Disease Management
High blood sugar and Diabetes are the leading cause of kidney failure, blindness and lower limb amputation. High blood sugar also increases your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Having uncontrolled high sugars can cause these complications earlier. Lowering your blood sugar level reduces the risk.
The ACTIVETM Diabetes Care Team helps patients with difficult-to-control diabetes reach their personal health goals. Working with your primary care physicians, the ACTIVETM Diabetes multidisciplinary team, which includes a clinical pharmacist, a registered dietician, a case manager (social worker), and a medical assistant, offer one-on-one extended visits to get your diabetes under control and to help you better understand:
- Diabetes – what it is and how it affects the body
- Nutritional awareness – the importance of diet and making good choices
- Active living - why it is important to exercise or be active
- A balanced approach to health
- Identify and focus on individual challenges to reaching personal health goals
With locations in Irvine and Fountain Valley, patients have convenient access to our ACTIVETM Diabetes Program:
18785 Brookhurst St., Suite 201
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714.916.0881
4950 Barranca Parkway, Suite 103
Irvine, CA 92604
714.916.0881
Other resources:
Case Management; a term with a serious tone! But it is one of the ways your medical group and health plan offer you additional help in making your health the best it can be!
Case Management is a profession of nurses, social workers, and other support professionals that helps with access to and coordination of the care you need. It is personal to you, designed around your health care needs and goals, available to you if and when you could use more support, guidance and advocacy.
People with regular Medicare and PPO insurance plans can get some help from their doctors and office staff, but their time and knowledge of resources for helping you is limited. In addition to cost savings, being an HMO plan member provides you with the assistance you need to navigate the complex waters of today’s healthcare system!
Getting help coordinating your healthcare does not cost anything; no fees or copayments. It is completely voluntary; you can start and stop services at any time. The nurse or social worker works closely with your family doctor to make certain you get the right care in the right place at the time you need it!
If you would like more information, call us at (657) 241-3638 or talk to your family doctor! We look forward to working with you toward your best health!
Visit our Chronic Kidney Disease page for information.
Changes in your health can be confusing, especially after a stay in the hospital or a nursing home. We want to make sure that you have the right medicines, appointments, and support. Our team of Board Certified Doctors, Clinical Pharmacists, and support staff at our Special Care Center are there to help as you head back home.
The Special Care Center, the ACTIVETM Diabetes program, and the Anticoagulation Center are located in our Fountain Valley office.
18785 Brookhurst, Suite 201 (Between Garfield and Ellis), Fountain Valley, CA
- ACTIVE Diabetes program - 714.916.0881
- The Anticoagulation Center - 714.916.0880
- The Special Care Center - 714.916.0888
Greater Newport Physicians offers support to help diagnose depression and dementia and provide care to you and your family.
Depression Management
Many people needlessly suffer from depression because they think feeling down or sad is a normal part of aging. Even more concerning is that the rates of depression increase significantly when an individual has a chronic illness.
Research has shown that people with chronic illnesses are more like to suffer from depression. Surprisingly, people who have had a Heart attack are twice as likely to experience depression compared to those who have had a stroke, diabetes, or cancer (40%-65% of people with a Heart attack, 25% of people with diabetes or cancer, 10%-27% of people with stroke). Untreated depression can lead to disability, premature death, suicide, and worsen other illnesses.
One of the screening tools that doctors use to diagnose depression is a worksheet called the PHQ-9. Anyone who scores above a 5 on the PHQ-9 should contact their doctor to learn about possible causes, treatments, and counseling.
Those with mild to moderate depression could benefit from a tool called SilverCloud. Learn more here.
The Dementia Management Program
- American Diabetes Association
- American Heart Association
- American Cancer Society
- American Lung Association
- Consumer Health Choices
- Family Doctor - Health information from the American Academy of Family Physicians
- MedLine Plus - Health Information from the National Library of Medicine
- National Institude on Aging
- Office of Patient Advocate
- ReadyOC - Orange County Emergency Preparedness Resource
Prevention & Wellness
Why Immunize?
