|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Health Living News
Greetings!
I wanted to update you with regards to what is happening in the background at our offices. At Emerald we are currently in the middle of a top to bottom transformation of all aspects of our operation. This transformation started one year ago and is going to take a total of three years.
Our goals for this transformation are many, but the number one is to insist on rapid, real time access and high quality delivery of care for every patient, either on the same day or within 24 hours.
I want every patient to let me know if there is any difficulty getting an appointment that is outside this goal. That is the goal for all parts of the organization. No exceptions. Again, if you communicate any issues back to me in real time, that will help us also.
Starting with the new patient calls, we will respond to those in real time, meaning same day or within 24 hours. In addition all those new patients will be offered same day or next day appointments.
We have many providers accepting new patients with great choices for the most diverse and most complex patients.
For some individual providers there may be a longer wait to become established with them, but another provider may fill in until your original choice becomes available and you may be offered that.
In Neurology, we can now offer same day appointments for follow up, EMG testing, and some new patients. All patients must be seen within 24 hours if they request it and we must offer it.
If you are at the E.R. for a Neurology complaint then we want to see you the following day.
Our phone operation has been an incredibly tough road for us over the years, for many reasons, but I believe that finally we can start to really fix this.
Previously, we have been challenged, from dealing with outrageously poor 50 + year old telephone wire infrastructure at our West Main Street headquarters in Hyannis, which shows no sign of getting better, to getting enough staff to handle the volume. As a result, we have been unable for long periods of time to get ahead of the demand.
Now, through a combination of hiring more people including nurses to man the switchboard, switching to fiber optics throughout the practice, deploying cell phones to our Care Teams for direct patient access, and addressing everything in a live manner (real time), we are starting to see results we can work with. This means less calls back, efficient use of email, patient portal, website, and smart phone app, and direct communication with your team's cell phones.
I think we can fix this finally and for good very soon. We have an excellent staff and they have been amazing dealing with this poor infrastructure absolutely heroically. The said poor infrastructure, I want to point out, is not due to under investment in phones and systems by Emerald. Far from it.
It is a massive and high tech expense but has woefully under delivered for reasons both within and mostly without our control. We are totally committed to improving this point of communications with our patients where it is a much better and more seamless experience. Expect more. Expect better.
I will be back in touch soon with other important updates. Please let me know of any concerns you have regarding the practice.
Thank you,
Cormac Coyle, MD
Medical Director
ccoyle@emeraldphysicians.com
774-368-0737 cell phone
We hope you find our monthly newsletter helpful and informative, and welcome your suggestions! If there are topics you would like to see addressed in future newsletters, please send your feedback to webmaster@emeraldphysicians.com. |
Spirometry: A Simple Breathing Test by Mahmood Rana, MD
Spirometry is a simple and painless breathing test that can be easily done in the doctor's office. The entire test can usually be completed in less than 10 minutes and provide useful information to diagnose and manage many different types of lung diseases including COPD, the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and Asthma.
It also helps to identify the source of breathing difficulty whether it is due to a lung problem or heart disease. It is a useful tool to assess impairment in respiratory function from occupational hazards, and can assist in pre-operative risk assessment before anesthesia or cardiothoracic surgery.
The American College of Physicians does not recommend use of spirometry to screen for airflow obstruction in general population without respiratory symptoms. However, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease updated its consensus guideline in 2007 that clinicians consider a diagnosis of COPD "in any patient who has dyspnea (shortness of breath), chronic cough or sputum production, or a history of exposure to risk factors for the disease" and that the "diagnosis should be confirmed by spirometry".
Spirometry measures the rate at which the lung changes volume during forced breathing maneuvers. Spirometry begins with a full inhalation, followed by a forced expiration that rapidly empties the lungs. Expiration is continued for as long as possible or until a plateau in exhaled volume is reached. These efforts are recorded and graphed.
In summary, spirometry provides an adequate assessment of lung function in an office setting, and can assist to manage and modify treatment of the lung disease with relative ease.
Mahmood Rana, MD is a Primary Care Physician with Emerald Physicians. He received his medical training at Tufts University, the University of Vermont and Texas A&M University Health Science Center. Dr. Rana is inspired by his ability to slow or prevent the manifestation of disease and believes that a holistic philosophy is essential for building strong relationships with patients.
He is currently welcoming new patients at his 46 North Street office in Hyannis.
|
"How Foods Fight Disease, Enhance Survival, and Energize for Optimal Health and Well-Being" A Four Week Series offered by Joanne Irwin, a Food for Life instructor for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine and certified plant-based culinary educator
Tuesdays from 6-8 PM
Nov. 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th
Cost: $75 per person
Series limited to 10 participants and
will be held in Joanne's home in Dennis
Each class includes DVD education from Dr. Neal Barnard, resources, class manual to use for the duration of the series, recipes, cooking demonstrations, then sitting down to enjoy all prepared foods.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  Healthy Gems Recipes that are good for you...and taste good too! This month's recipe comes from our friends Aaron and Samantha Webb, owners of The Daily Paper. If you have attended Vivapalooza, our annual healthy living expo, you will surely remember the delicious and healthy samples Chef Aaron has offered! Open for breakfast and lunch, The Daily Paper has two Hyannis locations: 644 West Main Street and 546 Main Street. See their menu online at
Chef Aaron shares, "This is a recipe we use often at home. What we love about it is our ability to adapt it however we want and in many different ways. It has gone over well with our kids as a quick dinner or friends as a main course, salad and/or appetizer. Our outlook on food both at home is trying new foods arranged in different ways."
