UPDATED: Legislative action to limit prescribing of narcotics in ER's expected by June 15

Hospital and free-standing  ER's over prescribe
narcotics like Percodan, Oxycontin, Vicodin 

UPDATED:  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it's recommended doctors limit prescription pain medications, especially opiates, prescribed through the emergency rooms.  Good to know, seeing Redmond has 5 Emergency Departments within ~12 miles and opiates like Oxycontin are extremely addicting and can be lethal.

Comment:  In February, a close family member (Jane) was admitted to Overlake Hospital ER by an Overlake-Redmond Urgent Care Physician's Assistant for recurring, moderate abdominal pain.  Even though we told the doctor that Jane had previous treatment and imaging for abdominal pain at Virginia Mason he didn't check her medical records or ask for details. Rather, he immediately put her on Hydro-morphine Inj and after a $7,605 charge for ER services, sent her home with a bottle of 12 narcotic pills and a diagnosis of abdominal pain even after a CT radiologists indicated constipation.  Jane took only two pills.  The next day laxatives relieved her pain.  Yes, it was constipation causing the pain (and opiates make constipation worse!) B.Y.

So, now what to do with the remaining 10 addicting pills?  Read More >>

UPDATED: Overlake adds to the out-patient medical market of Greater Redmond

Overlake Hospital Medical Center

UPDATED:  Medical care organizations continue to migrate into Greater Redmond.   Overlake Hospital Medical Clinic opened it's doors yesterday with 9-5:30 p.m. service, joining the long list of medical services competing for our insurance dollars.  They offer same-day appointments for "acute conditions" (not run-of-the-mill.)

The Overlake Hospital Mendical Center Clinics of Redmond is located at Redmond Town Center, 16315 NE 74th Street.  Their 'Grand Opening' today is celebrated with free smoothies and cholesterol screenings. The convenience of their location is comparable to Evergreen's Redmond Medical Center of Bella Bottega. 

Alan Ertle, MD, Overlake’s vice president of network development was quoted on their website  “Each clinic is connected to our hospital’s acute care, emergency services, outpatient imaging, lab and affiliated specialist physicians, offering patients a full spectrum of medical s the services.”

According to the Overlake-Redmond Clinic's front desk they have a clinical laboratory, but no pharmacy, CT, MRI, or ultrasound equipment.  Availability of on-site specialty care is unknown.

Evergreen Redmond Primary Care Clinics (Redmond, Sammamish, Woodinville), Virginia Mason Clinic (Kirkland, Issaquah, Bellevue) Swedish ER-Redmond provide extensive specialty care services, full-service imaging, clinical laboratory.  V. Mason has a free consulting pharmacist for patients for med-management, BP checks, cholesterol. 

Of the five Greater Redmond medical service organizations surveyed, Evergreen Primary Care - Redmond had the most flexible hours for Primary Care and diagnostic services.  Evergreen-Redmond Clinic of Bella Bottega is open for same-day appointments M - TH (7 -7), F (7 -6) and Saturday (9-3).  Virginia Mason - Kirkland was a close second, open 7 - 8 p.m. M- TH. and 7-6 p.m F, and 8-12 for same-day appointments. (Call 425-814-5100 for exact hours of operation for specialists)  Both have 11 physicians.

By Bob Yoder
Internet photo

Disclosure:  My wife and I go to V. Mason-Kirkland and Evergreen.  My daughter goes to University Physician's Neighborhood Woodinville Clinic when she's home.  I report on the Evegreen Community Hospital Board of Commissioner meetings for my blog.

First in an eight-part series on the rush of new medical services in Greater Redmond.

A series on Redmond's emerging medical services - why are they here? how do we decide?

"Thanks for sharing this blog. Since there are tons of emergency care centers nowadays and it is hard what and where to choose I still do believe in some reviews since it is hard to select which one is telling the truth."
     -- Trixie, July 8, 2011 a Reader's comment under the post:  "Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care"

As of today, I'm starting an 8-part series on Redmond's booming new medical services to try to answer some of Trixie's concerns and provide facts and data to help you decide where to go for services.  Once every 2-4 weeks I'll post a story.  Hopefully, YOU will contribute a comment or personal experience to help our Readers or "bandage your wounds."  Read More >>

UPDATED OPINION: Overlake Hospital and Clinics Sponsor Community Health Fair

UPDATED OPINION:  Periodically, I cover health events put on by local hospitals and clinics.  Overlake Urgent Care in Redmond and Overlake Medical Clinics (overlakehospital.org) may occasionally ask their physicians to lecture.  Below, is information on their Saturday, March 10th health fair held at nearby Westminster Chapel (directions here).  Evergreen Hospital of Kirkland seminars have already been posted because they are the Eastside's only community tax-supported hospital.  You'll continue to see Evergreen Healthcare District 2 fairs and classes updates.

Here's the scoop on the Overlake Senior Fair:  Read More >>