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If you haven’t heard UNM Truman Health Services is now a level 3 Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH)! What does that mean for you? You will continue to receive the highest quality of care and service at every visit. This widely recognized symbol of quality shows the hard work and dedication UNM Truman Health Services provides to our patients.
UNM Truman Health Services and the UNM Medical Group are now accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc. Be sure to take a moment and congratulate our providers and staff for all of their hard work to make UNM THS the best place for your healthcare.
WHAT’S INSIDE Page 2
Dear Patient Dates to Remember
Page 3
MyHealth UNM History of St. Patrick’s Day
Page 4
You Better Believe You Can Change!
Page 5
Facts About Shingles
Page 6
SAGE
Page 7
Transportation No Show Policy
Page 8
Have You Heard
Page 9
Notice of Privacy Policy
Page 10
Safe Zone Training
Page 11
Women & HIV by the Numbers National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Truman Out and About Growing Old with HIV
Page 12 Page 14
Pharmacy Selection
Page 15
Truman Times Classified
Truman Health Services | 801 Encino Place NE | Building F| Albuquerque, NM 87102| 505-272-1312 www.unmtruman.com
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To Help Us Keep Your Records Up-To-Date Please be sure we have your most
Dear Patient, Spring is always a time of new and renew, and UNM Truman Health Services sure is following that path. In the next few weeks, you will begin to see changes in our facility as we update and upgrade the clinic. Please pardon our dust during this time and remember we will continue to provide the same high-quality services to all of our patients. Speaking of services, we now have a new support group called POP (Partners of Positives). This is an excellent chance for our partners to talk about their experiences. Women OUTLoud has changed times and will now be meeting from 5-6 PM and our new addiction cessation class, SMART Recovery, will begin March 17th. AT UNM THS we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of care and compassion and respect for human dignity We love feedback, so please feel free to share your comments on this newsletter or any of the services provided here at UNM Truman Health Services. Send your feedback to THSInfo@unmmg.org. Happy Spring!
recent insurance card on file. Let the front desk staff know if your insurance has changed.
If you have an emergency or urgent care visit outside of the UNM system, please fill out a Release of Information form while you are still there. This will allow the Truman care team access to any notes taken during your visit. Have the information faxed to 505-272-2240.
Did you get a new phone? We need to know. If you doctor needs to cancel or change your appointment, or contact you for any reason, we will send a letter to your home if we try calling you two times with no response. Also, if we leave a message asking you to call us back, please be sure to do so, the information may be important.
Have a new address? We would like to know that too! Sometimes we have to mail information to you and we want to be sure it gets in your hands. If you have any questions about the information we need be sure to ask the front desk after your appointment.
UNM Truman Staff and Faculty
Important Dates to Remember Woman and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day– March 10, 2015
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness DayMarch 20, 2015
National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness DayApril 10, 2015 Did you know 20 minutes after you stop smoking your blood pressure goes down; 8 hours after you stop smoking the carbon monoxide levels in your blood return to normal; 24 hours after your stop smoking your chances of a heart attack decrease; 2 weeks to 3 months your circulation and lung capacity improve by 30%; 5 years after you stop smoking your stroke risk is reduced to non-smoker levels; 10 years after you stop smoking your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half of that of a current smoker!
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As a part ofUNM Health Systems we strive to provide high quality services for our patients and we are pleased to announce a new feature now available through your electronic portal “My Health UNM.” As of December 2014, you can contact or message your health care provider through the My Health UNM Patient Portal and you will receive a reply within 24 hours. If you are interested in messaging or would like to sign up for the Patient Portal, please notify your health care provider during your visit. My Health UNM Patient Portal myhealthunm.iqhealth.com
History of St. Patrick’s Day Have you ever wondered why we associate green with St. Patrick’s Day? Or where the lucky clover came from? St. Patrick was born about 385 A.D. in the United Kingdom, and his real name is believed to be Maewyn Succent (he later changed his name to Patrick when he became a priest). He was captured by Irish Raiders at the age of 16 and sold into slavery. He later escaped back to the United Kingdom and became a priest. At the age of 60 St. Patrick returned to Ireland to teach Christianity. As part of his teachings, he used the three-leaf clover to explain the Holy trinity (father, son, and the holy ghost). Green ribbons and shamrocks have been showing up in honor of St. Patrick’s Day since the 1680s and the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in New York, not Ireland, in 1762. Since then the non-official holiday is celebrated in many cities around the world.
Looking For More Information? UNM Truman Health Services now has two ways for you to get in touch with us. For general information or questions please contact us at THSinfo@unmmg.org. For information on educational events and HIV rapid testing locations around Albuquerque contact us at THSoutreach@unmmg.org.
