title: Outcomes of annual wellness visits provided by pharmacists in an accountable care organization associated with a federally qualified health center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical and financial outcomes of annual wellness visits (AWVs) conducted by clinical pharmacists working as part of an accountable care organization (ACO) in a federally qualified health center were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective, single-center, chart review study, patients seen for AWVs at El Rio Health Center between October and December 2013 were eligible for study inclusion. Data collected from patient charts included patient demographics, preventive screenings ordered by clinical pharmacists during the AWV and completed within one month after the visit, other screenings completed by clinical pharmacists during the visit, medication changes by clinical pharmacists, and revenues collected from the AWV and preventive screenings. Descriptive statistics were calculated and variables compared; p values were calculated using single-sample Student's t tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred patient records were reviewed. Clinical pharmacists completed 1608 interventions, with a mean of 5.4 interventions per patient. A total of 272 referrals were made, 120 (45%) of which were completed within one month of the visit. Of the 183 laboratory tests ordered for diabetes and lipid screening, 152 (83%) were completed within one month of the AWV (p < 0.001). Of the 370 vaccinations offered during the visits, 182 (49%) were administered (p < 0.001). Twenty-four medication and dosage changes were made by clinical pharmacists during AWVs, and the total revenue for the AWVs conducted by pharmacists and services completed during the visits exceeded $22,000.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations made by pharmacists during AWVs in an ACO associated with a federally qualified health center had a high acceptance rate and generated substantial revenue.
authors: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. alhossan@pharmacy.arizona.edu.
authors: Abdulaziz
authors: A
authors: Alhossan
authors: Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, and El Rio Health Center, Tucson AZ.
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Kennedy
authors: Sanfoni Rx, Tucson, AZ.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Leal
mesh_terms: D060866:Accountable Care Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data