The Whittier Pharmacist Inc., was established in the fall of 1995. With the experience and support of the Whittier Health Network, it has grown to service over 1500 patients. The pharmacy has a working relationship with the well established and fully accredited facilities of the Whittier Health Network caring for the subacute, skilled long term care and assisted living population.

Staff/Technology
The pharmacy employs an experienced staff specializing in the full spectrum of post acute patient needs. Through the utilization of a "bingo card" dispensing system nurses are able to maintain high standards of quality control while providing ease of use. A daily delivery is scheduled to each facility, in addition to STAT deliveries and twice-a-day deliveries as necessary. A state of the art computer system allows pharmacists to view, research and advise on drug interactions, duplicate therapies, patient allergies, side effects and more. The computer uses "bar code" technology to scan for accuracy and speed in prescription processing.

Service/Support
The Whittier Pharmacist Inc. provides patients with high tech services and support. Pharmacists are trained in drug compounding techniques to accommodate the specific request of doctors which provide the most effective drug therapies. Ostomy, enteral nutrition and supplies, wound care products and billing services are also available. The Whittier Pharmacist Inc. has one of the best "class 100" IV rooms in New England. From this room pharmacists dispense numerous daily IV therapies. The IV-room contains both a high tech IV hood and a chemo specific hood. The Whittier Pharmacist Inc. is in the process of becoming JCAHO accredited.

Consulting Services
The on-staff consultant pharmacist performs extensive monthly drug reviews for each patient. A mock survey and one-on-one med pass inspection are part of the consultants' wide variety of in-services and training programs. Consultants pride themselves in drug monitoring reviews making recommendations for drug utilization reduction and nurse and patient education.

Durable Medical Equipment
The Whittier Pharmacist Inc. has provided DME (Durable Medical Equipment) service since the fall of 2004. That includes the sale/rental of wheel chairs and sales of commodes, walkers, canes, shower chairs, and other patient conveniences. Our DME team provides personal services such as travel to the patient’s home to deliver, set up and teach proper equipment use to the patient and their family.

The Durable Medical Equipment Department now carries the Uplift Power Seat and the Uplift Seat Assist.

The Uplift Power Seat is an electric lifting seat that is placed on an armchair or sofa to gently seat and raise the user. This lifting assist lifts 100% of the user’s weight. The Uplift Seat Assist is a self-powered lifting cushion that helps users raise themselves from a chair or sofa. It provides support and lifts 80% of the user’s weight. Both are lightweight and portable, and can be used on existing furniture. Cushions are made from comfortable memory foam.

Who can benefit:
• People who have lost sufficient upper or lower body strength to get up unassisted.
• Those who have lost mobility as a result of:
-Arthritis
-Parkinson’s
-Muscular dystrophy
-Lou Gerhig’s disease (ALS)
-Post operative conditions
-Degenerative joint disease
• Caregivers who need help transferring patients or family members

Both Uplift Power Seat and Uplift Seat Assist are covered by Medicare.

Emergency Services
To meet the immediate needs of patients, each facility is equipped with emergency kits and supplies. Each facility receives narcotic, antibiotic, IV, general medication and refrigerator emergency kits, including a selection of insulin and other injectable medications.

The on-call staff consists of a pharmacist, a consultant pharmacist, an IV-nurse and a delivery team. This on-call staff provides 24 hour service 365 days a year.

The Whittier Pharmacist Inc. is part of a successful family owned and operated health care network built on the philosophy of "providing comprehensive services of the highest caliber, to meet the individualized needs of patients."

DOWNLOADS

The Whittier Pharmacist Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 1

The Whittier Pharmacist Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 2

The Whittier Pharmacist Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 3

The Whittier Pharmacist Newsletter Volume 1 Issue 4

Masshealth Quick Reference Guide

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