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You Better Believe You Can Change! You actually can change. The research evidence supports that people can and do change. We all know persons who have stopped harmful habits such as smoking, even though, all smokers admit that it is very difficult to quit.
It’s important that you believe in your ability to change. UNM Truman Health Services encourages you to do what you can to support your self-confidence, your faith in yourself, and your hope for the future. If you can’t choose to believe that you can change, then at least reserve your judgment, set aside any negative beliefs, and approach the process of change with an open mind.
Don’t fall into the self-fulfilling prophecy trap. That is, if you predict something, you will tend to make that thing happen. Believing that you can’t change undermines your motivation, effort or willingness to try and leaves you with only the cold comfort and trivial reward of being right when you fail. Failing to change only proves that you have not yet mastered the skills or built enough motivation. Change is difficult. Change requires strategies, preparation, and knowledge that you might not have yet. Perhaps you have repeatedly tried something that does not work for you rather than attempting a new, different approach. Realizing there are many paths to change brings hope.
Change is usually difficult, but not impossible. Your genetics and your upbringing do not determine your behavior. Biology is not destiny. Neither can your history hold you totally in its grip. Even your current environment does not entirely control you though altering or leaving your current situation may make changing your behavior easier.
Change is a process, not an event. You should keep in mind that change does not happen in a flash. Change may start with a flash of awareness, but it continues as a journey. And as with a
journey, you had better
prepare to weather the difficulties and setbacks that come along the way.
Setbacks are learning experiences, not proof of failure. In SMART Recovery®, we see slips and lapses as a chance for practicing new skills, not something to be ashamed of. Instead of using a relapse as an excuse to give up and put yourself down, use any setbacks as opportunities to better understand what went wrong and how things might be handled better the next time. Come to a meeting and talk about your slip/relapse, and let everyone help you learn from it.
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Facts About ShinglesDr. BruceWilliams, MD ‘Shingles’ (Herpes Zoster) is a painful rash that commonly occurs in older people and those with impaired immune systems, such as HIV disease. It is caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus (Varicella) that many people had when they were children. Persons who get the chicken pox vaccine are not thought to be at risk of shingles since they were never infected with the virus. In 2008, a vaccine (Zostavax™) to prevent shingles was approved for people age > 60 years. In 2011, the FDA extended this to those age > 50 years. However, the CDC did not change its recommendation to limit the vaccine to those age > 60 years, so most insurance companies won’t pay for it for younger people. For a long time, it was thought that because the shingles vaccine is a ‘live attenuated’ (that is, a real virus that has been processed in such a way to limit its ability to cause infection) vaccine, it would be unsafe to use in people with HIV disease whose immune systems might not be able to control the vaccine virus enough to prevent a rare, but extremely serious version of chicken pox that can actually be lethal. More recently, though, there has been at least one study that suggests that the shingles vaccine is safe in people with HIV disease with CD4 cell counts over 200 cells/mm3. It is still unclear, however, whether the vaccine works as well at preventing shingles in people with HIV disease as it does in others. The current recommendation, therefore, is not to routinely give it but to ‘consider’ it for those age > 60 years and with stable CD4 > 200 cells/ mm3. Whether it should be given to those who have already had shingles in order to prevent a recurrence is unknown. NEXT ISSUE…MEASLES VACCINE!
At UNM Truman Health Services YOUR health comes first! In our on-going effort to ensure we are meeting your health care needs, we are asking for your assistance in the following: Medications– Please bring your medications when you are scheduled to meet with your provider. Your provider will compare them with the list of medications in your medical record. Other Appointments-If you’ve been seen by a provider outside of the UNM Truman medical system, please let us know so we can request your treatment record.
Hand Hygiene-You may be asked if the clinical staff practiced good hand hygiene during your visit. Clinical staff should clean their hands every time they enter and leave the exam room. Reminder Calls–You will receive a reminder call about your appointment. The caller may also need to share important information during this time to help you prepare for the appointment.
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We know your time is precious and so is ours, if you have more than one appointment scheduled in a day, it is YOUR responsibility to tell your doctor. If your first appointment runs over, you may miss your second appointment and need to reschedule.