Home Made Pesto Pizza topped with Arugula Salad
To Start:
Pre-heat oven with stone or baking sheet to 375 degrees (a pizza stone works well; if not a stone, invert baking sheet and cover with foil)
Ingredients:
1 Boboli Pizza Crust (Several varieties for purchase, including whole wheat. Each crust will feed 2-4 people depending on how you are using recipe.
2 T Basil-Pesto, to be spread on crust
1 Large Tomato, sliced thin
1 Large Piece Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, chopped
Grated Parmesan Cheese
Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
8 ounces Baby Arugula
¼ Cup toasted and chopped Pecans
¼ Cup Crumbled Blue Cheese
1 each Bosc Pear or seasonal apple, sliced thin (last minute to prevent browning)
8-10 ounces, Chicken Breast, grilled and sliced
Directions:
Assemble Pizza using first seven ingredients. Bake in 375 degree oven until crust is crispy and cheese is melted, 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven, slice into 4, 6 or 8 slices and arrange on equivalent number of plates. Toss salad ingredients together with favorite dressing (we use The Daily Paper's Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette) and divide evenly. Top with grilled chicken.
Aaron says, "Just add your favorite pizza ingredients and standby salad and give it a try! Works great with garlic shrimp, grilled scallops, sliced steak, roasted vegetables and fruits. So very easy to make and most of the work can be done before guests arrive making it an easy go-to entertaining staple!"
|
 Although we have nine offices at Emerald Physicians, we receive our mail in one central location. Please make note of our mailing address below: Emerald Physicians
433 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601 |
Download the Emerald Physicians Phone App!
With our free smart phone app, you will be able to: -Contact your Care Team directly -Access the Patient Portal -Take our Patient Survey -Locate offices with mapping assistance -Learn about flu clinics and events -Link to our website, blog, and much more! There are 3 easy ways to install: 1) Search "Emerald Physicians" in your mobile device's app store and follow the downloading instructions or 2) Access via the following email links from your phone: 3) Scan the applicable QR code below with your mobile device (Please note: your phone must have a scanning app installed for this option) iPhone Users 
Android Users
|
|
October and November Flu Vaccine Clinics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a yearly flu vaccine is recommended "for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While there are many different flu viruses, the flu vaccine is designed to protect against the three main flu strains that research indicates will cause the most illness during the flu season. Getting the flu vaccine as soon as it becomes available each year is always a good idea, and the protection you get from vaccination will last throughout the flu season."
Although the flu season peaks in January or February, flu activity can be present from October and through May.
As a convenience to our patients, Emerald Physicians will have this year's preservative-free vaccine available this fall. Flu shots are covered by most major insurance plans, including Medicare, and can be administered either at one of our monthly flu clinics, or at an office visit. For self-pay patients, the fee for a shot will be $30.
October Flu Shot Clinic Schedule
8am-3:30pm at our following office locations:
Wednesday, 10/2 at 349 Route 28, West Yarmouth
Thursday, 10/3 at 125 Underpass Road, Brewster
Tuesday, 10/8 at 19b West Yarmouth Road, West Yarmouth
Friday, 10/11 at 46 North St, Hyannis
Tuesday, 10/15 at 40 Steeple Street, Mashpee Commons
Thursday, 10/17 at 3880 Falmouth Road, Cotuit
Monday, 10/21 at 46 North St, Hyannis
Wednesday, 10/23 at 349 Route 28, West Yarmouth
Tuesday, 10/29 at 1421 Orleans Road, Harwich
Wednesday, 10/30 at 349 Route 28, West Yarmouth
November Flu Shot Clinic Schedule 8am-3pm at our following office locations:
Tuesday, 11/5 at 19b West Yarmouth Road, West Yarmouth
Wednesday, 11/6 at 349 Route 28, West Yarmouth
Friday, 11/8 at 46 North Street, Hyannis
Wednesday, 11/13 at 349 Route 28, West Yarmouth
Friday, 11/15 at 46 North Street, Hyannis
Wednesday, 11/20 at 433 West Main Street, Hyannis
Friday, 11/22 at 40 Steeple Street, Mashpee Commons
Monday, 11/25 at 125 Underpass Road, Brewster
To schedule an appointment for a flu shot, simply call your Physician's scheduler at the direct access numbers below: Dr. Alfonso: 508-364-8444 Dr. Arnold: 508-364-4902 Dr. Crosson: 508-364-6270 Dr. Holland: 508-364-8238 Dr. Rana: 508-364-3753 Dr. Rittel: 508-648-6296 Dr. Sidhartha: 508-367-4276 Dr. Skopek: 508-364-3750 Dr. Weber: 508-364-5507 For Dr. Cerutti, Dr. Hallemeier, and Dr. Weinstein-Moreno, please call 508-778-4777
|
Always Welcoming New Patients
Always Hiring Great People |
|
|
|
|
|
