing an additional $300,000 to execute the demonstration projects. The project will take place over a 13-month period beginning in August 2016.
The demonstration project also focuses on improving pandemic planning among pharmacies and state health departments and improving access to HPV vaccine resources and education for pharmacists.
Together with NACDS, UWSOP, Bartell and QFC Pharmacy will work together to develop and implement a value-based payment model that is scalable and replicable to improve immunization rates for a targeted population that are recorded in the state registry. The models will innovate methods for sharing immunization information among the participating health plans or systems, accountable care organizations, community pharmacies and patients. The grant teams also will collaborate with public health agencies to improve pandemic vaccine preparedness.
The state of Washington has lead the way when it comes to pharmacists practicing at the top of their license, thanks to the advocacy of UW pharmacy faculty. Pharmacist-provided vaccines were among the first of many practice innovations begun at the UW. This project brings together faculty researchers and practitioners who will tap into the diverse expertise at the UWSOP, from pandemic health to onsite coaching in patient care best practices.