The Pharmacist Plays An Important Role In The Treatment Of Your Heart Disease
May 16, 2007 by Kendra James, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
“The key to the success of our intervention was taking time with patients to create a regular schedule for taking their medicines that fit their lifestyle,”
On the heels of yesterday’s post, education about cardiac medications is so important for insuring successful outcomes. Do you know your pharmacist well? Do you feel like him/her is helpful and caring towards your needs? Personally, I am on a first name basis with my local pharmacist and feel very comfortable in knowing that she “looks out” for my family. I have come to trust her and her professional capabilities.
The National Institute of Health funded a study that examined the role in which a pharmacist plays in polypharmatic, or multi drug, cardiac patients. Just how key is that ol’ white coat wearing individual that fills your medicine bottles? Very!
The patient’s who received special intervention and education from the trial’s pharmacist…
- took their medications 16 percent more consistently,
- visited the emergency room and were hospitalized 19 percent less, and
- had direct annual health-care costs nearly $3,000 lower per patient.
“We made sure that patients understood how their medications worked and why taking them consistently was so important,”
Get to know your pharmacist! Don’t feel incompetent if you have a worry or concern. Ask away! There is no such thing as a stupid question, especially when it comes to your health. I say over and over again… you are your own best advocate.
via Science Daily