Employee Recognition Program
Need Medication Refills? No Refills Left? Call your pharmacy for all refills 14 days in advance
UNM Medical Group, Inc. (UNMMG) is committed to recognizing exceptional employee performance and/or contributions to UNMMG. The Rewards and Recognition Committee developed an Employee Recognition Program named Way2Go. Visit the front desk for forms to nominate a THS employee.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE CLINIC MEDICATION REFILL PHONE NUMBERS UH Pharmacy 272-2309
DOH in Santa Fe 1-800-254-4689
Nominees must meet at least one of the following in order Curant Health (HealthStat RX) 1-866-437-8040 ext. 245 or to be eligible: ext. 224
People-Respect, diversity, teamwork, collaboration, reliability
Quality-Continuous improvement, innovation, commitment to exceptional quality work
Service-Excellent customer service, exceptional service to UNMMG and community, dedication and exemplary commitment as a UNMMG employee, environmentally conscientious
We Will Miss You Please let Truman staff know if you are planning to move away from the area. That way we can:
Finance-Initiatives and/or efforts by staff that may impact revenue
Growth-Professional development, self-motivation, initiative
Ensure you have your medications for a couple of months. Supply you with all of your most important records for your new provider. Help you find resources in your new community.
Don’t let your medical care lapse! SAGE (Services & Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender elders) is the country’s largest and oldest organizations dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) older adults. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ older adults and their caregivers, advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT older people, and provides the training for aging providers and LGBT organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. SAGE Albuquerque has become a major program of the Common Bond New Mexico Foundation mission and is directly managed by an Advisory Board comprised of seniors who are key leaders within the LGBTQ community. Monthly support/social meetings, monthly coffee hour for women, coffee hour for men, local senior outings and bereavement support group. To learn more about the Albuquerque Chapter of SAGE, including meeting place and time, please contact Katherine Palmer at Kath_Col@yahool.com or call 505-710-6987.
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Transportation Options for Patients Sometimes getting to your appointment is difficult, we understand. If you are having issues getting to your appointments because of lack of transportation, be sure to speak with one of the UNM Truman Health Services case managers about receiving assistance. Patients with full Medicaid and are enrolled with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Molina, Presbyterian, or United Health Centennial Care, will receive transportation through Medicaid to medical and behavioral health appointments. Please note you have to arrange for transportation services at least three (3) business days in advance. An additional transportation option is Sun Van. Sun Van provides door-to-door rides for patients with disabilities. There is a written application process, a portion of which must be completed by a physician, and an interview. Once approved, there is a $2.00 per ride fee. Albuquerque Rides buses are another possibility, but if you are having a difficult time getting a bus pass, check with your case manager for possible solutions. You may qualify for a free or reduced-priced bus pass through another agency or from UNM Truman Health Services. For more information on transportation services contact your case manager or email us at THSInfo@unmmg.org.
UNM Truman Health Services No Show and Utilization Cancellation We understand that issues may occur, and you may need to cancel an appointment. If this happens, we respectfully ask that you contact our office in advance to reschedule your appointment. Please note for dental and complementary therapies you must be an active UNM THS patient receiving primary medical care at the clinic, and be seen at least once every six months as directed by your provider. Our complementary therapy providers (acupuncture, chiropractic and medical massage therapy) want to be available to meet the needs of all our patients. When a patient does not show up for a scheduled appointment, another patient loses an opportunity to be seen. If patients do not contact our office to cancel or reschedule a complementary service appointment, preferably 24 hours in advance, any future appointments will be canceled. Two (2) consecutive no shows or cancellations will result in future appointments being canceled and you will not be able to reschedule with our complementary providers for six (6) months. This policy will enable us to open otherwise unused appointments to better serve the needs of all patients. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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Have You Heard Living to 100 When You are HIV Positive! Stay healthy, and even though you are living with HIV, you can live to 100! HIVPlusmagazine.com shares an excellent list of 20 ways to keep yourself healthy while living with HIV. #20-Laugh more! They say that laughter is the best medicine and apparently it is. People who laugh more live an average of 35% longer than persons with less humor in their lives. So go ahead and laugh it up!
We are now on Facebook and Twitter! Looking for the most up-to-date information on what is happing at UNM Truman Health Services? Like us on Facebook (UNM Truman Health Services) or follow us on Twitter (UNM Truman). Great tips on staying healthy, UNMTHS activities, clinic closings, outreach activities, and more can be found here. Stay in-touch and stay informed!
UNM Truman Health Services has a new support group for Partners of Positives. (POP). Join us the 4th Thursday of every month from 5-7 pm for sharing, support, and friendship. For more information please contact us at THSOutreach@unmmg.org.
