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VerifiedRx

VerifiedRx

By: Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence
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Summary

 Delivering short doses of insight for hospitals’ frontline pharmacy professionals, the Vizient pharmacy team brings together experts to verify best practices for navigating today’s pharmacy practice challenges and accelerating career growth. It’s a prescription for success, delivered by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence.Copyright 2025 All rights reserved. Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management Management & Leadership Physical Illness & Disease Science
Episodes
  • Alpha-gal Syndrome and Impact on Patient Safety

    Alpha-gal Syndrome and Impact on Patient Safety
    Apr 28 2026
    Alpha-gal syndrome is an emerging and often underrecognized allergy triggered by a tick bite that can cause delayed reactions to red meat and mammalian-derived products. In this episode, host Stacy Lauderdale is joined by clinical experts Zack Stacy and Kyna Henrici to unpack the science behind alpha-gal, its implications in healthcare settings, and the operational challenges providers face in managing this complex condition. Guest Speakers: Zachary Stacy, Pharm.D., MS, FCCP, BCPS Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Surgery BJC Health Kyna Henrici, RN Medical Evidence Director - Cardiovascular Vizient, Inc. Host: Stacy Lauderdale, Pharm.D., BCPS AVP, Evidence-Based Medicine Vizient, Inc. 00:05 – Introduction Podcast introduction and welcome to VerifiedRx 00:14 – What is alpha-gal syndrome Overview of alpha-gal syndrome Delayed allergic reactions after eating red meat Often linked to tick bites 00:48 – Meet the Guests Zack Stacy, clinical pharmacy specialist Kyna Henrici, medical evidence director 01:10 – Understanding the Allergy Alpha-gal is a carbohydrate in nonprimate mammals that can trigger an allergy in humans Key difference is delayed reaction timing Symptoms are not always easy to trace 01:32 – How It Develops Triggered by tick bites Immune system produces IgE antibodies Oral exposure to alpha-gal leads to delayed reactions IV exposure to alpha-gal can cause immediate reactions 02:17 – Prevalence and Diagnosis Challenges More common in Midwest and southern United States Likely underdiagnosed Often mistaken for general food allergies Allergy may fade over time 03:07 – Risks in Healthcare Settings Patient safety concerns beyond food Mammalian components in medications and devices Examples include heparin and surgical materials 03:44 – Hidden Medication Risks Inactive ingredients can be animal derived Examples include glycerin, lactose, amino acids, stearates Difficult to identify and track 04:42 – Lack of Transparency No centralized ingredient database Sourcing can change frequently Variability across manufacturers and batches 05:33 – Screening in Surgical Settings Medication review at NDC level Identification of active and inactive ingredients May require contacting manufacturers 06:45 – Timing Challenges Urgent procedures limit investigation time Manufacturer responses may take days Alternative medications often needed 07:14 – Identifying At Risk Patients Many patients are unaware they have alpha-gal syndrome Screening includes questions about dairy tolerance Three patient categories used for evaluation 08:32 – Using Dairy as a Screening Tool Dairy tolerance helps guide risk level Food exposure typically higher than medication exposure Determines need for deeper review 09:12 – Managing Emergencies Focus shifts from avoidance to risk mitigation Use of team communication and clear documentation Preparation for unavoidable exposure 10:03 – Prevention and Preparedness Stock alpha-gal safe medications when possible Prepare for allergic reactions with standard treatments 10:47 – Team Based Care Approach Collaboration across care teams is essential Premedication strategies may be used Close monitoring for reactions 11:11 – Gaps in Care Limited visibility into product ingredients Need for better labeling and transparency 11:33 – Need for Standardization Call for clearer guidance and clinician education Desire for centralized resource for medication ingredients 12:24 – Monitoring Challenges CDC tracking decreased after privatization of testing Cases likely still increasing 12:53 – Closing Remarks Links and Resources: Alpha-gal Syndrome | Alpha-gal Syndrome | CDC Subscribe Today! Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube RSS Feed
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    14 mins
  • Efficiency to Excellence: AI’s Role in Modern Pharmacy Practice

