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Memorandum

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MEMORANDUM

To: South Carolina Recovering Program Participants
From: Tia Cooper, Program Director
Date: August 31, 2022


Re: New Check-in Time, Reminder of Abstinence Policy/Medication Exception Request, After-hours line, Services, Periodic Outreach


Dear SCRPP participants:

NEW CHECK-IN TIME FOR RECOVERY TREK: Effective Monday, September 5, 2022, RPP participants may check-in for testing by telephone, IVR, mobile app, or web portal to confirm whether they have been selected to test from 5 am- 4 pm. This expansion is an effort to allow for more time to check-in. Please remember that lab hours may be limited; thus, should you check in at the cutoff time (4 pm) and be selected to test, you will still be required to submit to random testing that same day. If there is an issue, please contact our office at 877 349 2094 or 803 896 5711. Please remember that you must speak with someone if you have a test-related issue or concern. Sending an email or leaving a voicemail is not sufficient to excuse you from testing. If you do not test on the day you are selected, it will be considered a missed test.

ABSTINENCE POLICY STATEMENT: RPP is an abstinence-based program. The abstinence policy statement confirms your agreement to abide by the abstinence policy and provides a general outline of substances, including mood-altering substances, alcohol, certain prescription medications, over-the counter-medications, synthetic substances, etc., that are prohibited. A Safe Medication Guide is available upon request and via the SC RPP website (https://scrpp.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/safemedguide.pdf). The Guide provides general information concerning prescription and over-the-counter medications and products approved for use while monitoring with RPP. Questions about a specific medication or product should be directed to your assigned recovery specialist PRIOR to initiating the medication.

A request for an exception to the abstinence policy (to take a prescription drug or medication, or substance otherwise prohibited by the abstinence policy) may be submitted in certain circumstances subject to your Board’s specific policy. For more information, please contact your recovery specialist.

SCRPP participants are required to adhere to an abstinence policy. At intake, you were made aware of the abstinence policy, and upon enrollment, you signed the Abstinence Policy Statement. RPP recently updated the Abstinence Policy Statement due to new trends, such as CBD products, Delta 8, increased use of Benadryl, Nyquil, Alcohol, etc. A copy of the most recent Abstinence Policy statement is attached for your review and signature. Please return an executed copy to your assigned recovery specialist at your earliest convenience. Please contact your assigned recovery specialist if you have any questions.

AFTER HOURS LINE: SCRPP office hours are 8 am-4:30 pm. Should you require assistance after 4:30 pm, please dial our after-hours line at 877 349 2094 or 803 896 5711. If you need to reach your recovery specialist during normal business hours, please contact them at their direct extension. If you are not able to reach your recovery specialist and you require immediate assistance, please dial our after-hours line, listed above.

SERVICES: SCRPP’s normal business hours are from 8:00AM until 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Prospective and current participants are seen by appointment only. If you are scheduled to meet with SCRPP and have a concern about meeting in person or prefer to meet via videoconference or phone, please contact your assigned recovery specialist to determine whether your meeting may be conducted via Doxy-me, TEAMS, or telephone.

PERIODIC OUTREACH: SCRPP recovery specialists will conduct calls with their assigned participants every April, August, and December. During this call, your assigned recovery specialist will check in with you. Please continue to update your assigned recovery specialist with any changes in between these meetings and/or to address any questions or concerns you may have.

Thank you for your continued compliance, and we support you in all your professional endeavors.

*To view PDF, click here.

Be Empowered Webinar Series: Women in Medicine.

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The Center for Professional Health and Wellness at Vanderbilt University Medical Center offers a 90-minute webinar catering to women in healthcare with the option to claim CME credit!

All physicians, nurses/APRNs, scientists, pharmacists, and physician assistants are welcome to join. Space is limited, so sign up early.

Click the registration link to secure your spot today!

https://redcap.link/BeEmpoweredSeries

2023 Distressed Physician

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The 2023 Distressed Physician courses are starting to fill. See the brochure below. Go to our website for more information.

The PRC® WBA Team is doing another year of the very popular Distressed Physician Course. 2023 will again be Virtual Live making it easy for our learners to participate without the hassle, expense, and coordination associated with travel.

