Two outpatient pharmacies operating at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.\u2014the PHI Pharmacy and CHCC\u2019s own outpatient pharmacy service\u2014is possible, according to CHCC CEO Esther Mu\u00f1a.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are okay with that. We have different goals and we may have dual services but, at the end of the day, there is a choice for the patient. The purpose of the program is nothing negative on PHI. Our vision is still basically the continuous improvement in the quality of healthcare,\u201d said Mu\u00f1a.<\/p>\n
The drive for CHCC to have its own outpatient pharmacy is to be able to provide post-patient care on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe presentation at the House last week was about our vision of offering some services such as transitioning to out-patient. Currently, we handle in-patient pharmacy. While the patient is under our care, we administer in-patient medication. \u2026When CHC transition to an out-patient service, there is continuity in our service from in-patient to the out-patient side.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith this system, an out-patient pharmacy will be able to look at a patient\u2019s medical and medication history, therefore guaranteeing that the medication prescribed or given is based on patients\u2019 statistics.\u201d<\/p>\n
CHC and PHI Pharmacy currently do not have that system and the records they keep is not shared.<\/p>\n
Mu\u00f1a said another reason for expanding CHC\u2019s out-patient pharmacy service is the opportunity to generate income that will improve the operations and service of the hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving an out-patient service is an opportunity for CHC to save, generate revenue, and ultimately reduce our cost. In areas where you can\u2019t reduce the cost, we find ways to generate revenue that will offset the cost.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hospital cafeteria, for example. We have available food for patients that is required by [the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services] and the dietary department. The challenge for us is how do you make that department\u2014a requirement by a regulation\u2014become an income generating entity? <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve manage to reduce some expenses and then we realized that a lot of the expenses are because of regulatory requirements. Regulations and requirements are expensive to comply with, that\u2019s why healthcare is expensive. We want to offset those by generating our own income so that healthcare in the CNMI will be affordable for everyone,\u201d Mu\u00f1a said.<\/p>\n
CHC intends to provide healthcare that is in tune with the changing times.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thinking on a global scale. We have got to be prepared. We are not only looking at pharmacy per se; this is really about planning for the future. Right now, we have a pending healthcare bill in the U.S. Senate, the American Healthcare Act. If you really look at it, there may be some changes that will affect the CNMI. Whatever the result is in the U.S. legislation, change in the healthcare model is inevitable and we at CHC are preparing for that,\u201d Mu\u00f1a added.<\/p>\n
She said Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan) plans to put out a resolution to support CHCC for the 340-B enrolment and Mu\u00f1a firmly believes that if there is an opportunity, there will be benefits for the community.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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