All patients are asked to bring their medications to each appointment. Patients are asked to include all prescription medicines, all regularly used over-the-counter medicines, and any supplements or herbal remedies.

At the end of a patient's first appointment, or when any medications have been changed, our doctors will provide a printed medication list that includes all current medications. 

• Our physicians provide end-of-life and cancer-related pain management, and will try all appropriate measures to achieve patient comfort in these cases.

• Patients New to Our Practice: our physicians will not consider prescription of a controlled substance without first viewing past medical records that detail a patient's diagnosis, previous evaluation, and treatment history. All patients are objectively evaluated, and we attempt to create a care plan that does not involve controlled substances; if controlled substances are required (and the patient is not involved in Hospice or cancer care), the patient will most likely be referred to a pain management practice or other appropriate specialist.

• Established patients with whom the clinical team has an established bond of trust, may, at the sole discretion of the physician, be treated with narcotics and other controlled substances, both acutely and on a chronic basis.

• Controlled substances (narcotics, ADHD stimulants, benzodiazepines) will only be refilled during business hours, Monday through Friday. Controlled substances will not be refilled after hours on weekdays or on weekends.

Resistance to antibiotics is a serious issue. We try to use antibiotics only when appropriate. Patients with a problem that may require an antibiotic should be seen and evaluated by a physician, who will determine the appropriate care. Patients who call after having been seen by the physician, who have failed to improve, or have developed new symptoms, may receive an antibiotic without being seen again, at the discretion of the physician. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the sole discretion of the physician.

• You have a right to respectful and compassionate care.

• You have a right to participate in, and receive information about, your plan of care.

• You will not be denied care due to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or source of payment.

• You have a right to refuse treatment, and to be informed of the possible consequences of refusal of treatment.

• You are entitled to be free from all forms of abuse and harassment.

• You have the right to have an appropriate representative make informed decisions about your care.

• You have the right to determine advanced directives, and to have them followed.

• You have a right to privacy and a safe environment.

• You have the right to a prompt response to any reasonable request.

• You have the right to see your medical records.

• You have a right to an explanation of all items relating to your bill.

• You are responsible to provide accurate and complete information regarding all medical issues and medication use.

• You are responsible for following your plan of care. If you refuse treatment, or do not follow your plan of care, then you must accept the consequences.

• It is your responsibility to notify a member of our staff if you have trouble understanding or following any aspect of your care.

• You are responsible to notify our staff of any new problems or changes in your condition.

• You are expected to act in a considerate and respectful manner during any interaction with our staff.

• You are responsible to keep your scheduled appointments or to notify our office in advance if you cannot keep an appointment.

• You are expected to pay your bills, or to make an arrangement with our office to meet your obligations.

River Bend Family Medicine believes that the best way to be healthy is to participate in regular physical activity, eat a healthy diet, and to keep up-to-date with recommended immunizations and the following cancer screenings:

Cervical Cancer: all women aged 21 to 65 should have a Pap smear every 2-3 years
Breast Cancer: all women over age 40 should have a mammogram each year
Colon Cancer: all men and women over age 50 should have colonoscopy every 10 years or stool cards each year
Prostate Cancer: men over the age of 50 should discuss prostate cancer screening