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FOR SCHEDULE CHANGES PLEASE SEE BELOW Fall is here. Continue the dust avoidance measures and service the furnace and
humidifier. Be sure to service furnace filters, and replace any worn or torn dust proof pillow and mattress covers.
Be sure your prescriptions are up to date. We cannot fill prescriptions or fill out any forms if you have not been
seen within the previous 12 months. If you have not been seen in the last 12 months, make an appointment
for a check-up, review and new prescriptions. Asthma Treatment Practice Parameters dictate that persons
with asthma should be seen AT LEAST every 6 months, or more frequently as directed. In order to comply with current government mandates, our office is transitioning to Electronic
Medical Records. We appreciate the patience and consideration of our patients during this transition period.
When coming to the office, please notify the reception staff of your current pharmacy--the address and fax numbers are important
to have for required electonic prescribing. IF CALLING FOR A PRESCRIPTION REFILL, PLEASE PROVIDE THE FAX PHONE NUMBER
FOR YOUR PHARMACY TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS!! If you change pharmacies or prescriptions, we must be notified to facilitate
prescription forwarding. MEDICARE REQUIRES THAT ALL PRESCRIPTIONS BE ELECTRONICALLY TRANSMITTED. Each
prescription plan has its' own descrete formulary. If a prescribed drug is not on the formular, ask the pharmacist what
comparable drug is available. WE DO NOT HAVE CURRENT FORMULARIES FOR EACH HEALTH PLAN.
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New 2007
Guidelines for treatment of bronchial asthma from the National Institutes of Health Expert Panel on Bronchial Asthma state
that all persons with bronchial asthma, no matter how stable, should be seen at least once every 1 to 6 months by their asthma
care physician. Spirometry (pulmonary function test) is an important procedure to follow the progress of bronchial asthma.
Our physicians will ask you to return for recheck visits depending on your asthma activity, but if a patient feels their asthma
is getting more troublesome, they should be seen in our office as soon as possible. Remember-if a person needs to use their
rescue inhaler more than twice a week, or if asthma disrupts sleep twice a month or more, that person needs to be seen for
evaluation and possible adjustment in medicatiion. It is much safer to be seen early when asthma activity starts to increase
than to wait until a full blown attack requires emergency treatment.
Patients on maintainance immunotherapy must
be seen at least yearly by a physician-those on ascending immunotherapy need to be seen more often. Review of dose and
symptom control is necessary so that any adjustments in dose of immunotherapy can be made, as well as any adjustment in medications.
Immunotherapy practice guidelines emphasize the need for yearly reviews and documentation of monitoring and need for ongoing
immunotherapy. Medicare and some insurance programs require yearly documentation of review and need in order to continue
covering these services. Please be sure to schedule a doctor visit at least yearly while on maintainance immunotherapy.
Please remember that physicians are not able to write prescription medications or fill out medical forms if a patient
has not been seen within the last 12 months or more frequently-if you need a refill but have not been seen, please call for
an appointment-this office cannot call in refill prescriptions if a patient has not been seen within the previous 365 days.
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SCHEDULE
CHANGES: We will be closed ALL Wednesdays in January, February and March, 2012. We will open
at 9:30 am Friday, February 3 and March 2, 2012. March 22, 2012 the last injection will be at 5:45 PM.
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According to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, EACH DAY--40,000
adults miss work due to asthma, 30,000 individuals have asthma attacks, 5000 persons visit emergency rooms for asthma, 1000
persons are admitted to hospital for acute asthma, and 11 persons die from an asthma attack. This translates to 14.5
million work days missed, 14 million school days missed-the leading cause of school absenteeism-100 million days of restricted
activity, 1.8 million emergency room visits, $14 Billion in direct and indirect medical costs, and 4000 lives lost PER YEAR.
If your health insurance program does not cover allergy services, ask them WHY NOT?
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ALLERGY, ASTHMA, AND RELATED DISEASES, CLICK ON ONE OF THE SITES BELOW:
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