WHO Draws Attention to 21 Neglected Tropical Diseases and Their Causes
(image credit: WHO)
The World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting 21 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and their causes.
According to WHO, neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of conditions caused by a variety of pathogens (including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins) and associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences.
While NTDs are mainly prevalent among impoverished communities in tropical areas, some have a much larger geographical distribution.
Get a summary of these NTDs here.
FDA Issues Revisions of Emergency Use Authorization for Paxlovid
The FDA recently announced a revision to the Paxlovid emergency use authorization (EUA). EUA-labeled Paxlovid will no longer be authorized for emergency use after March 8, 2024, regardless of the labeled or extended expiration date.
Paxlovid EUA will continue to authorize emergency use of Paxlovid manufactured and labeled in accordance with the NDA (NDA-labeled Paxlovid) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.
Expired EUA-labeled Paxlovid must be returned to the manufacturer or disposed of in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations. Similarly, after March 8, 2024, all EUA-labeled Paxlovid remaining in U.S. distribution must also be returned to the manufacturer or disposed of in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations.
Read the full FDA revision notice here.
New Member Perk: Discount Subscription to Our State Magazine (with a bonus to NCMS!)
Get a discount on the premiere state magazine and a donation will also be made to NCMS.
If you need another reason why it's good to be an NCMS member, this is it!
Click here to go to Our State Magazine. Don't forget to use promo code DSMDS
AMA 'Fix Medicare Now' Website Is Now Even Better
The American Medical Association (AMA) has updated its Fix Medicare Now website with new content.
This site is a one-stop-shop for all the information, resources, and ways you can make your voice heard to ensure that Congress works to address the critical issues physicians, and their patients, face due to the flawed Medicare physician payment system.
Just a few of the things the site provides:
- The ability to take action by emailing your members of Congress
- A "share your story" feature
- Toolkits on how to be a more effective advocate on social media
- An interactive timeline that shows how we got here in the first place
- A patient reception-area flyer with a QR code where they can take action
- A robust resources page with background information, charts, advocates' letters to Congress and much more
Visit the Fix Medicare Now website here.
Wait a Doggone Minute! They Contain What? Am I Safe?
(image credit: Women's Health Magazine)
They’re cute. Extremely popular. And contain lead!
We’re talking about Stanley cups. The pricey drinkware that is all the rave right now. However, recent web chatter raises questions about their safety. One question in particular has caused a firestorm online: Do these viral sensations contain lead.
The short answer: yes, they do.
A spokesperson for Stanley confirmed claims that Stanley cups contain lead but pose no significant danger to consumers as long as the bottom circle cap isn't damaged or removed.
"Please rest assured that no lead is present on the surface of any Stanley product that comes in contact with you or the contents of your container," the company told USA Today in a statement.
Health issues for children after lead exposure can include:
- Damage to the brain and nervous system
- Slowed growth and development
- Learning and behavior problems
- Hearing and speech problems
In adults:
- High blood pressure
- Brain issues
- Kidney issues
- Reproductive health issues
What more you should know is here.
CDC to Healthcare Providers: Be Alert for Measles Symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging healthcare providers to be alert for patients exhibiting symptoms of measles--fever and rashes. This warning come amidst reports of 23 measles cases since December 1, 2023, with 7 of the cases being linked to international travelers.
"The increased number of measles importations seen in recent weeks is reflective of a rise in global measles cases and a growing global threat from the disease," the CDC said in an email.
Several locales have experienced clusters of measles, including Philadelphia and Washington state. Virginia officials warned of measles exposures at two international airports. This amid confirmed cases in both New Jersey and Georgia.
According to the CDC, measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to death. Most of the cases involve young children and adolescents who had not received a measles-containing vaccine. The CDC also states getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles.
Get more guidance on measles here.
Call for Poster Submissions: 2024 NC Ob/Gyn Society Annual Meeting
NC Society of Obstetrical and Gynecological Society
2024 Annual Meeting
March 8-10, 2024
Marriott City Center - Charlotte
Call for poster abstract submissions: Due February 3, 2024
You are invited to submit a poster abstract to the NC Ob/Gyn Society Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held over the weekend of March 8-10, 2024, at the Marriott City Center in Charlotte. We hope you will plan to attend!
This year, in addition to our resident oral presentations, we are adding a poster session to facilitate the exchange of ideas between providers and medical communities. Abstracts can be from original research, case reports, safety projects and quality improvement projects. An NC Ob/Gyn Society member must be part of the authorship. Preference will be given to projects involving learners, trainees and those involving inter-professional activities. Abstracts may be presented at other venues or in process for publication. Because we have limited space in our exhibition area, we request a limit of two abstract submissions per author.
Abstract submissions are due February 3, 2024. Please submit abstracts to Megan Eberle ([email protected]) by email as an attached Word document.
Please see the Abstract Submission Requirements and Information, and share this request for abstract submissions with residents, fellows, students, advanced practice providers or other leaders in women’s health care in your community.
Start planning now to attend to the NCOGS's 2024 Annual Meeting. The conference will be held over the weekend of March 8-10 at The Marriott City Center in Charlotte. Make your hotel reservation today online or call directly at (704) 333-9000.
Get Your Nominations in for Physicians Foundation Leadership Award Program Before It's Too Late!
New or early-career physicians, apply by January 31, 2024 for the Physicians Foundation Leadership Award Program!
The Physicians Foundation’s Leadership Awards Program recognizes physicians for extraordinary actions in their practice or community. Award recipients will receive a $10,000 scholarship to elevate their efforts to address drivers of health (DOH) or advance innovative solutions to make their communities or practices a healthier place for patients and physicians.
Nominations will fall into two award categories:
- The Dr. Buz Cooper Award for Addressing Drivers of Health: In alignment with the Foundation’s work to recognize and act on challenges related to DOH, this award honors a physician who has gone above and beyond to connect their patients with the social, economic, educational and environmental resources that they need for their overall health. The award’s namesake is Richard (Buz) Cooper, MD, author of Poverty and the Myths of Health Care Reform.
- Medical Innovator Award: The Physicians Foundation champions the role of physicians as stewards for high-quality, cost-efficient care. The Medical Innovator Award recognizes a physician who has innovated and successfully implemented a new solution to strengthen the physician-patient relationship, support their medical practice’s sustainability or navigate the changing health care system.
Requirements include:
- Open to physicians who are new or early-career (practicing less than 15 years).
- Demonstrate physician leadership in relevant award category.
- Be nominated by a sponsor (mentor, colleague or peer) in coordination with the nominee. Sponsors should provide a short statement of recommendation.
- Submit a video component, current resume/CV and a statement that briefly describes how the scholarship will allow them to continue making positive, constructive contributions to the medical profession.
About The Physicians Foundation
The Physicians Foundation is a nonprofit seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians and help them facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care to patients. As the U.S. health care system continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in strengthening the physician-patient relationship, supporting medical practices’ sustainability and helping physicians navigate the changing health care system. The Physicians Foundation pursues its mission through research, education and innovative grant making that improves physician wellbeing, strengthens physician leadership, addresses drivers of health and lifts physician perspectives. For more information, visit www.physiciansfoundation.org
ICYMI: CMS Finalizes Prior Authorization Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule on January 17, 2024. The rule impacts the following government funded insurance programs and plans:
- Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations,
- Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) fee-for-service (FFS) programs,
- Medicaid managed care plans,
- CHIP managed care entities, and
- Issuers of Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) offered on the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs)
CMS’ rule is designed to improve the electronic exchange of health information and improve prior authorization processes for medical items and services, including a reduction of the burden on patients and providers. It will result in clinicians being able to spend more time providing patient care and will help prevent avoidable delays in care for patients.
The rule is estimated to result in approximately $15 billion of savings over ten years.