Vaccinating children and young adults may be the single most important health-promoting form of intervention we can perform as parents/caregivers.
“The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) support the full range of immunizations for your child and so does Greater Newport Physicians. We know how much you as a parent want to protect your child. Immunizations can protect against 14 serious diseases, some deadly.”
The Physicians of Greater Newport Physicians firmly believe:
- In the effectiveness of vaccines to prevent serious illness and save lives
- In the safety of vaccines
- That all children and young adults should receive the recommended vaccines according to the schedule published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
Immunization Schedules
- Childhood Immunization Schedule (birth to 6 years old)
- Childhood Immunization Schedule - Spanish (birth to 6 years old)
- Adolescent Immunization Schedule (7 to 18 years old)
- Adolescent Immunization Schedule - Spanish (7 to 18 years old)
- Adult Immunization Schedule (over 18 years old)
- Adult Immunization Schedule - Spanish (over 18 years old)
- Immunizations and Developmental Milestones
- HPV Immunization Facts
For the most up-to-date immunization schedules, please visit the CDC WEBSITE.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- Information on ways to prevent illness and improve health and well-being - Preventive Services Card
- Cervical Cancer Screening FAQ
- Cervical Cancer Screening Patient Education
- Choosing Wisely Pap Tests
- Colorectal Cancer Screening
- MemorialCare Breast Centers
- Get your recommended mammogram at participating MemorialCare Breast Centers - Mammography Screening FAQ
- Pediatric Screenings
Advanced Care Planning
Filling out these forms is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for everyone, but especially for people who are receiving medical treatments for any illnesses or diseases. If completed, they are legal documents, and help doctors and trusted friends and family respect your wishes.
POLST Form - “Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment”click here (Polst California)
A simple check box form to document your wishes around "life-support" and "treatment goals," and "artificial feeding" if you cannot tell doctors yourself.
Effective October 1, 2014, the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form has been revised. To review changes and to order new forms, please visit Polst California
Para Española personas que desean una copia de hablar, haga clic aquí
Advance Directive Form - written document that names the person who you trust to "direct your health care" when you cannot do it yourself. It also has a section where you can also spell out if and when you would like "life-support" and/or artificial feeding through a "tube" if you cannot tell doctors yourself. An Advanced Directive Form needs to be notarized in order to be legal.
Pharmacy
- Medicine is often prescribed by doctors to help you with a specific medical problem.
- In order to be as effective as possible, you usually need to take them regularly and a certain way.
- It is important for you to take your medicine in the dose and at the times prescribed.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are having problems with a medicine, or want to stop taking it.
Bring all of your medicines, over the counter vitamins and pills to your doctor's visit - ideally in the bottles. Bring a list and friends or family to help keep track if it will make you feel better.
- What is the medicine for?
- How often and when do I need to take it?
- How much do I need to take?
- How long will I need the medicine?
- Anything special about the timing or medicine that I need to know?
- With or without food?
- Anything I can’t or shouldn't do while taking the medicine?
- Are another doctors treating you or prescribing you medicine?
- Any reactions/side effects or allergies to medicines?
- Now?
- In the Past?
- What other medicines, vitamins, over the counter pills are you taking?
- Have any of them changed?
- Any other problems with your current medicines?
- What is important to you about your medicines?
Follow your treatment plan Adhering to the medication regimen prescribed by your physician is important for your medications to work properly. Taking your medication in the dose and at the times prescribed can be very important to the action of the medication. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about problems you may be having with your medicines. Most problems can be avoided or solved if you know what to watch out for and if you talk with your doctor about what is happening. Tell your doctor if you are not taking your medication as directed. For example, some people may stop taking their medicine, take a lower dose, or skip doses if they are having side effects. Your doctor needs to know about any changes in your treatment plan. Do not let guilty feelings or embarrassment keep you from telling your doctor this important information.
