Medication Support Program Annual Report

Corry Counseling of LECOM Health

Medication Support Program

FY 2021/22 Annual Report

Program Description

The goal of the Corry Counseling Services Medication Support Program (MSP) is to assist individuals with a mental health diagnosis to achieve recovery through medication monitoring, education about medication and mental illness, and skill building to effectively manage medications. Participation in MSP is voluntary and this service is available through other providers. Services are provided in a manner consistent with the principles of the Community Support Program.

MSP Services are available during evening hours and on the weekend as needed. Services primarily take place in the client home. A staff member is on-call at all times. Services are individualized and begin with an assessment of an individual’s needs. A medication monitoring plan is developed with specific goals and objectives related to the individual’s recovery plans.

Program staff meets with clients as frequently as needed to support medication compliance. This can range from home visits several times a day to reminder phone calls. As treatment progresses, the length and frequency of appointments decreases as the client becomes increasingly self-sufficient in independently managing their medications.

Over the course of services, staff works with clients to:

  • Identify prescribed medications and the dosages and times at which they are taken

  • Understand the purpose of medications

  • Learn possible medication side effects and how to respond

  • Safely store and dispose of medications

  • Effectively communicate with providers about needs and concerns

  • Anticipate the needs for prescription refills and contact the pharmacy

Program discharge occurs when an individual has completed their treatment goals and their medications are safely managed. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, both program staff members met with MSP clients as needed to assist them in managing their medication.

Clients

The Medication Support Program served a total of 40 clients this fiscal year. All clients were white. There were 28 female clients and 12 male clients. The MSP program serves people ages 18 and over. There were 4 clients ages 18 to 25; 9 clients ages 26 to 45; 24 clients ages 46 to 64; and, 3 clients over the age of 65. There were 12 intakes, and 16 discharges. There were 1128.25 hours of service this year.

Staff

There is a full-time MSP worker and a part-time MSP nurse. The rate of turnover was 50% as the MSP worker left and was replaced during the year.

Training

There were 2 Relias Trainings for the full-time staff to complete as well as 4 agency trainings. The part-time MSP nurse was only asked to complete the agency Trainings.

Both staff members completed Corporate Compliance and Emergency Response Plan training. The full-time MSP staff member also completed Fire Safety; Motivational Interviewing; Working Effectively with the LGBTQIA+ Population; Marijuana and Cannabinoids, Pain and the Brain; and, Strategies for Preventing and De-escalating Hostile Situations.

Productivity

Overall productivity for the MSP program for the year was 117.5%. Productivity has ranged from 104% to 133%.

Client Satisfaction Survey Results

Client satisfaction surveys were in January, 2022. 9 surveys were completed and returned by MSP clients. In addition to the first five questions on the survey, which were asked of all agency clients, there were two additional questions asked of MSP clients, “I am learning more about my medications” and “I am managing my medication more independently.” 89% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed they were learning more about their medications; and, 100% agreed they were managing their medication more independently.

FWA/Quality Audits

There were no audits for the MSP program this year.

Outcome Results

The overall MSP outcome goal was improved functioning after one year of service. The outputs were number of clients seen, hours of service provided, and client intakes. The data source was the MSP Medication Monitoring level. The indicator was an increase in the level. The targets were that 75% of clients will have progressed to Level 2 after 6 months of service, and 60% of clients will have progressed to Level 3 after 12 months of service.

For clients reaching once year of service from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, there were 11 clients. All 11 reached at least level 2 after 6 months of service. 73% (8 of the 11) reached level 3 after 12 months of service.

Expectations for the coming year

The expectation for the coming year is that the program will continue to grow by 20%, which is 5 clients, although referrals come at a slow pace, which is the potential challenge. The expectation for MSP outcomes next year will be that 75% of clients will have progressed to Level 2 after 6 months of service, and 60% of clients will have progressed to Level 3 after 12 months of service.