Some specifics of the rule include:
- Minimum time frame for expediting prior authorization decisions
- Requirement that payers include a specific reason for denying a prior authorization request,
- Requirement that payers publicly report prior authorization metrics,
- Implementation of a more efficient electronic prior authorization process between providers and payers
Prior authorization relief at the state and national level has been an advocacy priority for the NC Medical Society and its members for many years. Further analysis of the rule will determine if CMS’ rule measures up to the provisions being sought in legislation under consideration by Congress.
The prior authorization legislation pending at the NC General Assembly, HB649/Ensure Timely, Clinically Sound Utilization Review, passed the House during the 2023 session and is presently in Senate. We look forward to working with the legislature to get this bill across the finish line in the upcoming 2024 session.
Appreciation is due to NCMS members and partner medical societies for their efforts to help ensure patients receive the necessary and appropriate medical care they deserve. The new CMS rule is due in large part to the unified effort to fix a burdensome, costly and improper process.
The final CMS rule is available to review at: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-0057-f.pdf.
A CMS fact sheet for rule is available at: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cms-interoperability-and-prior-authorization-final-rule-cms-0057-f.
Related Reading:
$15 billion win for physicians on prior authorization
NCTracks Reminder: Five New Exclusion Sanction Questions Added to Enrollment Applications in 2024
Beginning January 28, 2024, five new additional exclusion sanction questions will be added to enrollment, re-enrollment, full MCRs, office administrator (OA) and re-verification applications:
- L. Has the enrolling provider had any liability insurance carrier canceled, refused coverage, or rated up because of unusual risk or have any procedures been excluded from coverage?
- M. Has the enrolling provider ever practiced without liability coverage?
- N. Does the enrolling provider have any medical, chemical dependency or psychiatric conditions that might adversely affect your ability to practice medicine or surgery or to perform the essential functions of your position?
- O. Has the enrolling provider's hospital and/or Clinic privileges ever been limited, restricted, reduced, suspended, revoked, denied, not renewed, or have you voluntarily surrendered or limited your privileges during or under the threat of an investigation or are any such actions pending?
- P. Has the enrolling provider had a professional liability claim assessed against them in the past five years or are there any professional liability cases pending against them?
All five questions are applicable to individual providers. However; only two of the questions will be applicable to organizations:
- L. Has the enrolling provider had any liability insurance carrier canceled, refused coverage, or rated up because of unusual risk or have any procedures been excluded from coverage?
- M. Has the enrolling provider ever practiced without liability coverage?
Affirmative answers to exclusion sanction questions on all applications require a written explanation AND supporting documentation.
A thorough written explanation for each question answered affirmatively must be signed and dated by the responsible party within six months of the application date. Failure to disclose documentation related to an affirmative response will result in a denial of the application. A full explanation of the new documentation requirements can be found here.
NCMS Membership Perks? We've Got You Covered!
image credit: Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley
Are you an NCMS Member traveling to the Raleigh area? Use your NCMS perk for discounted lodging at the beautiful Crabtree Marriott!
Experience true southern hospitality at the recently renovated facilities. Dine at BRAISE, the hotel's contemporary southern restaurant, that serves an unforgettable breakfast buffet, southern fusion lunch & dinner, as well as specialty cocktails in the lounge. Relax in the enticing public spaces. Get your blood flowing in the well-equipped fitness center. Unwind in one of the modern guest rooms, which feature amenities such as smart TVs with Netflix and upgradeable Wi-Fi.
The hotel puts you within easy reach of shopping at Crabtree Valley Mall, downtown restaurants, PNC Arena and North Carolina State University.
Book your experience here.
Anticonvulsant Medication to be Added to NC Controlled Substances Reporting System
(From NC Medical Board) -- Per a new state law, the anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication gabapentin will soon be added to the list of drugs tracked through the state’s prescription drug management program (PDMP), the NC Controlled Substances Reporting System (NC CSRS).
While gabapentin remains a non-controlled substance, Session Law 2023-65 Part XI Section 11.1 G.S. 90-113.73(b) adds it to the medications recorded in NC CSRS because it may cause a level of sedation in patients that puts them at increased risk of overdose when taken with opioids. The NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has created a collection of FAQs to help clinicians understand the risks associated with co-prescribing gabapentin with opioids. Read the FAQs
In sharing this information, NCMB is in no way discouraging the use of gabapentin. The Board is encouraging, thoughtful consideration of dosing for both gabapentin and opioids in patients who have diagnoses that place them at risk for excessive sedation and respiratory depression.
Beginning March 1, outpatient pharmacies will begin reporting dispensed gabapentin prescriptions to NC CSRS, in accordance with the new law. The system currently logs all prescriptions for controlled substances dispensed in outpatient pharmacies across the state. Checking a patient’s prescription history with NC CSRS makes it possible to avoid harmful drug interactions, as well as spot potentially inappropriate controlled substances use.
State law requires medical professionals to check a patient’s 12-month prescription history with NC CSRS before writing an initial prescription for any Schedule II or Schedule III controlled substance. If you are not yet registered to use NC CSRS, sign up to access the system now. Learn more about North Carolina’s “mandatory use” law. [source]
Calling All NCMS Physician and PA Members! Nominations Open for Leadership Positions
Want to be an NCMS leader? Did you resolve to be involved on a committee? Here's your opportunity!
The NCMS Nominating and Leadership Development Committee submits the following:
Call for Nominations:
- NCMS Board of Directors
- NC American Medical Association Delegation
- Nominating and Leadership Development Committee
Overview
The call for nominations for individuals to serve on the NCMS Board of Directors, NC American Medical Association Delegation, and Nominating and Leadership Development Committee are now open.
NCMS Board of Directors
- President Elect: OPEN
- Region 1 Representative: Claude Jarrett, MD (eligible for an additional term)
- At-Large Member: Jugta Kahai, MD (eligible for an additional term)
- At-Large Member: OPEN
View current NCMS Board of Directors here.
View the NCMS Board of Directors Job Description here.
NC American Medical Association Delegation
- AMA Delegate: E. Rebecca Hayes, MD (eligible for an additional term)
- AMA Delegate: Karen Smith, MD (eligible for an additional term)
- AMA Delegate: Royce Syracuse, MD (eligible for an additional term)
- AMA Delegate: OPEN
View current NC AMA Delegation here.
View the NC AMA Delegation Job Description here.
Nominating and Leadership Development Committee
NLDC Region 1: Joe Navejar, MD (eligible for an additional term)
NLDC Region 1: OPEN
NLDC Region 2: OPEN
NLDC Region 3: Labron Chambers, Jr., MD (eligible for an additional term)
NLDC Region 3: OPEN
NLDC Region 3: OPEN
NLDC Region 4: OPEN
NLDC Region 4: OPEN
NLDC Region 4: OPEN
View current NLDC members here.
View the NLDC Job Description here.
Nominations are due by May 13, 2024 (click here to view Nomination Form).
Process
Step 1: Candidates are nominated or may nominate themselves for a leadership position on the NCMS Board of Directors, NC American Medical Association Delegation, and Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (click here to view Nomination Form).
Step 2: Once a candidate submits their nomination form, they will receive an email confirmation and made aware of any follow-up if needed.
Step 3: Upon careful review of submitted materials, the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (NLDC) will select candidates to be interviewed. Candidates will be notified via email by May 14, 2024, if they are selected for an interview. Interviews will take place via videoconference on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Step 4: The NLDC will present the initial slate of candidates to NCMS membership on July 19, 2024, including a nomination form for Specialty Society-Component Society nominations. Specialty Society-Component Society nominations are due by August 9, 2024.
Step 5: Following any additional candidate interviews, the NLDC will select a final slate of candidates to be approved by the NCMS Board of Directors that will then be brought before the NCMS membership for a vote.
Step 6: The voting period for the elected positions will begin for all Active NCMS Members (Members who have paid 2024 dues) on October 14, 2024, and will end on October 30, 2024. Election results will be announced at the NCMS Annual Business Meeting on November 2, 2024.
All nominations and any information collected as part of the nominating process is strictly confidential.
