PCA Pulse: |
Volume 1, Issue 1 January 2001 |
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Edition of the PCA Pulse Who We Are and What We’re Doing Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2001 finds you generally healthy and not too exhausted from the holiday season. If you are here with cold and flu symptoms, please read on as we have some tips for making you more comfortable as you battle winter bugs. Y2K marked changes for all of us. The staff and physicians here at PCA spent the year working hard to improve internal functions at the practice and have set the goal of being the premier primary care practice in Anderson County as our goal for 2001. In order to reach that goal, we need the help of you, our patients and customers. We want to provide you with the best care anywhere from the time you step in our front door or call us to ask a nurse a question, talk to the insurance department, get a prescription refilled, or make an appointment. Your total care is our goal. We want to exceed your customer service expectations. The purpose of our newsletter is to involve you in what is going continued on page 2
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New PCA
Website and Logo Where To Find Us In Cyberspace Information about Primary Care Associates, PC is now available on-line at www.andersonmedicine.com. We commissioned Greg Abbott, computer guru and husband of our Nursing Supervisor, Connie Abbott, to construct and maintain our website. As he was refining the site, Greg hit upon a great idea for the logo, which will be featured in future issues of this publication. To preview our new symbol, please log on. Currently, the site provides basic information about PCA, its providers, how to get in touch with us, some health related articles and links to other well known and reputable health and medicine websites. We plan to post this letter on the site, so if you are not in the office frequently, you can still log on and see what programs we are offering or if there have been any changes at PCA which might affect you. Future plans even contain the ability to request prescription refills and make appointment scheduling requests on-line, although this feature will probably not be available this year. Healthcare in general, and physician practices in particular, have traditionally been behind the times when it comes to administrative computer technology. At PCA we recognize that amazing things are happening with changing technology and we want to be as up-to-date as other industries are. To offer suggestions on how we can improve our
website, the practice, the service we provide, please feel free to e-mail our Practice
Administrator at mcrowley@anmed.com. |
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from page 1 on in the practice and to get your input on areas in which we need to improve. We will profile a PCA employee each month, provide periodic patient satisfaction surveys available upon request, let you know about the new programs we plan to offer PCA patients, inform you about any changes in our participation with insurance plans, and provide health tips and information from providers many of you already know. Please feel free to take a copy of this newsletter out of the office and give it to a loved one or friend whom might be interested in the content. We want to make this an interactive forum for our patients, physicians and staff and welcome any suggestions you might have to help us reach our goals to provide you with the best primary care available in the Upstate and thank you again for choosing us for your healthcare needs.
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PCA Signs
New Insurance Contracts PCA has submitted signed contracts to two additional insurance companies in order to provide in-network coverage for more of our patients. Contracts for Physician’s Care Network (PCN) and Government Employee’s Hospital Association (GEHA) were submitted to the respective companies the second week in January. At time of printing, we do not have effective dates for when our providers will be considered "in-network", but we will post this information at the check-in desk, on our website, and in the applicable edition of the PCA Pulse when we are notified.
PCA Brings New MD to Anderson On February 1, 2001, Primary Care Associates, PC will welcome Dr. Ingrid Isakov to the practice. Dr. Isakov is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and has just completed a year of training in Geriatrics. Geriatric training is specific to the diagnosis and treatment of the elderly and illnesses which frequently affect this growing population. Dr. Isakov is also interested in the social aspects of treating elderly patients as an integral part of providing care. Next month’s Pulse will feature Dr. Isakov in more detail. She will be available for appointments for new patients starting February 5, 2001. Please join us in welcoming her and her family to our community. What To Do About the Flu! Flu season is upon us! If you have not already gotten a flu shot it is not too late to get one. PCA has plenty in stock and will be giving them through the end of this month, just ask the nurse who takes your temperature and blood pressure. continued on page 3 |
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from page 2 What should you do if you get the flu? Here are some self-care tips for you and your family. Symptoms – Contrary to popular belief, the flu we vaccinate against is not accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms include fever, body aches or joint pain, chills, cough and congestion. Ways to avoid getting the flu – WASH YOUR HANDS! One of the most effective means of avoiding the flu and preventing the transmission of germs is by washing your hands often. Use soap and hot water. COVER YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU COUGH OR SNEEZE. Droplets that enter the air when we cough or sneeze spread viruses like the flu. Use tissues or your hands to cover your mouth and nose to prevent the droplets form entering the air. Remember to dispose of the tissue properly and wash your hands. Treating the flu – The flu is not cured by antibiotics. The flu is a virus and viruses do not respond to antibiotics. There are medications now available to treat the flu. These are available by prescription from your healthcare provider. If you think you have the flu, make and appointment to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. These medications help you feel better, but you may still have flu symptoms. Viruses must run their course, usually about 72 hours before you feel much better. Get a lot of rest. Drink plenty of clear liquids. Water is best and you should avoid caffeine, which could dehydrate you. For fever, aches and chills, take Tylenol or ibuprofen. Please check labeling on medications for proper doses. If your symptoms do not improve within 72 hours, call your healthcare provider. We hope this information will help you and your family stay healthy this year. Remember, prevention is the best medicine. Get those flu shots and wash your hands! |
Medicine
In Motion: This Month’s Studies Primary Care Associates actively participates in clinical trials of new drugs through a company by the name of Radiant Research. Clinical trials are the last stage of a long process pharmaceutical companies go through when they want the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow them to sell a drug to consumers. In order for a drug to gain approval from the FDA, it must have a successful clinical trial. New studies are available all the time, so if you do not see one that fits a current condition you may have, please check back in the future. This list will also be posted on our website at www.andersonmedicine.com. If you are interested in participating in one of the studies listed below, please ask your provider to give you more detail and see if you qualify.
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