John C. Flamma, Jr., MD
When a patient unexpectedly finds themselves in PPMC’s Emergency Department, the last thing they should be concerned about is whether or not they’ll be able to afford the prescription medications needed to get them back on the road to health. At least, that’s what four-time Penn Medicine CAREs Grant winner John C. Flamma, Jr., MD, chief of Emergency Medicine, believes.
Since 2013, Flamma has regularly applied for CAREs funding to purchase generic medications for vulnerable patients who visit the ED. Patients who fear they won’t be able to pay for a prescription may choose not to have it filled, which can lead them to returning to the ED in the same (or worse) condition over and over again. Similarly, if a patient doesn’t have a primary care physician or if they cannot reach them in a timely manner, going without a needed medication can turn an ED visit into an easily avoidable hospital admission.
To prevent complications and reduce readmissions, Flamma and the ED’s interdisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, and case managers have joined forces to identify patients who may qualify for free access to commonly needed generic medications, such as antibiotics or medications that manage seizures, diabetes, or hypertension.
“I always ask my patients if they have a prescription plan, and if there’s an issue, we can work with case management to determine whether or not they qualify to receive a generic medication at no cost,” Flamma said. “Since this is a ‘one-time deal,’ we also direct them to resources that can help them purchase their prescriptions in the future. For example, we point them to our financial counselor who can help them enroll in Medicaid, and we also share information about free clinics and local pharmacies that offer reduced prices on high-volume prescription medications. These patients are often our most in-need, and we want to help them access the resources they need to get and stay well.”
PPMC’s ED serves as a safety net for the communities of west and southwest Philadelphia, and Flamma is committed to making the process as streamlined and helpful as possible. Given its success so far, he hopes to eventually expand its reach throughout the health system.
Interested in pursuing your own Penn Medicine CAREs grant? To learn more about how you or your team can fund an outreach opportunity, visit PennMedicine.org/Community.
Plus, the ED Waiting Room Gets a Makeover!
Increasing access to generic medications isn’t the only thing PPMC is doing to improve the ED experience. The PPMC ED team recently unveiled their new, improved, and expanded waiting room, complete with upgraded flooring, new windows, and improved vending machines. It’s easy for individuals sitting in the waiting room to become anxious or stressed, so every update was made with the comfort of our patients and their families in mind – from the improved acoustics designed to dampen sound and enhance privacy, to the calming, muted paint colors, to the furniture being swapped out for more comfortable options.
“The logistics of the renovation were definitely challenging because the waiting room still needed to be in use. The project was split into phases, and at one point, we were using a converted patient room as an overflow space,” said LeighAnn Mazzone, RN, MSN, CEN, ED nurse manager. “In the end, though, the goal was to create a space that was more welcoming and patient- and family-friendly, and I definitely think we were able to accomplish that. Not only is it more aesthetically pleasing, but it’s more welcoming and will hopefully help to improve their experience.”