BUCKLEY SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The Buckley pharmacy is celebrating sustained improvement to its patient care processes for Pharmacy Week on October 21, 2024, at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado.
Last year, the pharmacy began automatically activating prescriptions once received from a doctor instead of having patients activate them. This change streamlined the activation process and reduced wait times for patients.
"Buckley Pharmacy has seen significant improvements over the last four years, particularly in the past year," Senior Airman Jasmine Geaney, Pharmacy Support Lead. "I am extremely proud to be a part of this team and the hard work we accomplish daily."
Additionally, they began promoting the Military Health System Genesis patient portal, a digital platform that allows patients to troubleshoot their issues and access medical records and prescription information. With technicians designated to answer questions daily, the portal has become a valuable resource for patients. Finally, the pharmacy opened a technician-manned troubleshooting window to further assist patients, separating prescription pickup from patient inquiries.
These changes have resulted in a significant milestone: the pharmacy has met a 100% lobby wait time goal since October 2023. This means every patient is called to the window within 30 minutes of arrival, significantly reducing the frustration and inconvenience often associated with long wait times.
The Buckley Space Force Base Pharmacy's success is not only due to its focus on efficiency; its commitment to patient care has not gone unnoticed. Customer surveys conducted after patients visited the pharmacy showed a 90% increase in satisfaction over the past year.
Senior Airman Rhona Reyes, 460th Healthcare Operations Squadron pharmacy vault custodian, expressed her pride in the pharmacy's recent developments and stressed the critical importance of reducing wait times. "These patients need to get their medicine as soon as possible, especially if they're in pain."
For Reyes, this accomplishment goes beyond improving efficiency; it fulfills a more profound sense of purpose. She shares, "This is my calling, and it's one of the reasons I joined the military, to make a difference in people's lives." Reyes finds immense satisfaction in knowing that she and her team are helping to improve the lives of those they serve.
The pharmacy's achievements result from multiple process refinements implemented over the past year. These improvements have increased efficiency and enhanced the overall patient experience. The Buckley Space Force Base Pharmacy provides the best possible service to the people behind the prescriptions.