Updates from Dr. Shelly Voet
September 19, 2020
It is hard to believe but it has been almost exactly six months since we fairly abruptly adapted to practice in a pandemic. Vigilance, flexibility, and communication will continue to be essential as we transition into fall and winter with SARS-CoV-2 in our midst. As always, thank you for your perseverance in caring for the kids in our region!
Along those lines, here are the highlights from our work this month:
Regarding COVID-19
1. Infection Control – While each practice and clinical site may have different circumstances and patient needs, general principles are useful for all. This month faculty in Gen Peds and ID put together a guide called Pediatric Primary Care Infection Control during COVID 19 found HERE that has guidance on how to serve both ill and well children in one location during COVID-19.
2. Schools – Many schools have opened to in person or hybrid instruction. Our public health partners have encouraged us to test patients, including children, with any symptoms possibly consistent with COVID-19. Schools will generally require this testing prior to return unless there is a definite alternative diagnosis. Kids with non-COVID-19 illness should also be encouraged to return to in person instruction only when their symptoms are improving and controllable to help reduce the spread of other respiratory illness this fall.
3. Flu Vaccine – We will be hosting a virtual Town Hall for interested pediatric providers to discuss flu and COVID-19 and share ideas on vaccinating in October. Watch for the weekly COVID email (Tuesdays) for details.
4. Testing – SARS-CoV-2 NP PCR testing will continue to be available by appointment at CCHMC with lab turnaround within 24 hours. The lab has also responded to requests to enable providers to also order influenza PCR (same NP swab) and strep testing (additional OP swab) at that appointment (see website for details). High capacity tents at Base and Liberty will no longer be used with cooler weather, so practices may want to consider collecting specimens in your office to send to the lab via courier. Contact Emily Kimball ( Emily.kimball@cchmc.org ) if interested in test kits for your practice.
Non-COVID-19 items
1. Cincinnati Children’s Psychiatry will no longer be admitting patients 18 and older to their partial hospitalization and inpatient programs. This change is estimated to affect 2-3 patients per month. Your practice may want to adjust referral patterns for psychiatric conditions to reflect this change. PIRC staff can assist with recommendations for alternative sites. You can reach them at 513-636-4124.
2. Enhanced Communication with Divisions – Our Community Practice Advisory Group has been working with Jeff Anderson and multiple divisions on an innovative new non-urgent PCP to division communication method using Epic Link. We have been working with 9 divisions with 8 more expected to join by the end of the year. Watch Synapse for details of our plans to expand this to all community providers in January of 2021.
3. Coding changes – Substantial changes are coming to E/M coding effective Jan 1, 2021. You can access information from the AMA on this here: https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-releases-2021-cpt-code-set
4. 21st Century Cures Act – A portion of this act was directed at increased interoperability and transparency of electronic health records. Compliance with the final rule regarding information blocking is effective in November of 2020. Health IT will be required to make it easier for patients to access their medical records via apps, portals or another accessible technology. Your EHR vendor will likely have more specific information.
5. PCP Support Tools/Education – Additional Community Practice Support tools have been developed by CCHMC faculty. Remember these are available through the “PCP Support Tools” app on your phone. The next live educational event (with additional tools) will be focused on GYN issues.
Again, thank you for all that you do. Please do not hesitate to contact your POE liaison, your regional physician leader, or me with any ideas, questions, or concerns.
Shelly
Shelly F. Voet MD
Pediatric Associates PSC
CCHMC Executive Community Physician Leader