Phoebe’s Physicians Advisory Panel is a collaborative forum for standardizing medical care across Phoebe’s long term care communities. The group is responsible for the overall coordination of medical care in our health care centers, supervision of members of the medical staff, and implementation of medical care policies and procedures.

The panel consists of the medical directors, administrators, and directors of nursing from Phoebe’s four skilled nursing centers. Staff members from Phoebe’s pharmacy, therapy, operations and risk management departments, and the organization’s chief operating officer, also serve on the committee. The committee is coordinated by Shane Lawrence, PharmD, CGP, FASCP, consultant pharmacist, Phoebe Services Pharmacy. One goal of the Physicians Advisory Panel is to establish a minimum of two clinical best-practice protocols each year.

To date, the group has established standardized procedures addressing common conditions including diabetes, congestive heart failure, aspiration pneumonia, Clostridium difficile infection and urinary tract infections. Clinical pathways for total knee and total hip rehabilitation and anticoagulation management have also been implemented. These protocols have made a measured difference in clinical outcomes. Calls to physicians have been reduced and cost savings have been realized in medical materials and supplies because protocols are standardized across communities.

In the future, the group will tackle protocols that seek to decrease the incidence of hospital admissions, including protocols for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).