Nursing home residents typically have up to 12 prescription medications. Pharma Franchise in India who contract with long-term care facilities like nursing homes to fill residents’ prescriptions are known as nursing home pharmacies.
Nursing home pharmacies may also service rehab centers, adult day care, urgent care facilities, hospice care and home healthcare agencies.
Prior to the privatization of healthcare, many individuals visited a local apothecary to receive medications. The traditional role of the pharmacy has evolved with the growth of the elder population. Chronic progressive illnesses are often treated by nursing home pharmacies for the elderly.
This type of pharmacy has taken over some of the roles of doctors in the dispensing of medications and the regulation of drug protocols. Any pharmacy can become a long-term pharmacy for a nursing home.
Duties of a Nursing Home Pharmacy
The duties of a nursing home pharmacy may go beyond simply filling prescriptions for nursing homes. Some nursing home pharmacies have lab equipment and may schedule consultations and general exams for patients. Other services performed by nursing home pharmacies include:
- Provision of medical equipment
- Review of drug regimens
- Counseling of patients
- Monitoring of physical condition in regard to drugs over time
- Fitting for surgical appliances
- Review clinical visits and medical records
- Drug research
- IV therapy services
- Nutritional support services
Nursing home pharmacies are an asset for both the patient and the nursing home. These long-term care pharmacies establish a clinical relationship with the patient and can act as a liaison and mediator between doctors and their patients.
They have an in-depth knowledge of the patient’s medical history and present wellness concerns. They are also important for elderly patients who require frequent testing. All around, a nursing home pharmacy is an excellent drug dispensary for the elderly in nursing homes.