ViaQuest is launching the first and only personalized medicine program for hospice in Ohio. Our personalized medicine services are available March 1, 2014, in 22 Ohio counties.
• Northeast: Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage, Stark and Summit
• Central: Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union
• Southwest: Butler, Clark, Greene, Hamilton, Miami , Montgomery and Warren
What is personalized medicine?
Personalized medicine is the practice of using genetic profiles of individuals, along with data such as physical and environmental characteristics, to more accurately prevent, diagnose or treat disease. Personalized medicine enables providers to tailor treatment plans to the individual, increasing the likelihood of effective outcomes. More hospitals and health systems are moving to personalized medicine. ViaQuest is a leader in bringing this approach to hospice.
Our goal is to transform the way medicine is delivered. We are committed to finding creative and innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of patients, enabling them to function as independently as possible in their communities and homes. Our mission is to set the standard for quality through personalized, specialized, cost-effective health care.
ViaQuest will focus on pain management to have the greatest, immediate impact on quality of life. Our focus initially will be on pain management, as it is universal in end-of-life stages. The progression of disease makes it difficult to manage pain. Genetics also is estimated to account for 20 to 95 percent of the variability of drug effects. Prescribing pain medication becomes guesswork, where dosages might be increased or a mixture might be used. While this might mitigate pain, it can alter the level of consciousness and create side effects. This can lead to increased fall risks and nausea and diminished quality of life.
Our focus will improve quality of life, creating an emotional lift for individuals and their families. We view our program as a gift to all those we serve. People will receive the lowest dose possible to keep them alert and engaged. This will be a welcome emotional and mental lift for individuals and their families.
Hospitals can benefit from our initiative because it can help to reduce readmissions and positively impact mortality rates. Many times, people who are good candidates for hospice are readmitted to hospitals throughout the progression of their disease. ViaQuest provides hospitals with a viable and effective option to refer or transfer patients who not only desire a holistic approach, but also are in need of pain management.
How it will work. The testing and evaluation process is known as pharmacogenetics, the study of how genes affect the human response to drugs. With a simple, noninvasive swab of a patient’s mouth, the metabolism and ability to process medications will be assessed to determine the safety and efficacy of pain medications.
ViaQuest is the exclusive Ohio partner with PGXL Laboratories in providing the personalized medicine program. The Louisville, Ky., company, an internationally recognized pioneer, will conduct testing on behalf of ViaQuest patients. PGXL is the first lab in the country to be certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to conduct pharmacogenetics testing.
