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Do you have a cabinet full of unused and/or expired prescription drugs? Join Tria Health on Saturday, October 26th from 10am to 2pm as we host our first Drug Take-Back Day! Holding on to unused medications and improperly disposing them can be harmful to your health and our environment. For example, simply flushing pills down the toilet or throwing them in the trash can cause medicinal compounds to pollute our lakes and streams causing negative environmental impacts. National Drug Take-Back Day is a DEA initiative that provides a safe way for patients to dispose of their unused, expired or unneeded prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Officers from the Overland Park Police Department will be onsite to assist in the Drug Take-Back Day. The event is open to all consumers who would like to safely get rid of their unused medications. Tria Health’s collection site will be located at the corner of Metcalf Avenue and College Boulevard at 7101 College Blvd., Overland Park, KS 66210. #MedicationSafety #medications #NationalDrugTakeBackDay #TriaHealth

How many times have you left your physician’s office with a prescription that you never filled? Or stopped taking a prescribed medication because of side effects or high cost? In some cases, not taking your medications as prescribed, referred to as non-adherence, may only cause minor health-related issues. However, when patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are non-adherent, they are putting their health at serious catastrophic risk. Quick Glance at the Non-Adherence (Medication Mismanagement) Numbers: –       3.9 billion prescriptions were written in 2010 –       On average, 50% of patients don’t take their medications as prescribed –       Non-adherence costs the U.S. an estimated $317 billion annually –       $106 billion of that total estimated cost accounts for non-adherence to medications for diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure/heart disease The Challenge: One Patient + Multiple Conditions = Multiple Physicians & Multiple Medications The average Tria Health patient sees four physicians and takes eight medications. As the number of medications increase, so does the level of patient-responsibility for daily management and understanding the purpose for each one. A major component of medication management includes patient communication with physicians about their drug regimen to prevent the risk of over-prescribing or taking medications that don’t interact well with one another. What’s the solution? Medication Therapy Management (MTM) is an innovative practice in which a pharmacist takes responsibility to optimize a patient’s medication regimen by ensuring medications are safe, appropriate and effective. Tria Health specializes in providing MTM services and partners with plan sponsors to help reduce over health care costs for them and their plan members. An MTM-focused pharmacist is able to work one-on-one with the patient and their physicians in order to ensure a complete circle of care. For more information about Tria Health visit www.triahealth.com or call 1.888.799.TRIA (8742). #medications #MTM #medicationquestions #compliance #Pharmacist #Pharmacycare #TriaHealth #medicationmanagement #MedicationTherapyManagement #clinicalpharmacist #triahealthcom

