Due to the New Year holiday, this is a special edition of The Pulse. We will resume our regularly scheduled distribution on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. |
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New Affiliate Partner offers 2021 flu vaccine program |
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Atlantic Health Partners, the newest addition to TPA's Affiliate Partners program, offers discounted prices and a rebate program through their vaccine purchasing program.*
TPA members receive great benefits from Atlantic Health Partners’ vaccine purchasing program, including:
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Annual rebate eligibility on all vaccine program purchases
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Same discounted pricing, regardless of practice size or specialty
- Most favorable pricing for Merck, Sanofi, GSK, and Pfizer vaccines – including Prevnar13
- Excellent customer service and support
NOW AVAILABLE!
Enroll in the vaccine purchasing program to order your 2021- 2022 flu program, including products from all flu manufacturers (Sanofi Pasteur, Seqirus, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca). Click here for complete information about Atlantic Health Partners' flu program including products, pricing, terms, reservation deadlines and ordering options.
Start saving money and earning rebates - ENROLL TODAY!
*NOTE: COVID-19 vaccinations are not part of this program at this time.
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Prolonged PPE usage recommendations |
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The coronavirus pandemic requires healthcare workers and first responders to use personal protection equipment (PPE) for extended lengths of times to reduce exposure. With these longstanding periods, The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (CSTS) looked into the challenges that can occur when using PPE over a prolonged period with infectious outbreaks.
Prolonged PPE usage can:
- cause both physiological beside psychological challenges
- place limitations on ability to stay hydrated
- create feelings of isolation
To address both psychological and physiological challenges associated with prolonged usage, CSTS offers recommendations to overcome such challenges when working with PPE over an extended timeframe:
- Educate staff on proper PPE application and removal techniques
- Employ the buddy system: employees check in with each other to help remind one another to stay hydrated (communicate and educate on dehydration and exhaustion awareness signs for team members). Build into time scheduled reminders
- Maintain a positive work environment to ease anxiety among team members. Help manage anxiety reactions by creating culture where it’s “okay to not be okay”
- Stay connected to patients and coworkers by
- taping a pic of yourself on the outside of PPE
- or by writing name for patients to clearly see and read
- introduce yourself to a patient and keep them informed of status/updates
When an organization encounters a PPE supply shortage, clearly communicate to staff regarding risks associated with reusing PPE along with what the effort and situation is to obtain more supplies (click for the CDC's tips on optimizing PPE). Ensure procedures are in place and communicated to staff on sanitizing/decontaminating equipment that is reused. Click here for the center’s fact sheet on prolonged operations in PPE during COVID-19.
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CMS provides COVID-19 vaccine toolkit and billing updates |
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The right equipment provides successful telehealth visits |
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There is no question that practicing medicine looks very different today than in days past. Covid-19 has changed the way medical practices interact with patients. While telehealth has been around for several years, the pandemic rapidly pushed it as a safe alternative to in-person office visits. Virtual visits can help deter the spread of coronavirus while ensuring patients receive important care.
By increasing and improving ways for patients to embrace virtual visits for their healthcare needs, physician practices can implement more access points for care. With the growing demand for virtual care visits, innovative technologies are evolving. Whether a virtual visit is initiated from a physician office or from home, medical technologies are essential.
The need to deliver quality health care remotely does take on several challenges and a well thought-out solution for each practice is essential. Some considerations include:
- The equipment to provide the telehealth experience can be as simple as a laptop equipped with a good webcam set up in a private office space or as sophisticated as a video-conferencing system in a dedicated area.
- Controlling background noise is also important to ensure privacy and HIPAA compliance.
- Having high speed internet both at the office and at home is also critical for seamless patient interaction.
- There are high end video solutions for both patient-centered care and for healthcare coordination needs.
Whatever the individual or practice needs, available technologies help make telehealth visits more seamless. From the equipment to software services, many technologies are accessible. If you haven’t already embraced telehealth as an option, there is no better time to start.
Source: Edge Solutions, an Affiliate Partner, provides innovative telecommunications products and services at discounted rates to The Physician Alliance members. Contact Edge Solutions for assistance with telehealth equipment.
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The latest healthcare news |
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Featured Affiliate Partner: LEGAL SERVICES - Rickard & Associates provides comprehensive business legal services, such as HIPAA readiness, compliance, audits, employee issues, contract negotiations, real estate issues and more. TPA members receive premium rates.
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