Integrating a mental health clinical pharmacy specialist into the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Teams.

Introduction: To address the complex needs of the homeless veteran population, the US Department of Veterans Affairs created the Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (H-PACT) model. The South Texas Veterans Health Care System has an established H-PACT model, however it does not include a clinical pharmacy specialist in mental health (MH).

Methods: An H-PACT MH pharmacy resident clinic was created and managed by a postgraduate year-2 psychiatric pharmacy resident.

Implementation and evaluation of an opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) program at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Background: In recognition of the importance of safe and effective pain management, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of the Under Secretary for Health have encouraged implementation of opioid overdose education and naloxone distribution (OEND) programs at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs).

Methods: An OEND program was developed in August 2015 and implemented in September 2015 at a VAMC which allowed for pharmacist-lead individual and group patient education. An OEND consult service was developed to streamline referrals of patients for naloxone education and distribution.