Stillwater Medical Center Medication Adherence Initiative

This case study details the initiative undertaken by Stillwater Medical Center to improve medication adherence among patients with diabetes. The document outlines the hospital's approach to understanding medication usage and establishing adherence patterns, which is critical for preventing complications and reducing unnecessary readmissions. The initiative began with a three-step process to gather and validate patient data, focusing on patients with high HbA1c levels. The hospital organized patients by their primary care providers and collaborated with DrFirst to analyze medication history data. Initial results indicated a high rate of prescription abandonment and suboptimal adherence levels. The findings prompted the medical center to prioritize interventions aimed at improving first-fill rates and ongoing medication compliance. The document emphasizes the importance of addressing barriers to adherence, such as cost and access to medications, to enhance patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs associated with diabetes management.