The Importance of Medication Management

The main reason people are taking medication is to improve their quality of life. Though, if you don't feel well or are take multiple drugs, it can be difficult to remember taking the right medicines at the right time. When drugs are not taken properly, there is no improvement in the quality of life and in many cases it's deteriorating.

This is where medication management comes in; it can help individuals to receive the right prescriptions and ensure that they are taken at the right time and not taken in excess or abused. But there is a lot more to manage your medications.

Why Use Medication Management?

Failure to adhere to proper medication administration, according to studies, has a significant impact on overall healthcare costs.

An approximate 50% of patients in the U.S. are not taking their drugs properly on average. Close to 33% never complete their first prescription.

Our team of expert medical personnel will help you to manage your medications to help improved your quality of life, as well as ensure your safety.

Medication management services contribute to:

  • Improved patient use and administration of all medications

  • Improved percentage of patients meeting their health care goals

  • Reduced side effects and duplication, as well as drug interactions, of all medications

  • Decreased medical costs in the form of fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations due to incorrect dosing or neglecting to take prescribed medications.

Benefits of Medication Management

As America's older population continues to grow, the need for quality medication management services does too. It is an important tool for ensuring the health of these individuals as well as managing their health care costs. Benefits of providing medication management for this population include:

    • Better outcomes for older adults.

    • Less stress for the patients and their families. Everyone can be comfortable knowing medications are being distributed and taken correctly.

    • Less money spent on related health care costs such as emergency room visits and hospital stays.

    • Reduced illnesses and deaths due to medication noncompliance or drug interactions.

Whether someone neglects to take their medications properly because they forget or think they don't need it, the fact is, failing to do so can lead to serious consequences. Through medication management, individuals get the medications they need, on time, every single day. Their quality of life improves immensely and everyone involved is able to worry less about the health of their loved ones.

Medication Management Q & A

Why Do I Need Medication Management?

The medication management at Spine Team Spokane has several goals, including:

  • The Right Medications:Our provider's goal is to find a treatment that restores your quality of life, allowing you to live freely from pain and discomfort. To that end, your provider monitors your medication to make sure it’s doing its job correctly. This may require some trial and error before you settle on the right medication, but your provider gauges your results with you every step of the way.

  • The Wrong Medications:One of the more important jobs in medication management is to quickly get you off medications that are either not working or interfering with other medications you may be taking. Your provider accomplishes this through vigilant monitoring and testing.

  • The Right Dosing:Often, when it comes to pain, finding the right dosage is tricky. Your provider works with you throughout, making any necessary tweaks in your dosages along the way.

What are the Potential Problems with Medications?

When you have a medical expert overseeing your medications, you can avoid the potential implications of taking the wrong medicine, or too much of any one medication. Your doctor helps you avoid any contraindications, as well as addiction issues, by monitoring all of your medicine, ensuring you get only what’s necessary and that each medication works with the others to provide you relief.

What About Medications from Other providers?

When doctors work in a vacuum, they may be prescribing medications that work to resolve an issue in their area of expertise, but they may not understand that the medication could interfere with another prescription from another doctor.

When medications interfere with one another, they can cancel each other out or, worse, create an easily avoided health risk.

The goal of medication management is to provide oversight that takes in the whole picture. If you’re on medications for other conditions — for example, a blood thinner for circulatory issues — your provider at Spine Team Spokane makes sure that all your medications work together toward your relief from pain.

Additional Questions?

Call 509.363.3100 and ask about our medication management today!

Patient Testimonials

  • The care they give is amazing. The front desk gals are so friendly and helpful assisting with anything I've asked. My PA Nathan is very knowledgeable, personable and has been amazing in assisting me with my pain issue's along with other problems. I would and do recommend them to my friends and family.

    SanDee Rhett Avatar SanDee Rhett
    February 16, 2024

    I've been very impressed with the care Emily and her MA Laicy has given me. From the beginning Emily has done everything that she can to see that I go in the right direction for the pain that I've been in. I'm so grateful for my knee injections. I'm starting to feel like a normal person. I will continue recommending Spine Team.

    Kathleen Hartshorn Avatar Kathleen Hartshorn
    November 19, 2023

    Always helpful and great to see. Once again they came through for me with amazing help! I couldn't leave another 5 star review so I would like to add and just let everyone know how amazing Emily M. and Melissa F. are! The reception are always so friendly and helpful, everyone I've had contact with have always been incredible and positive and make every visit great! I referring to the North side location, as I've never been to the other one, they know how to hire the right people!

    Brandon K Avatar Brandon K
    January 19, 2024
  • I recently had a visit and hip injection by Dr. Sneddon. He is brilliant. Very nice man who figured out a problem I didn't even know I had. Would recommend to anyone. The team is also very pleasant and professional.

    Becky Leighton Avatar Becky Leighton
    February 5, 2024

    Kellie is a knowledgeable and effective therapist for physical pain. She not only diminishes alot of the pain at the visit but she has so much information on any specific part of my body that we are working on at the time that I get educated which helps me understand. She is a positive person. She has an upbeat and outgoing personality. I always look forward to seeing her. She is definitely a bright spot in my day! And...my pain is always better the day she treats me. Win -win.

    Jillybean Avatar Jillybean
    November 19, 2023

    I want to comment on my visits to see Emily and Laicy at the north office; they are so professional and caring! I feel so comfortable with talking to them about the issues I may have at the time and know that when I leave my appointment that we have gone over everything with answers. It is a great feeling that when you walk in the receptionist are so kind and easy going and to go to your appointment and you have the most upbeat and professional healthcare; it just makes your day!

    Brenda B Kastelein Avatar Brenda B Kastelein
    November 19, 2023
  • I have have been going to Spine Team for 2 1/2 years. I cannot say enough good things about Emily and Laicy. They know me know my case and are so helpful with anything I need. Even though I have moved farther south in Idaho I will still continue to keep my care with them Thank you

    Candi Rosco Avatar Candi Rosco
    November 19, 2023

    I have been a patient with Spine Team for about the last two years and have to say they are number one! Dr. Emily has been a great listener and really pays special attention to my needs also the other team members Angel and Laicy do a fine job of keeping my appointments on time and checking me in. Life is a journey and not a destination and with the help Spine Team North my quality of life has improved greatly.

    ryan kunz Avatar ryan kunz
    December 19, 2023

    Emily and Laicy @ Spokane Spine Team are great!! All the staff are wonderful! I love working with Emily. She is such a caring and compassionate Doctor and is always trying to find ways to get rid of my pain or make it more manageable. And great big THANK YOU to everyone, especially Emily, at Spokane Spine Team, for all that you do for everyone!! 😊❤️

    MARGIEANN PENNINGTON Avatar MARGIEANN PENNINGTON
    November 19, 2023