Women Outloud has changed times! We will still be meeting the second Wednesday of every month, but our time is now from 56 pm. For more information please contact us at THSOutreach@unmmg.org
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Notice of Privacy Practices Your providers and staff members at Truman Health Services want you to know your rights, and our responsibilities when it comes to your health information. YOUR Rights include… Copies of your electronic or paper medical record—submit requests to Health Information Management Corrections to your medical records—if you find incorrect information in your record, let us know so we can assist Request confidential communications—you can ask us to contact you in a specific way; for example, home or office phone, or by mail Ask us to limit what we use or share about your health information—there are specific guidelines to this request so please ask for assistance Get a list of those with whom we have shared information—again, there are specific guidelines to this request so please ask for assistance Get a copy of the UNM Health Sciences Privacy Notice—copies of this document are kept at our reception desk, and are available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese File a complaint if you feel your rights have been violated—please ask us for assistance OUR Responsibilities include… We are required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information We will let you know promptly if a breach occurs that may have compromised the privacy of security of your information We must follow the duties and privacy practices described in the UNM Health Sciences Privacy Notice, and offer you a copy We will not use or disclose your information without your written consent. Please see your case manager for assistance with the, “AUTHORIZATION TO USE OR DISCLOSE HEALTH INFORMATION” form. For more information, or questions regarding this information, please contact: Sonya L. Smith Clinical Compliance Manager UNM Truman Health Services 505.272.1312 Reference Information: UNM Health Sciences Center & UNM Health System, Notice of Privacy Practices, September 23, 2013. Visit: hsc.unm.edu/admin/privacy
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UNM Truman Health Services is a SafeZone UNM Truman Health Services is excited to announce the start of the SafeZone program. SafeZone is a group, organization, space, and/or community of people who: Are committed to being welcoming, understanding,
sup-
portive, and trustworthy to the LGBTQ+ community. Will not tolerate homophobic and/or heterosexist comments and actions, but will address them in an educational and informative manner. Have attended SafeZone training and have information on local and community resources. UNM THS SafeZone’s Mission is to develop a community of allies and provide support to LGBTQ+ patients, clients, students, staff, and community members with the ultimate goal of developing safer and more welcoming places for LGBTQ+ people in the community. All UNM THS staff have completed the SafeZone training course that provides background and tools to help make our clinic a safe and welcoming space for all of our LBGTQ+ patients, families, staff, and community members. Some of the topics addressed in the training are: respectfully cating with LGBTQ people, preventing and addressing harassment, and challenging
communiheterosex-
ism and heterosexual privilege. SafeZone classes are facilitated by several of the UNM THS staff who are SafeZone Trainer certified. To schedule a SafeZone training in your organization, school, or workplace contact our Community Health Resources Division at 925-7286 or THSOutreach@unmmg.org
UNM Truman Health Services staff participating in SafeZone Training classes.
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National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day March 10
Women and HIV by the Numbers
1 in 4 people living with HIV in the United States are women 13 and older.
217,000
Women are living with HIV and of those
80% are childbearing age (15-44)
All
14
women and girls over the age of 15 should be tested for HIV.
Only about HALF of the women living with HIV get care and only
in
1-4 have the virus under control.
Women postpone medical care because of barriers such as depression or threat of partner violence.
March 20, 2015 is the 9th annual National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Initiated in 2007, NNHAAD has been successful in promoting and educating Native people about HIV and AIDS. American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians are at greater risk for HIV infection because of the co-factors that present both health and economic challenges. These include sexually transmitted infections, poverty, alcohol abuse, IV drug use, and the social factors of homophobia and distrust of certain societal groups. Native Hawaiians, American Indians and Alaska Natives had the 3rd and 4th highest rate of new HIV infections, respectively. By the end of 2008, the rate was 22.8 per 100,000 persons for NHOPIs and 11.9 per 100,000 for AI/ANs. American Indians and Alaska Natives have the shortest overall survival time with 86% living longer than 3 years and of all AI/ANs persons diagnosed with HIV, more than 1/3 progressed to an AIDS diagnosis in less than 12 months.
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Out and About in the Community with UNM Truman Health Services UNM Truman Health Services has been busy in the Albuquerque community take a look at what we have been doing! National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Panel February 19, 2015, University of New Mexico-
STEM February 21, 2015, Highland High School-
Growing Older With HIV This year for the first time, half of the Americans living with HIV are 50 years old and older. As this population ages, they face a new set of challenges, including an increase in social isolation. Adults over 50 now account for over 11% of all new HIV infections. Many of the aging don’t receive information about drugs and Photo-QueerTwoCents (Fraser Doke, Elderly safe sex from health care professions. These individuals Gay Man Living with HIV) aren’t perceived as sexually active, although most are still engaging in risky behaviors like unprotected sex and drug use. There is also the issue of the stigma and misinformation about HIV. These adults are not getting the social and emotional support they need to encourage them to take care of their health. Depression becomes an additional concern for older adults. By 2020, it is estimated that 70% of all American’s living with HIV will be older adults over the age of 50.
