Helping Healthcare Providers Make More Informed Decisions For Better Patient Outcomes
Patients Are At The Heart Of What We Do
At Bamboo Health, we put patients at the forefront when we design solutions. We have developed dozens of awareness applications for healthcare providers and pharmacists to use to make more informed clinical decisions. We regularly check-in with our customers to see how we can make improvements and support whole person care.
Bamboo Health offers a range of solutions that support both physical and mental health in a variety of ways – from prevention of substance misuse, to facilitating behavioral health intervention and care, and increasing communication among providers for continuity of care. Most of these solutions work behind the scenes to support your care team. We encourage patients and their families to learn more about all our solutions, but we most frequently receive questions about the NarxCare application.
The goal of this page is to help patients and their families understand what NarxCare is, what it does, how it works, and why your provider may use it.
Will Having A Chronic Condition Impact My Score?
A patient who uses higher doses of medication for a long period of time, such as with severe chronic pain or severe anxiety, will not necessarily have a high score.
For patients who have well-managed chronic conditions, as indicated by a relatively stable dose of medication from a limited number of prescribers and pharmacies, the Narcotic, Sedative, and Stimulant Scores are expected to be in the lower half of the score range. This is true even if the patient is prescribed extremely high doses of medication.
The scores themselves are NOT intended to be the sole basis for any clinical decision by your provider or pharmacist. Providers should discuss any concerns with a patient prior to making or changing a prescription or other treatment decision.
How Is The NarxCare Report Used?
A NarxCare report is intended to support healthcare providers and pharmacists by raising awareness of the use of controlled substances by a patient as represented in a state’s PDMP report. Prescribers and pharmacists are expected to review a patient’s PDMP report; in certain clinical situations, they are required by law to check it before prescribing certain types of medications.
The NarxCare report identifies risk factors with interactive visualizations and a set of scores that numerically correspond to the patient’s PDMP data. Providers review the report and determine if there are any concerns that would suggest further evaluation and/or discussion with the patient. This report helps providers holistically interpret data and avoid making judgments based on a limited number of data elements. This view benefits patients as it reduces the chance of any one factor unduly influencing a provider’s assessment.
Can I Get A Copy Of My PDMP Report?
Rules vary by state. Please contact your state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) program to determine how you may obtain a copy of your PDMP Report. Here is a link with contact information for each state.
You may also ask your physician or healthcare provider. While they may or may not be able to provide you a copy, depending on state restrictions, they can discuss any concerns and/or opportunities for improved care.
What Can I Do If I Believe Some Of The Prescriptions On My PDMP Report Are Not Mine Or Are Not Correct?
The state Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) program is the point of contact for having corrections made to PDMP data. Here is a link with contact information for each state.
Can My Physician Correct My NarxCare Score?
No. You must go through the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in your state. Here is a link with contact information for each state.
What Can I Do If I Believe My Scores Or Information Are Wrong?
The scores represent only Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data and are calculated using a mathematical formula. Scores are always calculated the same way for every patient, based on the data in the PDMP. If you believe the PDMP data itself is wrong, then please contact your state PDMP program. Here is a link with contact information for each state.
What Can I Do If My Prescriber (Usually A Doctor) Or Pharmacist Told Me My Scores Were Too High And They Wouldn’t Prescribe Or Fill My Prescription?
Bamboo Health’s training materials very specifically advise that the scores should not be used in this manner. Narx Scores and reports are intended to aid, not replace, medical decision making. None of the information presented should be used as sole justification for providing or refusing to provide medications.
If you believe a NarxCare Report or score has been used inappropriately by a provider, then we suggest discussing your concern directly with the provider and asking what Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) information was concerning.
Who Should I Contact If I Believe I, Or A Loved One, Needs Help?
You can take a free assessment for yourself or a loved one at TreatmentConnection.com. Click “What level of substance use treatment do I need?” to take the Addiction Treatment Needs Assessment. Depending on what state you reside, after the assessment, you may be able to search for a treatment facility near you.
You can also call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline anytime at 1-800-622-HELP (4357).