OSTEOFACTS | IV Fluid Shortage; A Family Legacy of DOs

10-18-2024

October 18, 2024

	Update on IV Fluid Shortage Hurricane Helene caused severe damage when it hit land, including fatal flooding in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The flooding affected Baxter, a North Carolina plant responsible for manufacturing much of the country’s IV fluid supply and for fluids used by some patients on home kidney dialysis. Baxter supplies an estimated 85% of the IV solution used in Ohio. In a letter from the Ohio Department of Health sent last Friday, Director Bruce Vanderoff, MD, shared updates on the statewide effort to monitor levels of IV solution. He said coordination efforts are ongoing with hospital zone leads, regional health coordinators, the Ohio Hospital Association, and the Ohio Pharmacy Services Center among others. The goal is to push for a statewide approach in terms of situational awareness, information sharing, data collection and strategy development. ODH created a data-reporting event through EMResource, a web-based, near-real-time resource management program used by hospitals, to track IV fluids. The tracking was activated October 4 and requires all Ohio hospitals to report the IV fluid data daily. Read the ODH letter here. Additionally, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy approved a resolution, October 11, to ease regulations on the purchase of IV and dialysis solutions to ward off shortages. The resolution allows the sale and shipment of the solutions and related, non-controlled dangerous drugs by unlicensed, out-of-state facilities. Read the resolutions here. Other news and updates: Baxter Newsroom Ohio Hospital Association CDC Health Advisory
	A Dozen DOs In some families, pursuing a career in medicine isn’t just a personal ambition—it’s a legacy passed down through generations. Across Ohio, there are families with deep roots in the osteopathic medical profession. For them, the stethoscope is as much a symbol of heritage as it is a tool of the trade, and the white coat is a badge of honor worn proudly by parents, children, siblings, cousins, and in-laws. Adele M. Lipari, DO, a radiologist in Columbus, shared her family tree of 12 DOs. Twelve! Her family’s osteopathic DNA started with her mother’s brother, Carmine DelliQuadri, DO, and spans three generations in six medical specialties. Thank you to the Lipari, DelliQuadri, Cubbison and Vrable families for their tradition of healing and caring and their dedication to osteopathic medicine. See their family tree here. We want to hear about other Ohio DOs with strong family ties in the profession. Send your family tree (name, how they’re related to you, specialty, city) to cmarkino@OhioDO.org.
	DOs Take Action Looming Medicare physician payment cuts are set to take effect on January 1, 2025, with a proposed 2.8% reduction that threatens patient care and the sustainability of physician practices. In response, the AOA mobilized DOs across the country to take action and encourage their members of Congress to address the problem. Thanks to these efforts, 233 lawmakers signed-on to a “Dear Colleague” letter pushing back against the harmful cuts. Congress will need to take action during the lame duck session before it is too late. Read the letter here.
	Upcoming Certifying Board Deadlines Application deadlines are quickly approaching. Below are deadlines in October and November for osteopathic certifying boards. American Osteopathic Board of Anesthesiology Longitudinal Assessment – October 31 (final deadline) American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians Early Entry Initial Certification (EEIC) – November 16 (first deadline), December 16 (final deadline) American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine Pain Medicine Conjoint Longitudinal Assessment – October 19 (first deadline), November 19 (final deadline) Longitudinal Assessment – October 31 (first deadline), November 16 (final deadline) American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry Longitudinal Assessment – October 31 (final deadline) American Osteopathic Board of Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Longitudinal Assessment – November 15 (first deadline), November 30 (final deadline) American Osteopathic Board of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Longitudinal Assessment – November 15 (first deadline), November 30 (final deadline) If you have questions, send an email to certification@osteopathic.org.
	AOA Research Funding Cycle Open The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) announced its 2025 research grant cycle is now open. Research funding is available for DOs, MDs, PhDs, and osteopathic medical students conducting studies that address the tenets of osteopathic medicine and explore the profession’s patient-centered, empathic approach to care. Key Grant Updates Project duration: 24 months (extended from 18 months) Student project duration: 12 months Project start date: July 1 (revised from September 1) Broadened focus areas Translational research New research focus area/notice of funding opportunity The profession is committed to supporting research that has the potential to significantly impact patient outcomes; advance evidence-based medicine; foster collaboration within and outside the osteopathic community; and enhance the visibility of the osteopathic profession. For detailed information on the grants available, visit the AOA website here.
	Science Academy Seeks Mentors The Ohio Academy of Science (OAS), which sponsors the annual State Science Fair, is seeking mentors for junior high and high school students. Mentors are paired with a teacher and conduct work virtually through an online platform for convenience and ease. The OAS suggests career professionals and near peer college and university students are ideal mentors to share their experience and expertise with students who are beginning to explore the research process. Sign up by October 24. More information is here.
	R-H-I-N-O-R-R-H-E-A OOA members are invited to attend the Medical Terminology Spelling Bee on November 5 in Athens as a guest or speller. Sponsored by the HCOM Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), the evening includes food, cash bar, networking, and raffle prizes. HCOM Executive Dean and OU Chief Medical Affairs Officer Ken Johnson, DO, is the guest speller. The event begins at 6:00 pm and will be held at Walter Hall Rotunda (25 S. Green Drive, Athens). The cost is $20. To register either as a speller or guest, use this link and Venmo $20 to @Mirisha-Sheth. Proceeds benefit the SOMA chapter and Good Works, a non-profit community organization in Athens County. Can’t attend? Donations are welcome via Venmo. See the Spelling Bee flyer here.