AIMM participants work to implement comprehensive medication management (CMM) programs in their organizations through an intentional process of developing leadership skills, employing rapid cycle improvement, and sharing and learning between organizations engaged in a community of learning. Of note, the importance of a comprehensive leadership agenda for CMM implementation was highlighted in a research report titled “Qualitative evaluation of medication management services in six Minnesota health systems.” The six integrated health systems selected for this analysis have extensive experience in developing and sustaining CMM practices.
In conducting the evaluation, the research team applied John Kotter’s framework of 8 steps for leading organizational change, which correspond with three stages of change (1) Creating a climate for change, (2) Engaging and enabling the whole organization, (3) Implementing and sustaining change (Kotter, 1996; Cohen, 2005). Analysis of data collected from focus groups with pharmacy, medical and administrative leaders within the six organizations produced 13 themes for leading adoption of CMM, aligned with the three stages of organizational change.
The results of this research are informing AIMM’s framework for supporting organizations with their efforts focused on improving medication use. For example, a theme that emerged from the study was “Sustainability strategies.” An example of a strategy used by organizations was to ensure they were targeting patient populations most likely to experience a significant benefit from CMM services. Another theme from the study was “Measuring and reporting results.” In participating in AIMM, organizations receive coaching support on establishing a measurement strategy for the evaluation of impact of the changes to services installed in their organizations. These and other themes identified from this research are key components for the development of a “Performance Story,” a tangible deliverable organizations produce from their quality improvement activities with AIMM.
More details about each of the six health systems and their implementation of CMM can be found at:
Sorensen TD, Pestka D, Sorge LA, Wallace ML, and Schommer J. A qualitative evaluation of medication management services in six Minnesota health systems. American Journal of Health System Pharmacy. 2016 Mar 1;73(5):307-14.
Sorensen TD, Sorge LA, Millonig MK, Wallace ML, Schommer J, and Pestka D. Integrating Medication Management: Lessons learned from six Minnesota Health Systems.
Available at: http://z.umn.edu/mncasestudies.
Lindsay Sorge, PharmD, MPH, BCACP
AIMM Learning Coach
References:
Kotter J. Leading Change. Boston: Harvard Business School Press; 1996.
Cohen DS. The Heart of Change Field Guide. Boston: Harvard Business School Press; 2005.