For more information or questions about the nominating process, please contact Evan Simmons at [email protected].
2024 NCMS Candidate Series - Tim Reeder, MD
2024 NCMS Candidate Series Featuring Dr. Tim Reeder
The 2024 North Carolina Medical Society Candidate Series continues with an exclusive interview featuring Dr. Tim Reeder. a candidate seeking re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives in Pitt County District 9. In this discussion, Dr. Reeder discusses legislative strategies addressing healthcare disparities in North Carolina's rural areas, reflects on the aftermath of last year's historic Medicaid expansion, shares his thoughts on prior authorization, and provides his outlook on healthcare priorities for the state's future.
All candidates who are members of NCMS and are running for either state or federal office have been extended invitations to articulate their perspectives on these crucial subjects. Stay tuned for forthcoming interviews with other candidates leading up to the November election.
See the full interview with Dr. Reeder here:
https://youtu.be/4Gj1fhg5qHo
There Could Soon be a Blood Test that Screens for Alzheimer's
Testing a person’s blood for a type of protein called phosphorylated tau, or p-tau, could be used to screen for Alzheimer’s disease with “high accuracy,” even before symptoms begin to show, a new study suggests.
The study involved testing blood for a key biomarker of Alzheimer’s called p-tau217, which increases at the same time as other damaging proteins — beta amyloid and tau — build up in the brains of people with the disease. Currently, to identify the buildup of beta amyloid and tau in the brain, patients undergo a brain scan or spinal tap, which often can be inaccessible and costly.
But this simple blood test was found to be up to 96% accurate in identifying elevated levels of beta amyloid and up to 97% accurate in identifying tau, according to the study published Monday in the journal JAMA Neurology.
Continue reading the full article here.
NC Leaders Announce Steps to Strengthen Caregiving Workforce
North Carolina leaders released a new report on the state's caregiving workforce, announcing the next steps in strengthening this critical group of workers. The report comes from the Caregiving Workforce Strategic Leadership Council, a group convened by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the North Carolina Department of Commerce of leaders from government agencies, educational institutions and other key organizations deeply engaged in health care. The new report offers a roadmap of initiatives the state will take to strengthen and support its health care workforce.
"Caregivers are critical to the health of North Carolina and provide life-changing and live-saving care to thousands of people, whether they need help daily, or during an emergency or crisis," said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "This collaborative work of state leaders is building a caregiver workforce pipeline and addressing financial strategies, so workers earn the competitive wages they deserve."
Read the full press release here.
Capitol Chronicle: Advocacy Engagement with Congresswoman Valerie Foushee
Congress’ recess during the January 22-26 week afforded the opportunity of scheduling an in-district meeting with Congresswoman Valerie Foushee. Rep. Foushee represents North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District and was elected in 2022, having served in the N.C. Senate for 10 years.
Meeting participants included:
Eileen Raynor, MD / President - NC Medical Society
Bryant Murphy, MD / Board of Directors member - NC Medical Society
Marion McCrary, MD / Governor - NC Chapter, American College of Physicians
W. Alan Skipper, CAE / Vice President, External Affairs – NC Medical Society
Issues discussed included:
- Medicare Physician Payment – Reverse the 3.4% Cut!
- Medicare Physician Payment – Enact an annual inflationary adjustment for physicians
- Prior Authorization - Relief for patients and physicians
- Step Therapy’s - Impact on patient care and outcomes
- Workforce - Needs for North Carolina
Pictured: Skipper, Murphy, Foushee, McCrary, Raynor
We need you . . . for in-district meetings with our North Carolina members of Congress. If you’d be willing to be included in a meeting with your member of Congress, please let us know by email.
Do you know your state and federal legislators?
More importantly, do your legislators know you?
The NCMS can help you connect with policy makers as a constituent and advocate!
Know an Exceptional Group Practice Administrator? Tell the World About Them!
The 2024 Administrator of the Year award, sponsored by Curi, recognizes a medical group practice administrator affiliated with the North Carolina Medical Group Management Association (NCMGMA). This person has exhibited exceptional leadership management proficiency and enhanced the effectiveness in the delivery of health care in his/her practice and community through a recent, noteworthy achievement.
All nominated candidates will be notified of their nomination. Award recipient will receive:
- An attractive award piece,
- $2,500 in reimbursable funds towards NCMGMA, MGMA and/or ACMPE educational resources,
- Public recognition at the NCMGMA Annual Conference (May 15-17, 2024 in Wilmington, NC),
- Promotion through a press release to national trade and consumer media,
- Recognition within the NCMGMA community and through the NCMGMA E-News Blog.
Required Documentation & Judging Requirements: Each nominee should be an NCMGMA member and the nomination should be accompanied by a completed nomination form with Questions & Exhibits listed below. Judging will consist of percentages as listed below.
NCMGMA Questions: 20 points
Candidate Form: 60 points
Letters of Support – 20 points
Nominate yourself or a colleague!
To nominate another administrator, please email [email protected]. The candidate will be contacted and asked to complete the following application form for consideration.
Email Completed Nominations to: [email protected]
Mail (Download form here):
NCMGMA Administrator of the Year
1300 Baxter St., Suite 360
Charlotte, NC 28204
Questions? Call 704-365-0565 or 1-800-753-6462
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: 5PM – MARCH 22 ,2024
Healthcare Innovations: New Treatment Option for Extreme Cardiac Patients
(From WWAY News in Wilmington) -- Novant Health’s Heart and Vascular program in Wilmington is introducing a new treatment option for heart failure. Darryl Hampton from Novant Health talked with WWAY Anchor Matt Bennett to shed light on this groundbreaking treatment.
Heart failure, as explained by Hampton, is a condition where the heart fails to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s oxygen demand. This prevalent issue within the community necessitates innovative solutions, and Novant Health’s Heart and Vascular Program aims to address it through a new treatment option.
The spotlight of this new treatment is on the Left Ventricular Assist Device (L-VAD), a mechanically assisted device implanted in patients with weakened hearts.
“It essentially puts blood flow back to a normal blood flow, so that patients can actually have a better quality of life,” Hampton said. “They don’t have the same symptoms anymore, so they’re not short of breath anymore. They’re able to do the things that they weren’t able to do prior to surgery.”
Choosing a treatment option depends on various factors, and Hampton explained that medications and lifestyle modifications are typically attempted first. Advanced therapies, including the L-VAD, are considered when initial treatments prove ineffective. Hampton emphasized the importance of offering choices, particularly when open-heart surgery is involved.
“Patients can choose whether to have that surgery or not. If they don’t, then we do have other options to really help improve their quality of life,” Hampton said. “But ultimately, the L-VAD is something that can prolong their life and also improve their quality of life.
Post-surgery, Novant Health provides an intensive cardiac rehab program. This program involves a pre-hab phase to build up stamina before surgery and a post-op phase, usually initiated six to 12 weeks after surgery. Patients work with cardiac rehab staff on monitored exercise programs tailored to their needs, contributing to their physical and emotional recovery.
What makes this treatment noteworthy is its local accessibility. In the past, patients had to travel long distances for institutions offering such advanced devices. Now, with Novant Health’s program, patients can access these services in their local hospital.
Type O Negative Blood Supply Critically Low at North Carolina Donation Center. How You Can Help.
Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is experiencing critically low supplies of Type O-blood. Local donors are encouraged to attend one of several urgent blood drives being held in the next few days.
All Cape Fear Valley Health hospitals in Cumberland, Bladen, Harnett and Hoke counties are affected, as the Blood Donor Center supplies blood products for all of them. As of Monday afternoon, there were only 8 units of type O-for the entire health system. One person has about 12 units of blood in their body.
The Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is also hoping to entice donors by giving them two movie tickets when they come out to donate blood. Businesses or organizations who would like to host a mobile blood drive should contact Kristyn Keefe at (910) 615-3306.
