Lourdes Health System has launched an innovative partnership with Walgreens to improve the care of its patients after they are discharged from the hospital. The partnership is part of a larger collaboration between the nation’s largest drugstore chain and CHE Trinity Health, Lourdes’ parent organization.

“Medication non-compliance is a major reason for readmission to the hospital, especially for patients with chronic conditions such as heart failure and diabetes,” said Lourdes Health System president and CEO Alexander J. Hatala. “Working with patients before they leave the hospital and after they are discharged will help ensure patients obtain, understand and take the medicines that are an important part of their health.”

Lourdes has three initiatives with Walgreens. Some components of the partnership have already commenced while others are in the planning stages.  These are:

Bedside medication delivery: Already implemented at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, a Walgreens pharmacy technician visits each patient to see if he or she would like to get their discharge medications from Walgreens on their day of discharge from the hospital. The medicines are delivered from a nearby Walgreens pharmacy within one or two hours of discharge.

Walgreens Transitions Program (WTP): Currently in the process of being implemented at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County, patients can enroll in WTP when they are admitted. The patient receives his or her medication through Walgreens bedside delivery or a Walgreens retail pharmacy. Within 48 hours of discharge, a pharmacist will contact the patient to review medications and answer any questions or concerns.

Walgreens Onsite Pharmacy: By fall 2014, Walgreens will renovate an area just off the first floor lobby at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center for a retail pharmacy. The pharmacy will be convenient for patients and family members to pick up prescribed medication before heading home. The pharmacy also will be open to Lourdes employees and visitors.

“For some patients, there is no pharmacy near their home,” said Hatala. “Being able to fill their initial prescription at the hospital will not only save time, but through education also encourage them to take it as directed. This program helps us to transition patients home with the medications they need from day one.”

Lourdes’ partnership with Walgreens is part of a clinical care collaboration agreement between the nation’s largest drugstore chain its parent company, CHE Trinity Health. The organizations have agreed to pursue innovative models of care in select markets—such as those served by Lourdes Health System. The collaborative model aims to improve people’s health while increasing consumers’ access and lowering overall healthcare costs.

 “This collaboration is based on our organizations’ mutual commitment to serve people at every intersection of their health and wellness needs,” said Scott Nordlund, executive vice president of growth, strategy and innovation, CHE Trinity Health. “Transformative ideas for improving care are central to our mission at CHE Trinity Health, so we are pleased to join with Walgreens to introduce new and better strategies for health and wellness throughout our communities.”