CVFP Magazine 2006.indd - Paragon Publishing Inc.

Prescription Renewal Policyurrently, we receive a very large number of refill requests byCfax or phone monthly. We are happy to provide this service,but cannot do so without recovering the cost.The option of an annual fee to cover the cost of this service isavailable, or payment can be made at the time the service isrequested. If you have any concerns or questions, please discussthese with your doctor or a staff member.Questions and AnswersIf I pay the annual fee, is there any limit to the number of times Ican use the service?No, the annual fee covers all prescription refills from November 1to October 31.If I provide my credit card number, will it be secure?Yes. Your credit card number will be stored confidentially with ourbusiness manager and used only when the service is required.What if I am not sure I need to use the service?You can provide your credit card number for payment when youneed to use the service. However, if you use the service morethan twice a year, the annual fee option will be less expensive.I thought this service was covered under the new system. Whythe change?The convenience of prescription refills by phone or fax hasalways been an uninsured service and is not included in ourcapitation rate.If you wish to subscribe to the phone prescription service, youcan complete the prescription refills form available at www.cvfp.com or at the office.Continued from page 6 - Blood PressureCVFP is now encouraging patients who have elevated readingsin the office or who have been initiated on treatment forhypertension to have their blood pressure assessed at the localfire hall.3. Most people with high blood pressure don’t know they haveit!Despite improvements in blood pressure treatment, mostpeople with high blood pressure either don’t know they havehypertension or have their hypertension inadequately controlled.The nurses and physicians at CVFP will continue to screenpatients at risk for hypertension when they come into the clinic– even for unrelated visits.4. Acceptable blood pressure results are lower than oncethought. In the ‘old days’ we used to thing that the top bloodpressure number (or systolic pressure) was naturally elevatedas we age. We now know that patients with elevated systolicblood pressure are at particularly high risk for heart diseaseand stroke. What are blood pressure targets?The CVFP team is encouraging all patients to ‘know their bloodpressure reading’, ‘know their target blood pressure’ and ‘get totarget’!For more information on high blood pressure, how youcan prevent hypertension and what home blood pressuremonitors are recommended, visit the website of the CanadianHypertension Education Program – www.hypertension.caNext issue – ‘What we have learned about treating high bloodpressure’Continued from page 9 - DiabetesSince everyone is unique, it is important to discuss treatment withyour physician or diabetes team member. It is often difficult forpeople with a new diagnosis of diabetes to be suddenly put on 4medications – so often these will be introduced over time.What monitoring is necessary for people with DM?The diabetes team will outline what monitoring should be donefor each patient with DM. Most will be instructed on how tocheck their blood sugars at home. As well, regular lab workchecking long term blood sugar levels (Hemoglobin A1c),cholesterol levels, and kidney function will be performed. If youhave DM you should have your eyes examined by your eye doctoryearly to check for complications of DM.The diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes can be difficult forsome people. However, as one of our patients said – “What’sso bad about it? I have to start eating better, lose weight andexercise more regularly. I have to check my blood pressure andblood sugar more often and see the doctor and diabetes girlsregularly. The medications aren’t much fun but the goal is forme to live long and be healthy. It’s all good!”14 Crowfoot Village Family Practice