National Leaders in COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign for Long Term Care, Unite; Consonus Healthcare, Community Pharmacy Expand Services for Safer Prescription Use, Fewer Hospitalizations, Greater Efficiencies At Senior Living Centers
Long Term Care Industry Leaders Known for Technology-Driven, Concierge-Like Care that Saves Lives, Helps Residents in Senior Care Centers Thrive
PORTLAND, Ore. (March 8, 2021) — In a strategic alliance between two of the most experienced and innovative independent pharmacies in the nation, Community Pharmacy has joined the Consonus Healthcare family of services. Consonus Healthcare is a fifth generation, comprehensive pharmacy, rehab and consulting services company based in Portland, Oregon. Community Pharmacy will continue providing its unparalleled service to partners in the Midwest, with existing leadership, and under the name Community Pharmacy, a Consonus Healthcare Company.
“We’ve always known we share the same values and culture. This is like the blending of two families devoted to long term care,” says Community Pharmacy Founder, Kyle Janssen. “We’re rooted in the Midwestern ethic of kindness and hard work, and, like Consonus, we feel very connected to the communities we serve.”
Values Align: Resilient, Strategic, Rooted, Passionate, Connected, Disciplined, Innovative
The partnership expands the Companies’ geographic footprint to 50,000 residents, in 600 skilled nursing and senior living communities, in eight states. With industry challenges like COVID, new Medicare payment models and an aging senior population — this alliance couldn’t come at a better time.
The Companies have a combined 30 years of experience providing excellence in long term care pharmacy services, delivering the right medication the first time, on time, in the safest manner.
“We have such a deep respect for Community Pharmacy,” says Consonus Pharmacy president, Neil Marshall. “This is a natural partnership of two, like-minded companies that are always thinking strategically, anticipating the changing needs of our seniors and using technology to be a more valued resource for our customers and our profession.”
Meeting Industry Demands Fast Tracking COVID-19 Vaccinations
By sharing resources, technology and brain power, the Companies are well positioned to meet those industry changes, such as Medicare reimbursement, COVID-19 and a rapidly growing senior population.
Both Companies are approved by the CDC as “trusted providers” of the COVID-19 Vaccine, and were among the first in the nation to complete vaccinations for all of their assigned care facilities. They continue to protect the communities they serve by launching the first LTC Vaccine Continuity program in the country.
Other innovative firsts include: creating process disciplines around more than 200 practices critical to safe dispensation of medications; certifying as safe, the use of electronic health record (EHR) technology; applying full Admission Medication Review and Reconciliation for every new admission; early PDPM training for pharmacists and partnering facilities; and during COVID, reducing facility med passes by more than 25 percent, allowing the reduced staff to spend more time caring for residents. They continue to expand on their already rigorous safety checks, 24-hour customer service, on-site consultants, Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacists and Medicare Part D expertise.
Consonus Healthcare Companies’ Growing Role
According to a study by Avalere, by 2035, the number of adults 65 and older in the US will jump to almost 80 million –– an increase of 66 percent from 2015. The study says long term care pharmacies (LTCP), versus retail and hospital pharmacies, play a unique and growing role managing the medication and clinical needs of seniors, many of them taking up to 10 medications a day.
From the moment an order enters the system at Consonus Healthcare and Community Pharmacy, all the way up to delivery, the medication is checked, barcoded, tracked and monitored. Specially trained geriatric pharmacists and nurse consultants scrutinize for possible drug interactions and over-medication, and can recommend changes. Without these checks, quality of care drops, costs soar, compliance is at risk, nurses are mired in paperwork and calls, and patient safety is compromised.
“Our Companies are passionate advocates for the seniors we serve,” says Marshall. “Joining together with Community Pharmacy makes it possible to improve the quality of life for more seniors across the country and advocate for the entire senior health care industry.”
Learn more about Consonus Pharmacy and how to become a partner facility.
About Consonus Healthcare Services
Operating for nearly 30 years, Consonus Healthcare provides pharmacy, rehabilitation therapy and consulting services for seniors. Consonus Healthcare’s comprehensive pharmacy services are designed specifically for the long term care industry, which allows facilities to maximize occupancy, increase resident retention and improve residents’ functional independence. Based in Portland, Oregon, Consonus Pharmacy serves more than 600 facilities nationwide. For more information, visit consonushealth.com
About Community Pharmacy
Community Pharmacy, a Consonus Healthcare Company, was founded in 2007 under the belief that resident care was the core of medication management for long-term care facilities. Assisted living and long-term care facility partners get access to innovative technology and human experience. As an independently owned pharmacy, there is flexibility to adapt to facility partners’ needs in an ever-evolving healthcare industry. As a forward thinking pharmacy, Community Pharmacy is dedicated to doing what is right, taking care of facility partners and their residents. With four locations in Nebraska and Iowa, the pharmacy is rooted in Midwestern values and focused on patient safety and customer service.