YNHHS Pharmacy recently held a ribbon-cutting at L+M Hospital for an expanded anti-coagulation clinic and Comprehensive Care Clinic as part of the system’s ongoing commitment to expanding pharmacy services to patients and communities. Bridgeport and Yale New Haven hospitals have established CCCs within their hospitals.
Yale New Haven Health Pharmacy recently held a ribbon-cutting at L+M Hospital to celebrate what amounts to a twofold clinical enhancement for both the health system and patients throughout the New London region.
First, the ribbon-cutting opened an expanded anti-coagulation clinic at L+M, where clinical pharmacists provide medical monitoring and guidance for patients taking blood thinners such as warfarin (previously, L+M pharmacists saw patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital in Waterford).
Second, the clinic represents a foothold in southeastern Connecticut for YNHHS’ third Pharmacy Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC), providing support for patients with complex medication regimens requiring specialized and consistent monitoring. CCCs are staffed with clinical pharmacists with advanced training who partner with patients’ clinicians.
“We’re excited to see this service grow,” said Amber Zaniewski, executive director, YNHHS Clinical Pharmacy Services. “This newest Comprehensive Care Clinic will help our patients navigate their medication therapy, and ensure every patient is receiving optimal health benefits from those medications.”
Pharmacy-led CCCs at Yale New Haven and Bridgeport hospitals serve around 20,000 patients with conditions that fall under dermatology, rheumatology, oncology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, cardiology and other specialties.
Mark Rogers, director of Pharmacy for L+M and Westerly hospitals, noted that the anti-coagulation clinic at Smilow Waterford had outgrown its space. The new L+M site has treatment rooms, a waiting room and an area for administrative staff.
“We’re making an important investment in our patients and our community by establishing our first pharmacist-managed clinic within the walls of this hospital,” he said at the ribbon-cutting. “In addition, our CCC space provides a hub for many virtual visits.”
Marie Renauer, associate director of YNHHS Clinical Pharmacy Services, reflected on the growth of the L+M program and CCCs.
“At this dedicated space, our teams will continue to drive patient care excellence, drive equitable access to services, connect with our retail pharmacy partners and have the opportunity to treat more patients for other conditions,” she said.
Marjorie Lazarre, vice president, YNHHS Pharmacy Services, and chief pharmacy officer, said the establishment of the CCC will benefit the teams that care for patients.
“Our goal is to support the entire team – physicians, nurses, social workers – every single member of the care team,” she said. “The Comprehensive Care Clinic represents how we execute care excellence across all areas with all our Pharmacy teams aligned.”
Clinical pharmacists who will work in the center include Shannon Forte, Nicole Galante, Kim Labrie and Brianna Nelson.
“We’re definitely very excited,” said Galante. “This space is really going to be a game changer for our patients. Here, they’ll have a dedicated space and it will be a more personal experience.”
