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Patient Stories
GRIPA care management provides many services, each customized according to the needs of the person yet all with a focus on improving the health of a community as part of a health care team that includes the primary care physician, specialist, and hospital.
Medications are an important part of treatment for many conditions. Some people are unable to get the benefit from medications because they are too expensive, side effects are too great, it’s hard to remember to take them, or they simply don’t understand the best way to use medications. GRIPA care managers work with doctors and you to overcome these challenges, as the following stories demonstrate.
A CHILD CAN BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER
A young girl who has asthma was admitted to the hospital for asthma exacerbation. Her mother contacted GRIPA care management as she was having difficulty paying for her daughter’s asthma medications, and the hospitalization was largely due to her daughter not consistently taking one of her medications. The GRIPA consulting clinical pharmacist sent the mother several resources/coupons for reduced copayments on the medications. They also worked directly with the daughter’s physician to change one of her medications to a very similar and appropriate medication that was eligible for discounted copayments. After receiving this assistance, the mother is able to better provide for her daughter’s medication needs.
FINDING THE RIGHT MEDICATIONS
A GRIPA care manager reached out to a patient regarding management of his chronic condition. The care manager, who is a pharmacist, noticed that the patient utilized several medications to manage the condition and was experiencing some unpleasant side effects. The patient indicated that these side effects were interfering with his work. The care manager was able to suggest an alternate medication that would have a similar outcome but would not have the same side effect. After working with the patient’s PCP to change the medication, the patient indicated that he felt much better and able to concentrate more at work. The care manager also encouraged the patient to follow up with their PCP regarding another concern with the chronic condition.
WITH MANY HAPPY (PAPER) RETURNS
A patient was discharged from an inpatient stay for an acute condition. After discharge, the patient complied with all outpatient treatments and requested that her Primary Care Physician (PCP) recommend a return to work. The PCP could not make that recommendation as he did not have all of the paperwork from the outpatient treatments. A GRIPA care manager, a social worker, stepped in to advocate for the patient and facilitate the necessary paperwork. The interaction with the GRIPA social worker increased the communication between the patient and the PCP which allowed the patient to return to work more quickly.
TAKING CONTROL OF DIABETES
This patient contacted GRIPA care management regarding the management of her diabetes. The care manager, a certified diabetes educator met with the patient several times—both face to face and over the phone. After discussing the importance of nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle, the patient felt empowered to begin managing her diabetes. She concentrated on small, attainable steps to lead to diabetes control and to enhance her feeling of success. The GRIPA certified diabetes educator collaborated with the patient’s physician to optimize the pharmacological treatment of her diabetes. After working with the GRIPA care manager for three months, the patient’s blood sugar level decreased from 8.8 (uncontrolled) to 6.5 (controlled).PUTTING THE SQUEEZE ON BLOOD PRESSURE
An employer’s health office referred an employee with uncontrolled high blood pressure to GRIPA Care Management. The GRIPA consulting clinical pharmacist spoke with the patient, discussed his medications, the best way to monitor his blood pressure, and involved a GRIPA nurse care manager. The nurse met with the patient at the employer’s health office during the employee’s lunch break and discussed lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Two weeks later, the patient had avoided high sodium foods, fried foods, and had exercised regularly. His blood pressure was under control without the need for additional medication.
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