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Optimizing Drug Prior Authorization Procedures For Primary Care, Lydia S. Vorsteveld

College of Nursing and Health Sciences Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Project Publications

Title and Abstract

1. 1. Title

Optimizing Drug Prior Authorization Procedures for Primary Care

1. 2. Abstract

Background:

Medication prior authorization (MPA) is a cost containment strategy utilized by health plans. The payer, or health plan requires providers to obtain prior approval for plan coverage of a drug prescription. The list of drugs requiring MPA varies among health plans and is subject to frequent change. From 2007 to 2013 Medicare Part D increased MPA requirements by 38 percent (Hoadley, Summer, Hargrave, & Cubanski, 2014).

Methods:

Pre and post interventional surveys of primary care staff were used to gather descriptions of current MPA …

Harm Reduction In The Emergency Department, Alexa J. Golden

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The number of overdose deaths in Vermont has been trending up over the past several years. A majority of these fatalities involved synthetic opioid fentanyl. The Emergency Department (ED) at Central Vermont Medical Center delivers medication assisted treatment (MAT) through the Rapid Access to MAT (RAM) program. This program has connected many people in the region to treatment for opiate use disorder. However it was identified that we lacked connection to harm reduction services for those not interested in MAT. Harm reduction education was provided for recovery coaches and ED nursing staff. Harm reduction kits containing life-saving supplies such as …

Raising Awareness About The Vermont Donor Milk Center, Rosie Friedman, Emi Eakin

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

The Vermont Donor Milk Center (VDMC) is an emerging community resource that provides donated, pasteurized breast milk to new parents for their infants. Upon questioning, we identified that many providers did not know about the VDMC or how to prescribe milk. In addition, VDMC expressed that they have not been able to complete the community outreach they had initially hoped for. We chose to dedicate our project to disseminating information about VDMC to perinatal care providers in Vermont.

Addressing Exercise Accessibility In Winter Conditions In Milton, Vermont, Liam Du Preez

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Exercise is a critical aspect of health maintenance, especially in the context of chronic medical problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Weather and climate conditions in Vermont directly impact Vermonters' ability to exercise, and this results in negative impacts in their health maintenance and healthcare costs nationally and locally. This project explores the direct and indirect impact of decreased exercise and explore a modality for informing patients on how to stay active safely in the winter.

Finding The Silver Linings Of The Cyberattack, Kathleen R. O'Hara, Leah Miller

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Our project aimed to identify the effects of the UVM Health Network cyberattack and subsequent month-long network downtime on the South Burlington Family Medicine providers and clinic staff. We interviewed staff members about positive adaptations made by the team during the downtime, and inquired whether they planned to keep maintaining any of these changes once the electronic systems returned.

Hhhn Clinicians' Beliefs, Barriers, And Motivations Surrounding Mat, Casandra Nowicki

Family Medicine Clerkship Student Projects

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) consists of using medications that act on the same receptors as opioids to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). MAT providers require formal training and a DEA waiver in order to prescribe certain medications. Providers were asked to complete a survey about the beliefs, barriers, and motivations surrounding MAT to provide valuable insight into what the future of MAT might look like at a specific nonprofit network of community health centers in upstate New York.