The Blood Donor Center, at 3357 Village Drive, Fayetteville, in the Bordeaux Shopping Center, is open for donations Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the third Saturday of each month, from 8 a.m. to Noon. [source]
Upcoming Mobile Blood Drives:
Tuesday, January 23:
- Outside of Cape Fear Valley Center for Medical Education and Neuroscience Institute, 10 a.m. to Noon
- Crown at Steeplechase, 4240 High Stakes Circle, Parkton, 3 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, January 24:
- Central Baptist Church, 6050 Plain View Highway, Dunn, 3 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 25:
- Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville campus, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday, January 29:
- Fayetteville Technical Community College, Spring Lake Campus, 9 to 11 a.m.
Monday, January 29:
- Wellness Care NC at Manna Church, 117 Cliffdale Road, Fayetteville, 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 30:
- Beaver Dam Volunteer Fire Department, 11042 N.C. Highway 210 South, Roseboro, 2:30 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 1:
- Fayetteville Heart Center, 2301 Robeson St., Ste. 301, Fayetteville, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NCDHHS to Livestream Fireside Chat and Tele-Town Hall on Mental Well-being
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live fireside chat and tele-town hall on Thursday, January 25, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss how people can support and improve their mental well-being, where to find resources, when to reach out for help and how to support loved ones who are struggling or in crisis.
Event participants include:
- Kelly Crosbie, MSW, LCSW, Director, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, NCDHHS
- Lillian M. Davis, Director of Public Policy, National Alliance on Mental Illness, NC
- Tracy Kennedy, Executive Director, 988 REAL Crisis Center
- Cherene Caraco, CEO and Chief Global Strategist, Promise Resource Network
The COVID-19 pandemic amplified the impacts of mental health on every community in North Carolina. Rates of depression and anxiety have nearly quadrupled and around one in four adults navigate these conditions. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 40 in the state.
Mental health is just as important as physical health and requires preventative care, monitoring and management, as well as open conversations on how to find resources and care.
Fireside chat and tele-town hall panelists will discuss the following:
- Ways to strengthen and improve mental well-being
- Where to find mental health information and resources
- How to support a loved one who is struggling or in crisis
- When to reach out for additional help and how to find support
More than 95,000 North Carolinians have used the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The service is available 24/7 to anyone struggling with mental health, suicidal thoughts or substance use, as well as those seeking help for a loved one in crisis. People can call or text 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org, to connect with a live counselor and receive free, confidential support in English or Spanish. Specialized services are also available for veterans and current service members, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and LGBTQI+ youth.
The fireside chat will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions. People can also dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 100652#.
Carolina Complete Health Implements Tobacco-free Policy for Contracted Medicaid Providers
Effective April 1, 2024, Carolina Complete Health (CCH) will require contracted Medicaid Providers to implement a tobacco-free policy covering any portion of the property on which the Provider operates that is under its control as owner or lessee, to include buildings, grounds, and vehicles. Carolina Complete Health will monitor compliance with the tobacco-free policy requirement through the member grievance reporting.
- Tobacco-Free Policy Resources and Trainings
- For exceptions and additional details, see the Provider Manual.
For more information about the North Carolina Standard Plan Tobacco-Free Requirement, view the NC Medicaid Blog published January 25th, 2022.
Did you Know?
Carolina Complete Health's Quit for Life® Tobacco Cessation Program can help members stop smoking or using other tobacco products.
- Members get an action plan to track progress and connect with others who are trying to quit.
- Use the mobile app to set a quit date, get tips to beat cravings and send a message to their coach for support.
- Use the live chat feature to get personal support from a Quit for Life® Coach in real time.
- Talk with a Quit for Life® Coach and work together towards quitting through 1-on-1 calls.
- Get emails and texts with tips and encouragement to fight urges and prevent relapse.
- Must be 18 years or older.
Learn more about CCH Value-Added Services and extra benefits.
AMA Center for Health Equity Seeks Applicants for the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship
The AMA Center for Health Equity seeks applicants for the Medical Justice in Advocacy Fellowship program’s 2024-2025 cohort. The program is administered through a partnership between the AMA and the Morehouse School of Medicine’s Satcher Health Leadership Institute.
Using an anti-racist, equity-centered learning framework, fellows engage with equity experts and trailblazers. The fellowship equips and empowers fellows to be part of the next generation of advocacy leaders, driving meaningful policy and structural changes that produce equity and justice in the communities they serve.
Application deadline is March 15, 2024.
Secure Your Spot at the NCMS Advocacy Summit: Shaping Healthcare Policy Together
Make Plans Now for NCMS Advocacy Summit in March
Happy New Year!
As you begin to fill your calendar for 2024, don’t forget to register for the NCMS Advocacy Summit - a gathering of healthcare leaders and policy experts dedicated to fostering meaningful discussions around legislative developments crucial to our profession. The event is March 23rd, so register now as space is limited!
Why Attend?
- Stay informed about critical legislative changes affecting your practice.
- Equip yourself with effective communication strategies for impactful advocacy.
- Network with fellow healthcare professionals and policy experts.
- Play a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare in our state.
We are confident that your participation in the NCMS Advocacy Summit will not only enrich your understanding of legislative landscapes but also empower you to make a tangible impact on behalf of your patients and the healthcare profession.
McKimmon Center
1101 Gorman Street
Raleigh, NC 27606
March 23, 2024
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Secure your spot at this influential summit here.
NC Society of Pathologists: Resident and Fellow Poster Session Call for Submissions
The North Carolina Society of Pathologists invites pathology residents and fellows to submit posters detailing original resident research (clinical/laboratory) as well as case reports.
Accepted posters will be judged by a panel of pathologists on Saturday, April 27, at the NCSP’s 2024 Annual Meeting. The top three winning posters will be awarded cash prizes.
Please coordinate your participation with your training program director and submit your abstract by April 1 to Megan Eberle by email to [email protected]. We will accept as many posters as space permits.
NC Society of Pathologists 2024 Annual Meeting
and Shelley Lecture
April 26-27 @ Marriott City Center - Charlotte, NC
Please note the following instructions:
- Abstract Eligibility: Original abstracts that either have or have not been presented at other meetings will be considered. They are eligible if they have been published, however, abstracts based upon full papers that have been published elsewhere are not eligible.
- Abstract Format: The title should be brief and clearly state the content of the paper. List name and degree for each author. Organize the body of the abstract as follows: (a) Purpose/objective, (b) Simple statement of methods, (c) Summary of results, (d) Statement of conclusions.
- Poster Format: Posters should be no larger than 3.5’ x 3.5’ in size.
If your abstract is selected for the poster session, you will be notified by April 5 so that you will have time to prepare your poster. We ask that you to attend to your poster in the vendor exhibit hall during the Friday evening cocktail reception, Saturday morning breakfast and Saturday morning break. For those who cannot arrive until Saturday, we require that you attend to your poster during the breakfast and break.
We hope you will attend the meeting regardless of whether you submit an abstract for the poster session. Watch your inbox for program and registration details to be announced in the coming weeks. As always, meeting registration is free for residents and fellows.
Accommodations: For room reservations, use this link or call the Charlotte Marriott City Center at 470-333-9000 and mention NCSP to get the group rate of $199 plus tax per night. The hotel cut-off is April 11.
We look forward to seeing you in Charlotte!
Warn Your Patients! Stay Warm, But Use Those Heating Sources Wisely!
Frostbite isn’t the only concern with the frigid temperatures
“You can’t smell it. You can’t see it. You can’t taste it,” said ECU Health Chief for the Division of Medical Toxicology Dr. Jason Hack
Dr. Hack said carbon monoxide poisoning can sicken people when their furnaces malfunction or they use other means to heat their homes.
He said that includes, “HVAC, our heaters in our home. Portable heaters, propane portable heaters that some people might bring in, or if they lose their electricity because of an ice storm or something along those lines, they might want to bring in a generator out of the storm or close to the home.”
