Hospital begins medication dispensing program

Morris Hospital is offering a new, home medication dispensing program to help community members take their medications correctly.

The home medication dispensing program is available through a monthly subscription fee and is most beneficial for seniors who have complex medication regimes and want to continue living independently. The service may also be beneficial for individuals with cognitive impairment or one or more chronic conditions, as well as those who simply want to take their medications properly.

A bequest gift made to the Morris Hospital Foundation several years ago is helping make the program possible.

Subscribers to the program will receive a Philips medication dispenser unit. This automatic, personal pill dispensing unit accurately dispenses medicine at designated times using an alert system. Individuals who use the Philips medication dispenser correctly are compliant with their medications 98.6 percent of the time, meaning they are less likely to miss doses, take incorrect amounts of medication, or take medicine at the wrong time. Use of the medication dispenser also tends to reduce stress among caregivers who can't always be present to help with medication dispensing.

Studies show approximately one out of 10 hospital admissions among seniors are the result of incorrect use of medications.

"We're very pleased to be offering a home medication dispensing program," says Tina Carter, manager of Patient Transportation and Lifeline services at Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers. "The service should be a big help to seniors and those with complex medication regimes. Becoming more compliant with medications can lead to better health and improved quality of life. For some individuals, it may be the key to remaining at home living independently."

According to Carter, a representative from Morris Hospital will deliver the medication dispenser unit to the subscriber's home and program it based on the individual medication schedule. The dispenser can hold a 40-day supply of up to six daily doses and is loaded by a caregiver.

When it's time to take a dose of medication, the device gives an audio alert once a minute for up to 90 minutes, along with the visual flashing screen and instructions. The user simply presses a button to receive the correct dose of medicine.

For non-pill medications, the device can be programmed to provide reminders such as, "Time for your eye drops" or "Time to take your insulin."  If the subscriber is going to be away from home at the time a dose is administered, the subscriber can select "Early Dose" and take the medication cup with them.

If the medicine still hasn't been dispensed after 90 minutes, the unit will store the medicine and the designated caregiver will be notified. Caregivers can access online monitoring reports at all times. A rechargeable battery will maintain the service for 18 hours in the event of a power outage.

According to Carter, the new medication dispensing service compliments the Lifeline service that's been available through Morris Hospital for 26 years.

"Lifeline is a personal emergency response system that allows individuals who live alone to summon emergency help at any time, day or night," Carter said. "It gives subscribers a sense of security and confidence in knowing that they are never alone."

The new medication dispensing service is being made possible through a bequest gift left to the Morris Hospital Foundation from the estate of Virginia Sparr Brown, a longtime friend of Morris Hospital and member of the Morris Hospital Auxiliary. In her will, Brown stated that her gift was to be used to fund projects and programs that support, enhance and encourage the provision of geriatric medical care.

The Morris Hospital Foundation is funding the cost of the initial launch of the medication dispensing service and will provide ongoing funding to assist those who could benefit from the program but cannot afford the $75 monthly subscription fee.

For more information, call Morris Hospital at (815) 942-2932 ext. 7251 or view the Morris Hospital Medication Dispensing Program video on YouTube.