Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, serving southwest Florida, has been recognized by the American Pharmacists Association Foundation for its innovative and visionary approach in delivering a consistently high level of care to its patients.
Each year, the Foundation recognizes leading health care organizations in the US for significant scientific contributions and exemplary leadership in the improvement of quality in the use of patient medication. The recipients are recognized for pioneering innovative ways to improve the medication use process and increase communication between all members of the health care team.
“Not only is this a great honor, it is a fitting tribute to the work of our entire Hope Hospice and Palliative Care team,” said Samira Beckwith, Hope Hospice president and CEO. “The Pinnacle Award validates the positive responses we’ve received from so many of our patients and their families during our more than twenty years of service, as we continuously work to provide the best care possible.”
Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, one of the top twenty stand-alone hospice programs in the US, has created, implemented and maintained a Collaborative Practice Medication Management System to manage medication therapy. It involves pharmacists, Hope Hospice nurses, Hope Hospice physicians, many independent referring physicians, and independent clinical pharmacy and medication distribution systems tied together by web based documentation and communication tools. “Using integrated, state of the art technology that enables professionals from different disciplines to participate in a patient’s care and make informed decisions based on current information, Hope Hospice delivers an unparalleled level of quality of care to its patients,” according to the Award citation.
The system includes interdisciplinary care, clear and defined responsibilities, timely and accessible documentation, and informed decision-making. It can be emulated by other hospices to improve the quality of life of patients by ensuring optimal care. “Through this innovative and visionary approach to medication therapy, Hope Hospice and Palliative Care is able to deliver a consistently high level of care to its patients,” according to the Foundation. The award will be presented at a ceremony in Washington on June 17.
The American Pharmacists Association Foundation, in Washington, DC, is affiliated with the American Pharmacists Association, the national professional society of pharmacists. The Pinnacle Awards, recognizing contributions to health care quality through the medication use process, were established in 1997 by the American Pharmacists Association. The purpose of the award is to recognize pioneering individuals and groups for their contributions and for their exemplary leadership in medication use quality improvement. For more information: www.aphafoundation.org
