Role of the Community Pharmacy in Early Detection

Role of the Community Pharmacy in Early Detection of COPD Walgreens Health Initiatives Tim Buckley, RRT

Tucson, Arizona

Goals • Increase early detection and awareness of COPD • Introduce RT and Homecare to the Walgreen Drug Stores

Combined Effort • AARC – Kelli Hagen • NLEHP – – – Dr Paul Enright Dr Tom Petty Louise Nett • ALA of Az. – Jennifer Jones • Tyco Puritan Bennett – Johnny Drake – Chris Graceffa • AZ Society for Respiratory Care – Mike Gammie • WHI Homecare

Market Selection • Tucson, Arizona selected – Walgreens mid-sized market • 36 stores – Innovative programs welcomed • Managers are used to experiments – March is the end of a long cold winter

Planning • Conference Call with AARC and NLHEP • Contacted Dr. Enright • Contacted AZ Society for Respiratory Care • Contacted Tyco PB • Contacted ALA of AZ • Walgreens Health Services • Walgreens Marketing Department

Advertising • Radio • TV, PSA’s – Targeted to over 45 – AARC Developed population PSA, added Tag-line – Tucson was – ALA Interview inexpensive • In-Store Posters • Newspapers (roto – To stores in Tucson ad) Market 30 days ahead – It goes out every Sunday

Training • Half Day Session – – – All volunteers Overview of Project Hands-on with Spirometer & Printer – Interpretation of results – Counseling – Review of education materials in packet

Information • Patient Packet – Test results – Recommendation to bring them to their MD – Explanation of results (Spanish) – Information on COPD from AARC – RT Propaganda from AARC – Resources for Smoking Cessation • AZ Airways • ALA Program

Screenings • March 5 th - March 17 th, 2001 • 3 hours each • 2 per day • Morning, afternoon, and evening • 10 high traffic stores, 2 each

Staffing • AZSRC • ALA of Arizona • WHI • Tyco Puritan Bennett – – Mike Gammie RTs PMI Students PCC Students – Homecare RTs for each screening – sponsored two sessions providing volunteers to fully staff each session – Chris Graceffa – Johnny Drake

Sessions • Set up in Pharmacy area • 4 to 6 spirometers • 1 printer • Packets • Chairs and Card Table

Response • Typically there were 30 -35 people per three hour session • One evening session tested 75 people in three hours

Results • Some obviously had • We tested 929 COPD patients in 20 screenings • Over 30% had some indication of Obstructive Airway Disease

What We Learned • 6 to 9 month lead time – Advertising schedule • Pick good partners • Need someone to champion • Native Spanish Speakers • Need more experienced RTs – Students did not have experience • Store Managers need to be more involved in planning

Future Plans • Examining future possibilities – New leadership – Marketing focus • Coordinate with current WHI homecare locations • Multiple Markets at once, are hard with our resources