Letter from Shelly Voet, MD - Executive Community Physician Leader
April 23, 2023
Dear fellow PCPs,
Thanks for taking the time to read Synapse this month. We hope you find the update on Group A strep and the updated electronic resources included in this issue helpful.
Infectious Diseases: This month, the infectious disease faculty shared with us that CCHMC lab has had a few recent cases of pertussis. Here are a few reminders from the Red Book and CDC:
Healthcare providers taking care of a patient with suspected or known pertussis should observe droplet and standard precautions. A single dose of Tdap is recommended for any HCP who has not previously received it to help protect against pertussis.
Post-exposure prophylaxis is recommended for all HCP (even if immunized) who have been exposed to pertussis and are likely to expose patients at risk of severe pertussis. Other HCP should either receive PEP or should be monitored for 21 days after exposure and treated at the onset of signs and symptoms. Other people defined as close contacts of a patient with pertussis should receive chemoprophylaxis (and immunization when indicated). HCP with symptoms of pertussis (or symptoms within 21 days of exposure) should be excluded from work for at least the first 5 days of the recommended antimicrobial therapy. Vaccination of all HCP with Tdap remains a good way to ensure our pediatric workforce remains healthy.
Positive blood cultures: Dr. Anna Ipsaro, faculty member in Hospital Medicine, is continuing work with the ED on a project to decrease unnecessary care for patients with contaminant blood cultures. While it used to be common practice for kids with positive blood cultures to receive a repeat, a recent lab advance (the ePlex system) now makes rapid (2-3 hours) identification of likely contaminants possible. The ED team is using the new algorithm HERE to manage patients with positive blood cultures and will call and leave a message at PCP offices when a contaminant is identified. Please share with your teams so they know they may be receiving these calls informing them that a patient does not need a repeat blood culture.
COVID -19 vaccination – This month, the FDA amended the EUA for COVID-19 vaccinations. This action includes authorizing the current bivalent vaccines (original and omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains) to be used for all doses administered to individuals 6 months of age and older, including for an additional dose or doses for certain populations. The monovalent doses are no longer authorized. The FDA dosing guidance papers are available HERE. This Hamilton County website has information about regional locations where vaccine is provided: COVID-19 Information - Hamilton County Public Health | Hamilton County Public Health (hamiltoncountyhealth.org).
Transitions – This month Dr. Rich Falcone, former Chief of Perioperative Services, was named as the next Chief of Staff at Cincinnati Childrens. Rich will succeed Dr. Patty Manning in July 2023. The Community Practice Advisory Council is very grateful for Dr. Manning’s leadership and partnership for the last 3 years, and we are looking forward to working with Dr. Falcone.
It was good to see many of you at the Cincinnati Pediatric Society Spring dinner to celebrate some of our own. Congratulations to the 2023 award recipients: Dr. Chris Peltier, Community Pediatrician Recognition Award, Dr. Courtney Larke, Emanuel Doyne Community Teaching Award, and Dr. Priya Singh, Outstanding Second Year Resident Award.
Best,
Shelly
Shelly F. Voet MD
Pediatric Associates PSC
CCHMC Executive Community Physician Leader