Penn Elm Medical Group
488 E. Valley Parkway
Suite 411
Escondido, CA 92025
(760) 745-2000
NEWSLETTER:
MARCH 2005
News
You Can Use
Help
Your Family With End-of-Life Issues
Your family’s most difficult
time—planning for how they will handle the last stages of a loved
one's life—is most likely difficult for you
as well. The American Academy of Family Practice has conducted a review of
credible websites that offer patients tips on end-of-life issues such
as hospice care, grieving, estate planning, and even a downloadable brochure
to explain
how children can deal with death. Access the website review at: http://familydoctor.org/x7682.xml
AARP Website Gives Drug Effectiveness/Safety/Cost
Comparisons
AARP's website now carries information on commonly
prescribed drugs. Effectiveness, side effects, and cost information are
noted, as available, for
medicines for chronic pain, heartburn and stomach acid, high cholesterol,
arthritis and muscle pain, menopausal symptoms, migraine headaches, muscle
spasms, type 2 diabetes, and urinary incontinence.
The home page, at http://www.aarp.org/health/comparedrugs/, advises consumers, "Read about comparable drugs. Compare their prices. Then consult with your medical provider to choose the right drug for you—at the right price." The materials are based on a review of medical evidence by the Drug Effectiveness Review Project of the Center for Evidence-based Policy at Oregon Health and Science University, Portland.
Important Announcements
The Electronic Medical Record is Here!
From March
7-12, 2005, Penn Elm doctors and staff will begin training
for the new computerized record system currently being installed.
Please be
patient
if the availability
of your doctor and nurse is limited while they undergo training
this week.
During 2005, your medical chart will be converted to an electronic format. Notes, medications, and all other information will become far better managed, and the system will provide easier access to labs, radiology, and specialist referrals. Electronic records will also help prevent medication errors, and will make your medical history easier to access after hours, or by a different doctor should your primary care physician be unavailable when you need assistance.
The future is here! The electronic medical record has become President Bush's first priority in improving health care. Less than 15% of medical practices in the nation have incorporated this amazing technology. If you have any questions how this will affect you personally, please leave a message at our front desk to speak with our Operations Manager, Judy Shaw.
What’s
New at Penn Elm?
Pre- and Post-Procedure Instructions Now
Located on this Website!
If you have ever had a question about how to take care of a biopsy you
had, what you are supposed to do prior to your colon cancer screening test,
or before and after a vasectomy, you will be pleased to know that you
can now find these and other common "before and after" instructions on
this website. Click on the answer to the first question on the FAQ
page ("Where can I find before and after instructions for
medical procedures performed by my Penn Elm doctor?")
or on the "patient instructions" link
below for details about procedures performed
by your Penn Elm doctor.
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© 2004, Penn Elm Medical Group (760)
745-2000
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