Dr. Hack also said people should never sit in a running car to escape the cold if the heat is out at their home.
“Some people would tend to sit in their car and turn on turn on their vehicle while it’s still in their attached garage,” he said, “Even with the door open, these can be sources of enough carbon monoxide to injure or even, unfortunately, kill people within the home itself.”
It’s not a good idea, but a dangerous one, to use the gas stove in your kitchen to warm up the house. Dr. Hack said, “It could be producing low levels of carbon monoxide that might accumulate.”
And the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be non-specific.
“It can look like a lot of other things,” he said, “Such as weakness or dizziness. Some people complain of some shortness of breath. Headache is one of the most common presenting symptoms of carbon monoxide. Confusion. Some people actually complain of chest pain or palpitations and fainting.”
Dr. Hack said the best defense is a working carbon monoxide detector in every bedroom and living space in the house; he recommends that people to make sure the batteries are fresh and they’re working properly before the cold air arrives this weekend.
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 1,200 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning annually and more than 100,000 people visit the emergency department each year. [source]
FDA Authorizes Hand-Held AI-powered Device Used to Detect Skin Cancer
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first artificial intelligence-powered medical device to help doctors detect the most common forms of skin cancer in patients.
The technology, from Miami-based medical device maker DermaSensor, is used to further evaluate lesions that doctors have already flagged as suspicious and is not meant to be used as a screening tool, according to the FDA.
More specifically, the non-invasive, handheld device uses AI-powered spectroscopy tech to assess cellular and below-the-skin's-surface characteristics of lesions on patients. The device, also called DermaSensor, provides real-time results based on an AI algorithm that is trained on data related to more than 4,000 malignant and benign lesions, according to the company. It then delivers a "spectral similarity score" to known cases in order to complement a physician's own assessment of a mole or lesion.
How does it work?
According to the company:
1. A doctor identifies a potentially cancerous lesion on a patient.
2. The wireless device is pressed against the lesion to record it.
3. DermaSensor scans the lesion.
4. A proprietary algorithm analyzes spectral data and delivers an assessment in real-time.
5. An "Investigate Further" result suggests a specialist should examine the lesion.
6. A "Monitor" result suggests no further evaluation is immediately necessary.
Learn more about the device here.
Experts Gather to Talk Black Maternal Health
The maternal mortality rate in the United States greatly exceeds the maternal mortality rates of other Western countries.
At a recent event in Charlotte on Black maternal health, expert panelists noted several ways to help keep Black women from dying from pregnancy-related conditions: better representation, better understanding of life experiences, and dismantling of internal biases by health care providers.
An eight-person panel comprised of all Black women, working in various roles providing maternal health care, spoke about the current deficiencies in how the health care system provides care to Black women and ways this population can be better served.
“When I’m talking to a medical student and they say to me if a Black woman gets pregnant, she is at higher risk for preterm labor, that may in fact be true. But that’s looking at her Blackness as the risk,” said Pamela Cobb, an OB-GYN in Charlotte. “What we need to say is ‘the life experience of this Black person when she becomes pregnant puts her at risk for delivering this baby early.’”
Read the full article here.
Mark Your Calendar! In-Person Early Voting for 2024 Primary Election Begins February 15th
The 2024 Primary Election is scheduled for March 5, 2024. The General Election is scheduled for November 5, 2024.
Are you registered to vote? If not, instructions are available from the NC State Board of Elections.
Important Primary Election dates to note:
Jan. 19, 2024: County boards of elections begin mailing absentee ballots to eligible voters who submitted an absentee ballot request form. Request an absentee ballot here.
Feb. 9, 2024: Voter registration deadline - 5 pm. Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
Feb. 15, 2024: In-person early voting begins.
Feb. 27, 2024: Absentee ballot request deadline - 5 pm.
March 2, 2024: In-person early voting ends - 3 pm.
March 5, 2024: Primary Election Day.
March 5, 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline - 7:30 pm. Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
May 14, 2024: Second Primary Election Day (if necessary)
Important General Election dates for your calendar:
Sept. 6, 2024: County boards of elections begin mailing absentee ballots to eligible voters who submitted an absentee ballot request form. Request an absentee ballot here.
Oct. 11, 2024: Voter registration deadline - 5 pm. Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
Oct. 17, 2024: In-person early voting begins.
Oct. 29, 2024: Absentee ballot request deadline - 5 pm.
Nov. 5, 2024: Primary Election Day.
Nov. 5, 2024: Absentee ballot return deadline - 7:30 pm. Voter registration and absentee voting deadlines are different for military and overseas citizen voters.
Related articles:
Several ECU Health Physicians Clinics Receive National Recognition
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., yet is the fourth leading cause of death in North Carolina
Four ECU Health Physicians clinics have been recognized by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association for its commitment to improving blood pressure (BP) control rates, earning Gold-level recognition as part of Target: BP™. The Gold award recognizes practices in which high blood pressure is controlled in 70% or more of the adult patients affected.
“Managing and controlling your blood pressure is essential for preventing the development of heart disease and stroke, which continue to be leading causes of death for adults in our country,” said Dr. Jason Foltz, chief medical officer, ECU Health Physicians. “High blood pressure is a leading risk factor of heart disease and stroke that can often be prevented or managed if diagnosed and treated properly. Our region experiences high rates of diabetes, stroke and heart disease, and the Target: BP program allows ECU Health to better help patients lower their blood pressure by putting proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis.”
ECU Health Physicians clinics achieving Gold Status in Target: BP for 2023 include:
- Firetower Medical Office – 1204 E. Fire Tower Road, Greenville
- Family Medicine Center Purple and Gold Modules – 101 Heart Drive, Greenville
- General Internal Medicine – 521 Moye Medical Center, Greenville
According to the American Heart Association, high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and preventable death in the U.S. There are 121.5 million adults in the country living with hypertension – that is nearly half of all adults in the U.S. Unfortunately, less than half of them have their blood pressure under control, making both diagnosis and effective management critical. Heart disease is the leading cause of death both nationally and in the state. Meanwhile, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., yet is the fourth leading cause of death in North Carolina.
Target: BP is a national initiative formed by the American Heart Association and American Medical Association in response to the high prevalence of uncontrolled blood pressure. The initiative aims to help health care organizations and care teams, at no cost, improve blood pressure control rates through an evidence-based quality improvement program and recognizes organizations that are committed to improving blood pressure control.
“By committing to helping more people in eastern North Carolina control their blood pressure and reduce their risks for future heart disease and stroke, ECU Health is taking a key step to helping more people live longer, healthier lives,” said Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, PhD, MHS, RN, FAHA, Target: BP advisory group volunteer and associate professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. “ECU Health’s participation in the Target: BP initiative shows its dedication to turning clinical guidelines into lifelines for patients and their families.” [source]
NCDHHS Announces Details of New Children and Families Specialty Health Plan
Too many children are struggling to access the mental health care and support they need to thrive
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is committed to improving youth behavioral health in North Carolina and is leveraging the historic investment from the NC General Assembly to ensure everyone receives the care they need when and where they need it.
One of the key initiatives is the Children and Families Specialty Plan — a first of its kind statewide health plan to ensure access to comprehensive physical and behavioral health services for Medicaid-enrolled children, youth and families served by the child welfare system. NCDHHS released an updated policy paper about the plan, as NCDHHS prepares to launch the plan later this year.
"Too many children are struggling to access the mental health care and support they need to thrive — stuck in cycles of conflict at school, in emergency rooms without access to necessary care and sleeping in child welfare offices," said Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. "The Children and Family Specialty Plan is a first-of-its-kind innovation and part of our broader strategy to improve youth behavioral health and secure a healthy future for generations of North Carolinas."
Read the full press release here.
