LIFE participant Jacqueline Smith uses the MedaCube daily in her home in Vineland. “It has been a blessing for me. That cube talks to me and her voice is loud and clear, and she tells me when to take my medication – I love it.”
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NJ (November 2018) — One of the main issues many seniors struggle with is the ability to successfully manage their medications. The task of taking multiple medications on time or not taking duplicate doses by mistake is an ongoing issue. The MedaCube, a medication adherence technology, is a product of PharmaAdva LLC and was invented by Michael Berg, M.D., Associate Professor of Neurology at the University of Rochester Medical Center and chief medical officer of PharmaAdva. Carekinesis, a PACE-centric medication management and distribution pharmacy introduced the MedaCube to Inspira LIFE.
“We are delighted to provide Inspira LIFE, a long-time partner, with this in-home technology that enhances the medication safety for their participants living in the community, helping to avoid nursing home care. Our collaboration is one focused on reducing medication risk for patients. As partners, we have been successful in deploying technology and services that support optimized medication regimens and enhanced participant outcomes. We look forward to continuing our collaboration into the future,” said Orsula V. Knowlton, PharmD, MBA, president & chief marketing/business development officer.
The MedaCube has the capacity to store a 90-day supply of up to 16 different medications. Its touchscreen is equipped with pre-programed medication doses, schedules, and the names and contact information of family members and caregivers. Once programmed, an alarm will sound when it is time to take the medication, and it then requires the patient to touch a “Dispense Pills” button on the screen. If the button is not pushed the medications are not dispensed and a message is sent to the caregivers via text, phone or email that the medication has not been taken.
Ankur Patel, M.D., medical director for the Inspira LIFE program in Vineland, NJ, currently has nine PACE participants using the MedaCube. “We have seen a significant increase in our participants’ compliance rate in taking their medications. Previously, their rates ranged from 20 to 40 percent. Now, with the MedaCube in place in their homes, their compliance rates have climbed to over 90 percent,” cited Dr. Patel.
LIFE participant Jacqueline Smith uses the MedaCube daily in her home in Vineland. “It has been a blessing for me. That cube talks to me and her voice is loud and clear, and she tells me when to take my medication – I love it.”
About Inspira LIFE Program
Inspira LIFE is a national program of all-inclusive care for the elderly or (PACE). This comprehensive health plan offers an integrated and proactive approach for providing health care needs for seniors 55 and older that are clinically eligible. The program’s goal is to keep seniors living independently and safely in their homes and community. The program combines center- based care with home care, and offers primary care, specialty care, physical and occupational therapy, recreation therapy, transportation, nutritional counseling, social services, durable medical equipment, transportation, and medications. The center is located at 2445 S. Delsea Drive in Vineland, New Jersey. For more information, please call (855) 295-5433 or visit www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org/Life-Center.
About Inspira Health Network
Inspira Health Network is a charitable nonprofit health care organization and a regional leader in physician training, with approximately 160 medical residents and fellows in nine nationally accredited specialty programs. The network, which traces its roots to 1899, comprises three hospitals, a comprehensive cancer center, several multi-specialty health centers and a total of more than 150 access points. These include urgent care; outpatient imaging and rehabilitation; sleep medicine labs; cardiac testing facilities; digestive health and wound care centers; home care and hospice; and more than 30 primary and specialty physician practices in Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem, Camden and Atlantic counties.
Together with its medical staff of more than 1,100 physicians and other care providers, as well as more than 5,800 employees, Inspira Health Network provides evidence-based care to help each patient achieve the best possible outcome. Accredited by DNV Healthcare, the network’s clinical and support staffs are focused on providing quality care in a safe environment. For more information about Inspira Health Network, visit www.InspiraHealthNetwork.org or call 1-800-INSPIRA.
