Wednesday, 22 January 2020

Significance and Benefits of Care Coordination


Care coordination has the potential to enhance the effectiveness, safety, and performance of the American health care system. Care coordination approaches encompass teamwork, care management, medication management, patient-centered medical home. Well-designed care coordination that is delivered to the right people can result in great outcomes for patients and providers alike.

The benefits of care coordination programs in New York City are manifold:

Though care coordination benefits and models differ, the core of any approach is the same, which is to identify patients who are in dire need of more coordinated care and help in delivery of the necessary healthcare services sequenced in the most suitable order, at the right time, and in the proper place.

care coordination programs

Patient Benefits- The main objective of care coordination is to meet patients' needs and preferences in the delivery of high-grade, high-value health care. Some models of care coordination include a range of personalized services tailored to the needs of each patient that yields improved health outcomes and patient experiences. Patients also get to eliminate unnecessary appointments, procedures, tests, and costs associated with them since the care coordination team works directly with the patient’s healthcare team.

Provider Benefits- Continuous communication between the patient and provider is the main focus of care coordination that ensures access to proper information that informs progress or possible modifications that are required to be made to the patient’s treatment plan. Besides improved patient outcomes, continuous visibility into patient progress and extended care team visits are some added benefits.

Benefits for Employers- Employers should consider care coordination a prerequisite component of their health plan strategy, which can help maintain healthier and more productive workforces, improved cost savings, improved employee satisfaction and productivity.

The bottom line is care coordination- when done right- hugely improves the patient’s experience of care, health outcomes and reduce costs since improved communication between specialists and primary care physicians to maximize treatment plan effectiveness is the cornerstone of care coordination.

Harlem East Life Plan is a multi-faceted outpatient facility offering co-located services of addiction medicine, general medicine and Mental Health.

Contact Us:   
Harlem East Life Plan   
Full Address:   
2367-69 Second Avenue New York,   
NY 10035   
Telephone: 212-876-2300 

Wednesday, 8 January 2020

Role of Substance Abuse Counsellors in Managing Recovery


Substance abuse counselors can play a huge role by offering a necessary support system for individuals recovering from drug and alcohol issues, gambling addictions and other behavioural issues. It’s advisable to go for addiction counseling in New York City since counsellors offer the support, resources, and judgement-free guidance that patients can put to use on their road to addiction recovery.

addiction counseling in New York City

What Role Does a Counsellor Play?

1. It is important on the part of counsellors to create a strong bond with their patients as the decision to seek treatment for addiction can be difficult, and requires a huge amount of trust between patients and counsellors. A strong bond ensures patients view their counsellor’s worthy enough to be trusted, allowing them to feel vulnerable dealing with their problems and work together effectively. Being attentive during sessions, letting your patients know you empathize with their problems, ensuring patients that their best interests are at the forefront are some ways to create strong bonds.

2. It isn’t easy to recover from addiction. Moreover, a patient’s motivation to change has frequently been a source of stress, since counsellors have little or no control over a patient’s desire to change. What counsellors can do is they can adapt their style to help encourage client motivation throughout each stage of their recovery. The responsibility lies with the counsellor to help patients realize problematic behaviours, and empower them to take necessary action and change these behaviours.

3. During addiction therapy treatment, it’s important for the family and friends of patients in recovery to be well-informed of how to handle their family member’s addiction moving forward. Counsellors can play a major role from mediating family therapy sessions to helping them locate a support group. Recovery is a lifelong journey which means having a solid family backing is of profound importance. If family members are informed about the addiction recovery, the chances of success throughout the recovery process are higher.

4. Counsellors should refer patients to programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous which can add another level of outside support and offers an additional layer of accountability to those seeking rehabilitation.

The role of the counsellor in addiction treatment goes beyond simply listening, teaching, and offering advice. They should be able to offer a safe space for patients to openly talk about their struggles with addiction, guide family members through the recovery process, address plans to avoid relapse and more.

The Harlem East Life Plan’s Mental Health Wellness Centre, is an outpatient counselling program that assists an individual in developing a full range of life enhancing skills.

Contact Us: 
Harlem East Life Plan 
Full Address: 
2367-69 Second Avenue New York, 
NY 10035 
Telephone: 212-876-2300 

Tuesday, 12 November 2019

Vital Facts About an Intensive Outpatient Program


IOP, the acronym for Intensive Outpatient Program is a primary treatment program that may be recommended for individuals who do not require medically-supervised detox, and can also enable individuals in recovery to continue their recovery therapies following successful detox, on a part-time yet intensive schedule, designed to balance family and work life.


The mission of the HELP Outpatient Intensive Outpatient Program New York City will be to deliver recovery-oriented services to individuals who are experiencing an acute episode of mental illness with the program striving to improve the mental health needs of New York City Residents. HELP IOP is committed to providing an intensive high level of mental health care.

Eligibility for IOP:

This program is ideal for individuals who are struggling with problems associated with addictions, substance use and abuse, or the co-occurring disorders associated with substance use. A clinical/medical assessment is what determines the eligibility for the IOP. According to the initial assessment and follow up, the treatment program is customized for each person.

