Michael Evans, RPh, Discusses Geisinger's Role in the IDN/ACO Marketplace

While electronic health records (EHRs) enable Geisinger Health System to integrate and partner with new systems, Michael Evans, RPh, director, ambulatory clinical pharmacy programs, Geisinger Health System, suggests that the organization’s pre-established managed care process is what sets Geisinger apart in the integrated delivery network/accountable care organization (IDN/ACO) marketplace. He credits Geisinger, suggesting that it had programs in place that practiced quality processes before they were defined in the creation of the ACO.

Dr Evans explains that Geisinger’s stroke program uses EHRs to “mind for patients” that are high risk for stroke, including the AFIB population, and patients who have a history of stroke. By doing so, the program ensures that patients are prescribed the appropriate medications, and that they are managed in a collective effort with their referring physician.

“The program not only looks at the patients while they’re on therapy, but for any time we have to stop the therapy, we still continue to track outcomes for that patient so we can then look at the long term effect of the current design program,” says Dr Evans.