Promoting patient safety and improving the quality of patient care
Category: Physician-Patient Relationship
By Michael Wong, JD (Founder/Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)
This is a modern-day story of David and Goliath of how a patient took on CVS Caremark and won.
In the biblical version, David with just a staff, sling, and stones, fights the giant Goliath and wins.
Continue reading “How a Patient Battled with CVS Caremark and Won”
Editor’s note: The recent CVS Caremark decision to exclude Eliquis® (apixaban) from its Preferred Drug List raises critical patient safety issues about whether CVS is illegally practicing medicine and whether CVS actually cares about the patients it professes to serve. In this opinion piece, Michael Wong, JD (Founder & Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety) discusses these critical patient safety issues and asks patients and clinicians to let CVS know how they feel through two online petitions.
For an update on this issue and how you can voice your concerns to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), please go to the PPAHS blog for March 22.
PPAHS understands that as of July 1, 2022, CVS Caremark will add apixaban (Eliquis®) back to its formulary, reversing its decision to non-medically switch thousands of patients using direct oral anticoagulants. Please follow our blog for updates on this issue.
By Michael Wong, JD (Founder & Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)
Beginning in 2022, CVS Caremark (part of CVS Health) has excluded Eliquis® (apixaban) from the CVS Caremark Preferred Drug List. Eliquis is “indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with NVAF. Eliquis is indicated for the treatment of DVT [deep vein thrombosis] and PE [pulmonary embolism], and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE following initial therapy.” Eliquis is a Factor Xa inhibitor and is a Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOAC).
Continue reading “CVS Caremark Formulary Exclusion of Eliquis is a Patient Safety Risk”
Editor’s note: In this guest post, Dr. Michael J. Zema challenges us to deliver a healthcare system that “can facilitate the timely, efficient, and appropriate access to healthcare for those in need at a cost which is sustainable.” With more than 40 years of experience working inside healthcare, Dr. Zema offers an assessment and a path to deliverance in his recently published book, “Modern Healthcare Delivery, Deliverance or Debacle: A Glimpse From the Inside Out.”
By Michael J. Zema, MD, FACP, FACC, CPE, CSSG
With the explosive growth that has taken place in modern medical technology, coupled with the now palpable ability to unharness the inherent potential of artificial intelligence, deliverance from the illnesses that have plagued mankind may finally be within reach. Continue reading “Modern Healthcare Delivery”
UPDATE: December 8, 2020
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new Virtual Patient Care website and chat line.
We hope that you’ll like the new streamlined look and resources.
We apologize for the inconvenience and unavailability of the Virtual Patient Care website.
We are building a better website to help better serve our patients.
Editor’s note: In this guest opinion article, Dr. Sina Haeri discusses why obtaining informed consent is an essential element for a good physician-patient relationship.
By Sina Haeri, MD, MHSA (Chief Medical Officer, Confirmed Consent)
When speaking to clinicians, odds are that obtaining an informed consent as part of their daily practice is not a top-of-mind item, and in many cases, it’s viewed as a nuisance due to the redundant nature of the task. In fact, that redundancy in itself leads to complacency, where many pass the task to their staff including a nurse or a medical assistant. Furthermore, given that the time spent counseling the patient is baked into the procedure reimbursement, some providers view this redundant task as one that keeps them from generating revenue. Further compounding the issue is that with decreasing reimbursements clinicians are supposed to see more patients in less time, which again acts as a dissatisfier for the process.
Continue reading “Informed Consent: An Essential Element of a Good Physician-Patient Relationship”
Lung function testing is used to measure how well your lungs are working.
Continue reading “How Has COVID-19 Affected the Administration of Lung Function Testing?”
Editor’s note: Social distancing required during the current COVID pandemic has taken a toll on our social and mental health. Rei Lantion discusses the impact social distancing may have on us and what each of us can do about it.
By Rei Lantion, Freelance Writer, Editor & Social Media Strategist
Human beings are social beings. This is a fact. Even the most introverted crave human warmth every now and then. In times of fear, anxiety, and poor health, we are heavily dependent on relationships and the presence of other human beings. When we’re sick, we love it when our friends visit us. When we’re stressed from work, we round up our colleagues and head out for dinner and drinks.
That being said, practicing social distancing during a global health crisis is definitely not the most ideal situation. And here’s why:
Editor’s note: The theme for this year’s national nurses’ day could not be more appropriate given the current COVID-19 crisis “Nursing the World to Health.” The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety is proud that nurses are leading the virtual chat line that we launched to support cardiovascular and particularly patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib).
By Michael Wong, JD (Founder/Executive Director, Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety)
The theme for this year’s national nurses’ day could not be more appropriate given the current COVID-19 crisis “Nursing the World to Health.”
The Physician-Patient Alliance for Health and Safety (PPAHS) today announced the launch of a new, free virtual clinic and website, Virtual Patient Care, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, to meet the pressing needs of patients with atrial fibrillation (Afib), who are at the highest level of risk from stroke, and to help Afib patients cope with the difficulties imposed by COVID-19.
“Under current COVID-19 conditions, patients face the burdens of social distancing and increased difficulty in reaching clinicians busy with emergencies. Telehealth has proven essential in addressing patients’ pressing health needs and ensuring good patient-to-clinician dialogue,” said Michael Wong, JD, Founder and Executive Director of the Physician-Patient Alliance for Health & Safety. “With today’s launch of Virtual Patient Care and the CV Virtual Clinic, vital telehealth benefits are now also extended to Afib patients in need.”
Continue reading “Virtual Clinic to Help Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) Patients During COVID-19 Crisis”
Can a simple conversation between a patient and a clinician improve that patient’s health outcomes?
Medicine is so predicated on science – which consists of physical interventions, like taking medications and undergoing surgery – that the impact of “just” words may be overlooked.
Continue reading “The Power of Conversation to Affect Patient Outcomes”