If you are a pediatrician, then you know your patient is the child and the family. Thus when you want to prescribe a medication for your patient, you also must educate and depend on the family to ensure your patient receives their treatment.
There are certainly unique challenges for practitioners who work with children. In this blog post, we will explain how an in-office medication dispensing system can help to alleviate some of these challenges.
How Does an In-Office Dispensing System Help With Family Compliance?
An in-office dispensing system allows you to have more time to educate the family about prescription medications. Put simply, the family has the opportunity to ask questions to your team once dispensed.
Further, families may be uncomfortable administering certain medications such as suspensions, rectal medications or enemas, or even giving an oral liquid dose properly. But if you dispense in office, you are creating a teachable moment. The first dose can be administered with the parent to ensure the family is safely administering the medication when at home.
It also provides an opportunity for the family to share concerns. You may find the family is not comfortable with a particular medication or other related issues. You can discuss alternatives in real-time instead of after the patient has already left and attempted at home.
What is the Convenience of in-office dispensing for the Family?
It can be argued the family may have a preferred pharmacy. However, once families understand you are offering in-office dispensing, many are grateful for the option.
Parents trust their pediatricians and appreciate the opportunity to ask the provider versus a pharmacist directly. An in-office dispensing system saves them the phone call or an additional trip back to the office.
Families with small children often have limited time available. You can save them an extra trip to the pharmacy, in which they do not have to worry about transporting the children, which can be of great help to your patients.
How does the American Academy of Pediatrics support In-Office Dispensing?
The American Academy of Pediatrics supports in-office medication dispensing so long as it is legally permissible and structured to serve the patient’s best interests.
Pediatricians need to consider the additional liability that comes with in-office dispensing. One concern is documentation and record-keeping. With advancements in medication dispensing software, documentation is now efficient, reliable, and accurate.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises the physician and office to stay up-to-date in the laws and regulations of in-office medication dispensing for their state. Therapeutic intervention medications must meet the guidelines set by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for proper inventory, storage, and dispensing. Medication dispensing software assists physicians in this regulation.
In-Office Medication Dispensing Program Is Fantastic For Pediatricians Motivated To Improve Patient Care
Physicians consider patient convenience, cost, education, and liability before committing to in-office dispensing. The decision should be based on if it will improve patient care.
Many pediatricians have found improvement in patient satisfaction after moving to an in office dispensing solution. Families value the opportunity to have a more intimate relationship with their pediatrician and appreciate stress reduction by having their needs met directly in the office.
Find Out More Information About In-Office Dispensing Through First Coast Health Solutions
First Coast Health Solutions is a leader in intuitive, web-based medication dispensing software. You can be assured you distribute high quality, FDA approved pre-packaged drugs through our medication dispensing software.
While First Coast Health Solutions typically specializes in offering billing management and pharmacy claims processing for practices that offer worker’s comp services, our dispensing programs work for practices of ALL types, including pediatrics.
By choosing First Coast Health Solutions, you’ll find a new way to improve patient satisfaction and care. We will provide a secure, compliant system and meet your expectations for the vulnerable population you serve.
Contact us today at 904-350-1155 or visit our website to find out more about pharmacy claim processing, pre-packaged medications, dispensing programs, and medication dispensing software. We look forward to working with you!
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