More info

2023 Dates

January 27-29, 2023
March 10-12, 2023
June 2-4, 2023
August 4-6, 2023
October 6-8, 2023
December 8-10, 2023

MEMORANDUM Update

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To: South Carolina Recovering Program Participants
From: Tia Cooper, Program Director
Date: December 1, 2022
Re: New Check-in Time, Reminder of Abstinence Policy/Medication Exception Request, After-hours line, Services, Periodic update contact

Dear SCRPP participants:

NEW CHECK-IN TIME FOR RECOVERY TREK: Effective Monday, September 5, 2022, all participants’ check-in time to Recovery Trek will be from 5 am- 4 pm. This expansion is an effort to allow for more time to check-in. Please be reminded that lab hours may be limited; thus, should you check in at the cutoff time and are selected to test, you will be required to submit to random testing on the day of selection. If there is an issue, please contact our office at 877 349 2094 or 803 896 5711.

ABSTINENCE POLICY STATEMENT: SCRPP is an abstinence-based program. The abstinence policy statement confirms your agreement to abide by the abstinence policy and provides a general outline of substances, including mood-altering substances, alcohol, certain prescription medications, over-the counter-medications, synthetic substances, etc., that are prohibited.  A Safe Medication Guide is available upon request and via the SCRPP website (https://scrpp.files.wordpress.com/2020/09/safe-medguide.pdf). The Guide provides general information concerning prescription and over-the-counter medications and products approved for use while monitoring with SCRPP.

A request for an exception to the abstinence policy (to take a prescription drug) may be submitted in certain circumstances subject to your Board’s specific policy. For more information, please contact your recovery specialist.

SCRPP participants are required to adhere to an abstinence policy. At intake, you were made aware of it, and upon enrollment, you signed the agreement. Due to new trends, such as CBD products, Delta 8, increased use of Benadryl, Nyquil, Alcohol, etc., the abstinence policy has been expanded and is attached for your review signature, and please return to your assigned recovery specialist. Please contact your assigned recovery specialist if you have any questions.

AFTER HOURS LINE: SCRPP office hours are 8 am-4:30 pm. Should you require assistance after 4:30 pm, please dial our after-hours line at 877 349 2094 or 803 896 5711. If you need to reach your recovery specialist, please contact them at their direct extension. If your recovery specialist is out of the office and you require immediate assistance, please dial our after-hours line, listed above.

SERVICES: Due to the pandemic, we can work in person and remotely. Participants that are seen in person are by appointment only. Should you have any remote services, they can be conducted via Doxy-me, TEAMS, or telephone.

PERIODIC UPDATE CONTACT: SCRPP is implementing intentional contact with participants in February, August, and as needed. This contact confirms demographic information, intake/anticipated discharge dates, re-occurrences, restart time of contract, medication updates/changes, employment status, and any feedback or concerns. Please continue to update your assigned recovery specialist with any changes and if you have questions.

Thank you for your continued compliance, and we support you in all your professional endeavors.

*To view the pdf version, click here.

Physician Health Programs: Changing the Culture of Medicine

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Creating a New Model for Addiction Treatment

By Amy Buttell

Physician Health Programs: Changing the Culture of Medicine
Second quarter 2022

One of the easiest, most effective ways to support physicians with mental health issues, including addiction, is by utilizing PHP services. PHPs provide confidential support and advocacy for physicians and other healthcare professionals who suffer from potentially impairing health conditions, including addiction, psychiatric illness, nonpsychiatric medical conditions, cognitive disorders, and workplace-related stress and burnout.

Critical Care Burnout: Systemic Changes Needed, Not Just Self Care

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Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

Burnout was a recognized issue in Critical Care Medicine well before the pandemic began. The Critical Care Societies Collaborative (CCSC) issued a call to action in 2016 to address “Burnout Syndrome” among those in their member societies, which include the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Thoracic Society, American College of Chest Physicians, and American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.1,2

According to the CCSC call to action, “Up to 45% of critical care physicians reported symptoms of severe [burnout syndrome].”1,2

Click to read more