For Healthcare Providers

Public Health Liaison Program
Keisa Hoffpauir, MPA
District Public Health Liaison
229-430-4180
kghoffpauir@dhr.state.ga.us

FDA issues warning on Cipro, similar antibiotics By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press Writer
Federal drug safety officials have imposed the government's most urgent warning on Cipro and similar antibiotics, citing risks that they can cause tendon ruptures, a serious injury that leaves some patients incapacitated. The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday ordered makers of flouroquinolone drugs - a potent class of antibiotics - to add a 'black box' warning to their products, which include Cipro, Levaquin, Floxin and other medications. Patients should immediately stop taking the medications if they develop any tendon pain, swelling or inflammation.

Attention healthcare providers and pharmacists:
As a community service, Southwest District Public Health is posting an English-to-Spanish prescription conversion chart online. No passcode is required and there is no fee.

PHS issues clinical guideline for smoking cessation.
The U.S. Public Health Service today issued an updated clinical practice guideline to help health care providers reduce patients’ use of tobacco. The guideline recommends clinicians and health care delivery systems consistently identify tobacco users seen in the health care setting, and offer every patient who uses tobacco some of the treatments recommended in the guideline. It also recommends insurers cover the counseling and medications identified as effective. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/treating_tobacco_use08.pdf . A companion consumer guide and pocket guide for clinicians are available here:  http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/default.htm

New AMA program helps physicians talk to patients about healthy behavior
A recent AMA survey found that two-thirds of patients want their physician to talk to them about good health behaviors. This week, the AMA launched the Healthier Life Steps program-a comprehensive online toolkit, including patient screening checklists, intervention plans and motivational tools-to ignite greater discussion among patients and physicians about healthy lifestyle choices. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/18471.html

Cultural Competency in Healthcare:
A Clinical Review and Video Vignettes From the National Medical Association CME/CEMedscape 4/30/08
http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/12540?src=mp=17=70149SJ