With the flu season on us good hand hygiene is important. Remember to wash your hands when you touch your face, sneeze, or cough to help avoid the spread of germs. If you do have a cough please think of you neighbors in the waiting room and put on a mask. Mask are available at the front desk or
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When at Truman... Please be sure to turn your phone off or to silent when you enter the building. Stay in the lobby once you have checked in. This means you cannot go outside for a cigarette or for any other reason. We are happy to provide you beverages from our beverage cart, but remember, if you provider is ready to see you when you check in, you may have to wait for that tasty treat. If you are not available when we call you, you will have to wait until your doctor has an opening later that day, or you will have to reschedule to a different day altogether.
Dental Care for UNM Truman Health Services Patients UNM Truman Health Services & UNM Dental Services Have Joined Together To Provide Dental Care To Truman Patients!
Dental Care is an extremely important part of your continued health and well-being. If you don’t have a dentist you see on a regular basis and are interested in receiving dental care through UNM, you must be under the care of a UNM THS provider. Enrollment forms are also available at the front desk.
DON’T FORGET! UNM Truman Health Services now offers Outpatient Pharmacy Services through Curant Health (formerly HealthStat RX). Personal Care managers, free home delivery, and free bubble packing are currently available. For more information ask your Nursing Team. Remember-Narcotic pain medications cannot be called into your pharmacy by your physician, and therefore cannot be filled at night or on the weekends. Please DO NOT call the after-hours answering service to request pain medication refills. Plan ahead to be sure you renew your prescriptions before your run out. Remember-To update your new phone number and address with the pharmacy too. They may need to contact your about any medication issues or concerns. Remember– UNM Truman Health Services will not accept any medications for disposal. Please stop by the front desk for a list of local disposal sites. Note-only pills will be accepted at the sites listed.
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UNM Truman Health Services Pharmacy Selection
UNM Truman Health Services supports the patient’s right to select a pharmacy that will best suit their needs. Our providers will gladly submit your prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice. UNM Truman Health Services provides mail order pharmaceutical services to our patients if our patients so chose from Curanthealth. Curanthealth offers specialized pharmacy services designed to improve the therapy results of your specific chronic condition. Their core focus is to provide a more personal approach to patient care, so they can create a customized medication plan to fit your lifestyle. Curanthealth pharmacy services include
Convenient Pharmacy Home Delivery-Medication is delivered directly to your doorstep or to UNM Truman Health Services for you to pick up.
Custom Blister Packaged Medications– Prescriptions can be packaged to fit your daily routine. No more fumbling over multiple bottles.
Dedicated Personal Care Coordinators-Available to help patients with medication therapy through written educational materials regarding prescriptions, following up on a consistent basis with both patient and physician. This team approach sets Curanthealth above other pharmacies.
Specially Trained Pharmacists-Their experienced chronic disease pharmacists offer unsurpassed knowledge with consultation available 24/7.
UNM Truman Health Services works with Curanthealth, Walgreens, Highland Pharmacy, Pharm Blue, CVS, Wal-Mart, and a variety of other pharmacy choices. All proceeds from prescriptions filled at Curant comes back to UNM Truman Health Services to help enhance and expand our patient services for people with HIV living in Albuquerque. *Access to all pharmacies for your prescriptions, including Curanthealth, will depend on your insurance coverage.
Tell us what you think of the new Truman Times layout and let us know what you would like to see in this publication. Your feedback is important to us. So come on, Share!
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Classified We now offer you a way to see your medical information on-line! MyHealth UNM is a new patient portal you can use any time, day or night, as long as you have internet access. Through MyHealth UNM you can:
View future appointments View clinic notes View lab results Send a message to your care team. Find out how you can get an account from UNM Truman Health Services day!
to-
Free Lab Draws & Testing For your convenience you can now get your labs drawn at UNM Truman Health Services. Lab draws at UNM Truman Health Services are by APPOINTMENT ONLY during the following days and times:
Tuesday 1pm-4pm
Wednesday 8am-11am
Thursday 1pm-4pm
Friday 8am-11 am
Due to health concerns for patients and staff, UNM Truman Health Services is a fragrance free zone.
Good News!
This includes perfumes and colognes. Please refrain from using these until after your appointment.
If you have found it difficult in the past to get an appointment for one of our complementary therapies, you are in luck! We have expanded the hours of these services to meet the needs of our patients. Check with the front desk to find out more about available slots.