CMS Finalizes Prior Authorization Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized the Interoperability and Prior Authorization Final Rule on January 17, 2024. The rule impacts the following government funded insurance programs and plans:
- Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations,
- Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) fee-for-service (FFS) programs,
- Medicaid managed care plans,
- CHIP managed care entities, and
- Issuers of Qualified Health Plans (QHPs) offered on the Federally-facilitated Exchanges (FFEs)
CMS’ rule is designed to improve the electronic exchange of health information and improve prior authorization processes for medical items and services, including a reduction of the burden on patients and providers. It will result in clinicians being able to spend more time providing patient care and will help prevent avoidable delays in care for patients.
The rule is estimated to result in approximately $15 billion of savings over ten years.
Some specifics of the rule include:
- Minimum time frame for expediting prior authorization decisions
- Requirement that payers include a specific reason for denying a prior authorization request,
- Requirement that payers publicly report prior authorization metrics,
- Implementation of a more efficient electronic prior authorization process between providers and payers
Prior authorization relief at the state and national level has been an advocacy priority for the NC Medical Society and its members for many years. Further analysis of the rule will determine if CMS’ rule measures up to the provisions being sought in legislation under consideration by Congress.
The prior authorization legislation pending at the NC General Assembly, HB649/Ensure Timely, Clinically Sound Utilization Review, passed the House during the 2023 session and is presently in Senate. We look forward to working with the legislature to get this bill across the finish line in the upcoming 2024 session.
Appreciation is due to NCMS members and partner medical societies for their efforts to help ensure patients receive the necessary and appropriate medical care they deserve. The new CMS rule is due in large part to the unified effort to fix a burdensome, costly and improper process.
The final CMS rule is available to review at: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/cms-0057-f.pdf.
A CMS fact sheet for rule is available at: https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/cms-interoperability-and-prior-authorization-final-rule-cms-0057-f.
NCDHHS Urges Testing and Treatment in Outpatient Settings for Those with Mild Symptoms
As seasonal respiratory illnesses surge, NCDHHS is urging people to get tested and seek treatment early to prevent severe illness.
People with mild symptoms should seek testing and treatment from their regular health care provider, urgent care or a telehealth provider, rather than going to the emergency department during this spike in COVID-19, flu, RSV and other respiratory illnesses.
In addition to testing and treatment, flu and COVID-19 vaccinations are readily available at pharmacies, private medical offices and some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments.
Go to vaccines.gov today to find a vaccine location near you. Children with Medicaid can receive the COVID-19 vaccine – as well as other recommended vaccines including the flu vaccine – at their local health department or through the Vaccines for Children Program free of charge.
Health Centers: Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination Final Program Report Due Soon
ECV Report Deadline Fast Approaching
Health centers using Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination (ECV) funding must submit a final program report by Saturday, March 30. (If you received a project period extension, your deadline will be extended accordingly. The final report is due 90 days after the project period end date.) The report will be available in the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Electronic Handbooks beginning Friday, March 1.
HRSA will soon share technical assistance (TA) resources on the ECV TA webpage to help you understand what is expected in this report and also hold a TA session so you can get answers. Look for announcements about these resources and opportunities.
If your health center needs more time to complete approved ECV award activities, contact your Grants Management Specialist or Investment Oversight Advisor as soon as possible.
HHS Focuses on Climate Change, Health Equity with Inflation Reduction Act Catalytic Program
The HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity will launch its "catalytic program" this month. It will support health care organizations, including health centers, in taking advantage of the tax credits, grants, and other supports made available by the historic Inflation Reduction Act.
More details on the initiative were provided during a November 30th information session, which is now available in recorded form at this link.
A full schedule of planned national sessions (which will begin on January 25th), as well as breakouts for different safety net provider types (which will begin on February 1st), is below.
You can sign up for all or some of the national sessions at this link.
- Session 1 (January 25, 2024, noon-1pm eastern): Introduction
- Session 2 (February 8, 2024, noon-1pm eastern): Self-Assessment
- Session 3 (February 22, 2024, noon-1pm eastern): IRA Tax Credits Overview
- Session 4 (March 7, 2024, noon-1pm eastern): IRA Tax Credits Specifics
- Session 5 (March 21, 2024, noon-1pm eastern): Other IRA Opportunities
- Session 6 (April 4, 2024, noon-1pm eastern): Financing Strategies
- Session 7 (April 18, 2024, noon-1pm eastern): Open Questions, Wrap-Up and Next Steps
You can sign up for all or some of the essential hospital breakout sessions, which will consider content from the preceding national session through the lens of essential hospitals, at this link. These sessions will occur on the following schedule:
- Session 1 (February 1, 2024, noon-1pm eastern)
- Session 2 (February 15, 2024, noon-1pm eastern)
- Session 3 (February 29, 2024, noon-1pm eastern)
- Session 4 (March 14, 2024, noon-1pm eastern)
- Session 5 (March 28, 2024, noon-1pm eastern)
- Session 6 (April 11, 2024, noon-1pm eastern)
You can sign up for all or some of the community health center breakout sessions, which will consider content from the preceding national session through the lens of community health centers, at this link. These sessions will occur on the following schedule:
- Session 1 (February 1, 2024, 1-2pm eastern)
- Session 2 (February 15, 2024, 1-2pm eastern)
- Session 3 (February 29, 2024, 1-2pm eastern)
- Session 4 (March 14, 2024, 1-2pm eastern)
- Session 5 (March 28, 2024, 1-2pm eastern)
- Session 6 (April 11, 2024, 1-2pm eastern)
You can sign up for all or some of the rural provider breakout sessions, which will consider content from the preceding national session through the lens of rural providers, at this link. These sessions will occur on the following schedule:
- Session 1 (February 1, 2024, 2-3pm eastern)
- Session 2 (February 15, 2024, 2-3pm eastern)
- Session 3 (February 29, 2024, 2-3pm eastern)
- Session 4 (March 14, 2024, 2-3pm eastern)
- Session 5 (March 28, 2024, 2-3pm eastern)
- Session 6 (April 11, 2024, 2-3pm eastern)
For more information on the Catalytic Program, please contact the HHS here.
Tell Your Patients! Mobile Free Pharmacy Event Happening Soon
Your Patients May be Eligible for Free OTC Medicines
The Mobile Free Pharmacy provides adults and children who are low-income and in need with free over the counter medicine. Medicine such as aspirin, children’s cough syrup, allergy medicine and vitamins are just a few items given to families who need assistance.
The next event will be held in Wake County tomorrow, Friday, January 19th.
Roberts Park Community Center
1300 E Martin St Raleigh, NC 27610
Friday, January 19, 2024
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Upcoming Mobile Free Pharmacy Events:
Davidson County: February 2nd
Orange County: February 9th
Alamance County: February 17th
Free Drinks, Snacks, and Fun with the NC Medical Society!
Was your New Year's resolution to be more social?
NC Medical Society's got you covered!
Physicians, PAs, Residents & Students
Join us for free drinks, snacks, and a chance to beat the winter doldrums!
Come meet old friends and make some new ones at the first NCMS Social of 2024.
January 29 - 6pm-8pm
Joymongers Brewing, Winston-Salem
480 W End Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27101
REGISTER NOW!
For more information, please contact Toni Hill, [email protected].
Protecting you, your patients and the future of healthcare.
Scientists Find Pathway That Could Aid in Breast Cancer Prevention and Treatment
A research team led by Gaorav Gupta, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the UNC School of Medicine and member of UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, discovered the inner workings of an immune response pathway that could aid in cancer prevention and treatment.
“Our findings suggest that loss of this pathway may be what’s allowing breast cancer cells to withstand high levels of DNA damage without being recognized by the immune system,” said Gupta. “We’re very interested in identifying ways to reactivate this pathway to treat and potentially even prevent cancer development.”
Continue to the full article here.
Heart Community Event Brings Better Heart Health to Women
Greensboro – Women can learn the latest on staying heart healthy at the third annual Women’s Heart Community Event, February 2, at Union Square in Greensboro. The free program features a host of Cone Health experts, health screenings and expos designed for the unique health needs of women. 
