Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise Rogers, Chief, Health System
Chester J. Kunnappilly, MD, Chief Executive Officer, San Mateo Medical Center
Subject: Agreement with Abhishek Gowda, MD to Provide Pain Management Medicine Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Abhishek Gowda, MD to provide pain management medicine services for the term of December 1, 2017 through November 30, 2018, to an amount not to exceed $300,000.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo Medical Center (SMMC) has experienced a continued need for the medical assessment and treatment of chronic pain. These services include the care of patients with concurrent substance abuse issues, chronic pain syndrome (including back pain, headaches, and musculoskeletal pain), and disease-related diagnoses such as cancer and rheumatologic pain. SMMC is addressing this need by providing comprehensive pain management services, which include direct clinical services to patients, obtaining patient history, conducting a physical assessment, and deciding on appropriate treatment plans and prescriptions.
Dr. Abhishek Gowda has provided these services at SMMC since June 2015.
DISCUSSION:
Dr. Gowda has agreed to continue providing these services at SMMC and SMMC's Daly City Clinic. Dr. Gowda will supervise a clinic for the behavioral and psychological assessment, medical assessment, and interventional medication management associated with pain management services.
This agreement provides for a balanced approach to treating patient's pain symptoms that leads to an appropriate ethical decision when prescribing opioids. This approach reduces the chance of over prescribing opioids and the possible risk of patient addiction, drug diversion, trafficking and addiction.
Dr. Gowda will provide up to six half-day clinics per week, and up to four educational lectures per ...
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