Online Patient Assessment - Protect your patients and your practice

What INTERA is About What Riverwoods Behavioral Health is All About

Understanding all aspects of the patient is essential to proper care, but obtaining this information isn't always easy and interfacing with mental health professionals is expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, doctors who do not investigate psychosocial factors face increased liability in the case of a malpractice suit where this is seen as a failure to obtain adequate patient history. We know that now, more than ever, you need a fast, easy, and affordable way to protect your patients and your practice. Our range of online patient screening tools help you provide a higher standard of care, build your practice, and strengthen revenue streams while reducing legal liability and malpractice premiums.

A"Doctor Beware" Market It's a 'Doctor Beware' Market In this unstable economy, it is a "Doctor Beware Market," especially with regard to elective surgeries. Research shows that inordinate numbers of people with borderline mental and emotional conditions seek plastic and other elective surgeries. Current economic pressures make this group even more likely to be dissatisfied with their procedures, to seek financial restitution or worse. Doctors are still viewed as having "deep pockets" or as being insured by companies with deep pockets because of their expensive malpractice insurance coverage. Problematic patients are not only a drain on monetary resources; they can also create a difficult environment and distract new patients and office staff.

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Affordable Online Patient Assessment Tools Protect your assets and your patients by utilizing online, state-of-the-art patient assessment instruments and summative reports that indicate a patient's suitability for surgery, risk for opioid abuse, and liability risk. Advancements in internet technology have allowed us to create tools that are particularly cost effective as compared with face-to-face assessment.

Opioid Abuse & Risk Screener (OARS)™

The FDA has issued a mandate calling for a risk management strategy to minimize incidence of prescription pain medication related deaths due to abuse, misuse, or diversion. Other guidelines suggest each pain management patient undergo formal screening for Opioid abuse and addiction. The OARS™ assigns a risk level for opioid misuse allowing doctors to remain compliant and provide more effective treatment.

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Cosmetic Readiness Assessment (CRA)™

When used properly, the CRA decreases the likelihood of a malpractice suit and reduces the number of problematic patients you deal with. The CRA helps successful surgeons, like Edward Zimmerman, identify problematic patients prior to the patient interview allowing them to protect their assets and reduce their liability in the case that a malpractice suit is filed.

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The Plastic Surgery Channel - Breaking News:

We spoke with The Plastic Sugrery Channel at the ASAPS 2009 Aesthetic Meeting to explain the symptoms of body dysmorphic disorder and how doctors and prospective patients can make the distinction between a normal desire to improve appearance and a dangerous obsession. Watch a clip from the interview above, or read the article and watch the full video online at the Plastic Surgery Channel.

Physician's Testimonials and Endorsements: "Cosmetic medicine and surgery seems to attract a higher number of patients with psychological "baggage" and unrealistic expectations. The Cosmetic Readiness Assessment helps me identify the patients who are better/safer to work with, who have good support systems and who will be more satisfied with realistic results...that lets me concentrate on patient safety, outcome and aesthetics. The CRA is a valuable and worthwhile tool to help insure peace of mind and protect your assets." Edward M. Zimmerman, MD. President, The American Board of Laser Surgery "Personally, I see the Cosmetic Readiness Assessment as a simple form of insurance and a practice builder. I feel comfortable that when my patients have completed this assessment I will have the confidence that I am operating on someone that will respond to the surgery in an expected, stable, and positive manner. I also have the benefit of having advance knowledge of patients that may need professional help, which will enhance ability to manage a successful cosmetic surgical outcome." Jeff P. Edelstein, MD. "The CRA is a tool that focuses on assessment of psychological, motivational, compliance and adaptability issues prior to a surgical procedure. It can act as a Shield to your practice and simultaneously serve the patient in the same manner. I see this tool as a win/win situation for the patient and the surgeon as well as the malpractice carrier." Robert M. Blumm, MA, PA-C, DFAAPA President, Association of Plastic Surgery Physician Assistants

5 Good Reasons to Assess Mental Health

1 Research has shown that 30-60% of individuals that enter a doctor’s office for treatment have some form of depression or anxiety and these conditions affect the patient's overall physical health.

2Identifying and screening for patients who are at risk for opioid drug abuse is critical to the proper care of that patient and will help prevent addiction issues. In addition, those who have psychological issues over utilize the system creating more work and loss of revenue for the doctor.

3High functioning patients may be able to mask the nature or severity of their psychopathology during initial consultations. Research shows that patients are more honest when taking an assessment by paper and pencil or computer than they are talking to a physician. Adding a psychological pre-assessment to your interview process will help you make the right decision for you and your patient.

4It can be difficult, even for trained mental health professionals, to identify high-risk patients before surgery. Administering a pre-assessment provides a more complete understanding of your client's mental health, expectations, and readiness for surgery. Click here to learn more about our screening tools.

5Your patients may not realize they are having problems or understand the impact mental health issues can have on their pain management or general care. Assessing mental health before treatment gives you the chance to understand the complete picture of what is occurring with your patient, thus your due diligence is done, preventing lawsuits and a providing a more comprehensive plan for the patient.

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Every patient and practice has a unique perspective and faces different challenges. Let's have a chat about your specific needs and concerns!