title: Pharmacist-initiated prior authorization process to improve patient care in a psychiatric acute care hospital.
abstract: A prior authorization (PA) is a requirement implemented by managed care organizations to help provide medications to consumers in a cost-effective manner. The PA process may be seen as a barrier by prescribers, pharmacists, pharmaceutical companies, and consumers. The lack of a standardized PA process, implemented prior to a patient's discharge from a health care facility, may increase nonadherence to inpatient prescribed medications. Pharmacists and other health care professionals can implement a PA process specific to their institution. This article describes a pharmacist-initiated PA process implemented at an acute care psychiatric hospital. This process was initiated secondary to a need for a standardized process at the facility. To date, the process has been seen as a valuable aspect to patient care. Plans to expand this process include collecting data with regards to adherence and readmissions as well as applying for a grant to help develop a program to automate the PA program at this facility.
authors.affiliation: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy, Suwanee, GA, USA sharial@pcom.edu.
authors.forename: Shari N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: PGY-1 Resident VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System, Harlingen, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Mebanga
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ojong-Salako
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010351:Patient Discharge
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: adherence; managed care organization; pharmacist; prior authorization