Help Your Patients Safely Dispose of Unwanted Medicines

It’s important for patients to clean out unused/unwanted medications, particularly to help keep drugs from being abused or misused.
 
PhRMA is offering a limited supply of free drug disposal kits. These kits allow patients to safely discard old prescriptions by simply placing the pills into the special pouch, add water, seal, and throw into the garbage. The water reacts with chemicals in the pouch to nullify any active ingredients in the medicine. The drug disposal kits must be given away for free to patients and others. 
 
To order a box (includes 200 kits), email bwaldren@lesiccamper.com. Provide your name, shipping address, and shipping phone number.

SMBO Seeks Comment on Podiatric Scope of Practice

The State Medical Board of Ohio (SMBO) is seeking public comments on podiatric scope of practice to assist with its rule-making process. 

In June 2019, the SMBO considered a request from a podiatrist as to whether five specific procedures were within the scope of practice of a podiatrist. The board determined that four of the five procedures were within the scope of practice. After the board issued its determination on this issue, concerns were raised with respect to two of the specific procedures that were determined to be within the podiatric scope of practice: 

1. Is it permissible for a podiatrist in Ohio to perform a supramalleolar osteotomy of the tibia or fibula to correct a deformity?
2. Is it permissible for a podiatrist in Ohio to harvest bone marrow aspirate from the proximal tibia?

Comments on the proposed rules must be received by August 19. 
 
See the SMBO website for details.

Profession Urges VA to Reconsider Scope of Practice Issue

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to develop National Standards of Practice for all physicians and non-physician clinicians that would supersede state-based licensure and scope of practice laws. The OOA joined the AOA and other osteopathic organizations in a letter to the VA to express strong concerns regarding its Federal Supremacy Project and the new regulation Health Care Professionals’ Practice in VA.

The letter notes this project would exacerbate the existing care silos that became more pronounced during the coronavirus pandemic and create a two-tier health care system where only some of the nation’s veterans are able to access physician-led care. It reads in part:

In seeking to create National Standards of Practice for 48 categories of health care professionals and authorizing them to practice independently and outside of a physician-led team regardless of state laws to the contrary, the VA disregards the nuances and many variations of education and training that these providers complete, as well as the vastly more comprehensive training that physicians receive. Physicians, DOs and MDs alike, are the only clinicians who complete nationally standardized education and training that is supported by decades of evidence regarding patient safety outcomes. For this reason, DOs and MDs are the only health care professionals who are eligible for unlimited medical licensure in all 50 states.

State Exceeds 50 Cases per 100,000 People COVID-19 Benchmark

Yesterday, the Ohio Department of Health reported 77.4 new cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks as the delta variant continues to spread and vaccinations lag.
 
In March, Gov. Mike DeWine had established 50 cases per 100,000 people as the threshold to rescind his health orders, including the mask mandate. He ended the mandates June 2 and the benchmark was reached June 5.
 
New guidance from the CDC this week recommends that even vaccinated people wear masks indoors in public places where cases are surging. The change is due to new information about the transmissibility of the delta variant. The CDC tracker indicates 23 Ohio counties fall under this new recommendation with “substantial” or “high” transmission. ODH officials and DeWine have said it’s unlikely Ohio would institute another mask mandate at this time, regardless of the new CDC guidance.
 
As of this afternoon, 49.24% in Ohio have started the vaccine process. That equates to more than 5.75 million Ohioans. Over 5.38 million, or 46.03%, have completed the vaccination series. Ohio’s vaccination rate ranks 26th highest nationwide.

Just Three Weeks until Simply CME!

The OOA has teamed with five other state osteopathic associations across the country to offer Simply CME, a series of one-day virtual conferences. The next one is Saturday, August 21.

The program offers 8 AOA Category 1-A credits, 8 AMA PRA Category 1 credits, and the flexibility to attend live and/or access the event on-demand.

Lectures are pre-recorded with the speakers live on the day of the event for a Q&A. Presentations for the August 21 session include:

• Abdominal Pain: The Great Clinic Frontier 
• Trauma-Informed Care in Practice
• ECG Cases - The Game is Afoot
• Don’t Be Rash! Tips to Effectively Manage Pediatric Rashes
• This Too Shall Pass: Kidney Stone Treatment and Prevention
• Are the kids alright? An Osteopathic Approach to Pediatric Mental Health
• Evaluation and Management of Dementia
• Sleep Apnea and Other Pulmonary Issues for Primary Care

OOA members enjoy a discounted rate of $215.

Give a Gift for the Class of 2025

The Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2025 will start medical school in a few weeks. Help welcome these newest members of the osteopathic family by making a donation to the Ohio Osteopathic Foundation White Coat Fund.
 
Each year the OOF provides HCOM students with their first short white coat, complete with OOA armpatch. It is a gift from their professional family to commemorate the beginning of their academic career as an osteopathic medical student.
 
OOA members and friends of the profession are invited to make a donation of $45 per coat along with well wishes, a note of encouragement, or words of wisdom. Your message will be printed on an OOA notecard and tucked inside the coat pocket.
 
Make your tax-deductible donation today! Be sure to write your message in the comment box.

Speakers Needed!

The OOA continues to develop its roster of CME presenters. Having a list of physician speakers helps us develop quality education programs. If you’re willing to share your knowledge and expertise with your peers, let us know by completing the online form.

In general, lecturers complete a simple disclosure form, provide objectives, a CV, headshot photo, and present their expertise with the help of slides. In the case of virtual programs, your presentation could be pre-recorded.

At this time, we’re seeking speakers for the following topics:

• Specific needs of pediatric patients with terminal illness
• Nutrition in medicine
• Common thyroid disorders for the PCP
• Telemedicine
• Impact of COVID on mental health

Whether your expertise is in one of these topics or something completely different, you can help your DO colleagues enhance their own skills and maintain the required education for licensure and certification.

State Board Seeks Nominations

The State Board of Emergency Medical, Fire, and Transportation Services (EMFTS) is seeking nominations for seat #2. It is designated for a physician who is active in the practice of trauma surgery and emergency medical services.

The 21-member Board represent fire and emergency medical services, private medical transportation services, mobile intensive care providers, air medical providers, trauma programs, hospitals, emergency physicians, EMS training programs, and the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Appointments are made by the Governor.

The Board generally meets every other month. Candidates should contact OOA Executive Director Matt Harney at mattharney@OhioDO.org for details about the nomination process.