Does it often take you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep at night? Or do you wake up frequently during the night — or too early in the morning — and have a hard time going back to sleep? When you awaken, do you feel groggy and lethargic? Do you feel drowsy during the day particularly during monotonous situations?  If you answered YES to any of these questions, you make be suffering from a sleeping issue, and you are not alone. America is currently a sleep deprived country.  Overall sleep time is twenty percent less than a century ago!  The importance of sleep is vital and is not getting the attention that it deserves. The importance of sleep: Restoration – energy to brain and body and allows for tissue growth and repair Health – promotes healthy immune system, regulates hormones, growth, appetite, and mood Memory consolidation Sleep Stats: 36% Americans drive drowsy/fall asleep – it is estimated that >100,000 auto crashes annually occur resulting in 1500 deaths. 29% drowsy or fall asleep at work 20% have lost interest in intimacy 14% have missed social/family functions due to excessive fatigue Sleep Quantity and Quality Sleep quality refers to sleep efficiency. TIME IN BED=TIME SLEEPING!! Frequent interruptions can lead to loss of important sleep stages.  Insomnia can result from medical or lifestyle/environmental contributors.  Medical insomnia often refers to sleep apnea, narcolepsy or restless leg syndrome (RLS).  Lifestyle/ environmental insomnia typical results from “sleep stealers.” How much sleep is enough?AgeSleep NeedsNewborns (1-2mon)10.5-18 hoursInfants (3-11 mon)9-12 hour nights and 4 naps/dayToddlers (1-3yr)12-14 hoursChildren (3-5 yr)11-13 hoursChildren (5-12 yr)10-11 hoursTeens8.5-9.25 hoursAdults7-9 hoursOlder adults7-9 hours Common Sleep Stealers Psychological – stress in the number one cause of short-term insomnia Lifestyle Stressors – irregular sleep/exercise schedule, alcohol, caffeine Shift work Jet lag Environment – temperature, light, noise, children/spouse, pets Medical Analyzing YOUR sleep habits Look at your individual sleep patterns and behaviors.  Keeping a sleep diary is a great way to document your sleep quality and quantity.  It will also help you identify “sleep stealers.” Identify fatigue level Trouble staying awake during monotonous activities? Unusually irritable?? Difficulty concentrating or remembering facts? Small changes YOU can make- Non-pharmacological Treatments and Solutions Maintain regular sleep schedules – avoid “sleeping in” on weekends.  Daily sunlight exposure is important as well Avoid post lunch caffeine Avoid nicotine and alcohol within 2 hours of bedtime Exercise regularly and earlier in the day – goal 30 minutes most days of the week preferably late afternoon (4-6 hrs before bed- this allows your body to cool down before bed) Save bedroom for sleep and intimacy ONLY Relax/unwind before bed- try to keep T.V., computers and smart phones out of the bedroom Avoid daytime napping Control bedroom temperature- a cool environment is usually best Don’t lie in bed awake- if unable to fall asleep within 10 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing like reading or listening to soft music until drowsy Stay up later? Make gradual changes to schedule to improve sleep efficiency #medications #MTM #medicationquestions #compliance #medicationadherence #sleep #SleepHygiene #TriaHealth #medicationmanagement #MedicationTherapyManagement #clinicalpharmacist #triahealthcom

A1C is a test that doctors use to measure your average blood sugar control for the past 2-3 months. Your goal should be an A1C of less than 7%. Have your doctor check your A1C at least twice a year, or more frequently if your blood sugar is not well controlled.2.Blood Glucose Monitoring: Checking your blood sugars will let you know how well your diet and medications are working. It is normal for your blood sugars to rise and fall throughout the day, so it is important to talk with your doctor about when to check your blood sugars. Blood Glucose Targets: Fasting or before meals – 70-130 mg/dl; two hours after the start of a meal or snack – less than 180 mg/dl.3.Blood Pressure: The combination of high blood pressure and diabetes can put you at higher risks for heart disease, kidney disease and stroke. Remember to take your blood pressure pills daily. Try to keep your blood pressure lower than 130/80 mmHg.4.Cholesterol: Keeping your cholesterol in check can help lower your risks of heart disease and stroke. Have your doctor check your cholesterol routinely. For more accurate cholesterol test results, avoid eating for 8 hours before you have your blood drawn.5.Quit Smoking: Quitting smoking greatly decreases your risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the products available to help you quit smoking. Over the counter medications include nicotine chewing gum, lozenges or patches. Prescription options include: Buproprion SR (Zyban®), Varenicline (Chantix®), and nicotine inhaler or nasal spray.6.Daily Foot Exams: Check your feet daily for cuts, infections, sores, and make sure toenails are trimmed and kept clean routinely. If you notice any cuts, discolored skin, rashes, or sores that do not go away after 3-5 days, please notify your doctor.7.Diet/Exercise: Simple changes like these can help you live a healthier life with diabetes – Exercising 30-45 minutes three to four times a week; limiting alcohol intake to 1-2 drinks per day; reading the nutritional labels on food products to help monitor your intake of sodium and fat.8.Hypoglycemia: When your blood sugar is too low, you may experience dizziness, sweating, trembling, fast heartbeat, and wet clammy fingers. Treat these symptoms of hypoglycemia with the “Rule of 15’s.” Eat 15 grams of carbs (i.e. ½ cup orange juice or non-diet soda, 1 tablespoon honey, syrup or sugar, 6 to 10 lifesavers, 1 glass of milk) Wait 15 minutes, then recheck your blood sugar If you’re blood sugar is still low, eat another 15 grams of carbs and repeat step #2 If your blood sugar is still low after repeating steps 1 through 3 twice, call your doctor or 9119.Regular Check-ups & Immunizations: Comprehensive dilated eye exam annually Dental exams every 6 months Monofilament foot exam yearly to check for nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy Flu shots yearly Pneumonia vaccine once if less than 65 years old; Repeat vaccine if greater than 64 years old and  if first vaccine was given more than 5 years ago10.Medication Adherence: Medications play an important role in your health and they work best when they are taken correctly.  If you don’t take your medications as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist, they will not work as well as they should. It is important to follow the directions for each medication so you’ll get the most from them and stay in better health. Visit Triahealth.com or call our Tria Help Desk at 1.888.799.TRIA (8742) for more information. #medications #MTM #medicationquestions #compliance #medicationadherence #Diabetesmanagement #Diabetes #TriaHealth #medicationmanagement #MedicationTherapyManagement #clinicalpharmacist #triahealthcom

