The best way to prevent the flu is to get a flu shot.  Our office still has some available so please call if you would like to schedule yours.

To help prevent the spread of flu:

• Cover you cough.
• Wash your hands often and well.
• Keep yourself healthy with rest, exercise, and eathing healthy foods.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Stay home if you get sick.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.

For more information please go to one of the following links:

http://healthvermont.gov/

http://www.cdc.gov/

Announcing the New Patient Portal

• Exciting News Regarding Your Health Management!

 We are proud to inform you that Evergreen Family Health’s Patient Portal now offers the power of internet access to manage the most important aspects of your healthcare.  The Patient Portal enables our patients to communicate with their healthcare team easily, safely, and securely via the Internet, and to take a more active role in their health care.

Participating patients are given secure User IDs and passwords, enabling them to access the Patient Portal to:

•  view lab and diagnostic test results
• receive email reminders for upcoming appointments
• request and cancel appointments
• ask questions on the Patient Portal instead of calling the office
• view and print your personal health record, including immunization records and medication lists

 To learn more or to sign up, just call or let us know at your next visit. 

Begin today to save time and take an active role in managing your healthcare!

Important:  The Patient Portal is for non-emergency communications only.  As always, if you require immediate attention call our office or dial 911.

Lyme disease is caused by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacteria called a spirochete. The infection is transmitted by the bite of a black-legged tick, known as the deer tick.  In most cases, an infected tick must be attached for at least 36 hours in order to transmit Lyme disease.

Do I need to be seen?

• In most cases, if the whole tick has been removed and was on for less than 36 hours, the answer is no.
• If  you were not able to remove the whole tick or if it was on 36 hours or longer, then, yes you should call for an appointment.

We would like to refer you the Vermont Department of Health Website and/or the CDC website for more information.

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/LymeDisease/

http://www.healthvermont.gov/prevent/lyme/basics_qa.aspx

Evergreen Family Health prefers to NOT manage medications over the phone, as it is potentially unsafe.

We do not want you to run out of medications.  If youa re due for medication renewals we will get you in for a timely office visit  to review your medical status.
We established some simple initiatives in mid year 2010:
1) At each visit, we’ll ensure that you have enough refills of your regular medications until your next planned visit.
2) Empower patients to know their medications by keeping updated medication lists and actively renewing medications during visits.
3) Recommend that all bottles should come with patients for every office visit. (The most accurate information is on the bottles themselves.)
4) Require patients on chronic or long term medications to have an office visit at least once a year so that their provider evaluates their condition and the effectiveness of medication(s).

5) Recommend that patients on medications that must be renewed every 6 months (by pharmacy regulations – antidepressants, anxiety medication or sleeping pills), actually come in to be reassessed every 6 months.

6)  If you are due for a medication renewal we will work directly with you.  We often cannot know the source of pharmacy requests for renewals.

We will discuss screening you for diabetes in the case of:  Family History, Overweight, Other cardiac risk factors like High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol.

If you have diabetes, the following are recommended:

Check for long term diabetes control with Hemoglobin A1c test – Every 3-6 months

Check Lipid (cholesterol) profile – yearly

Dilated eye exam to screen for sugar damage to the eye: - yearly

Blood and urine test for kidney function - yearly

Examination of feet for circulation and nerve damage – every 6 -12 months.

We recommend a Sugar Control Test (A1c) of  less than 7.  Please consult with us at least every 3 months until you are confident in keeping your blood sugar at that level.

For additional information on Diabetes, the American Diabetes Association website is a great resource:  ADA website

Because we want you to have the best care possible during your hospital inpatient stay, we will no longer be providing that care ourselves after September 6, 2010. We certainly will help coordinate your admission when necessary, and assist in transitioning your care back to the outpatient setting. Electronic health records allow us to stay in touch and remain up to date on your condition while you are hospitalized.
We look forward to focusing on what we do best through expanding Evergreen office hours, increasing staff, and bringing you additional outpatient family medicine services. Please note also that we will continue to provide newborn care in the hospital and Dr Reiss will continue to deliver babies at Fletcher Allen!

We have WiFi available for your laptop, phone or other mobile device.

The Access code is posted daily in the Reception room.

We also look forward to creating a computer station in the reception area for your reference and convenience during your time here. In addition, we will be adding some exam rooms, and a new nursing room. Enjoy our new color scheme!