Patient Stories

We believe that good healthcare requires understanding our patients and helping them accomplish what is important to them. Because of that, our care team members always go the extra mile for the patients they work with. 

In stories below, you can learn real examples of how we have made a difference in the lives of the patients we serve. 

Note: All stories are real. The names have been changed to protect patient privacy. 

The Difference Pharmacy Can Make

Eloise is a 75-year-old woman living alone in Cumberland.

Data analysis had identified that Eloise was having a hard time controlling her high blood pressure. Prior to an appointment with her primary care provider, a CPGRI pharmacy technician reached out to work with Eloise to figure out why her current medication was not working. 

Rebecca, a member of our pharmacy team, quickly learned that Eloise was confused by her prescription and because of that was not taking them as required, often skipping the second dose she was supposed to take in the evening. 

With the help of a fellow CPGRI pharmacist and Eloise’s doctor, Rebecca was able to change Eloise’s medication regimen. Rather having to remember to take pills every morning and every evening, Eloise is now taking a single dose every morning. 

With this simpler schedule, Eloise is now taking the medication she needs and seeing results. Rebecca also helped Eloise arrange for automatic refills with her local pharmacy, ensuring there are never any gaps in her medication refills. 

Within just a few weeks of being on her new regimen, Eloise’s blood pressure had stabilized. No further intervention is needed. 

Eloise credits Rebecca and the CPGRI team with helping her turnaround her health and prevent her from needing to take more medication. 

Throughout this process, Rebecca kept Eloise’s doctor updated on the progress they were making.   Rebecca continues to follow up with monthly check-in calls. 

Managing Diabetes

Maria is an 80-year-old woman who was having elevated A1C readings due to poorly controlled diabetes. 

The primary care office Maria visits has an embedded pharmacist in the office one day a week. All CPGRI pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are certified diabetes outpatient educators.

The physician’s assistant at this practice referred Maria to the embedded pharmacist, Amy. 

In their first conversation, Amy learned the patient was not taking her prescribed medication correctly because of negative side effects. 

Maria’s first language is not English, so Amy recruited the office’s nursing assistant who was very involved in Maria’s care to translate. Working in conjunction with the physician’s assistant, they found a new set of prescriptions with no negative side effects.

They also arranged for Maria’s insurance to cover a continuous glucose monitor which Maria now wears every day, providing Maria and her care team a more accurate, complete, and timely picture of her glucose levels. Maria is also very happy to no longer endure painful fingerstick testing. 

The pharmacist also helped identify and address some cultural and personal barriers preventing her from fully managing her condition.

Maria is now regularly keeping her glucose levels in a healthy range. 

She is brighter, happier, and enjoying her improved health.