The Washington D.O.
News You Can Use
December 11, 2020
 This is a publication to keep you informed of issues and events pertaining to the osteopathic profession in Washington State. We invite you to submit topics or articles of interest to your colleagues for consideration. Submissions may be emailed to executivedirector@woma.org
A Letter From WOF's President  

 No matter how long it’s been since you attended osteopathic medical school, you probably remember how difficult it could be for you and/or your classmates to study and worry about how you were going to afford tuition, books and living expenses.
The Washington Osteopathic Foundation (WOF) was organized to support osteopathic education and training in Washington State. The WOF board started a loan program in 1971 that not only assists the students; it provides an incentive in the form of low interest rates to those who practice in Washington upon completion of their training. Several of you have taken advantage of this program. In addition to our loan program, the WOF also provides several scholarships.
Over the last forty-nine years the program has been able to sustain itself with the repayment of loans and the auction at WOMA’s annual convention. Due to Covid-19 the auction was cancelled this year. The Foundation has also had difficulty with loan recipients repaying their loans in a timely manner due to Covid-19’s effect on their financial situation. In addition to student loans, WOF is re-prioritizing its focus on scholarships and CME support.
I am writing to you today to ask you to consider a tax-deductible contribution to the WOF to help continue its support of osteopathic education in Washington state. Contributions this year are 955% below budget and we could sure use your help.
If you can help, please complete and return this form HERE with your check or credit card information. All contributions made this year will be acknowledged in the January Edition of the Washington DO News You Can Use and on WOMA’s website.

Your consideration is greatly appreciated.
David L. Lukens, DO, President,
Washington Osteopathic Foundation
Send Your Comments
Primary Care and Perinatal Bundle 
 
Your feedback is requested on the Bree Collaborative’s draft Primary Care Report and Recommendations and Perinatal Bundled Payment Model Revision Comments must be received by 5pm Monday, December 28.

Primary Care Recommendations
Please read the recommendations here:



  • Access to primary care, widely identified as the cornerstone of the health care system, is a challenge for many. 
  • To address issues of limited access and uncertain definitions, the Bree Collaborative elected to develop standards to develop a state-wide definition for primary care to support multi-payor payment reform.
  • Our recommendations outline the benefits of accessing primary care for a population as well as the issues with current reimbursement models and focus areas for these recommendations including defining primary care, defining components of primary care with large impact, and measuring primary care.
 
Perinatal Bundle Revision
Please read the recommendations here: 



  • Our workgroup developed a bundled payment model for perinatal care that includes pre- and post-natal care, addresses disparities, and includes relevant metrics.
  • We reconvened in July 2020 to include pediatric care for 30 days after birth.

For more information or to give additional feedback, please email bree@qualityhealth.org or (206) 204-7377 or visit www.breecollaborative.org
 
Thank you for your participation in this effort to improve healthcare quality, outcomes, and affordability in Washington State.
COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Webinar

The Washington State Department of Health is hosting a COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Webinar December 17, 2020 from 12pm to 1pm PDT. The webinar is for health care providers and will cover COVID-19 epidemiology, COVID vaccines, the vaccine testing and approval process, vaccine adverse events, and other safety resources. Continuing education credit is available for nurses, medical assistants, pharmacists and physicians.

Please register for the webinar using this link.

You can read more information about the webinar by visiting the webinar web page here.

We look forward to seeing you there!
UW Psychiatry Consultation Line Supports Providers in the Behavioral Healthcare of Their Patients

The UW Psychiatry Consultation Line (PCL) supports prescribing providers in Washington caring for adult patients experiencing mental health and/or substance use conditions. UW faculty psychiatrists are on hand 24/7 to consult on assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning, including management of antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotic medications and medications for substance use. No question is too basic or too complex – no one should feel unsupported in the care of their patient. 100% of callers have said they would call the line again and would recommend the line to their colleagues.

Prescribing providers call 877-WA-PSYCH and after a short intake with a health navigator, consult with a psychiatrist at the University of Washington. The call typically takes about 20 minutes, but lasts as long as it needs to. Within one business day, the provider receives written documentation of the recommendations -- no need to take notes. Providers can call at any time, or can opt to schedule a consult time convenient for them. There is no limit to how many times a provider can call, and the service is free for the caller and the patient.
If you are in a leadership position, please let your providers know about the PCL. If you're a provider -- give PCL a try! Call 1-877-WA-PSYCH (1-877-927-7924).
To learn more visit pcl.psychiatry.uw.edu or email pclwa@uw.edu.
Telemedicine Workshop Agenda & Packet Available

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, together with the Washington Medical Commission (WMC), will hold a telemedicine rules workshop on Friday, December 18, 2020 from 3 pm to 5 pm. The information about this workshop is available on the WMC rules webpage. The packet for this workshop, which includes the agenda, is available by clicking the link below:

 Do you have member news to share with your osteopathic colleagues?

Please send it and a related photo, if available, to executivedirector@woma.org
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