PharmaSmart Validated in 2 Published Studies, New Clinical Integration Announced


PharmaSmart in Rochester, NY releases whitepaper on blood pressure compliance with AAMI/ISO. Video details the features. Currently serves 6,000 locations and the study details over 8 million readings.

Studies Distinguish PharmaSmart for Clinical Accuracy and Population Health Potential -- Company Also Announces Clinical Integration with Rx30 Pharmacy System



 

Rochester, NY (PRWEB) March 11, 2013

PharmaSmart International's comprehensive blood pressure program has recently been validated in two new, independent scientific studies. The research validates PharmaSmart's potential as a "trustworthy" clinical solution for blood pressure management, and as a "unique and important opportunity for the early detection of hypertension". The company also announced a partnership with Rx-30 Pharmacy System that offers an automated clinical integration of validated PharmaSmart biometrics within the patient record.    

December 2012 issue of Blood Pressure Monitoring featured a survey titled "Are Kiosk Blood Pressure Readings Trustworthy?" The peer-reviewed survey, which was not funded by PharmaSmart, recognized PharmaSmart as the only blood pressure kiosk device to produce evidence of compliance with the AAMI/ISO international accuracy standard.    The survey author, Bruce S. Alpert, M.D., called on the FDA and device buyers to demand that blood pressure kiosks meet or exceed the AAMI (ISO) standard.

After finding that only one of the leading US blood pressure kiosk manufacturers provided clinical validation data on their website, Dr. Alpert initiated a survey of seven companies, requesting validation data for independent review. Dr. Alpert concluded: "Only one company provided a complete and satisfactory response (PharmaSmart)."    

Dr. Alpert also addressed the issue of blood pressure kiosk cuff sizes, citing the fact that most kiosks are designed only for the average adult arm and are too small for about 50% of the US adult population. He stated, "Inappropriate cuff size is a leading cause of inaccurate results." PharmaSmart employs a patented cuff that accommodates the arm size of approximately 97% of the US adult population. Alpert's article concluded with a call for stronger regulatory oversight, stating "We should encourage the FDA to take a more proactive role" in the regulation of blood pressure kiosk devices.

A second study, published on January 9, 2013 in the Journal of Clinical Hypertension and also not funded by PharmaSmart, evaluated over 8.4 Million PharmaSmart blood pressure readings from 341 pharmacy locations. The researchers, Ross Tsuyuki, PharmD, and Sherilyn Houle, BSP, cited the public health opportunity presented by the PharmaSmart program.    The researchers wrote "approximately two-thirds of results obtained are elevated," adding "this may present a unique and important opportunity for the early detection of hypertension (or poorly controlled hypertension) in the community, particularly among individuals who do not regularly present to a physician."

PharmaSmart also announced a data integration partnership with Transaction Data Systems, developers of the Rx30 pharmacy management system. Steve Wubker, president of Transaction Data Systems, says, "Rx30's integration with PharmaSmart delivers validated patient biometrics directly within Rx30, allowing pharmacists to target not just adherence, but actual clinical outcomes. PharmaSmart's program is supported by strong clinical science. Rx30 can only integrate patient data if the source is clinically validated. Because of their device validity and interoperable framework, PharmaSmart provides unique value to emerging pharmacy care models."

The integrated PharmaSmart / Rx30 clinical solution was recently deployed within the Astrup Drug Stores, a pharmacy chain in Minnesota. Tim Gallagher RPh., Chief Operating Officer at Astrup Drug, stated "PharmaSmart and Rx30 have teamed up to deliver a breakthrough in pharmacy care. Our pharmacists now have access to live, validated biometrics for all enrolled patients, all within standard pharmacy workflow. Because of the workflow friendly design, the program can scale and be sustained. This is hard to achieve with disease management programs."

PharmaSmart Clinical Director, Mark Gelfer, M.D., notes, "PharmaSmart has altered the scope of what a public-use blood pressure kiosk can deliver. They have combined peer-reviewed proof of accuracy, a cuff that accommodates nearly all adults, and an interoperable Health IT platform that integrates the patient with their care team." PharmaSmart President and CEO Fred Sarkis stated, "The medical community has historically dismissed the value of blood pressure kiosks. With the validity and workflow questions resolved, our retail clients are now in a position to advance their clinical programs with confidence."

About PharmaSmart® International 
PharmaSmart®, headquartered in Rochester, NY, USA, currently serves more than 6,000 locations, including retail pharmacies such as Kinney Drugs, Bartell Drugs, Coborns, Nash Finch, Roundy's, Associated Food Stores, Leader, Good Neighbor, Astrup Drug, Winn Dixie, Big Y Foods, Harmons Grocery, Wal-Mart Canada, Safeway Canada, Loblaw's, Le Groupe Jean Coutu, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall/Katz Group, Sobey's Lawton's, and other fine pharmacies. PharmaSmart® also serves major worksites, military bases, University Schools of Pharmacy, hospitals and medical clinics. PharmaSmart® PS Data Smart® Health IT database currently stores more than (16) million targeted patient Blood Pressure readings. For more information visit the company's website at http://www.PharmaSmart.com or contact corporate communications Shauna Delahanty at (800) 781-0323.

About Rx30 
The Rx30 Pharmacy System provides your pharmacy incomparable Prescription Filling, Nursing Home, Consulting, Accounts Receivable, Workflow Management, Signature Capture, IV processing, Compounding, Integrated POS Solutions and an abundance of value-added vendor interfaces to provide you a total turnkey dispensing solution. Whether you are a small independent start-up filling 30 prescriptions a day or a 100+ independent chain operation filling 1500 prescriptions a day - Rx30 is the perfect solution!

About Astrup Drug 

Astrup Drug, Inc. operates a chain of pharmacies in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. It offers prescription delivery, , , medication therapy management, blood pressure tracker, retail health clinic services, flavored medications, home medical equipment, immunizations, and long term care services. The company's stores also provide weekly coupons, over the counter specials, gas, garden centers, crafts, dollar store, coffee shop, floral shop and photo shop amenities. In addition, it offers Medicare/Medicaid, diabetes information, high blood pressure information, and cholesterol information solutions. The company was founded in 1952 and is based in Austin, Minnesota with pharmacy locations in Adrian, Albert Lea, Austin, Buffalo, Byron, Caledonia, Fairmont, Faribault, Harmony, Hastings, LaCrescent, Osage, Owatonna, Rushford, Spring Grove, and Worthington, Minnesota and Altoona, Ankeny, and Osage, Iowa Astrup Drug, Inc. is accredited by the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation®.



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