    Efficiency to Excellence: AI’s Role in Modern Pharmacy Practice
    Apr 14 2026
    AI is rapidly reshaping pharmacy practice, raising both concern and opportunity for healthcare teams. Vizient host Kerry Schwarz is joined by Dr. Jason Chou, Vice President of the System Pharmacy Service Line, and Dr. Catherine Oliver, System AVP of Clinical Pharmacy Services at Ochsner Health, to explore how AI is improving efficiency while redefining how pharmacy teams spend their time. They discuss where technology is already making an impact and where its limits still require human expertise. Guest Speakers: Dr. Jason Chou, Pharm.D., MS Vice President, System Pharmacy Service Line Ochsner Health Dr. Catherine Oliver, Pharm.D., BCPS, DPLA, CPGx System AVP, Clinical Pharmacy Services Ochsner Health Host Dr. Kerry Schwarz, Pharm.D., MPH Senior Clinical Manager, Evidence-Based Medicine and Outcomes Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence  Shownotes: 00:05 — Introduction Announcer welcomes listeners to VerifiedRx, produced by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence. 00:14 — Episode Overview Host Kerry introduces the topic: the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and pharmacy.Key themes: Addressing fears of job replacementIdentifying real-world use casesUnderstanding limitations of AIPractical strategies for adoption Guests: Dr. Jason Chou, VP, System Pharmacy Service Line, Ochsner HealthDr. Catherine Oliver, System AVP, Clinical Pharmacy Services, Ochsner Health 01:04 — Will AI Replace Healthcare Jobs? Concern exists, but largely driven by misunderstandingAI is expected to: Augment, not replace, pharmacy rolesImprove efficiency in daily workflows AI is not capable of: Independent clinical judgmentMeaningful patient interactions Human elements—trust, empathy, and nuance—remain essential. 02:20 — Where AI Can Add Value Today Focus should shift from fear to practical use casesIdeal applications: Reducing non-value-added tasksImproving efficiencySupporting clinical decision-making preparation (not replacing it) 02:39 — Early Use Cases: Operational Efficiency AI can reduce administrative burden such as: Prior authorizationsInsurance-related communicationsData gathering and documentation Opportunity to eliminate “busy work” and improve staff satisfaction 03:31 — Clinical Workflow Support AI can: Summarize patient charts, labs, and notesOrganize large volumes of clinical data Enables pharmacists to: Spend less time preparingSpend more time in patient care and provider interaction 04:08 — Additional Opportunities: Supply Chain & Operations AI can support: Inventory managementPurchasing optimizationMulti-site coordination Benefits include: Cost savingsImproved efficiencyBetter resource utilization 05:00 — Where to Draw the Line AI should not replace clinical decision-makingLimitations include: Lack of experience and judgmentInability to incorporate patient values and preferences Final decisions must remain with clinicians. 05:42 — Preserving the Human Element Patient care involves: TrustEmpathyRelationship-building Over-reliance on AI risks eroding patient confidence. 06:11 — Patient Interaction & Transparency Patients want to know: When AI is usedHow it impacts their care Transparency and communication are critical 06:48 — AI in Direct Patient Care: Ambient Listening AI tools can: Capture conversations during patient visitsReduce documentation burden Important considerations: Patient consentAbility to opt outPrivacy concerns 07:31 — Risks of Poor Implementation Poorly designed AI interactions can: Frustrate patientsReduce trust Healthcare AI must avoid: Impersonal experiencesInefficient automation 08:21 — AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement Comparable to tools like: Search engines (e.g., Google) Enhances efficiency without replacing professional roles. 09:12 — Early Success Stories Prior Authorization Optimization AI improves: Data extractionDocumentation speedApproval timelines Benefits: Faster patient access to therapyImproved staff satisfaction 10:07 — Clinical Decision Support Enhancements AI-driven rule systems: Identify high-risk patientsReduce unnecessary chart reviews Example outcome: Reduction in time spent reviewing charts without intervention Frees pharmacists for: Medication reconciliationPatient counseling 11:11 — Impact on Workforce Engagement Staff report: Increased satisfactionMore time for meaningful work AI seen as an enabler rather than a threat 12:03 — Vendor Landscape & Challenges Rapid growth of AI vendors addressing niche problemsKey risks: Data security concernsVendor quality variabilityOverlapping or redundant solutions 12:51 — Integration & Workflow Considerations Successful AI tools must: Integrate with EHRsAlign with pharmacy workflowsAvoid siloed systems Poor integration leads to inefficiency and adoption barriers 14:04 — Vendor Evaluation Considerations Assess: Clinical and operational expertiseProduct maturityImplementation effortRisk vs benefit ...
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    17 mins
  • Inside the Medicare Transaction Facilitator: Early Wins and Growing Pains

