Tag: Primary Care Physician

The Role of Every Doctor in Improving the Opioid Crisis

Posted on by VettersEnt

The opioid crisis is ongoing, and every doctor has a role in providing excellent care for patients and preventing opioid overuse and misuse. While some people seem to think that the solution lies in never prescribing opioids, in reality, some patients are struggling with life-threatening illnesses and in need of palliative care that makes them an appropriate solution. Every physician must now walk a fine line between managing pain and prescribing in a manner that encourages addiction.

Changes in the Opioid Crisis

It’s unsurprising that there is a renewed interest in creating policies to limit prescriptions of opioids in the wake of rising deaths from overdoses. According to the CDC, overdoses from prescription medication are a leading factor in the 16-year increase in opioid overdose deaths. From 1999 to 2010, the amount of prescription opioids sold to hospitals, practices and pharmacies nearly quadrupled without an overall increase in the amount of pain that patients reported.

CDC Guidelines

The CDC released aggressive clinical practice guidelines that suggest limiting initial opioid prescriptions to 3 days unless it is a situation where there is active cancer, a need for palliative care or end-of-life care. The guidelines also caution prescriptions that contain more than 90 morphine milligram equivalents every day due to the increased risk of overdose and lateral efficacy of a stronger prescription.

The CDC’s clinical reminders are a launching point for your practice to serve as a resource for patients and prevent opioid addiction in your community. Some of the reminders include:

  • Start with low dosages
  • When opioids are prescribed for acute pain, prescribe no more than needed
  • Never prescribe extended-release opioids for acute pain
  • Always discuss benefits and risks and availability of non-opioid treatments with patients before prescribing or continuing a prescription

Assessing the Risk and Harm at Your Practice

When you are working with patients who are receiving one prescription for opioids or renewing a prescription, you should always make assessing risk and addressing potential harm a priority. To properly consider risk and harms:

  • Evaluate each patient’s risk factors for opioid-related side effects and hazards
  • Check the prescription drug monitoring program for prescriptions from other providers or high dosages
  • Avoid prescribing benzodiazepine and opioids concurrently
  • Use urine drug testing to identify undisclosed use or the presence of prescribed substances
  • Arrange treatment for opioid use disorder if a patient is in need

Help Impact the Opioid Crisis with Vetters Enterprises

Vetters Enterprises specializes in practice management, private practice business support and revenue cycle optimization. We can perform in-depth assessments of your practice or facility and identify potential issues. Let us keep your business as healthy as you keep your patients! Give us a call at (443) 352-0088.

The Difference Between Patient Portals and Personal Health Records

Posted on by VettersEnt

Two of the most buzzed-about words in healthcare today are patient portals and personal health records (PHRs). Both of them have tremendous potential for boosting patient engagement, and it can be difficult to distinguish the differences between the two due to vague definitions and plenty of overlap. What is the difference between patient portals and personal health records?

Patient Health Records

A tethered PHR is an online interface that is directly tied to an electronic health record (EHR), and it allows patients to view and interact with their health data. For example, a patient would be able to quickly see their immunization history or lab results, or due dates for preventative care screenings, safely online. Whenever a patient health record is connected to a medical record, it is considered protected by HIPAA. Depending on who you ask, that definition of PHRs could look very similar to the definition for patient portals.

Patient Portals

Patient portals are secure websites or apps that allow patients access around the clock to their personal health information over an internet connection. Each patient will have a separate secure username and password, and those can be used to see a wide range of information including:

  • Notes from recent office visits
  • Discharge summaries
  • Medications
  • Immunizations
  • Lab results
  • Allergies

Typically, patient portals also go a step beyond PHRs to facilitate greater communication between patients and their healthcare providers. Many patient portals allow patients to:

  • Check coverage and benefits
  • Update contact information (address, phone number, email, etc.)
  • Exchange secure emails with healthcare providers
  • Request prescription refills
  • Make payments
  • Schedule routine, non-urgent appointments
  • Download and fill out forms
  • Watch educational materials

Patient portals have already been shown to be powerful tools for increasing patient engagement and empowerment. One report from AHIMA found that patients who access health information via portals or PHRs:

  • Had broader knowledge of what health concerns they are currently facing
  • Improved their health literacy
  • Deepened their ability to engage in informed conversations with healthcare providers
  • Initiated changes in their life to be healthier
  • Decreased their utilization of in-office healthcare services

Learn More About Patient Portals and Personal Health Records with Vetters Enterprises

Vetters Enterprises specializes in practice management, private practice business support and revenue cycle optimization. We can perform in-depth assessments of your practice or facility and identify potential issues. Let us keep your business as healthy as you keep your patients! Give us a call at (443) 352-0088.