Long-term care (LTC) pharmacies need the right software solutions to work efficiently, compete effectively, and consistently deliver top-quality service for the facilities and patients they serve. LTC pharmacy software also helps minimize dangerous dispensing errors, improving patient safety and ensuring compliance.

Learn more about LTC pharmacy software and steps you can take to achieve better results for your organization:

What is LTC Pharmacy Software?

Today, most pharmacies use pharmacy management software (PMS) to improve accuracy and efficiency. However, it’s important to note the differences between LTC pharmacy software and retail pharmacy software.

Although standard pharmacy management systems are a great option for retail pharmacies ranging from big-box to independent stores, LTC pharmacies need a more customized solution to manage unique nuances, such as:

Facility-Specific Requests 

No two LTC facilities have the same needs. That’s why one-size-fits-all software doesn’t meet the mark in terms of customization. Facility-centric customization enables LTC pharmacies to align with each facility’s unique preferences, needs, and expectations without the need for manual work, which is tricky to balance when you work with multiple types of facilities.

Unique Billing Complexities

Prescription billing is a whole different animal when it comes to long-term care. Most retail pharmacy systems bill and fill at the same time on a pre-consumption basis, whereas LTC pharmacies bill in cycles or bill by single claims or multiple claims, at once. As such, LTC pharmacy software should have the ability to support several complex billing types, such as: 

• Medicare Part A

• Per Diem

• Nursing Home

• Split Third-Party

• Pre-Consumption

• Post-Consumption

• Short Cycle

• Cycle/Batch
  

Frequent Medication Changes

It’s not uncommon for patients in long-term care to experience frequent drug regimen changes. LTC pharmacy software is designed to accommodate these changes, reducing dispensing errors, protecting patient safety, and ensuring both facilities and patients are satisfied with their customer service. Compliance packaging requests, such as blister packs, are also a very common occurrence that software needs to support.

How to Get Better Results from LTC Pharmacy Software

For better results and a stronger return on investment, you need the right systems, configuration, and processes in place from day one. That means choosing an LTC pharmacy software partner that offers:

Robust Implementation

Your pharmacy needs implementation support to discuss setups, configurations, workflows, integrations, and other processes critical to your business. Look for a software partner with a dedicated onboarding team to guide you through the implementation process. For example, when you partner with FrameworkLTC, you’re instantly guaranteed our Concierge Onboarding Experience, which includes everything from the technical setup, implementation requirements, and everything else you need to begin maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of your LTC pharmacy. 

Comprehensive Training 

Comprehensive training and ongoing customer support are must-haves for LTC pharmacies looking to achieve optimal results. Choose a vendor partner that offers both on-site and remote training on all features and workflow steps to ensure your entire staff understands how to make the most out of your LTC pharmacy software. At FrameworkLTC, we offer both initial and additional training on a variety of topics to help our pharmacy customers maximize their results. 

Seamless Interfacing 

Interfacing is also critical for pharmacies looking to enhance their results. Your pharmacy software should have the ability to integrate seamlessly with facility electronic health records (EHRs) and electronic medication administration records (EMARs) to maximize data sharing and efficiencies and improve collaboration between pharmacies, prescribers, and facilities. FrameworkLTC is proud to connect with more technology partners than any other pharmacy software solution.

All-Encompassing Solution

An all-encompassing solution like the FrameworkLTC integrated solution set allows you to automate and streamline your entire pharmacy operation. This way, you can do everything from prescription filling and billing to toting, delivery, and secure communications—all within one easy-to-use system. 

Here’s how MacKenzie Farr, COO, and Pharmacist at Community Pharmacy Services, explained the benefits of an all-encompassing solution: “The SoftWriters solutions work very well together. We don’t have to create a ton of patches to go here, there, and everywhere. I think that’s been one of the biggest time savers for us—you want to go with one product, and we’d highly recommend SoftWriters LTC solutions. It’s wonderful.”

Whether you’re switching LTC pharmacy software or adopting it for the first time, let’s connect. Schedule a demo of FrameworkLTC and see for yourself how it enables the best possible results.