- Try to use one pharmacy for all of your medication needs.
- Give your pharmacist a complete list of all of your medicines, supplements and home remedies to check if there are any interactions.
- Ask questions when you pick up medicines so you know
- The name of the medicine and what it is for
- How and when to take the medicine, how much to take and for how long.
- What food, drinks, other medicines, or activities you should avoid while taking the medicine
- What side effects the medicine may cause, and what to do if they occur
- What to do if you miss a dose
- Call your pharmacist and doctor if you are having problems with a medicine, can no longer afford, or want to stop taking it
- Store all of your medications in a designated location in your residence.
- Do not mix different medications together in one container.
- Medicines should be stored in a cool, dry area. Do not store your medications in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom or in the kitchen because the heat and moisture may cause deterioration. Instead, store your medications in a designated area in your living room or bedroom.
- Expired medications (there are expiration dates on all your medications) and any medication that your doctor has discontinued should be discarded.
- Never share or give your medications to another person.
Prescription Prior Authorization Request Form
The law requires a single prescription drug prior authorization form to be used for commercial patients. All requests for drugs requiring prior authorization must be completed on this form.
Do you want to get your medications through the convenience of your own home? You can get your medications for chronic conditions such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, and other chronic conditions delivered to your home or any location you choose. Start saving money today! Depending on your plan, you may save up to 33% on your prescriptions by paying two copayments for 90-day supply by using the mail service pharmacy.
Pharmacist Medication Management Program
The program helps patients improve their quality of care by offering free discussions and reviews of their medications. Our pharmacy team includes a clinical pharmacist and pharmacy technician to help patients reach their personal health goals. Our team works closely with providers to help identify any gaps and to ensure you receive comprehensive care.
If you qualify, you will receive a call or text message to schedule a medication review with our pharmacist.
A pharmacy technician will be calling you to schedule an appointment with the clinical pharmacist or the pharmacist will be calling you directly.
No, the medication review is being offered to you at no charge.
Our team helps with the following services:
- Authorize medication refills and convert prescriptions to 100-day supply for diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol medications
- Perform comprehensive medication reviews for all current medications
- Assist with medication management to ensure you get the most benefit and identify potential drug therapy problems and/or gaps in treatment
- Start cholesterol-lowering medicines for patients who qualify according to clinical guidelines
- Review medications prescribed before and after a discharge from the hospital
- Answer drug coverage questions by reviewing which medications are covered through your insurance
The comprehensive medication review is completed with a pharmacist over the phone. The review discusses the following medications:
- Prescription medications
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
- Herbal and dietary supplements
The review can take up to 30 minutes, depending on the number of medications or questions you have.
We are assisting your doctor by doing medication reviews on their behalf and go into more detail of the medications you take at home. Our goal is to make sure that your medications are working appropriately, check for interactions or side effects, and answer any questions you may have.
Please call our pharmacy team at (714) 715-8667. We are available Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Emotional and Mental Well-Being
Studies show that having good mental health can have a positive impact on other aspects of our lives; including physical health.
We are excited to now offer GNP patients access to SilverCloud; an online educational and therapeutic program to help manage anxiety, depression, stress, and trouble sleeping. Using a blend of online programs - complete with interactive tools and tactics - alongside the help of a human coach, this digital platform can be personalized to your needs. It is free, self-paced and can be used anytime on any device (smartphone, tablet, computer).
To get started, follow these simple steps:
- Click this link and select the option that best describes your relationship with Greater Newport Physicians. *You need to sign up through this link in order to login to your account on the mobile app.
- Set up your account by creating a secure username and password and agreeing to the Supporter Agreement
- Complete the questionnaires
- Get started with your program
- Once you sign up, you can access your program via the app. Download the app in your mobile app store. Search "SilverCloud toolkit" in the App Store and "SilverCloud" in Google Play.