A patient took eight different medications for diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol, but still wasn't meeting her treatment goals. A visit with a Fairview medication therapy management (MTM) pharmacist revealed that the patient had stopped one medication because it was causing hypoglycemia. After consulting with the patient's physician, the pharmacist switched her medication, improving her health and medication compliance.

Growing clinical evidence shows that Fairview's MTM pharmacists improve outcomes in patients taking four or more prescriptions for such chronic conditions as diabetes, asthma and hypertension. Since 1998, more than 8,500 patients have participated. Key measures include:

* at least one drug therapy problem discovered in 85 percent of participants; more than 33,000 drug problems resolved

* 55 percent of patients improved health conditions that were not at goal at the beginning of their MTM visits

* improved drug therapy goals and selected Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures

* reduction of overall health care costs

* an average 12-to-1 return on investment, as reported in Clinical and Economic Outcomes of Medication Therapy Management Services: The Minnesota Experience

(Isetts, et al. J Am Pharm Assoc. 2008; 48(2): 203-211)

A 2003 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine showed that doctors agree with MTM pharmacists' recommendations in 94.2 percent of cases.

"MTM is a blessing for monitoring and improving medication compliance and effectiveness," says Larry Mulhern, MD, Riverside Family Physicians, a Fairview Physician Associates clinic. "It's a collaborative approach to helping patients take control of their medications and health."

In a one-to-one patient visit, a certified pharmacist reviews the patient's health history, medication use and lifestyle. "Our goal is to improve drug therapy outcomes by working with patients and their providers to ensure medications are indicated, safe, effective and convenient," says Amanda Brummel, PharmD, Fairview MTM operations manager.

MTM will work with the patient to investigate insurance coverage, schedule an appointment and collaborate with the treating physician to evaluate patient medication issues and make drug therapy adjustments.

To make an MTM referral, call 612-672-7005. For more information about Fairview MTM services, contact Brummel, 612-672-5585, arhode1@fairview.org.