Super Huddle – Tuesday, December 4, 12:00-1:15 PMPlease join us at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center for the last super huddle of the year. This will be a FUN event to network with your fellow IPA colleagues, visit information booths, win prizes, and a hear a quick presentation on de-stressing for the holidays! Please RSVP here.Must RSVP to attend.
SBIRT – Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to TreatmentEHI received another round of funding from the State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division (ADAD). We are developing an iPad version of the survey to streamline reporting and save paper! In the meantime, practices have the opportunity to receive an honorarium of $5 per correctly completed paper screen. If you are interested in participating, please contact Jane at jbontuyan@ehiipa.com.
Ask the EHI Pharmacist
New safety concerns will raise questions about when to use an SGLT2 inhibitor (Invokana, etc.) for type 2 diabetes.
Flozins are in the spotlight lately since some may have shown CV and renal benefits
But Flozins come with additive risks, specifically: yeast infections, UTIs, hypotension, acute kidney injury, rare ketoacidosis, fractures, etc.
Invokana (canagliflozin) is linked to amputation risk & recent evidence suggests this may be a class effect, but the studies are not robust
There is a new FDA warning that Flozins are linked to Fournier’s gangrene—a life-threatening genital infection usually seen in men; this can occur in men AND women and may arise days to years after starting a Flozin (this is considered to be rare)
Add a Flozin only when Metformin is already on board in patients with type 2 diabetes while weighing the risks, benefits, and cost which is usually about $460/month (before insurance coverage)
Flozins lower A1C by about 0.4% to 0.7%, have low hypoglycemia risk and may lead to modest weight loss
If a Flozin is desired, lean toward Jardiance (empagliflozin) for type 2 DMs with CV disease or at high risk as it has shown to reduce CV risk AND CV death (cost ~$465/month)
Use caution and consider AVOIDING Flozins in patients at high risk of amputation due to peripheral artery disease, neuropathy, or foot ulcers as they may precipitate risk
KTA Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) KTA Pharmacy will begin offering a Diabetes Prevention Program beginning January 10, 2019. They are looking for patients with pre-diabetes who are willing to attend their year-long program. There is no referral required; all they need is their most recent A1c or fasting blood glucose test that shows that they have pre-diabetes. During the program, patients will learn how to make necessary lifestyle changes to lower their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Contact KTA Pharmacy at 959-2888 to enroll your patients!
Announcements:
FREE Tobacco Cessation Classes – Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi office, November 30, and December 7, 2:00-4:00 PM. Call Judy at (808) 854-0016 or Hui Mālama at (808) 969-9220 to sign up your patients.
Mountain–Pacific Quality Health WEBINAR: “How I Recommend Flu Vaccine” – Wednesday, Dec. 5, 10:00-11:00 AM. Registration to come.
Hilo + Puna Community Medical Center Rat Lungworm Disease Support Group – Dec. 12, 4:00-6:00 PM at the Kea‘au Community Center.Flyer attached.
Beacon Health – PCP Referral for Behavioral Health Support – Beacon Health offers behavioral health services for HMSA patients. Attached is the referral form (here), the overview of services (here), and the WHO-5 Well-Being index tool (here).
UPDATED Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Referral Form – Please use the attached referral form to refer patients to their programs. Also attached is a list of Kupuna Care services.
Ola Hou I Ka Hula: Hula & Hypertension – Refer your patients to this culturally-based program for those seeking healing from health problems! Mondays & Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 PM. Flyer attached.
Hilo Medical Center Diabetes Support Group – “Carbs You Can Count On.” Flyers attached here. Will continue every first Tuesday of the month from 4:00-5:00 PM for the rest of 2018.
