OSTEOFACTS | New PPE Supplier, Student Event Saturday

August 21, 2020

	We Are Your Resource for PPE The OOA has teamed up with ActionPPE.org to help OOA members and their practices to operate safely with proper PPE supplies. Only by pooling resources can physicians expect to meet the needs of practices and patients. Product details and FDA registration details for masks, gowns, face shields, etc are provided on the site. Orders are placed online and shipped directly to your office. Use code OHIODO-5OFF to get a 5% discount.
	Last Call! Medical Student Meetup Tomorrow The OOA Board of Trustees invites all OU-HCOM students to an online networking session tomorrow morning following its quarterly Board meeting. Like most social activities these days, this event will be held via Zoom. Zoom rooms are hosted by OOA Board members. Discussion, fun, and prizes are in store! The agenda for the business meeting tomorrow includes a presentation from newly-installed AOA President Thomas Ely, DO, as well as reports regarding membership, legislation, the College, and other topics.
	Coronavirus in Ohio Nine Ohio counties currently have a very high risk of exposure and spread. The counties at Red Level 3 are Clermont, Clark, Erie, Franklin, Lorain, Lucas, Mercer, Preble, and Trumbull. In his briefing yesterday, Gov. Mike DeWine noted the state continues to see a shift as virus spread in urban areas declines and increases in rural areas. A statewide testing initiative for Ohio's more than 765 assisted living facilities is underway to offer baseline saliva testing to all staff and residents at no cost to the facilities. The tests can be self-performed or performed with assistance, under the observance of licensed medical staff. Baseline saliva tests are minimally invasive and provide reliable results in approximately 48 hours upon the lab’s receipt. An order requiring all assisting living facilities to participate was issued today. On Tuesday, DeWine announced that high school sports will be allowed to proceed this fall—but without spectators and with safety protocols. The Ohio Department of Health issued a public health order Wednesday with guidance for youth, collegiate, amateur, club, and professional sports. Activities will be allowed to resume starting August 28.
	Take the COVID-19 Member Survey Is your practice packed with patients? Are you having trouble getting your patients to come in for their appointments? Has the pandemic forced you to make changes to your practice? Tell us your story via the OOA COVID-19 member survey. Your participation helps the OOA develop programs and benefits that serve you! These are unprecedented times and your input is vital to informing our efforts moving forward. The short survey assesses the impact of COVID-19 on member practices and takes less than four minutes to complete.
	OOA Endorses AMR Action The OOA signed-on to letters to US Senator Sherrod Brown and Member of Congress Jim Jordan urging attention and action on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), an infectious disease threat spreading across the nation. The letter, sent as part of the Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease, explains the pipeline of new antibiotics is sparse though the AMR threat is growing. It reads in part: “Action is needed now encourage the development of new antibiotics to address these threats and assure their availability for patients. There are steps we can all take – from us as patients following the full course of prescribed antibiotics, to providers following clinical guidelines and good stewardship, to policymakers passing legislation that can create the environment to encourage investment in new treatment options.” Twelve other organizations in addition to the OOA signed on to the letter.
	New Tools from the Suicide Prevention Resource Center The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) has released several new publications, including information sheets on older adults and mental health, and a video series on treating suicidal patients during COVID-19. Reducing Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older Adults covers the risk factors for and impact of loneliness and social isolation on older adults, tools to identify loneliness in older adults, and interventions and resources to reduce loneliness and isolation. Increased Access to Mental Health Care for Older Adults: Getting Support During COVID-19 provides information on the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of older adults, relevant services now available through telehealth and Medicare, and links to tools and tips for finding local providers. Treating Suicidal Patients During COVID-19, a video series with concrete tips on treating patients at risk of suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adapted from an SPRC webinar, the series includes three brief videos on initiating and maintaining remote contact with clients, assessing suicide risk, and developing a safety plan remotely.
	CMS Seeks Providers for Pilot Project As part of the Electronic Medical Documentation Interoperability (EMDI) program, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is testing certain clinical situations including ordering, requesting additional medical documentation from another provider, and requesting physician signatures. The overall goals of the project are to: Reduce administrative burden for providers; Increase interoperability among systems and organizations across the public and private sectors; and Improve provider-to-provider communication. The EMDI stakeholders include hospitals, physicians, home health agencies, health information exchanges, document transfer vendors, electronic health record vendors, electronic medical record vendors, laboratories, and others. CMS invites providers to join the EMDI initiative. Details are here.
	Seeking Nomination for State EMS Board The State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS) is seeking nominations for an emergency room pediatrician. Expertise or background in EMS or trauma care is required. The timeline calls for Gov. Mike DeWine to make the appointment so the selected candidate may attend the December 16 EMFTS Board meeting. Candidates will need to submit a current CV along with a State of Ohio Boards and Commissions application. Nominations are due by September 25. Contact Executive Director Matt Harney, mattharney@OhioDO.org, to get the application form and other instructions.