Finally Friday! Here is your
NCMS Morning Rounds.
June 5, 2020
NCMS Staff Delivers More PPE
Over the past few days, NCMS staff members have been busy – safely — delivering masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to practices in the eastern third of the state. The donated equipment is a result of a collaboration between the NCMS and various organizations including Centene, the NC Healthcare Association, Ford, Lowes Home Improvement and Congressman David Rouzer (NC-7th district).
Here are a list of the practices that received PPE:
Wilmington Gastroenterology
Carousel Center
Boiling Spring Lakes Family Medicine
Brad Lee Hilaman, MD, PA
Brunswick Family Medicine
Leland Pediatrics, PC
G & G Healthcare, PC
Chadbourn Family Practice Center, PA
Baldwin Woods GYN, PA
Whiteville Medical Associates
Eastern Medical Associates
Waynesborough Ophthalmology
Wayne Women’s Clinic
Goldsboro Pediatrics
Integrative Arthritis and Pain Consultants
Rocky Point Medical Center
Bryan M. Weckel, MD Family Medicine
Coastal Primary Health Specialists, PLLC
Burgaw Medical Center
Daniel Ricci, MD, PA
Rose Hill Medical Center
State Announces New COVID-19 Testing and Tracing Tools
Yesterday the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) announced new tools to help expand COVID-19 testing capacity, streamline contact tracing and to provide guidance on how to spread the word about how individuals can protect themselves and their community.
The new Check My Symptoms webpage that allows people to enter their symptoms and determine if they should get tested for COVID-19. If they are recommended to be tested, they will receive a link to a list of nearby testing sites via email or text. Note: The symptom checker is an informational tool to help people determine if they may need to be tested; however it is not a physician order. Testing sites may require their own screening.
The public may also access the ‘Find My Testing Place’ website, enter their county or ZIP code and find a list of nearby testing sites.
Your practice team and patients should also be aware of the work of the COVID-19 Community Team, made up of trained contact tracers. Team members reach out to people who have tested positive for COVID-19, or anyone who has been near someone with COVID-19, and get them the information and support they need. This support can include helping someone understand what it means to have been exposed to COVID-19, how to monitor their symptoms, when to get tested, if needed, and how to protect their loved ones.
When the COVID-19 Community Team reaches out, it is important that people answer the call. Individuals being contacted would get an initial text from the number 45394 or email from [email protected] with follow-up phone calls from NC OUTREACH (844-628-7223) or the Local Health Department. The Community Team represents North Carolinians across the state and will be available to provide support and information in multiple languages.
NCDHHS has created a toolkit to help you disseminate this information to your patients via printed materials and social media posts. Access the toolkit here.
Congressional Action Brings Possible Changes to Paycheck Protection Program
On Wednesday, the US Senate passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, which the US House of Representatives had passed on May 28. The legislation, which is awaiting President Trump’s signature, includes sweeping changes to the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.
Key provisions in the new bill include that PPP borrowers will now have 24 weeks to use the funds rather than the initial 8-week period. Also, the new rules allow borrowers to apportion 60 percent of the PPP funds toward labor costs, whereas the old rule set the threshold at 75 percent of the loan proceeds. Borrowers also would have five years instead of two to pay off the loan.
The SBA’s PPP webpage has not been updated with any of the new information pending the President’s approval of the legislation. This article from the Journal of Accountancy details more about the changes included in the new legislation.
In the News
Hype Collides With Science As FDA Tries to Rein In ‘Wild West’ of COVID Blood Tests, Kaiser Health News, 6-3-20
Learning Opportunity
Join us for an important conversation TODAY, June 5 from 1 to 2 p.m. The events of the last two weeks have focused the nation’s attention on issues of racism and the many ways it is evident in our society. This week’s Power Hour brings together health care professionals who have thought profoundly about these issues and how they impact us, our patients and our communities.
Please join us as we explore the current reality including discussion of health inequities and disparities, as well as what we can do as individual physicians, PAs and as part of an organization like the NCMS to foster positive change.
Participants will include:
• NCMS President Palmer Edwards, MD, DFAPA
• NCMS Past President Paul R.G. Cunningham, MD
• NCMS President-elect Philip M. Brown, Jr., MD
• NCMS Strategy Officer Karen Smith, MD
• NC Medical Board President Bryant A. Murphy, MD, MBA
• Founder, Black Doctors USA George Pride, PhD
The Kanof Institute for Physician Leadership (KIPL) Power Hour aims to provide a forum for ongoing conversation, collaboration and community. Tune in to Power Hour weekly to hear from different experts, decision makers and influencers on a variety of topics. The format is informal and conversational and sessions are easy to access through Zoom.