PHARMACY CARE FOR SENIORS

Pharmacy care for seniors in long term care homes is a unique healthcare service. Seniors often need a higher level of medication management to maintain their quality of life, therefore geriatric pharmacy care goes beyond the conventional pharmacy role of filling prescriptions. It requires participation in a multidisciplinary healthcare team working with the physicians, nursing staff, the residents and their families.

Medical Pharmacies provides complete seniors’ pharmacy care – medication packaging and distribution, clinical support and consulting services balanced with the unique requirements of each resident in each home we service. We are dedicated to supporting the quality of life, well-being, and safety of long term care residents.

Medical Pharmacies brings expert pharmacy care to
over 35,000 residents in long term care homes across Ontario
– one person at a time.

Medical Pharmacies has earned recognition as the leader in seniors’ medication management and clinical consulting through innovative programs and technology applications. As an advocate and practitioner of continuous quality improvement, we participate with our healthcare partners in their quality management programs.

Our research shows that accurate, timely delivery of medications is a key factor for long term care homes. On this critical point, Medical Pharmacies delivers.

Over 20 long term care pharmacy sites enable us to provide consistent service plus back-up support in crisis or disaster events. We provide pharmacy services across Ontario. Click here for a list of the communities we currently serve.

MORE TIME TO CARE
Medical Pharmacies is continually working on new ways to give your staff more time to care for residents. As we have grown, we have invested in technology to improve pharmacy services and programs for long term care. This, in turn, streamlines the management of the pharmacy process in the homes giving nursing staff more time to spend with each individual resident.

For example, Med-eLink our electronic MAR will simplify the medication management process by reducing paperwork and eliminating time-consuming steps. Med-ePen, our digital pen, provides a secure transmission of physicians’ prescriptions.

SAFE MEDICATION PRACTICE
Patient or resident safety is the responsibility of each caregiver. At Medical Pharmacies, our commitment to their safety is demonstrated through a comprehensive risk management program. As part of this program, we actively subscribe to the principles and guidelines of the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP), an organization advocating safe medication use.

	Stephen Pearson, R.Ph., B.Sc.Phm., Senior Vice President, Long Term Care Services Steve Pearson is the visionary directing Medical Pharmacies' involvement in long term care pharmacy services. His goal is to guide and support our dedicated team of pharmacists, technicians and clinical consultant pharmacists as they continue to provide personalized, professional pharmacy services. Throughout his career he has centered his practice in long term care pharmacy. Today his focus is on strategic direction and business development. Steve is a founding member of the Canadian Society of Consultant Pharmacists. As an active member of the Ontario Pharmacists' Association's Long Term Care Committee, he has worked with Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to develop and update standards for pharmacy service.
	Teresa Pitre, R.Ph., B.Sc., B.Sc.(Pharm) Vice-President, Long Term Care Services As Vice-President, Long Term Care Services, Teresa draws on her broad experience in varied clinical and healthcare settings including community pharmacy, pharmaceutical marketing and continuing education, mental health acute care and as a clinical consultant pharmacist with Medical Pharmacies. She is dedicated to the development and provision of innovative programs and services for long term care and retirement homes to enhance resident care. Understanding the necessity of continuous improvement, Teresa is committed to leading the way through research and quality initiatives. Teresa is an active participant in organizations such as Ontario Long Term Care Association, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists and Ontario Pharmacists Association. This keeps her at the forefront of current issues and developments in pharmacy care services to our senior population.
	Carla Beaton, R.Ph., BSc.Phm., CGP, FASCP Manager, Long Term Care Services In her role as Manager, Long Term Care Services, Carla builds on her background as a consultant pharmacist focused on clinical geriatric pharmacy care. With a primary focus on customer service and patient safety, she manages the planning, implementation and consistent programs for all homes serviced by Medical Pharmacies to ensure that the needs of each home and resident are met. In addition, Carla coordinates the transition and implementation of Medical Pharmacies' services to newly contracted facilities. To ensure consistency in all long term and retirement home services, she manages and collaborates on a broad portfolio of responsibilities including Clinical Consultant Pharmacists, Policy Reviews, Program Planning and Continuing Education. As a demonstration of her dedication to education, Carla recently co-designed and coordinates a continuing education program, Medications in the Elderly, specifically for registered nurses.