For those taking Zetia (ezetimibe)or Vytorin On 1/14/08 Merck issued a press release describing preliminary results of the ENHANCE drug trial concerning their drug Zetia (http://www.merck.com/newsroom/press_releases/product/2008_0114.html). This information has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal nor presented at a professional medical meeting. The press release indicates that Merck hopes to present this in March 2008 at the American C0llege of Cardiology meeting. There has been extensive press and media coverage of this news. At this time there is no concern about safety or toxicity of Zetia. The questions raised by this study relate to the future benefits of taking the drug. It has been clearly proven to lower LDL cholesterol levels. It is not clear if there is additional benefit such as reduced plaque or reduced risk of heart disease. The physicians at Mansfield Family Practice will continue to monitor this news but at this time do not anticipate making any widespread changes in our prescribing practices. If you have further questions about this information we ask that you make an appointment to come in to discuss it personally with your physician - this is not a subject we can properly discuss on the phone. Flu shots 2007-2008 We have concluded our flu shots for 2007-2008 Will you assist with our research? - Dr. Dardick and MFP staff are part of a research team at Connecticut Children's Medical Center and UCONN Health Center studying how people respond to tick bites. We think that the degree of redness, itching and swelling may tell us something about who is likely to acquire Lyme disease, anaplasmosis (ehrlichiosis) or babesia - the most common tick-borne infections.
- If you have been bitten by a tick we would like to examine you within 48 hours of the tick bite. This will be done at a scheduled medical appointment (usual fees apply). We will take a sample of blood now and in 30 days, you will fill out a brief questionnaire and diary which will tell us something about your immunity to the tick bite. We will also test the blood sample to see if you have acquired one of the diseases mentioned above. There are no charges for the research-related blood testing. However, if you have signs or symptoms of illness there may be testing or treatment for which usual charges apply.
| Services We have recently renovated our office to accomodate our growing practice. Our facilities are state-of-the-art, fully accessible to all patients. We have added many features to improve safety and convenience for our patients with disabilities Our electronic medical record system allows rapid communication with hospitals, specialists, laboratories and pharmacies We are equipped to provide many treatments and tests right here in the office; these include cardiac and pulmonary testing, lab tests, joint injections, cryotherapy, minor surgery and bone density testing for osteoporosis Mansfield Family Practice is affiliated with Windham Community Memorial Hospital and local nursing homes
Travel medicine and Sports medicine are areas in which we have specialized training and experience Mansfield Family Practice participates with many insurance companies |