Revolutionizing Patient Care with Innovative Strategies and Solutions

With a strong background in informatics, Madeline Camejo is an experienced pharmacy executive who has overseen multi-site facilities in the healthcare industry. She is a seasoned pharmacy executive with over 25 years of a unique blend of experiences in clinical pharmacy, clinical and business administration, healthcare finances, informatics and information technology.

In an interview with Healthcare Tech Outlook, Camejo touches upon some of the emerging trends in the patient care segment and the best practices to stay abreast of the latest practices. 

Can you provide a comprehensive overview of your daily tasks and responsibilities?

As the person in charge of our pharmacy services and operations, both inpatient and outpatient, my job is to develop effective strategies to grow our business within the market. Our continued growth helps us improve the outcomes for the inpatient and outpatient services we offer, including infusion centers and pharmacy services. Patient monitoring is crucial to all new medications, so we are currently focusing on achieving positive outcomes for patients, particularly those using inpatient and outpatient services.

What are the significant challenges and trends impacting the industry today?

The primary concern for everyone is the influx of new players like Amazon and CVS. CVS is attempting to revamp its services for delivering medications to patients in the future. An emerging trend that has been observed in the healthcare industry is the provision of healthcare services at home. In light of the disruptive nature of the industry, it is crucial for healthcare organizations to adapt and enhance their services.

However, there are numerous obstacles, such as healthcare payers and the challenges faced by healthcare systems after the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortage of staff has emerged as a significant challenge, as it has become increasingly difficult to procure staff to cover essential services. Additionally, the cost of staffing and supplies has escalated, further exacerbating the problem.

Can you share some upcoming technological advancements or trends that you are excited about?

The pharmaceutical industry is experiencing a wave of technological innovations that can transform how we treat illnesses, especially sporadic diseases like sickle cell disease. With the development of new drugs, patients can now access treatments that significantly enhance their quality of life. However, the cost of these innovative treatments may pose a challenge for some patients.

Fortunately, the usage of AI in predictive analytics enhances patient outcomes and efficiency by automating repetitive tasks. This is a significant advancement that has the potential to revolutionize the industry.

Another area of focus is the development of infusion drugs and infusion centers. These centers provide patients access to new therapies.

This is an exciting time for the industry, with numerous breakthroughs on the horizon. In today's fast-paced world, staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements is crucial. It takes a skilled team of experts with in-depth knowledge to keep a close eye on the latest trends, updates, and innovations and stay ahead of the curve.

With the pharmaceutical industry changing rapidly, how do you ensure your company adapts to market dynamics such as drug and technician shortages?

We have established our own technician school, where we take in students from high schools and other departments who aspire to become pharmacy technicians. We market this opportunity to attract more people and offer them jobs once they complete the program. This has helped us to get the right people trained quickly and efficiently.

Our organization has been actively dealing with supply shortages, and the unwavering assistance provided by Civica has been instrumental in helping us navigate through these difficult times. Together, we have managed the shortages effectively by proactively purchasing materials ahead of time.

We closely monitor market trends and make informed decisions to buy the necessary materials to support the healthcare system. Although predicting the future can be challenging, AI can be an excellent tool to help us prepare for shortages more accurately and efficiently.

Keeping more inventory than needed may be necessary to ensure that we can continue serving our patients during a shortage. Our partnership with Civica has been crucial in helping us avoid severe shortages and keep our prices low. This collaboration has also allowed us to provide continuity of care for our patients, which is our top priority.

If you could give one piece of advice to a fellow healthcare professional, what would it be?

My advice for healthcare executives is to stay abreast of emerging market trends. It's essential to understand what's coming down the pipeline and to position your healthcare system accordingly. This will ensure that you have the necessary resources to develop the services required to navigate those trends successfully. As a leader, it's your responsibility to help your healthcare system focus on these critical issues and ensure you are well-equipped to conquer any challenges.