Hospital pharmacies offer one-stop service

This spring, I needed a second COVID-19 booster within a limited time frame because I had to make an unplanned trip and wanted to be boosted before I left. I shopped around to the local commercial pharmacies and, after securing a coveted time on a Saturday, the appointment was canceled by email literally five minutes later because they ran out of vaccine. While I was able to secure a spot at a pharmacy in Plymouth the next day, the frenzy and frustration of getting the vaccine left me a bit frazzled.

I now know the next time I need a vaccine or other pharmacy services, I won’t have to go any further than the Cape Cod Hospital or Falmouth Hospital outpatient pharmacies.

“We offer all CDC recommended vaccinations for anyone age 3 and over, which is a long list,” said Angela Medeiros, PharmD, Cape Cod Healthcare Director of Outpatient Pharmacy Services\Practice Manager - Pain.

The vaccination list includes the COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

Hospital-trained pharmacists oversee the recommendation and administration of all immunizations, said Medeiros.

Once you have received your vaccine, the information is entered into the Massachusetts Immunization Information System which enables other providers to have access to your immunization record.

The information is also entered into EPIC, CCHC’s electronic health record, and visible to patients in MyChart.

You will be asked to wait 15 minutes after the injection, which can be done comfortably in the pharmacy or around the corner in the lobby coffee shops.

You can make an appointment online through the MyChart patient portal or by calling 508-957-8600.

More Pharmacy Services

In addition to vaccines, both pharmacies also offer programs such as Meds to Go, curbside pickup of prescriptions, transfer of prescriptions, specialty medications, and a wide selection of over-the-counter medications.

“The meds-to-go program, which is offered during pharmacy hours, is for anyone who is seen in the hospital, whether it’s an afternoon appointment, a couple of nights in the hospital, planned or unplanned, or an emergency room visit,” said Medeiros. “When their physician orders a prescription, it can be sent to us, and the patient can either come to the pharmacy and pick up their prescription on their way out the main entrance, or we can deliver it to them at curbside as they are leaving the parking lot. They just drive up to one of the signs out front next to the main entrance, call the pharmacy, and a pharmacy staff member will bring it out.”

Medeiros said they started the curbside service during the pandemic and found that it went well, and people didn’t have to get out of their car.

“It especially works for a mom who may have just seen a pediatrician down the street and needs an antibiotic for her child. She doesn’t have to get everyone out of the car, she can just pull up and we’ll bring it out.”

Specialty Pharmacy Medications

CCHC Pharmacy also has a specialty pharmacy department, where they assist patients with complex disease states that require high-cost, restricted medications. “Our specialty pharmacy staff will work with your physician or medical provider to navigate insurance hurdles and to obtain any prior approvals needed to help you get your medication covered. We’ll also support you to ensure your medication is administered properly and desired outcomes are reached.”

The specialty pharmacy department offers a high touch service for these complex therapies – services include refill reminder calls, 24/7 on call pharmacist, no cost delivery options, medication counseling by certified specialty pharmacist, expedited prior authorizations, and co-pay assistance when medications are not affordable for patients.

Transferring Prescriptions

Prescription transfers can now be done online.

“All you have to do is go online, fill out a form, and we will contact your pharmacy to have your medications transferred to our pharmacies,” said Medeiros. “If they are maintenance medications and you have refills on your prescription, it can be transferred. Once your prescriptions are with our pharmacy, you can either reorder online for Cape Cod Hospital or Falmouth Hospital on our website, use our automated phone system or download our app.”

Since the pharmacies are connected to the electronic medical records system, it allows the pharmacists to easily communicate with the healthcare team, which improves patient outcomes.

Over-the-Counter Medications

“We have a great over-the-counter selection of medications for patients and, if they want something we don’t have, we are always happy to place a special order for them,” said Medeiros.

The Cape Cod Hospital pharmacy is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. The Falmouth Hospital pharmacy is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and holidays.