According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the state. At the Women’s Heart Community Event, participants can hear about the latest research and learn ways to prevent heart disease and improve overall wellness.
The event opens at 7:30 with a free breakfast. Classes begin at 8 a.m. with lectures on:
- 8:15 a.m. - FemmeFit Focus: Decoding Women's Cardiometabolic Health with Dr. Bridgett Christopher
- 8:45 a.m. - EmpowerHER: Navigating Well-Woman Visits for Lifelong Health with Dr. Carolyn Harraway-Smith
- 9:15 a.m. - Under Pressure: The Link Between Stress and Cardiovascular Health with Dr. Matt Schooler
- 9:45 a.m. - Pulse & Power: Navigating Hypertension in Women's Heart Health with Dr. Tiffany Randolph
- 10:15 a.m. - Heart Harmony: Fueling Wellness through Nutrition and Movement with Dr. Heather Pemberton
From 11-2, there will be boxed lunches and free health screenings. (Appointments are required for mammograms. Visit www.conehealth.com/communityheart for scheduling information.)
Participants can also choose classes matching their own interests at the expo.
- Heart healthy cooking demonstrations
- Minute With a Pharmacist meetings
- Hands-only CPR training
- Blood pressure and blood sugar screening with monitoring and consultations
- Mammography bus
This is a free event, but space is limited for the morning educational sessions. Register to attend at conehealth.com/communityheart.[source]
Webinar: Changes in Federal Regulation Regarding Medical Providers Prescribing Buprenorphine
This webinar aims to provide a comprehensive review of the latest updates in DATA Waiver and DEA Training prerequisites for medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and buprenorphine. It will explore the reasons behind the implementation of the Waiver Elimination (MAT-Act), outline the key components of the MAT-Act that took effect in 2023, highlight the advantages of the MAT-Act for healthcare providers and prescribers, and inform participants about the free training and consultation opportunities related to the treatment of patients with Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD).
Thursday, January 18
1:00-1:30 p.m. ET
Learn more and register here.
Earn 0.5 continuing education credits for attending this session.
It's Odorless, Colorless, and Dangerous! It's Radon. A Free Test Kit Can Help Detect It.
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is giving out 5,000 free radon test kits this month during Radon Action Month.
Radon, which NCDHHS says is “released from the ground into outdoor air,” can reach harmful levels when it gets trapped and accumulates in homes and buildings.
The only way to determine if a home has risky levels of the odorless, colorless gas is to test for it. North Carolina residents can order a free test kit this month, while supplies last, at radon.ncdhhs.gov.
According to NCDHHS, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers, and around 450 North Carolinians die each year from radon-induced lung cancer. The risk factor for that type of cancer for current or former tobacco smokers also increases by 10 if they live in a place with elevated levels of the harmful gas.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that 73 of North Carolina’s 100 counties have indoor air radon levels that are “above safety standards,” meaning a level of four picoCuries per liter of air.
The NC Radon Program recommends that people who find elevated levels in their homes or buildings hire a certified radon mitigator to help bring the risk level down. More information on radon mitigation can be found here. [source]
Is Practice Efficiency on Your Resolution List? AMA Practice Innovation Boot Camp Can Help!
AMA STEPS Forward® Innovation Academy is hosting a Saving Time: Practice Innovation Boot Camp on March 4-5, 2024 in Chicago, IL.
This in-person event is perfect for health care change agents looking to improve practice efficiencies and eliminate unnecessary work.
Participants will gain invaluable insights into process streamlining, de-implementation strategies, EHR inbox reduction and how to maximize team-based care. The goal is to equip attendees with practical timesaving tools that they can take back to their organizations.
Registration Details:
- Dates: March 4-5, 2024
- Location: AMA Plaza, Chicago
- Cost: $179 members / $299 nonmembers (AMA members save 40%)
- Included: Breakfast and lunch both days, Monday evening food and drink reception, and access to a discounted hotel rate
Boot Camp Subject Matter Experts:
- Marie Brown, MD, MACP, director, practice redesign, American Medical Association
- Jane F. Fogg, MD, MPH, senior physician advisor, physician satisfaction, AMA
- Kevin Hopkins, MD, primary care medical director, Cleveland Clinic, and senior physician advisor, AMA
- Jill Jin, MD, MPH, clinical assistant professor of medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and senior physician advisor, AMA
- Christine A. Sinsky, MD, vice president, professional satisfaction, AMA
Space is limited to 40 participants, so don’t wait to secure your spot! Click here to learn more and register.
Register Now for Medicaid Managed Care January Fireside Chat
Medicaid Managed Care Fireside Chat:
Key Medicaid Updates
Thursday, January 18 | 5:30 p.m.
Please join for the first Fireside Chat of the new year on Thursday, January 18 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The “state of the state” that will include sensitive updates for all providers in NC about Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Quality reports, Advanced Medical Home Modernization, and Tailored Plan Consolidation and Launch. This will also be Dr. Dowler’s final Fireside Chat and we will highlight ‘Medicaid Superlatives’ from her last five years.
This will be the last scheduled update for the immediate future. Your feedback about future communication desires and venues from Medicaid will be welcomed!
A Look Back at the 2023 North Carolina Legislative and 2023 Congressional Sessions
As we begin 2024, we invite you to take a look back at the 2023 North Carolina Legislative and 2023 Congressional Sessions.
Each report gives a sampling of the bills the North Carolina Medical Society has tracked in on this session at the state and federal level. The NCMS monitored over 250 bills. The state legislative report is broken down by NCMS legislative priorities and the bills that fall into each category, highlighting a select number NCMS engaged in.
Each report is your membership at work at the state and federal level. The NCMS is constantly at work for you, your patients, and your practice, making sure your profession is protected from legislative interference!
Thank you to all our members who engaged in meetings with legislators, White Coat Days, and Actions Alerts in 2023! We can’t wait to see what 2024 brings!
View the 2023 Long Session Legislative Report:
View the 2023 Congressional Update:
Recognize a Colleague for their Excellence in Medicine
The AMA Foundation Excellence in Medicine Awards recognize physicians and medical advocates who exemplify the highest values of volunteerism, community engagement, leadership and dedication to the care of underserved populations. These awards highlight the critical role that physicians play and are intended to inspire others in and beyond the profession to strive for excellence.
Nominations for the 2024 Excellence in Medicine Awards are now open! Know an outstanding physician who goes above and beyond their everyday work? Nominate them today.
Awards will be presented during the AMA 2024 Annual Meeting in June.
For questions or additional information, contact Jennifer Leininger Knipstein, Senior Program Officer, AMA Foundation.
Deadline to nominate is February 5, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Time is Running Out! Get Your Nominations in for Physicians Foundation Leadership Award Program
The Physicians Foundation has extended its call for nominations for the Leadership Award Program! New or early-career physicians are now encouraged to apply by January 31, 2024.
The Physicians Foundation’s Leadership Awards Program recognizes physicians for extraordinary actions in their practice or community. Award recipients will receive a $10,000 scholarship to elevate their efforts to address drivers of health (DOH) or advance innovative solutions to make their communities or practices a healthier place for patients and physicians.
Nominations will fall into two award categories:
- The Dr. Buz Cooper Award for Addressing Drivers of Health: In alignment with the Foundation’s work to recognize and act on challenges related to DOH, this award honors a physician who has gone above and beyond to connect their patients with the social, economic, educational and environmental resources that they need for their overall health. The award’s namesake is Richard (Buz) Cooper, MD, author of Poverty and the Myths of Health Care Reform.
- Medical Innovator Award: The Physicians Foundation champions the role of physicians as stewards for high-quality, cost-efficient care. The Medical Innovator Award recognizes a physician who has innovated and successfully implemented a new solution to strengthen the physician-patient relationship, support their medical practice’s sustainability or navigate the changing health care system.
Requirements include:
- Open to physicians who are new or early-career (practicing less than 15 years).
- Demonstrate physician leadership in relevant award category.
