16 May 2019 Social Media Post: Roe v Wade

16 May 2019 Social Media Post: Roe v Wade

In the United States, the number of abortion related deaths fell after Roe v Wade in 1973 from 40 per million live births in 1970 to 8 per million live births in 1976. Risks of an unsafe abortion include: death, hemorrhage, infection, incomplete abortion, trauma, chemical burns, drug toxicity and a failed procedure. Governor Ivey comments on her signing of this massively misguided piece of legislation began with “no matter one’s personal view on abortion…”. There remains no meaningful space for a personal view that is at direct odds with medical facts. It is a fact that unsafe abortion is a major factor in maternal mortality and accounts for up to 13.2% of maternal deaths worldwide each year. It is a fact that one in eight pregnancy related deaths are the result of unsafe abortion. It is a fact that expanded access to safe abortion is critical to saving women’s lives. In Romania a repeal of laws banning contraception and abortion was associated with a 50% decline in maternal mortality in a year. These are all facts. @governorkayivey just increased the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality with the stroke of a pen. That too will become a medical fact.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

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14 May 2019 Social Media Post: When to call the doctor?

Is there a best time of day to see your doctor?

14 May 2019 Social Media Post: When to call the doctor?

An interesting article by U Penn’s Nudge(?) Unit (sure hoping that’s an acronym for something because otherwise it is a terrible name) showing that cancer screening referral rates declined for patients as the day progressed.

This isn’t a new phenomenon as previous research has shown that judges “gave more lenient decisions at the start of the day and immediately after a scheduled break in court proceedings, such as lunch” (Bryant, 2011. The Guardian).

A unique aspect Santa Monica Primary Care that may mitigate this well established phenomenon of ‘decision fatigue’ is that our patients receive a personal phone call with their lab results after an annual evaluation. In this way, we have a second chance to review your comprehensive preventive plan and fill in any gaps of care.

Plus, when making phone calls, pretty much all of us snack so our glucose levels are back up into a good decision making range.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

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3 May 2019 Social Media Post: Fascinating Post

3 May 2019 Social Media Post: A Fascinating Article

One of the most fascinating articles I have read on the intersection between chronic disease management and human ingenuity. “Looping” is well worth the read. @theatlantic article highlighting how a open source, DIY computer algorithm can improve diabetes management and reduce the stress and effort on patients.
Dr. Philip Bretsky

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

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2 May 2019 Blog Post: Formal Changes At Santa Monica Primary Care

2 May 2019 Blog Post: Formal Changes At Santa Monica Primary Care

Beginning today, May 1st 2019, Santa Monica Primary Care is making formal changes to the process by which we prescribe and refill controlled substances. This is done in conjunction with the national conversation that is ongoing regarding controlled substance usage and, in particular, the opiate epidemic in the United States. Those patients affected should have already received a letter outlining these changes. Medications affected are outlined in the following link: https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling

As you may be aware, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the State of California certified and have mandated the use of a statewide database called CURES (Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System) since October 2018. We had been using this system for some time even before its certification as we transitioned to exclusive use of electronic prescribing (E-prescribe) for all prescriptions.

Clinical staff is required to consult the CURES database the first time a patient is prescribed, ordered, administered, or furnished a controlled substance and at regular intervals thereafter if the controlled substance remains a part of the patient’s treatment plan. Since October, we have carefully evaluated its impact and moving forward we have identified a need for more frequent and regular interfacing with our office for those patients receiving these medications. This can be in the form of an office visit or a formal telemedicine conference with our clinical staff. During these encounters, a personalized treatment plan will be reviewed and medication prescribed if indicated for continued use.

At Santa Monica Primary Care, it is our privilege to have you as our patient. With such, we wanted to make you aware of these developments which are part of a national conversation about our approach to controlled substance use.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿

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