Q&A: Enhancing Medication Management Through Integration and Collaboration
Part 1 of a Two-Part Series
In today’s senior care environment, few things are more essential—or more complex—than medication management. Accurate, timely administration of medications impacts everything from resident safety to clinical outcomes to staffing efficiency. Yet delivering on that promise requires more than just clinical skill; it demands true interoperability across the entire care ecosystem.
That’s why effective collaboration between pharmacy teams, EHR vendors, and community staff is so critical. When systems and stakeholders are interoperable—sharing information seamlessly and securely—care becomes safer, faster, and more efficient. To explore how pharmacy-EHR integration is advancing these goals across a variety of care settings, we sat down with Taylor Hunnicutt, Senior Director of Customer Experience with Guardian Pharmacy Services, for her perspective on what’s driving progress—and where there’s still work to do.
This first article in our two-part series takes a closer look at how the shift from paper to digital, and the integration of pharmacy systems with EHR platforms, is transforming the way communities manage medications and collaborate on care.
Q: What were the key challenges in communication and interoperability between pharmacy and community care teams before EHR integration?
Taylor: Before electronic health records and pharmacy integration, medication management in senior living communities was largely manual, fragmented, and prone to error. Paper-based systems or disconnected platforms made it difficult to reconcile orders, verify accuracy, and ensure timely communication across care teams. This not only increased the risk for medication errors but placed a significant administrative burden on both pharmacy and community staff. We needed a better way to share real-time data, reduce transcription errors, and streamline workflows between our pharmacy teams and our community partners.
Q: Did implementing electronic health records with pharmacy integration solve those challenges?
Taylor: Yes, the integration between pharmacy systems and electronic health records has significantly improved collaboration and communication. Medication orders are now transmitted more accurately and efficiently, reducing the potential for manual entry errors and delays in care. Real-time visibility into the resident’s medication profile supports better clinical decision-making, allowing the pharmacy and community staff to work as a cohesive team. It’s not just about technology—it’s about ensuring continuity and safety in resident care.
Q: Can you elaborate on the difference in care before and after implementation?
Taylor: Before EHR integration, community and pharmacy teams were caught up in back-and-forth phone calls, faxes, and time-consuming reconciliations just to get clarity on a medication order. Although paper-based faxing remains a core process for many communities, we now have a complete transformation in how we manage and monitor medications. There’s shared visibility, quicker response times, and better alignment between pharmacy, community staff, and prescribers. This leads to a safer, more coordinated pharmacy experience for residents and a more sustainable workflow for staff.
Q: How does EHR integration enhance the resident and staff experience and improve outcomes?
Taylor: EHR integration—especially when paired with a pharmacy-driven eMAR—creates a more connected and efficient care environment. Residents benefit from more timely access to medications and fewer errors. Staff spend less time entering orders or chasing clarifications, which frees them up to focus on direct care. The result is better communication, greater efficiency, and improved clinical outcomes across the board.
Q: Do you have any metrics to illustrate these improvements?
Taylor: In communities using a pharmacy-driven eMAR system, we’ve seen noticeable improvements in order accuracy, a reduction in administrative tasks, and med pass timeliness. There’s been a reduction in order clarification calls and duplicated effort, which saves time and improves workflow for both pharmacy and care teams. Importantly, when pharmacy is managing order entry, it redirects nursing hours to resident care. The operational impact is real—and measurable.
Q: What are the keys to a successful implementation?
Taylor: It starts with collaboration. Bringing pharmacy, the EHR vendor, and community leadership to the table early creates alignment and helps avoid downstream issues. Clear roles, effective training, and hands-on support during setup all contribute to smoother adoption. When everyone is working toward the same goals from day one, implementation is faster, easier, and more effective.
Q: What is the most valuable impact of close collaboration between pharmacy, EHR partner, and community?
Taylor: The most valuable impact is trust. When systems are aligned and everyone is working from the same, verified information, care teams can operate with more confidence and consistency. That trust extends to families as well, who see that their loved ones are receiving accurate, timely, and well-coordinated care. It’s the foundation for better outcomes and stronger relationships.
Conclusion
Pharmacy-EHR integration has strengthened the foundation for safer, more efficient medication management. With clearer workflows, improved alignment, and faster access to accurate data, communities are better equipped to deliver consistent, high-quality care. In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore Taylor’s insights on how emerging technologies—like predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, and secure communication platforms—are reshaping what interoperability looks like in practice.
Taylor Hunnicutt
Senior Director, Customer Experience
Guardian Pharmacy Services
