Ancillary Care Management's Newest Program Focuses on Improving Treatment Outcomes for Patients

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- ACM today announced the launch of its PREP Point(TM) -- Patient Resource Education Training -- program. In partnership with key players in the biopharmaceutical community, ACM will provide direct client services on behalf of manufacturers with in-home training for patients requiring daily injection drug therapy.

"Because of the complex nature of High-Touch Specialty Pharmacy(TM) products, injection training for patients and/or their care givers is essential to ensure that physician orders and administration protocols are followed as closely as possible," noted Thomas J. McNulty, Pharm.D., ACM's Chief Clinical Officer. "Training is often provided by staff nurses during a routine office visit. However, we believe that additional training can be invaluable to help improve adherence and the overall effectiveness of drug therapy."

With decades of combined experience in the home health care and home nursing industries, ACM will act independently as a national network manager, ensuring complete anonymity between drug manufacturers and the patient. ACM's highly trained staff of care coordinators will enlist the company's provider relationships -- nationally, regionally, and locally -- to provide comprehensive coverage for this injection training program.

"Bringing skilled and knowledgeable nurse professionals into the patient's home, to train patients and care givers one-to-one, will contribute significantly to providing the support patients need," McNulty added. "This program also is a clear demonstration of ACM's continued commitment to improve the management of healthcare services in ways that enhance the quality, speed, and cost-effectiveness of patient care. We believe that education and training play a critical role in helping patients adhere to treatment regimens, thus improving the likelihood of treatment success."

In the convenience of the patient's home, a nurse from one of ACM's network providers will instruct patients or care givers on general procedures for administering an injection: step-by-step instructions on how and where to inject the drug; the importance of rotating injection sites; and proper handling of syringes. In addition, specific training on the therapy can include: recognizing signs and symptoms that may indicate adverse reactions, reviewing the medication schedule; and help in understanding the drug's stability and storage requirements.

About Ancillary Care Management

Ancillary Care Management empowers clients to improve the management of healthcare services through technology-enabled solutions that enhance the quality, speed, and cost effectiveness of patient care. With over 35 million lives under contract, ACM manages specialty and infusion pharmaceuticals, home nursing, home medical equipment, and other home care services. ACM is URAC- accredited for health utilization management and offers solutions that link participants in the complex ancillary benefits environment through a suite of HIPAA-compliant web-based tools, accessible through http://www.acmcentral.com/ .