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Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Research in the News
KP's Early Start Program Could Save U.S. Billions in Health Costs
Dec 12, 2011
Study Finds that Kaiser Permanente Early Start Program Could Save United States Billions in Health Costs
Early intervention mitigates risk of substance abuse among pregnant women
December 20, 2011
A program for women at risk for substance abuse during pregnancy could save nearly $2 billion annually in health care costs if implemented nationwide, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published online in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ journal, Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Kaiser Permanente has proved that the program decreases maternal and neonatal morbidity and stillbirths, according to study lead author Nancy C. Goler, MD, of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for The Permanente Medical Group in Vallejo, California.
“Now, we’re able to show everyone that not only is it the right thing to do, we will also save money,” Dr. Goler said. “This program is a very low-technology intervention that has an enormous net cost savings.”
Launched in 1990, Kaiser Permanente's Early Start program integrates obstetric care with substance abuse treatment for pregnant women in 3 ways:
* All women are screened by questionnaire and urine toxicology testing for drug, cigarette, and alcohol use, after signing consent forms.
* A licensed substance abuse expert works in the Ob/Gyn department and sees the patients at the same time as their prenatal care appointments.
* All clinicians and patients are educated about the adverse effects of drug, alcohol, and cigarette use during pregnancy.
A large part of Early Start’s success is due to the program’s accessibility to patients. The program is located at the same clinic in which pregnant women receive their routine prenatal care, Dr. Goler said, adding that appointments with the woman’s prenatal care provider and her Early Start specialist are coordinated.
For more information, read the press release from the Division of Research.
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