ODH Asks for Help with Summer Influenza Surveillance

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Bureau of Infectious Diseases is seeking support from physicians and health care providers to strengthen summer influenza viral surveillance. ODH asks you to partner with the local health department to increase influenza-positive specimen submissions to the ODH Public Health Laboratory during the summer months. This increased surveillance will continue through September 30, 2024.

Although there is minimal seasonal influenza activity in Ohio at this time, the CDC is requesting continued testing of influenza specimens at state public health laboratories to maintain situational awareness and ensure adequate novel influenza surveillance.

Health care providers should contact their local health department to report suspect novel influenza cases and to coordinate specimen submissions from any RT- PCR or rapid molecular tests which are positive for influenza A or B to the ODH Public Health Laboratory for confirmatory testing and subtyping.

With the arrival of Ohio’s agricultural fair season, it is also important to be mindful of potential human infections with swine variant influenza and avian influenza viruses (eg, H3N2v, H1N1v, H1N2v, H5N1). When animal influenza viruses infect people, they are considered novel influenza A infections, a Class A notifiable condition, and should be reported immediately by telephone to the local health department in whose jurisdiction the infected person lives.

Novel influenza A should be considered in people with influenza-like illness and recent contact with livestock, including swine, poultry, or cattle. Health care providers should collect specimens from these individuals promptly and contact their local health department to arrange for specimen submissions to the ODH Public Health Laboratory to be evaluated for suspected novel influenza A infections. Nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavages and tracheal aspirates are all appropriate specimen types for submission to the ODH Public Health Laboratory.

Orders for influenza testing at the ODH Public Health Laboratory should be submitted through the eLIMS portal here. If you have not previously been granted eLIMS portal access, call 888-634-5227 for assistance.

Welcome Future DOs with Their First White Coat

As we await the start of a new academic year for first-year students at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, we invite you to join us in warmly welcoming the Class of 2028.

For a donation of $45, you can make a meaningful impact by sponsoring the purchase of a white coat for a new student. Along with your contribution, you have the opportunity to share words of inspiration or advice directly with a student. Your personalized message will be printed on an OOA notecard and placed in the coat pocket at the Convocation & White Coat Ceremony, creating a lasting connection from donor to recipient.

Receiving their white coat is a first milestone in their medical education, symbolizing their commitment to compassionate care and learning. Your support ensures that these future osteopathic physicians begin their journey with a sense of community and encouragement.

To make your donation and write your message, visit the OOA website here. 

General Assembly Sends Several Health Care Bills, Capital Budget to DeWine

The Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate held marathon sessions to wrap up work before summer recess. More than 50 bills saw votes between the two chambers, with many heading to Gov. Mike DeWine. Lawmakers will not return to Columbus until Lame Duck session following the November Election.

Most notably, lawmakers passed a capital budget that appropriates more than $3 billion in spending for state and community projects. Funds will go to support construction at institutions of higher education including Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and Xavier University’s new osteopathic school; hospital and health facilities; and cultural institutions.

The Ohio Senate Health Committee approved HB 47, which subsequently passed the full Senate unanimously. Sponsored by State Rep. Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati) and Richard Brown (D-Canal Winchester), HB 47 requires schools and recreation facilities to have an AED on site and provide training to staff. OOA and many other physician groups supported this important legislation. The Ohio Senate also passed SB 60, which faced opposition from several physician groups including the Ohio Psychiatric Physicians Association. SB 60 establishes a new provider license and regulatory framework for certified mental health assistants. SB 60 still needs to clear the Ohio House while HB 47 is expected to be signed by the Governor next week.

The Ohio House of Representatives voted 74-21 to pass SB 144, which expands the scope of practice for pharmacists, pharmacy techs, and pharmacy interns to administer vaccines to children under age 13. The legislation seeks to codify temporary authority granted to pharmacy-based providers to immunize children as young as three under federal emergency rules during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physician groups raised concerns that the bill could discourage parents form bringing children in for well child visits, which are often aligned with key vaccine milestones.

The Ohio House of Representatives also passed HB 452, which was supported by OOA. Sponsored by State Reps. Andrea White (R-Kettering) and Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati), HB 452 seeks to address violence against health care providers by requiring hospitals to have a violence prevention plan in place and reporting incidents to the Ohio Department of Health.

Heat-Related Resources Available

The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) has released the 2024 Heat-Related Illness brochure. Individuals taking psychiatric medication can be at an increased risk for heat-related illness. The brochure lists medications that can impair the heat response and steps patients can take to prevent heat-related illness. Get the brochure here.

Additionally, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency is promoting preparedness and resilience when it comes to extreme heat with the #BeatTheHeatOhio summer safety series on Ohio EMA’s social media accounts.  The Ohio Department of Health also issued tips on how Ohioans can stay safe during extreme heat.

Note to CTR Physicians

The State Medical Board of Ohio will issue a survey next week to physicians with a certificate to recommend (CTR) medical marijuana. It includes questions about common practices, patient interactions, and practice settings. 

Ohio Revised Code 4731-30 and Ohio Administrative Code 4731-32-03 require each physician with a CTR to submit an annual report to the Board with observations regarding the effectiveness of medical marijuana in treating patients. Completion of the survey satisfies that requirement.

To remain in compliance with Ohio law, physicians with a certificate to recommend must complete the 2024 survey.