    Inside the Medicare Transaction Facilitator: Early Wins and Growing Pains
    Mar 31 2026
    In this episode of VerifiedRx, Carolyn Liptak is joined by Dr. Jennifer Tussey, Senior Specialty Pharmacy Manager at BJC Health, to discuss early experiences with the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF) and the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program. From managing complex data flows and delayed payments to coordinating cross-functional teams and evolving workflows, they share practical insights from the first cycle of implementation. Tune in to learn what’s working, what’s challenging, and how health systems are adapting in real time. Guest speaker:  Jennifer Tussey, PharmD, CSP, AAHIVP Senior Specialty Pharmacy Manager Specialty, Oncology, Mail Order BJC Health East Region Host:  Carolyn Liptak, MBA, BS Pharm Pharmacy Executive Director, Regulatory Compliance Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence Verified Rx Host 00:05 — Introduction Announcer welcomes listeners to VerifiedRx, produced by the Vizient Center for Pharmacy Practice Excellence. 00:14 — Episode Overview Host Carolyn Liptak introduces the topic: early experiences with the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP) and the Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF).Discussion focuses on: Implementation planningEarly operational challengesPayment and data flow issuesLessons learned from initial rollout Guest: Dr. Jennifer Tussey, Senior Specialty Pharmacy Manager at BJC Health. 00:14 — Key Program Definitions Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program (MDPNP): Created under the Inflation Reduction Act (2022)Allows CMS to negotiate prices for select high-cost drugs without generic/biosimilar competitionEstablishes a Maximum Fair Price (MFP) Medicare Transaction Facilitator (MTF): Operational system supporting: Data exchangePayment processingCoordination between CMS, manufacturers, and dispensers Ensures Part D beneficiaries receive negotiated pricing 02:00 — Health System Context Jennifer oversees specialty, oncology, and mail-order pharmacy operations within BJC Health’s east region.Approximately 12 pharmacies impacted by MTF processes. 02:27 — Implementation Strategy Initial steps: Participation in CMS webinarsFormation of a multidisciplinary team Key roles involved: Pharmacy leadershipData analystBusiness managerReconciliation technicianRevenue cycle team Responsibilities include: Tracking claims and payment statusManaging 340B eligibilityReconciling payments across multiple systems (MTF, Beacon, internal systems) 03:54 — Enrollment Experience Enrollment process was relatively straightforward: Entity signaturesSystem setup for remittance processing Complexity increased post-enrollment due to: Data fragmentation across systemsLimited access for revenue cycle teams Required strong coordination across departments. 05:09 — Data & Payment Flow Challenges Data flow remains slow but improving.Current timeline: ~19 days for payment finalizationUp to 45 days for resolution if inquiries are required Early collection rates: Initially ~10%Improved to ~60% 05:09 — Operational Workflow Adjustments Monitoring cadence evolved: From daily tracking → now biweekly review cycles Teams review claims approximately 45 days in arrears. 06:02 — Inquiry & Tracking Challenges System limitations: Inquiry submissions may not be saved reliablyLack of built-in tracking tools Requires manual documentation and tracking to monitor claim status and follow-ups. 06:18 — Managing Payment Inconsistencies Payment discrepancies handled through inquiry process.Key challenges: Delayed initiation (must wait for processing window)Extended resolution timelines (up to 45 days) Requires proactive and continuous follow-up. 06:53 — Financial & Resource Challenges Low reimbursement margins under standard refund amounts.Even large systems with wholesale discounts experience tight margins.Significant FTE investment required to manage the process.Smaller systems may face: Greater operational burdenLimited staffing capacity 07:33 — Operational Evolution Processes are continuously evolving.Key success factors: Ongoing process refinementStrong internal documentationRapid incorporation of lessons learned Example: Identifying system issues with inquiry tracking and adjusting workflows accordingly 08:14 — Key Advice: Patience & Persistence Success requires: Patience with slow-moving processesMeticulous follow-upStrong tracking systems (e.g., Excel-based workflows) High claim volume (500+ scripts at a time) necessitates structured tracking tools. 09:07 — Additional Financial Considerations Low net margins combined with high operational workload.Challenges amplified for: Smaller pharmaciesSystems with fewer resources Emphasizes importance of operational efficiency and resource planning. 09:36 — Final Takeaways MTF implementation is: ComplexResource-intensiveStill evolving Key themes: Strong cross-functional collaboration is essentialProcesses will require ongoing ...
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    10 mins
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