Many different areas and topics, such as spirituality, relapse prevention skills, ways to manage urges and cravings, advancement of the disease of addiction, post-acute withdrawal syndrome or PAWS, understanding the brain chemistry of addiction, focus on co-occurring disorders and the effects on addiction and recovery, etc.- are covered in the IOP.

Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment:

Speaking of an inpatient treatment facility, you live in a residence area under the rules and governance of the operators of the center with each center being unique with its own set of requirements, but you generally give up control of your day to day life while in treatment, whereas with an outpatient program you continue to live at your own home and remain in control of your own life. You can continue to work or get a job, and start rebuilding your personal life at the same time with help and support you receive from the program. You, in the Intensive Outpatient Program, carry on with your life with support from the local clinical, emotional and peer support systems offered by the IOP.

Call Anthony Pick, LCSW, Clinical Director at HELP Counseling Center, (212) 876-2300 ext.124 for more information.

Contact Us:
Harlem East Life Plan
Full Address:
2367-69 Second Avenue New York,
NY 10035
Telephone: 212-876-2300

Friday, 23 August 2019

In New York City, The Weapon to Defeat Addiction Is Medicine Services


Addiction is a curse to the society. It is too fatal to the addicted person that it may cause death. Yet young generation of New York is getting trapped by the harmful addiction. Addiction of drugs has a tremendous negative impact both on physical and mental state of a human being and to leave the addiction is most difficult attempt for an addicted person. But every problem has a key of solution. Likewise, if anybody wants to come back in the normal life, medical professionals are ready to help the addicted person through specially designed drug and alcohol treatment.

Addiction Is Medicine Services

The Dangerous Drugs Available in The Market and Its Effects:

Various kind of drugs are available in the market of New York. It is ranged from street drugs to prescription drugs. Most commonly used illegal drugs are Marijuana, Hashish, Heroin, Cocaine, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine etc. All these drugs are street drugs which causes cough, frequent respiratory, declination of mental health, hepatitis, HIV, blood pressure, psychosis, violent behavior, panic, irritability etc. Prescription drugs belong to second category of drugs. Few of them are Xanax, Valium, Vatican etc. Overdose of prescription drugs causes severe addition to the patients and as a result a patient encounters depression, insomnia, breathing difficulties, stroke, coma and death.

Medicine Services Offered to Addicted Person:

There are many drug recovery and alcohol treatment centers in New York. The addicted people have the option of recovery starting from the licensed residential treatment to licensed private rehab facilities. The best part of the treatment is medicine. Medical detoxification is the process of annihilating extremely dangerous by- products of drugs and alcohol. Monitoring of the addicted person is highly risky and as well as difficult. When the medical detoxification procedure takes place, horrible withdrawal symptoms are observed. The preparation of mind and body of the addicted person is mostly required as he or she faces the medicinal effects. 24/7 Custom designed and physician approved medical detox procedures are adopted to rescue the addicted people from the hell. Highly skilled doctors and nurses provide instant treatment when the withdrawal symptom gets beyond the tolerance of the addicted person. So specially designed therapies are planned for long-term recovery of the addicted person. Medical detox process is collaboration of both therapies and medications.      

Medicine Services Teach to Live Without Intoxicants:

Prolonged consumption of alcohol and drugs has a worst effect to body and brain of an addicted person. Mental health disorder, changes in brain chemistry, damage of internal organs are the hell like consequences of addiction. To have a better life, medicinal supports are indispensable to the addicted people. Addicted people can freely exist without the help of intoxicants through the medicine services provided to them.

Contact Us:
Harlem East Life Plan 
Full Address: 
2367-69 Second Avenue New York, 
NY 10035 
Telephone: 212-876-2300 

Friday, 19 July 2019

Tips to Use Opioid Medications Safely

The most appropriate time to plan for safe use and disposal of opioids is before you start these medications. Remember, practicing caution can mean the difference between life and death for you and your loved ones. Opioid painkillers are extremely addictive. You’d be surprised to know that after just five days of prescription opioid use, your likelihood to develop long-term dependence on these drugs rises steeply — increasing your risk of eventual addiction and overdose. It is an individual’s medical history, family history and personal history of substance use that help determine whether opioids are safe for you to try since opioids aren't safe to even consider for some people.

Opioid Medications Safely

Take opioid medication in New York City exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidance to physicians for safe prescribing of opioid medications.

You can expect for your doctor or healthcare provider to prescribe the lowest effective dose, for the shortest period needed, when treating acute pain; avoid or delay prescribing opioids for chronic pain; work with you to establish realistic treatment goals; may ask you to sign an opioid therapy agreement before you start a long-term course of opioid medications; schedule regular checkups while you’re taking opioids and help you minimize withdrawal when you stop opioids.

Tips to safely manage your medications:

1. Let all your healthcare providers know about all of the drugs you’re taking since opioids interact dangerously with many medications.

