How It Works: The Referral Pathway

Who is referring?

Select your role to jump to the most relevant step.

1. 1
   Send the referral Fax, phone, or online

   Fax (604) 770-2035 with the referral form, current medication list, and discharge summary if available. You can also call (604) 770-2030 and ask for the pharmacist, or start with the online form (contact details only; no PHI online).

   Minimum data set: patient name, DOB, contact, referring provider, and reason for referral. We log every referral on receipt.

2. 2
   Triage Within 1 business day; urgent discharges same or next day

   All referrals are triaged within one business day. Urgent post-discharge referrals, insulin-dependent patients, and high-risk cases are prioritized for same day or next day pharmacist assessment.

3. 3
   Pharmacist intake and assessment

   The pharmacist conducts a structured intake with the patient or caregiver:

   • Full medication reconciliation using PharmaNet and the discharge summary where available.
   • Adherence risk assessment covering cognitive status, physical limitations, caregiver availability, and regimen complexity.
   • PharmaCare and third-party coverage confirmation.
   • Signed consent from the patient or authorized substitute decision maker, including PIPA-compliant information consent.

   You receive confirmation when the patient is enrolled.

4. 4
   Preparation and packaging

   Prescriptions are processed through PharmaNet with interaction checks. Oral solids are packaged in date and time labelled pouches on our PacMed automated system, which is used to improve accuracy and reduce medication errors; each package is verified against the medication administration record by a second staff member. Injectables, patches, eye drops, and refrigerated items are prepared separately with administration instructions.

5. 5
   Delivery and nurse assignment Routes twice daily, 7 days a week

   Patients are placed on scheduled delivery routes covering North Vancouver and West Vancouver. Where the care plan calls for it, the patient is assigned to a nurse for home visits, up to twice daily, for administered or witnessed doses, insulin support, and clinical observations such as blood pressure and blood glucose.

6. 6
   Documentation back to you Weekly or monthly MAR, as clinically indicated

   Every visit generates a log entry. You receive:

   • Medication administration records on a weekly or monthly basis, as clinically indicated.
   • Prompt reports of adherence concerns, symptom changes, or incidents observed during visits.
   • Up to date medication records on request for follow-up appointments.
7. 7
   Ongoing coordination Changes applied within 24 hours

   Prescriber medication changes are reflected in packaging within 24 hours. Auto-refill schedules maintain continuity of supply. Our pharmacist maintains ongoing communication with prescribers, home care nurses, case managers, and, with consent, family members. Add-on needs (OTC items, incontinence supplies, compounded preparations) are coordinated with the care team.