Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center - RxAssistance Patient Assistance Program

What is it? The RXAssistance Patient Assistance Program initiative began in 2005 as a collaborative strategy between Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, United Way, the Wyoming Department of Health, and the community safety-net clinics to identify resources to support a prescription assistance program to connect low-income people with pharmaceutical assistance programs. In 2007, the initiative grew to include the dispensing of donated medications. Who is it for? Low-income, uninsured/underinsured people in Laramie County. Why do they do it? Laramie County?s most recent comprehensive community needs assessment (2012) continues to show a growing need for assistance with prescription medication. Impact: In FY 2012, the initiative dispensed donated and prescription assistance medication to 2,983 patients (25,340 prescriptions) with a retail value of nearly $3.5 million. Program staff completed 2,186 low-income assistance applications to pharmaceutical companies for a total of $1,169,522 in retail value. Patients consistently rate their experience with the Pharmacy as ?Very Satisfied.? Contact: Phyllis Sherard, Administrator, Wyoming Institute of Population Health (A Division of Cheyenne Regional) Telephone: (307) 633-2914 E-mail:Phyllis.sherard@crmcwy.org

Community Connections is an initiative of the AHA to support and highlight the work hospitals do every day in America.

Hospitals are working not just to mend bodies, but also to make their patients and communities healthier. This work extends far beyond the hospital building – bringing free clinics, job training, smoking-cessation classes, back-to-school immunizations, literacy programs and so many other resources, often with little fanfare, directly to the people of the community.

As the national advocate for hospitals, the AHA has consistently supported our members as they develop fair and compassionate policies to help improve access to care for the uninsured, as they work to expand wellness and prevention activities and as they routinely demonstrate their commitment to improving the health and addressing the unmet needs of their patients and communities.

Hospital members are encouraged to submit their stories today.