2/27/2023

Washington State University - Yakima Campus

Outstanding Professional Development Award Winner (2022 – 2023)

Yakima. WA

Washington State University - Yakima Campus

Project Description

"Implementation of Health Fair Events at Long Term Care Facilities" - ASHP SSHP Yakima Campus implemented a health initiative that educated residents at long term care facilities about various disease states (Hypertension, Diabetes, Asthma/COPD, and Dyslipidemia). We created a safe environment to provide point of care screenings, including blood glucose and blood pressure tests, within the comfort of resident facilities and interviewed patients to complete full medication reviews and answered patient questions. Through this health initiative, our SSHP interacted with more than 100 patients over the course of 4 years. An average of eleven residents were seen during each visit, with a total of ten health fairs completed prior to February 2020. Twenty-five residents participated in our first event since COVID, which occurred in October 2022.

Describe how your chapter planned the event?

We raised funds and received donations from local diabetes camps in Spokane, WA and retail pharmacies in Yakima for the necessary supplies for the health fairs. Money was raised through the CougStarter grant to purchase iPads to help educate patients during pandemic shutdowns when students were unable to visit in person. The Yakima SSHP Health Fair Liaison and president established connections with possible sites to host health fair events at three month intervals. The faculty advisor and SSHP President provided focused training to refresh students' skills. iPad videos and pamphlets regarding influenza were created for educational purposes at the site.

Did you utilize any ASHP resources while planning this event?

Yes. The ASHP SSHP Requirements were used. In addition, Elissa Chung, the ASHP SSHP Yakima Campus president presented the "Implementation
of the Health Fairs" project at the ASHP Student Society Showcase at ASHP Midyear 2022.

How did your SSHP Chapter promote the project?

Monthly health events were advertised to assisted living residents, pharmacy preceptors, and pharmacy interns. Health Fairs were heavily promoted to students and faculty during the ASHP SSHP general meetings, evening presentations, and Membership Drive Barbecue.

When was the event held?

The first health fair post-COVID was held at a long term care facility in Yakima, WA. Held on October 29, 2022 as a weekend clinic, 25 residents attended and gained direct patient care from preceptors and pharmacy students. The second health fair was held at an assisted living facility in downtown Yakima, which was held on March 25, 2022 and served 11 residents.

Did you include any outside guest to complete this event?

Preceptors from the Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital inpatient pharmacy and local retail pharmacists in Yakima volunteer their time to guide pharmacy interns during the health fair. Flyers specifically for preceptors and pharmacy students are emailed and posted weeks prior to each health fair. In addition, ASHP SSHP Yakima officers attend the long term care's meal times to advertise upcoming health fairs to residents.

Did you collaborate with any other organizations or your ASHP State Affiliate to complete this event?

Simran Josan and Bradley Brown who will be representing ASHP SSHP Yakima during Legislative Day on February 2023 in Olympia, WA are one of the main contributors to the success of the health fairs.

Additional commentary regarding your event:

Four more health fair events are now established for the Spring 2023 semester at local assisted living facilities in Yakima, Washington. The most pivotal lesson learned is that it takes ownership, leadership, creativity and action to work with a self-motivated and resourceful team to ultimately serve a vulnerable patient population. "Discipline equals freedom and consistency equals success" is a phrase significant to our team.

SSHP Leadership