Wright-Patterson Medical Center Pharmacy: The intersection of innovation and dedication in an ever-changing world of patient care

  • Published
  • By Dana Miller
  • 88th Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Wright-Patterson Medical Center (WPMC) will celebrate Pharmacy Week from Oct. 21-25, 2024.

During this time, we recognize the vital roles pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play in enhancing healthcare outcomes in both inpatient and outpatient settings. While it’s widely known that pharmacists are responsible for the interpretation of prescriber orders into tangible medication (including intravenous and chemotherapy) and subsequent patient counseling, they work behind the scenes with pharmacy technicians to ensure dispensed medication is safe and effective. Pharmacists collaborate with other healthcare providers to recommend appropriate drug therapies, clarify drug orders, mitigate harmful drug interactions, and prevent medication-related errors. At WPMC, there are even pharmacists providing direct patient care for chronic disease states and anticoagulation (Coumadin) monitoring. 

The experienced pharmacy team at WPMC knows the only constant in the healthcare system is change, and they’re prepared to adapt and evolve. Last year’s transition to MHS GENESIS has improved communication and documentation across all disciplines. MHS GENESIS gives the pharmacy staff access to all military patient profiles, regardless of base, and accepts prescriptions (even controlled substances) from on-base and off-base providers. 

The new system displays pharmacy inventory in real time, a valuable tool when communicating stock discrepancies to patients/providers and placing supply orders. These features promote continuity of care and increase efficiency. As a result, patient wait times have decreased by 25% since April 2024. MHS GENESIS also gives patients another option (via the Patient Portal) to request medication refills. Fun fact: Kittyhawk Pharmacy has a dedicated refill team that utilizes a robotic dispensing system to boost efficiency and accuracy for high-volume prescription fulfillment. 

During the Change Healthcare data breach, while some military outpatient pharmacies were forced to cease operations temporarily and patients were not able to use their TRICARE prescription insurance at local off-base pharmacies, the WPMC pharmacy staff brainstormed prescription billing workarounds within MHS GENESIS and remained open to ensure patients were able to receive necessary medications. When the adjudication system was deemed secure once again, the WPMC pharmacy team not only worked tirelessly to resolve weeks’ worth of insurance claims on-site, they were also tapped to assist other bases in resolving a backlog of claims. The remote access feature of MHS GENESIS has proven beneficial in other ways. For instance, the WPMC pharmacy team has been providing support to other bases directly affected by recent hurricanes. Our pharmacists have been able to transfer Moody (Georgia) and MacDill (Florida) patients’ prescriptions to off-base pharmacies that remain operable. Likewise, Kittyhawk Pharmacy is trialing remote prescription verification in conjunction with Grand Forks (North Dakota) Pharmacy. Grand Forks pharmacy technicians upload prescription, medication, and vial label images to the computer system for Kittyhawk pharmacists to review and verify. The long-term goal is to provide other base pharmacies with assistance due to staffing, illness, and work overload issues. 

The pharmacy is constantly looking for ways to improve its service and since unveiling the ScriptCenter Kiosk last October, over 10,000 prescriptions have been dispensed from the locker system. Located in the AAFES Mall near the entrance to the Commissary, the convenient dispensing system allows patients to pick up prescriptions anytime the AAFES Exchange doors are unlocked. Currently, the system is unable to dispense controlled substances or refrigerated medications, however, on average it’s stocked at 80% capacity. 

 On the horizon, a new refill phone number will be implemented to provide patients with additional information regarding their prescriptions. (For ease, the old refill phone number will automatically be forwarded to the new number.) Q-Anywhere may still be used to activate new electronic prescriptions. Just text “Get in Line” to 877-909-2578 and follow the text prompts. (Patients can now type in specific drug names to be filled and respond to staff texts!) 

 It’s evident the future of pharmacy lies in the continued integration of innovation and dedication. At WPMC we are continually reviewing and improving internal processes, embracing emerging technologies, adapting to new challenges, and maintaining a strong commitment to patient satisfaction. Please contact Dawn Soulati, director of Clinical and Support Pharmacy Services, at 937-257-1427 with any questions about pharmacy services at the Wright-Patterson Medical Center.