CASE STUDY
www.cps.com
in the clinics.” They work hand-in-hand with physicians, patients, the nursing staff, and providers
to ensure patients get the best possible care. An essential part of that includes obtaining prior
authorizations so patients don’t have to wait for the medications they need. “Getting therapies to
patients quickly is critical,” says Briscoe-Dwyer. “When dealing with diseases like hepatitis and HIV,
days matter. When dealing with diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, where patients are in pain,
days matter.”
Once medications are approved, Trellis Rx liaisons then work on the financials for patients, always
striving to bring out-of-pocket costs as close to $0 as possible. Medications are shipped free of
charge, and the pharmacists and liaisons guide patients from the start of therapy through monthly
follow-up calls to coordinate refills, ensure medications are taken as prescribed, monitor their side
effects, and intervene when necessary. “Trellis Rx’s role has just had such a significant impact on
our patients. That’s one of the things I’m proudest of,” says Briscoe-Dwyer.
The bottom line, says Campogni, is that managing patient care and prescriptions within the health
system is a win-win. “The more patients we can bring on board, the more services UHS can offer
to the community for better overall access to care and treatment.”
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE
“Our vision for the specialty pharmacy has really grown since its inception,” says Briscoe-Dwyer.
“At first, it was a way to provide specialty medications to specialty patients. Now we’re providing
specialty care for those patients — reaching them throughout all their visits.” With this growth, UHS
is increasing the space dedicated to the specialty pharmacy. “We were able to find a new 10,000
square foot space very close to our medical center,” explains Briscoe-Dwyer. This move will allow
the program to continue expanding well into the future. The health system is also planning to
enhance their specialty pharmacy service offerings in 2023 to help link the patient journey from an
inpatient to outpatient environment. In line with UHS’ philosophy, the goal of the Transitions of Care
program is to minimize the risk of hospital readmission by providing a seamless patient experience.
To help make that happen, Trellis Rx liaisons coordinate between inpatient and outpatient
departments to ensure a patient has everything they need to continue their care in the specialty
program and outpatient services when they leave the hospital.
“The partnership with Trellis Rx has gone beyond our expectations,” says Briscoe-Dwyer. “What
started as a business agreement very quickly became much more like a family.” Now, she adds,
the Trellis Rx employees who have joined us are just part of the health team community. “They
fit so well into our culture — we’ve formed a bond and a collaboration I can’t ever imagine doing
without.”
“
What started as a
business agreement
very quickly became
much more like a
family ... they fit
so well into our
culture — we’ve
formed a bond and
a collaboration I
can’t ever imagine
doing without.”
Leigh Briscoe-Dwyer, PharmD,
BCPS, FASHP
System Director of Pharmacy
~ United Health Services
(UHS)