MTM magic

OK, so it’s not really magic, but these inspiring stories, originally published in Outcomes Inc. MTM Newsletter, show that the impact of medication therapy management (MTM) can be significant.

During a comprehensive medication review, pharmacist Jamie Fitch in Norwood, OH, discovered a patient had been experiencing dizziness and low blood pressure. The patient had been prescribed two similar medications to treat high blood pressure. Jamie consulted with the patient's doctor and recommended that one medication be discontinued. The doctor agreed, and the patient avoided the potential need for emergency healthcare due to complications from low blood pressure.

Michael Ballard, pharmacist at 2360 Stony Brook Drive in Louisville, KY, discovered during a consultation that a patient had been experiencing blurred vision so severe that it nearly caused a car accident a few weeks earlier. The patient had been prescribed a bladder medication with blurred vision as a side effect. The medication was not providing symptom relief, so the pharmacist consulted with the patient's physician and recommended discontinuing the medication. The medication was discontinued, and Michael’s intervention avoided a potentially life-threatening situation.

Jason Wachtl, pharmacist at 1611 County Road C in Roseville, MN, learned in a consultation that a patient had been experiencing dizziness, unsteadiness and drowsiness for about a week. The patient was taking a seizure medication, and the patient’s symptoms were consistent with an excessive dose of the medication. This particular medication requires frequent lab monitoring and the patient's most recent labs had revealed a high level of the medication. The pharmacist consulted with the physician and recommended a new level be drawn and therapy be adjusted, as appropriate. The physician agreed and decreased the dosage after obtaining new labs. Jason’s intervention avoided a hospital admission due to medication toxicity.