2. Whenever possible, order all your medications through the same pharmacy as pharmacies have systems in place that alert pharmacists to potentially dangerous interactions between the drugs you're taking.

3. It’s extremely important that you read the instructions and warnings on the drug safety information sheet stapled to your prescription as these notify you about potential side effects and help you understand how to check your response to the medication.

4. If you experience any side effects, report it to your doctor right away.


5. Make sure to check the date of expiration on your pill bottle as medication loses its effectiveness after a certain amount of time alongside its effects becoming unpredictable.

Harlem East Life Plan provides quality general medicine and infectious disease care. H.E.L.P. is a multi-faceted outpatient facility offering co-located services of addiction medicine, general medicine and Mental Health.

Contact Us:
Harlem East Life Plan 
Full Address: 
2367-69 Second Avenue New York, 
NY 10035 
Telephone: 212-876-2300

Friday, 21 June 2019

Save your Life with These Valuable Medication Management Tips


The significance of medication management cannot be overstated, particularly when taking medications simultaneously to treat different conditions and symptoms. For seniors, Polypharmacy (taking multiple medications for different conditions), can be a potential health hazard that may include dangerous drug interactions and over-medication.

These medication management New York City tips can prove to be highly beneficial for you and your loved one:


Medication management new York city

1. You should be aware of medications that are deemed unsafe for older adults which you can do by going through the list of medications that older adults should avoid or use with caution put together by the American Geriatric Society. In the list, some pose a higher risk of side effects or interactions, while others are simply less effective.

2. Older adults can be more sensitive to some drugs and less sensitive to others because of the way our bodies metabolize various drugs as we grow old. It is very important that you double-check with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that the dosage on the prescription is age-appropriate.

3. Carry your list of prescription medications — a list of over-the-counter drugs and any herbal supplements you might be taking to the doctor’s office in order for them to accurately pinpoint any potential adverse effects or drug interactions.

4. Reduce the risk of polypharmacy by keeping an accurate list of all medications, including generic and brand names, dosages, dosing frequency and reason for taking the drug.

5. There’s nothing wrong in seeking out a second opinion if you are concerned about a diagnosis or a prescription.

Methadone treatment new York city

6. You can stay alert to any health changes that may occur in response to a new medication or combination of medications by being aware of the potential side-effects and interactions. Consult a physician if you notice any health changes.

7. Keep the number of doctors and pharmacies to the minimal which is better for both you and the providers who must coordinate care.

8. Do let your pharmacist or doctor know if you or your loved one has had a bad reaction to any medication in the past.

The bottom line is that by avoiding some of the more common medication mistakes, such as taking drugs incorrectly or taking more than is prescribed can help older adults take medications safely. Some useful tools include pill dispensers, organizers and even reminder services.

Harlem East Life Plan in New York City is a multi-faceted outpatient facility offering co-located services of addiction medicine, general medicine, medication management and Mental Health.

Contact Us:
Harlem East Life Plan 
Full Address: 
2367-69 Second Avenue New York, 
NY 10035 
Telephone: 212-876-2300 

Friday, 24 May 2019

Significance of Proper Medication Management in New York City

A comprehensive insight to medication management can help avoid serious repercussions that may potentially arise due to improper medication regimen of patients, especially those who are taking large number of medicines (polypharmacy) in order to address chronic diseases and illness. Aspects of medication management focuses on assuring whether the medications are appropriately used, that is, whether the patient is following the proper medication regimen regardless of whether he or she is taking prescription medicines or customized medication prepared by a compound pharmacy.

Both pharmacy and prescribed medicines need to be consumed in specific doses and on proper specified time or serious complications may arise. Medication management New York City includes every minute aspect, for instance, using of the devices that issue reminders to patients to marking the lid of each medicine compartments to indicate when the doses are needed to be consumed.

Medication Management

Keeping a track of all the medicines that are to be taken is one of the crucial aspects in medication management where a vital part involves creating a printed medication list, specifying the dosages and how they are recommended to be used or consumed. These medication lists are then placed in the patient study charts, or provided to the patients, in order for them to track the drugs they are using and understand why these drugs are being prescribed. Medication management also involves checking and confirming that patients follow the right directions of using the medicines that are being prescribed, whether a particular medicine is to be taken with food or to be taken after or before the meal as well as the common side effects (if any) of the medications.

H.E.L.P./Harlem East Life Plan is a multi-faceted outpatient facility offering co-located services of addiction medicine, general medicine and Mental Health. Our services include:

1. Individual Therapy
2. Group Counseling
3. Medication Management (Our doctors and therapists can help monitor symptoms, watch for side effects, and make adjustments to medication to ensure a successful outcome.)
4. Education
5. Continuing Care

At HELP, each and every patient receives their own unique treatment plan customized and designed according to their individual requirements and objectives.

Contact Us:
Harlem East Life Plan 
https://www.harlemeastlifeplan.com 
Full Address: 
2367-69 Second Avenue New York, 
NY 10035 
Telephone: 212-876-2300  

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