Physician and Patient Resource Center -- Quality (PRC-Q)

Resources for Patients

• 
  Medical Conditions
• Preventive Health Care
• Patient Safety and Quality Care Resources

The following information is intended to assist patients who are seeking more information regarding medical conditions and ways to ensure better health. In addition, information is provided to empower you as the patient to work with your physician to ensure the best quality of care is provided.

Medical Conditions

Cancer

• American Cancer Society [http://www.cancer.org] - The American Cancer Society's site is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem through prevention and awareness. The site also seeks to diminish suffering from cancer and provides information pertaining to all cancer types, as well as support for family members and cancer survivors.
  • Learn about Cancer
  • Making Treatment Decisions
• Triangle Helping Hands [http://www.TriangleHelpingHands.com] - Triangle Helping Hands was founded to meet the needs of cancer patients in the Triangle area. This organization specializes in providing a constant companion during treatments and related Doctor appointments. It also provides round trip transportation to the treatment(s), pharmacy and other appointments. Triangle Helping Hands is here to help cancer patients with the process of cancer and to provide a respite for their families.

Diabetes

• American Diabetes Association [http://www.diabetes.org] - The American Diabetes Association website is dedicated to helping those with the disease cope with their condition, and it focuses on research, education, and prevention of the disease. All information is also available in Spanish
  • About Diabetes
  • Take a Diabetes Risk Test
  • Weight Loss and Exercise for Prevention and Management
• Diabetes Prevention and Control Branch of North Carolina [http://www.ncdiabetes.org] - DPCP is responsible for helping NC citizens reduce the impact of diabetes. This website has information on statewide initiatives to prevent the disease, and information on glucose control, emergency situations, and management for those with the disease.

Heart Conditions

• American Heart Association [http://www.americanheart.org] - This comprehensive website covers various heart-related issues, from judging the warning signs of heart problems to examining different heart conditions, and offering health lifestyle information for children and adults.
  • Diseases and Conditions That Affect the Heart
  • Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest Warning Signs
  • Healthy Lifestyles

Pulmonary Issues (asthma, COPD, lung cancer, smoking cessation)

• American Lung Association [http://www.lungusa.org] - A wide-ranging website that covers issues relating to breathing, such as asthma, emphysema, allergies, smoking cessation, lung cancer, tuberculosis, and much more.
  • Hayfever Treatment Options/Patient Tools (free resource)
  • Asthma Treatment Options/Patient Tools (free resource)
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • COPD Center
    • COPD Treatment Options/Patient Tools (free resource)
  • Lung Cancer (non-small cell) Treatment Options/Patient Tools (free resource)
  • Lung Cancer (small cell) Treatment Options/Patient Tools (free resource)
  • Smoking Cessation Information and Support
• North Carolina Tobacco Use Quitline Program

Preventive Health Care

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [http://www.cdc.gov] - This site offers a wealth of information on staying healthy, fighting disease, and other safety issues.
  • Health Promotion
  • Vaccines and Immunizations
    
    

Patient Safety and Quality Care Resources

Maintaining good health requires that patients empower themselves through education and awareness of their condition and the treatment methods available to them. In addition, patients can take a proactive role in ensuring their safety throughout their treatment by developing an effective relationship with their physician and by taking responsibility for keeping an accurate account of their medical conditions and medications. The following links are helpful in learning what steps you as a patient can take to ensure quality care and to prevent medical errors.

Patient Health Records

• Patient Health Snapshot - Developed by the NCMS Quality of Care and Performance Improvement Committee, this downloadable form helps you as the patient take charge of your health care by accurately listing your past and present medical conditions, allergies to medications, and prescription medication history. Such information is important for phyusicians to have, expecially in case of emergency.
  
  This form is saved as a PDF file and can be read through Adobe Acrobat Reader. Don't have Acrobat Reader? Download the program now for free at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.
• Breve resumen de la salud del paciente Patient Health Snapshot (Spanish-version)
• IHealth Record[http://www.ihealthrecord.com] - This free service allows you to fill in your own medical history and store it securely online.
• National Council on Patient Information and Education [http://www.talkaboutrx.org/index.jsp] - Created by the WELCOME to the National Council on Patient Information and Education, this website provides information on the latest drug information, prescription drug plans, and safety issues regarding medications.
• ICE: In Case of Emergency This website provides instructions and tools to be better prepared for emergency situations, including adding the contact "ICE" to your cell phone to designate an emergency contact.
  • Download an emergency medical form provided by ICE (Word file)
  • Download an emergency medical form provided by ICE (PDF)

Find a Physician

• NC Medical Society Membership Directory [http://www.ncmedsoc.org/legacy/pages/about_ncms/membership_directory.jsp] - View over 11,000 names of member physicians, physician assistants, residents, and students; search by name, city, specialty, or county and then download your results.
• NC Medical Board [http://www.ncmedboard.org] - The NC Medical Board manages the licensing of medical providers throughout the state. "Look up a Licensee" to find current contact information and educational background.

Quality of Care Resources

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [http://www.ahrq.gov]
• Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Hospital Quality Initiative [http://www.cms.hhs.gov/quality/hospital]
• Hospital Compare [http://www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov/hospital] - This site provides information on how well the hospitals in your area care for all their adult patients with certain medical conditions. This information will help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide. Hospital Compare was created through the efforts of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and organizations that represent hospitals, doctors, employers, accrediting organizations, other Federal agencies and the public.
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 5 Million Lives Campaign
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices [http://www.ismp.org]
• Leapfrog Group for Patient Safety [http://www.leapfroggroup.org]
• The National Committee for Quality Assurance [http://www.ncqa.org] - The National Committee for Quality Assurance is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. The NCQA seal is a recognized symbol of quality. Physicians and organizations incorporating the seal into advertising and marketing materials must first pass a rigorous, comprehensive review and must annually report on their performance. For consumers and employers, the seal is a reliable indicator that an organization is well-managed and delivers high quality care and service. The Health Plan Report Card and Recognized Physician Directory is also available at this site.
• National Patient Safety Foundation [http://www.npsf.org]
• NC Center for Hospital Quality and Patient Safety [http://www.ncha.org/ncchqps/]

Patient Individual Health Assessment Guidelines and Tools

• AHEC Digital Library--Patient Education [http://library.ncahec.net/patientEducation.cfm]
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina [http://www.bcbsnc.com/members/guidelines.cfm]
• MedlinePlus--Consumer Health Care [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/]
• Miavita Healthy Living Programs [http://www.miavita.com]
• RealAge [http://www.realage.com]
• WebMD [http://www.webmd.com]

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