EK HEALTH

Upcoming Events!

Visit with EK Health Services at these upcoming events:

DWC
February 23rd - 24th
Los Angeles, CA
Booth #30

DWC
March 5th - 6th
Oakland, CA
Booth #34

CSIA
March 13th
Anaheim, CA
Booth #4

More Conferences

Client Testimonial

"I don't know what would have happened to me without EK Health's nurse case manager. EK Health's nurse case manager did a lot with her heart and gusto. I could not have made it without EK Health's nurse case manager."
-Injured Worker V.J., Northern California

Check the Status of California Treatment Guidelines, ACOEM and DWC (MTUS)

About EK Health...

Headquartered in San Jose, CA, EK Health Services, Inc. is a specialty workers' compensation managed care company providing Utilization Review, Case Management, Early Claims Intervention, Return to Work Programs, Next Step Medical Advisory Program℠, Bill Review, Ergonomic Assessments/Training, Outcomes Management, Interpretation/Translation Services, Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement services. As a URAC accredited company, EK Health is committed to a higher level of quality service than is mandated by the state of California. EK Health provides services in all 50 states.

Learn more about EK Health Services...

Our Clients...

Clients include several municipalities, a Fortune 500 company, the largest insurance carrier in Wisconsin, a leading insurance company in New Jersey, more than 30 customers of various industries and size.

Questions? Comments?

Please contact Sharon Sun, E-News Editor

EK Health Services, Inc.
992 S. De Anza Blvd #101
San Jose, CA 95129
Ph: 877.861.1595
Fax: 408.973.2508

Pain Treatment Agreement Builds Physician-Patient Trust

The following is a guest article by Joel Mata, MD, a board-certified anesthesiologist who is passionately involved with our Next Step program that deals with the most difficult chronic pain patients. The Pain Treatment Agreement (pain contract) attached is based upon, and supported by, the California MTUS. You are welcome to use it for the benefit of patient management. - Richard Thompson, MD, EK Health Services' Chief Medical Officer

The practice of medicine is becoming increasingly complex.  When faced with chronic pain patients, we are responsible for understanding and appropriately treating the pathophysiology of the disease, which is often extremely challenging because of conflicting and competing concerns. 

These concerns include issues of secondary pain, evolving treatment guideline requirements, drug and addiction issues, and legal implications.   Managing patients with chronic pain may include a variety of treatment modalities including pharmacotherapy.

When treating chronic pain patients who are taking powerful and addicting medications, it is important to establish treatment and functional expectations and limitations as part of in the physician/patient relationship. This usually involves direct communication, office handouts and flyers, and a Pain Treatment Agreement.

The purpose of the Pain Treatment Agreement is to confirm drug treatment protocols and enhance physician-patient trust. Typically, the patient reviews and signs this document prior to receiving prescriptions for controlled medications.  It clarifies office policies regarding pharmacotherapeutic protocols, concurrent use of illegal substances and the consequences of agreement violations.

The Pain Treatment Agreement helps protect the treating physician’s practice by providing clear guidelines that patients can easily understand, as well as reinforce policies that the physician and patient can refer back to when necessary.

Did You Know?

We have again earned re-accreditation from URAC, validating EK Health’s reliable and high quality standards in our UR process.   EK Health has been URAC accredited since 2005, and are licensed to perform Utilization Review in states across the country. Congratulations to the EK Health team and Pam Otto, who helped lead the effort.

To read more, click here.

Welcome to Sherry Busbee, who recently joined EK Health as Director of Case Management, Eastern Region. Sherry is a noted workers’ compensation industry executive, and we are proud to have her on our executive team.

To read more, click here.

LEGAL-EASE: Proving you have an MPN can Matter

 by Steve Kline, Esq.
EK Health Services' Legal Counsel

Last year, the WCAB, sitting en banc, decided that if there was a properly established and noticed Medical Provider Network (MPN) that an applicant could not treat outside of that MPN.Most importantly, any treatment outside the MPN was not the liability of the defendant/employer and that any medical reports issued by a non-MPN physician were inadmissible.  (Valdez v. Warehouse Demo Services (2011) 76 Cal.Comp.Cases 330 and 76 Cal.Comp.Cases 970).

In the middle of January, 2012, a Panel of the WCAB Commissioners decided Clifton v. Sears Holding Corp.  ADJ7660641. While not precedential, the opinion has been widely reported.  It is very instructive as to how at least three of the seven commissioners are thinking.

To read full article, please click here.

Ergonomic Tip of the Month: Love Yourself - Avoid the Mouse

by Gloria Farley, RN, BSN, COHN-S, Health & Safety and Ergonomic Specialist

February is a great month to do something nice for someone. Why not something for you!
Start a whole new language of "love" by using your mouse less often and instead using your "Keyboard Shortcuts."
 
The name says it all, shortcuts on your keyboard.  Most computer users know that short cuts exist, but what stops people from really using them?  It’s a matter of memorizing your favorites.

Take a look at the attached "PC Keyboard Shortcuts: Avoid the Mouse!"  It looks overwhelming doesn't it?  No, no, don't put it  away...instead pick 5 or 6 of your favorite ones, the ones that could really help you with every day things that you do.  Circle or highlight them, then take only one shortcut at a time and use it like crazy for one full week or maybe two weeks, until it is so deep into your memory bank that it is easy for you to use.

To read full article, please click here.

To make a request, you may refer online by clicking here or contact Alice at 877-861-1595, or email amelendez@ekhealth.com

Submit Your Ergonomics Question Now...

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