Last week, Inspira Health cut the ribbon on two Retail Pharmacies, located at Inspira Medical Centers Vineland and Mullica Hill. Patients can now conveniently fill their prescriptions before leaving the hospital, and, in some cases, delivered to their bedside prior to discharge.
With the “Meds to Beds” program. a pharmacy staff member will collect payment and provide counsel for proper medication use prior to the patient’s discharge. The service is currently available in Vineland and will be coming soon to Mullica Hill. Both sites plan to extend the service into other areas of the hospital like same-day surgery, oncology and the emergency department.
Similar to any big-name pharmacy, Inspira Retail Pharmacy offers automatic prescription refills, individualized medication counseling and access to popular prescription medications and over-the-counter items. This service eliminates the need for patients and caregivers to make a separate trip to the pharmacy, which can often delay medication therapy and may lead to poor medication compliance.
“We know that one of the top reasons that patients are readmitted to the hospital is lack of medication compliance,” said Amy Mansue, president and CEO of Inspira Health. “Providing their medications and educating them prior to discharge increases the likelihood that patients will follow their medication regimen, and it decreases their chance of readmission.”
In addition to dispensing medications, retail pharmacists are certified to give immunizations like flu shots and Tdap boosters. Online prescription refill ordering will be available through the My Inspira app by the end of the year.
The pharmacies offer a prescription savings card program designed to give patients access to affordable medications, with or without insurance. Additionally, Inspira has partnered with pharmaceutical manufacturers for access to charity care options for those in need. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Inspira Medical Center Vineland.
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Also, Inspira Health is giving patients greater access and more control over their health care experience with online appointment booking and virtual care visits with Inspira Medical Group physicians.
Telemedicine options are available with every Inspira Medical Group primary care and specialty care office. These appointments can be held via telephone, smartphone, tablet, or computer. When a virtual appointment is scheduled, patients simply click on the link that they have received to start the online session.
The process for making an appointment with an Inspira Medical Group physician is easier than ever. Patients can schedule appointments by visiting inspirahealthnetwork.org and clicking on Find a Physician, by using the My Inspira app, or by calling 1-800-771-2778. For more information about Inspira Health, visit InspiraHealthNetwork.org or call 1-800-INSPIRA.
