How STChealth Helps Pharmacies Automate Immunization Data Capture and Reporting

This article is sponsored by STChealth. 

In this Q&A, Michael Popovich, CEO of STChealth, discusses how the company helps pharmacies close patients gaps in care and boost revenue by capturing and reporting critical data. 

1) Tell us about STChealth.

Popovich: STChealth is an innovative data exchange company that facilitates the transfer of critical health care data to key stakeholders in real-time. Vaccine providers, particularly pharmacists, throughout the United States use STChealth solutions to capture and report critical patient data, to public health systems and patients themselves through our consumer access solution, MyIR Mobile.

2) How do you benefit the retail pharmacy community? Give examples.

Popovich: Our Pharmacy Clinical Services solution enables pharmacies to close patient gaps in care and boost revenue by increasing the number of immunizations provided per patient encounter. With our bi-directional reporting capabilities, retail pharmacists can access patient immunization history directly from their State Immunization Information System —this ensures accuracy with the data and returns any existing immunization gaps that the pharmacist can close at the point of care. A study conducted by the American Pharmacists Association found that STChealth’s bi-directional reporting increased immunizations per patient by approximately 40%. To give a real-life example, when a patient comes into the pharmacy for their flu shot, the pharmacist can view the patient's immunization history and suggest any additional vaccines the patient is past due for. 

3) Tell us about bi-directional reporting and the benefits of it?

Popovich: Bi-directional reporting refers to the ability to send and receive patient immunization data to and from a state or jurisdictional Immunization Information System (IIS). Every state requires vaccine providers, including pharmacists, to report immunization data to the appropriate public health registries; a bi-directional connection allows the vaccine provider to also receive patient immunization history directly from the state registry in real-time. This is incredibly important at the moment because the 2 most popular COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) are 2-dose series vaccines that require the patient to receive both doses by the same manufacturer. Without bi-directional reporting, pharmacists have to rely on patient self-reporting or paper immunization records to verify dosage information.

4) What does the retail pharmacist need to do to maximize the benefits?

Popovich: Retail pharmacists need to connect their pharmacy management systems to state and federal information systems if they are planning to administer vaccines. STChealth facilitates these connections for pharmacies every single day. Visit immslink.com to get started.

5) What does the future hold for you? 

Popovich: STChealth will continue to innovate for retail pharmacists and help them expand their clinical services as the consumer drives more business to retail locations. The future of health care in the United States is a consumer-driven market, and our solutions connect consumers looking for health care services with pharmacists providing in-demand services. Partner with STChealth and we'll work together to drive more digital and foot traffic to your retail locations.