Mario Victoria MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs, & Chief Medical Officer (CMO) | Samaritan Health
Mario Victoria MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs, & Chief Medical Officer (CMO) | Samaritan Health
Samaritan Medical Center, in collaboration with Kinney Homecare, has launched the "Delivery at Discharge" program. This initiative aims to enhance patient care by delivering medications and durable medical equipment directly to patients' hospital rooms before they are discharged. The service is designed to streamline the discharge process and improve patient satisfaction.
The program was piloted on Samaritan Medical Center's largest inpatient medical/surgical unit, 4Pavilion, at the start of 2025. It has shown effectiveness in ensuring patients have necessary medications and equipment upon returning home, contributing to better recovery outcomes and reducing readmission rates. Participation in the program is optional for Samaritan inpatients.
Feedback from participants has been positive, with an average of four to seven patients using the service daily. John Green, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President for Patient Care Services at Samaritan, stated: “Our priority is always to provide the best care possible for our patients, and this collaboration with Kinney Drugs helps us do just that.” He emphasized that having everything needed for a smooth transition home reduces stress and aids recovery.
John M. Marraffa Jr., RPh, President of Kinney Drugs, expressed commitment to providing accessible healthcare services: “This program exemplifies our dedication to supporting the local community and ensuring that our patients are well-prepared and supported in their journey to recovery.”
Due to its success, there are plans to expand the program across more inpatient units within Samaritan Medical Center soon.
For further details about the "Delivery at Discharge" Prescription Program or eligibility inquiries, patients can consult their care team at Samaritan Medical Center.
Samaritan Medical Center is a not-for-profit community medical center located in Watertown, New York. It offers a range of healthcare services including primary care, emergency care, cancer treatment, neonatal intensive care, behavioral health services, addiction services, and imaging services.
Kinney Drugs was founded in Gouverneur, NY in 1903 and operates 95 stores across New York and Vermont. It is part of KPH Healthcare Services which provides pharmaceutical and healthcare services through various divisions including Kinney Homecare.
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