- Be nominated by a sponsor (mentor, colleague or peer) in coordination with the nominee. Sponsors should provide a short statement of recommendation.
- Submit a video component, current resume/CV and a statement that briefly describes how the scholarship will allow them to continue making positive, constructive contributions to the medical profession.
About The Physicians Foundation
The Physicians Foundation is a nonprofit seeking to advance the work of practicing physicians and help them facilitate the delivery of high-quality health care to patients. As the U.S. health care system continues to evolve, The Physicians Foundation is steadfast in strengthening the physician-patient relationship, supporting medical practices’ sustainability and helping physicians navigate the changing health care system. The Physicians Foundation pursues its mission through research, education and innovative grant making that improves physician wellbeing, strengthens physician leadership, addresses drivers of health and lifts physician perspectives. For more information, visit www.physiciansfoundation.org
National Program Provides Free Telehealth to Eligible COVID/Flu Patients
Under the new national Home Test to Treat Program, patients, regardless of insurance or immigration status, can get a free telehealth visit with a practitioner if they test positive for COVID or the flu. They can also get free or low-cost treatments (e.g., Paxlovid) delivered to their home or pharmacy. Also, all patients can once again get free COVID tests by mail.
The Home Test to Treat Program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to better understand how technologies such as at-home tests and telemedicine can improve healthcare access for individuals across the country. Findings will be used to inform future public health programs for the American people. Any data shared with researchers will be limited to what is necessary to evaluate the program and will not include information which can identify individuals.
Safety Stuff that Matters! A Compliance Webinar Series
Safety Stuff That Matters!
A Compliance Webinar Series
Jan 17 – May 15, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM
Live Webinar Series
This Lunch and Learn series is a monthly, 1-hour session which will educate clinical and leadership staff about clinical compliance concerns that could affect patient safety at the practices. This monthly series will be held on the third Wednesday of each month starting January 17, 2024 from 12 PM - 1 PM.
Speaker
Karen Gregory, RN, CDIPC
Questions? Contact May Cheung: [email protected]
Session 1 | OSHA is Here! No Need to Fear January 17, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM
The OSHA inspector is standing at your front desk. Does that create a knot in your stomach? Untie it! This course will prepare you to breeze through an inspection by providing a review of pertinent laws that impact outpatient care facilities. Requirements of the Bloodborne Pathogen standard, Hazard Communication and other pertinent regulations will be reviewed. The step-by-step process of an OSHA inspection will be discussed along with how to respond if citations/penalties are issued. It is possible to ‘never fear’ an OSHA inspection! Join us and we’ll show you how.
Session 2 | Who’s on First: The Role of the Infection Control Coordinator February 21, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM
Now more than ever, safety is a hot topic! Patients are well informed about healthcare risks and workers expect a safe workplace. Incidents involving either can have a negative impact on reputation and finances. This session will provide insight on the selection of an infection control coordinator, development of an infection prevention plan and creating safety policies and procedures. Pertinent regulations addressing worker safety and guidance from other relevant organizations will be reviewed.
Session 3 | TIME OUT!! Management of a Blood Exposure March 20, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM
An exposure to blood or certain body fluids should be considered an emergency with very clearly defined steps in place to evaluate the exposed employee and the source patient. This session will discuss actions required by the Bloodborne Pathogen Standard to ensure the employee receives the best possible follow-up after this event.
Session 4 | No Wet Packages: Instrument Processing Done Correctly and Efficiently April 17, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM
Isn’t it frustrating when you realize your packages are wet at the end of a sterilization cycle? You are not alone! Correct instrument processing is a top priority for every practice and an efficient process will save you time and money! This fast-paced course answers the most common questions about instrument processing and provides a clear,
4-step process to ensure your instruments are readily available and safe for patient use.
Session 5 | One Needle, One Syringe: Safe Injection Practices May 15, 2024 | 12 PM – 1 PM
As defined by the World Health Organization, a safe injection does not harm the recipient, does not expose the provider to any avoidable risks and does not result in waste that is dangerous for the community. Think about how many injections are provided each day in your practice? Are you aware of the clearly established criteria to reduce the risk of infection or a non-infectious adverse event? This session will examine cases where patient harm was associated with unsafe injection practices AND provide recommendations to ensure you and the patient are safe when providing parenteral medications.
CE Information:
1.0 Contact Hour / 0.1 CEU per session attended.
Participants must attend the session in full to receive full CE credit.
Participants can earn up to 5.0 Contact Hours / 0.5 CEUs for the entire series.
NC System Utilizes New Tech to Detect Breast Cancer Earlier
Catawba Valley Health System has announced new technology that helps doctors find breast cancers earlier, when they may be more easily treated, with fewer false positives, which can be stressful for patients. The technology is the first of its kind in the Catawba County region, the next closest located in Greensboro.
Located at Catawba Valley Imaging Center (CVIC), a service of Catawba Valley Medical Center, the technology is called Profound AI and maximizes the benefits of a woman having a 3D screening mammogram. ProFound AI acts as another pair of eyes along with the radiologists reviewing 3D mammography images. The most state-of-the-art software available, it rapidly analyzes each 3D mammogram image, detecting cancers with unprecedented accuracy.
According to Lindsay Runion, director of mammography at CVIC, “Profound AI is FDA-approved and clinically proven to enhance breast cancer detection, while significantly reducing the rate of false positives and unnecessary additional testing and stress for women. This technology should provide women in our region great peace of mind that their mammograms are read with the ultimate precision and clarity.”
The ProFound AI software rapidly compares a patient’s mammography images against those it has learned from and alerts radiologists if suspicious areas may warrant a closer look. “Simply put,” Runion added, “this kind of advanced technology is used in healthcare to have mammograms read thoroughly, accurately, and in a more timely manner.”
While digital (3D) mammography has become the industry standard for screening mammograms, Profound AI offers advantages over 3D screenings alone:
- 8 percent average increase in sensitivity over digital screening alone
- 6.9 percent increase in specificity over digital screening alone
- 7.2 percent reduction in patient recalls.
Runion said, “As this region’s trusted radiology provider, we work diligently to ensure our radiologists have the latest tools and advancements available. You won’t find this leading-edge technology in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, or anywhere in our state west of Greensboro. There is simply no reason to drive away from Catawba County to get the very best in breast care.” [source]
TODAY: NCDHHS Livestream Spanish-language Cafecito and Tele-Town Hall: North Carolina Medicaid for More People
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Cafecito and tele-town hall TODAY, Thursday, January 11, from 6 to 7 p.m., to discuss Medicaid expansion, who is newly eligible, ways to apply and which qualified immigration statuses are eligible for health care coverage.
Event participants include:
- Yazmin Garcia Rico, MSW, Director of Latinx and Hispanic Policy and Strategy, NCDHHS
- Jennifer Platts, Communications Specialist, NC Medicaid
- Kate Woomer-Deters, Senior Attorney, Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, NC Justice Center
North Carolina Medicaid is now available for more people following the historic expansion on Dec. 1, 2023. More than 600,000 people ages 19 through 64 years are newly eligible for health care coverage, including thousands of individuals who are part of the Hispanic and Latino community.
Cafecito and tele-town hall panelists will discuss the following:
- Who is eligible for Medicaid
- How to apply for health care coverage
- Where to find Medicaid resources and application support in Spanish
- Impacts of Medicaid expansion on health coverage for the Hispanic and Latino community in North Carolina
Some non-U.S. citizens with qualified immigration status in North Carolina can get health care coverage through Medicaid. An expert from the North Carolina Justice Center, Kate Woomer-Deters, will provide insights on who might be eligible for Medicaid based on their immigration status, how Medicaid impacts Public Charge and where people can access confidential support.
The Cafecito will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions. People can also dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 100647#.
NCDHHS' Cafecito's and tele-town halls are part of the state's ongoing public efforts to ensure equitable access to timely health information, including Medicaid enrollment updates and resources to help North Carolinians find health care coverage. [source]