Care Connection Pharmacy
The Care Connection Pharmacy of Wilkes Medical Center exists to serve those who are in need.
More than 9,000 residents of Wilkes County depend on Medicare for medical services that normally make no provision for prescription drug benefits. In addition, another 8,000-10,000 have no health insurance whatsoever, and many, 11.9% of the population, live in poverty.
Care Connection Pharmacy provides 2 basic prescription assistance drug programs to low-income residents of Wilkes:
- The Generic Drug Program dispenses low cost generic drugs to patients being treated for chronic conditions, who do not have third party sources for payment, and whose income is at least 200% below the federally established poverty level.
- Generic drugs are dispensed for a modest co-payment based on the patients income and is determined by BROC or DSS. The Medication Assistance Program (MAP) assists physicians in acquiring high price, name-brand drugs from pharmaceutical companies that offer these drugs to those whose low income falls within the drug company's guidelines.
In recent years, a grant was received from the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission through the NC Foundation for Advanced Health Programs (NC Dept of Rural Health Development) to upgrade the technology of the Care Connection Pharmacy. Commonly referred to as, “tobacco settlement money”, these funds were used to employ one part-time pharmacy tech to assist the pharmacist in acquiring and dispensing prescription drugs. In addition, a prescription assistance coordinator was employed to receive applications, order medications, and track the delivery and dispensing of the ‘free drugs’. It been estimated that for every dollar invested in the program, $9 retail value of prescription drugs for qualifying citizens of Wilkes County have been acquired.
Case Management/Social Work
The members of the Case Management/Social Work department utilize hospital and community resources to provide a smooth transition to home or another level of care as necessary.
The primary responsibilities of this department are coordinating discharge planning, resource development, utilization review and communication with insurance companies and/or other payers for our patients.
The Case Management/Social Work Department is staffed by RN case managers and social workers. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm and we can be reached any other time by contracting the hospital switchboard (336-651-8100).
Personal Emergency Response System (PERS)
Ask your nurse for information on this personal emergency response system.
PERS is a system that enables individuals with medical problems or handicaps to live independently in their own homes while having access to emergency assistance 24 hours a day. Emergency personnel can be summoned by pressing a button on a pendant that can be worn as a wristband or around your neck.