Major nursing home chain launches 'unique' in-house pharmacy services

Golden Living is rolling out a new in-house pharmacy service called Golden Clinical Rx Services, which the company says will add certified geriatric pharmacists to every clinical staff and an extra layer of protection against medication errors.

Pilot studies of this pharmacy model decreased patient falls, reduced medication errors and rehospitalization and lowered the number of medications prescribed, company officials announced. Use of the in-house model also helped nursing homes stay in compliance with federal regulations, they added.

Care teams will be using a data management system that can remotely monitor patients’ medications and conditions. This tool lets pharmacists make treatment recommendations to improve regimens and reduce costs. Golden said it would continue to use its contracted pharmacy service as it launches the new program to all of its facilities over the next three years.