Omicron in Ohio; ICUs Nearing Record Number

On Saturday, the Ohio Department of Health reported the first two cases of the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variant have been confirmed in the state following genomic sequencing.  
 
The two Omicron cases were detected in adult males in Central Ohio, and both tested positive on a PCR test on December 7. Both cases had received their initial COVID-19 vaccine series more than six months ago, but neither had yet obtained a booster.
 
Omicron is highly contagious and can spread faster than Delta but currently Delta is far more prevalent in Ohio.
 
At the briefing yesterday, Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, and infectious disease experts said intensive care units statewide are nearing the highest total of COVID-19 patients they’ve ever seen—and they expect it to get worse. “We are, yet again, in a serious situation—every bit as serious as last December and January,” Vanderhoff said.
 
Ohio data show that nearly 1/4 of COVID hospital patients are age 50 or younger and over 95% of COVID-19 deaths since January 1, 2021, were not fully vaccinated.

This morning, Gov. Mike DeWine mobilized 1,050 members of the Ohio National Guard to help relieve the hospital staffing strain. Of the total mobilized guard members, approximately 150 are highly-trained medical professionals and will deploy to help meet critical needs at hospitals and testing locations. The remaining 900 guard members will help with patient transport, housekeeping, and food services. Guard members will be brought on duty beginning on Monday

DeWine and his wife Fran are isolating after being exposed Monday evening to someone who later tested positive for COVID. Neither has symptoms and both tested negative this morning. It’s the second time in recent months that the governor and first lady have isolated after an exposure.
 
Today, the CDC endorsed the unanimous vote by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to give a preferential recommendation to the mRNA vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer rather than the one-shot Johnson & Johnson. 
 
As of this afternoon, 62.74% of eligible Ohioans (age 5 and up) have started the vaccine process.

Prioritize Your Personal Wellness

The OOA is sponsoring a half-day CME program to help you get a better understanding of physician burnout and what you can do to reduce stress and promote well-being.
 
According to a study out this month examining the relationship between pandemic-related stress and work intentions, approximately 1 in 5 physicians intend to leave their practice within two years. The survey showed higher levels of burnout, stress, workload, fear of infection, COVID-19-related anxiety or depression, and the number of years in practice were among factors associated with a greater intention to reduce work hours or leave a practice.
 
The Physician Wellness Webinar will be held Saturday, January 15, 8:00am – 1:45pm. The virtual event offers 5 AOA Category 1-A CME credits as well as a discounted registration rate for OOA members! 

Legislative Update

The Ohio Senate approved SB 261 on Wednesday with a 26-5 vote. The bill expands medical marijuana use to any patient who would see a benefit or relief from symptoms and transfer aspects of the state’s Medical Marijuana Program to a newly-created Division of Marijuana Control within the Department of Commerce. As debate began Sen. Steve Huffman, MD, author of the legislation, said: “We’re here on our last bill before our Christmas break; we can end on a high note.” 
 
The OOA submitted written testimony last week in opposition to HB 218, which broadens exemptions for any vaccine mandates and prohibits employers—including hospitals and medical facilities— from requiring proof of vaccination. It reads in part:

Similar to previous efforts, HB 218 fails to address the concerns from the medical, business, or higher education communities to fully combat the deadly virus we currently face. The bill also dangerously expands allowable vaccine exceptions while prohibiting vaccine passports. The bill also makes the faulty comparison of equating natural immunity with vaccination. A recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control shows unvaccinated adults who had a previous COVID-19 infection are 5.49 times more likely to be hospitalized than adults who had been fully vaccinated.

The business community was also out in force last week at the Senate General Government Budget Committee to oppose the bill. Testimony from the Ohio Business Roundtable noted most employers provide health care for employees, and the average hospitalization for COVID costs $42,000, with the average ICU stay costing more than $100,000.

IRS Promotes Tax Break for Year-End Charitable Giving

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has a special tax provision that allows more people to deduct donations to qualifying charities on their 2021 federal income tax return. The pandemic-related regulation allows married couples filing jointly to deduct up to $600 in cash donations and individual taxpayers to deduct up to $300 in donations made to charities by year’s end, December 31, 2021.
 
Under the temporary provision, taxpayers don’t need to itemize deductions on their tax returns to take advantage of the incentive.
 
You can make a secure online donation to the Ohio Osteopathic Foundation here. The OOF supports efforts such as white coats for new osteopathic medical students, student leadership scholarships, gifts for OU-HCOM grads, and support for health policy fellows from Ohio. With your generosity, we can enhance Ohio’s strong osteopathic roots and strengthen osteopathic medicine for generations to come.

Proposed BWC Rule Up for Review

The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation seeks comments and feedback on a proposed spinal cord stimulator rule. After a review of Rule 4123-6-35, payment for spinal cord stimulator, BWC is proposing changes.

Submit your comments to ProviderFeedBack@bwc.state.oh.us and include your name, phone number, email address and practice and/or specialty, if applicable. Comments will be accepted through December 30.

NBOME Extends Enhanced Attestation to Class of 2023

The NBOME Board of Directors announced this week that  it will extend its enhanced attestation guidelines for the Class of 2022 COMLEX-USA Level 3 eligibility to the Class of 2023.

This allows students to provide verification of their individual fundamental osteopathic clinical competences for eventual licensure eligibility in all 50 states—despite the inability to take the Level 2-PE due to its indefinite suspension.
 
More information is here.