NYC Health + Hospitals said Dec. 4 it has expanded the role of its clinical pharmacists to include helping patients manage hypertension.
Patients are referred to clinical pharmacists by their primary care physician after being diagnosed with a chronic disease to help manage their medications, which streamlines the care process.
The health system started its clinical pharmacist program in March. Previously, it focused solely on diabetes care management. Clinical pharmacists will now also help patients with uncontrolled or complicated hypertension manage their medications.
The health system said it expects its clinical pharmacists to start treating patients with high blood pressure by next spring.
NYC Health + Hospitals currently has 11 clinical pharmacists and is investing about $3 million to hire a total of 20 clinical pharmacists. The health system said clinical pharmacists will be integrated into all of its acute care facilities by the end of next year.
The health system said it also hopes to add other chronic diseases to clinical pharmacists' portfolios in addition to diabetes and hypertension.
Read the full news release here.
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