Aurora Health Care©

PMD – Independence and peace of mind at home

The Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin is constantly finding better ways to provide health care solutions that enable people to remain independent within their homes. That is why we are so pleased to provide the Philips Medication Dispensing Service as another way of improving health in our community.

What people are saying about the PMD

"My dad has to take medication 3 times a day, every day. At first, we were thinking about hiring an aide or possibly assisted living, but he doesn't need all those services. All my dad needs is a little reminder and the PMD is perfect for him." – Jim Wrass, Registered pharmacist and son of PMD client

Features of the PMD include:

  • early doses if you will be away from home
  • a lockable cabinet to keep medications safe
  • missed dose caregiver alerts
  • an alert when the unit needs to be refilled
  • easy-to-open medicine cups

Internet access is available to caregivers and physicians so they can view patient reports indicating whether or not medications have been dispensed on time, if any have been missed, how many days of medication are left in the unit, level of compliance and battery status.

For more information, call toll-free at 800-475-2413.

Learn more about the PMD

Visit the Philips web site for a video overview on how the system works.

 

Medications only work when you take them

A missed dose here and there, misunderstanding the directions, or taking them with or without food can all cause serious problems. Statistics show increased hospitalizations, admissions to assisted living and nursing homes, and a large number of deaths each year as a direct result of not taking medication correctly.

We can help you to remain independent and safe in your own home with the PMD service.

The unit is about the size of a coffeemaker. It holds 60 doses and can be programmed to dispense medication up to 6 times every 24 hours. The units Aurora VNA has already placed in homes throughout the community have proven to be very successful. When using the PMD, 99.9% of medication doses were taken on time.

Setting up the unit

The PMD plugs into a standard electrical outlet and connects to your existing telephone line. In case of power failure, the unit has built-in battery backup for up to 18 hours. The phone line connects to the PMD Support Center, which transfers your individual medication schedule into the unit. A selection of 23 other health-related messages such as, "Time for your insulin," can also be pre-programmed into the unit. Each medication cup is filled with the pills for one dose. The display on the front of the machine and the PMD voice will give instructions for loading.

Installation includes a visit to your home by an Aurora VNA caregiver to:

  • Install the machine
  • Complete and submit client, caregiver and medication worksheets
  • Download the medication schedule
  • Give instructions on how to load medications
  • Give clear, simple instructions on how to operate the machine

What if the medication is not taken?

As an extra measure of security, the PMD calls a caregiver and informs them (with a pre-recorded voice message) when the user does not press the red button to dispense the medication. If the first caregiver is unavailable, the PMD attempts to call up to 3 other caregiver telephone numbers. Caregivers must press the number 1 key on their telephone to acknowledge receipt of the message. If the dose is not taken within 90 minutes, the missed dose is locked away to prevent overdosing.

The PMD uses several attention-getting techniques to let you know when medication should be taken. A voice message, blinking light and text displayed on the front of the machine announce it's time to take medication. Simply press the large red button and an easy-to-open, reusable plastic cup drops down containing all the medication to be taken at that time.

Any other health-related reminders, such as "Take medication with food," are then announced. The remaining time until the next dose will be displayed on the easy-to-read screen. When all medications for the day have been delivered, the screen will read "No more medication today."

How much does the PMD cost?

Assisted living or nursing home care can cost as much as $130 a day. Even when care is provided at an assisted living facility, medication management can be an additional cost of as much as $25 a day. The  PMD can help you stay independent and healthy right in your own home for less than $3 a day.

PMD cost
  • $69.95 per month includes tax
  • 1 time $50 set up & training
  • Month-to-month rental
  • Telephone support & reprogramming medicine change
  • Includes monthly monitoring & online access
  • Includes troubleshooting by Aurora VNA caregivers
  • Includes dispenser supplies (cups & lids)