New Service From Philips Gives Seniors And Caregivers a Smarter Way To Reduce Medication Mistakes
Philips introduces the Philips Medication Dispensing Service, a new family support system for the home healthcare community that helps seniors avoid medication errors caused by over-dosing or missed doses.
Framingham, MA (PRWEB) October 7, 2009
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today introduced the Philips Medication Dispensing Service, a new family support system for the home healthcare community that helps seniors avoid medication errors caused by over-dosing or missed doses.
Non-adherence to medication regimens has a huge impact not only on individuals but also on the healthcare industry. The National Pharmaceutical Council estimates that non-adherence to medication regimens costs more than $100 billion a year.1
Seniors, as well as other individuals with complicated drug regimens, rely on their medications to keep them healthy, but complex medication schedules can lead to forgetting doses, over - or under-dosing, as well as taking medications in dangerous combinations or at the wrong time of day. These errors can bring about unnecessary hospitalizations, progression of illness, loss of independence and even death.
The Philips Medication Dispensing Service (http://www. managemypills. com/content/) can help address the skyrocketing cost of medication non-adherence within the healthcare industry, as well as help people manage their complex medication regimens. The Medication Dispensing Service is one of the most flexible systems on the market and offers several unique features and benefits, including dispensing for 1-40 days of medication, on-demand (also called "PRN") dispensing, alerts to caregivers about missed doses, custom reports and specialized technical support through Philips Lifeline. The system simplifies daily medication management, and requires less-demanding routine involvement from caregivers.
Beverly Lawton, director, Loretto Health Support in Syracuse, N. Y., explains, "Non-adherence to a medication regimen is a perilous and pricey problem, both now and to the future of health care. The Philips Medication Dispensing Service has been great for my aging population. It is ideal for the independent senior with one or more chronic conditions who needs support with their medication schedule."
Ethel Mabe (http://www. managemypills. com/content/testimonials) in upstate New York shared their story, "My mom took four days worth of medicine in two days and wound up in the emergency room. After that, I was coming over three times a day to give her pills. With the Philips Medication Dispensing Service, I load it in no time; if she doesn't take her pill, I get a phone call and can easily ring mom with a gentle reminder. It's not only pressure off of me, but it has improved our relationship, as I'm not always harping on her about her meds. I get to be her daughter, she gets to be my mom and we all enjoy our independence."
1. "Enhancing Prescription Medicine Adherence: A National Action Plan", by the National Council on Patient Information and Education, 2007 p. 12.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Steve Kelly
Tel: +1.425.487.7479
E-mail: steve. kelly (at) philips (dot) com
Ian Race
Tel: +1.978.659.4624
E-mail: ian. race (at) philips (dot) com
About Royal Philips Electronics:
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of $38 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www. philips. com/newscenter (http://www. philips. com/newscenter).
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