Before starting a new prescription, over-the-counter medication or herbal supplement, discuss these questions with your pharmacist to avoid any dangerous interactions. What is this medication used for? How should I take this medication? How do I take it? How much? How often and at what time? For how long? With or without food? Will this interact with any of the other medications I take? What should I do if I miss a dose? When will the medicine begin to work? How will I know if the medicine is working? What should I do if it doesn’t seem to work? What side effects should I watch for? How long will they last? What should I do if they occur? How can I lessen the side effects? While I’m taking this medicine, should I avoid: Driving, operating machinery, etc.? Drinking alcohol? Eating certain foods? Taking certain medications? Any other precautions? How should I store this medication? Are there any special instructions about using this medication? Are there any laboratory tests that I should get while on this medication? Should I take any specific/additional dietary supplements or vitamins while on this medication? If you have any other questions about your medications, call the Tria Help Desk at 1.888.799.TRIA (8742) to speak confidentially with a clinical pharmacist. Visit TriaHealth.com for more resources. #medications #herbalsupplements #MTM #medicationquestions #TriaHealth #medicationmanagement #MedicationTherapyManagement #clinicalpharmacist #triahealthcom

Winter 2013 Tria Health Talk Sticking With Your Medications The former Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. C. Everett Koop, once said, “Drugs don’t work in patients who don’t take them.” He also said, “No medication works inside a bottle. Period.” What Dr. Koop means is that in order for your medications to be effective, you must take them in the way your doctor has prescribed. This can be difficult when you are taking multiple medications, at different times during the day, and for varying lengths of time. What is Medication Adherence? Medication adherence, or compliance, is defined as the ability to take a medication exactly as a doctor has prescribed. This includes taking every dose, every day for the full course of treatment. Why does it matter to me? 133 million people in the US have at least one chronic disease and account for about 55% of all emergency room visits Poor medication adherence leads to about 89,000 early deaths per year Avoidable hospitalizations due to poor medication adherence cost roughly $100 billion per year Read the full version of Winter 2013 Tria Health Talk #compliance #medicationadherence #medicationmanagement #TriaHealth

Tria Health recently formed a Provider Advisory Council to enhance thought leadership and the quality of patient-centered care. Approximately three out of four Americans don’t take their medications as prescribed, resulting in serious medication-related health problems. This issue, referred to as non-adherence, caused the U.S. an alarming $317B in avoidable health care expenses in 2011. Committed to solving this national health care concern, Tria Health offers individualized support in which Tria clinical pharmacists work closely with patients and physicians to ensure the safety, affordability and effectiveness of a patient’s medication regimen. The Tria Health Provider Advisory Council will guide the development of communication standards and methods to improve the coordination of care between the patient, physician and pharmacist. The increasingly high numbers of non-adherence and the resulting medication-related health complications suggest a missing link within the health care industry. Tria Health offers a solution based on the critical importance of improved coordination of care, including: the pharmacist, who is the medication expert; the patients’ physician(s), who prescribe all medications; and the patient, who must be aware of their resources and educated on how to get the best results from their medications. Tria Health established the Provider Advisory Council to further develop this partnership of trust between pharmacists, physicians and patients. #medicationmanagement #medications #MTM #TriaHealth