Physician-in-Chief's Message
May 26, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
 
I hope each of you had some time to relax this past weekend. We have had two COVID positive children recently admitted to UNC. Currently, we have 20 patients at UNC medical center. 

Also, on Thursday, the Society of Pediatric Research is sponsoring a webinar focused on COVID-19. Please see announcement below!
UNC COVID Updates
Inpatient Care
  • A multi-disciplinary working group was developed to investigate process improvement for pediatric rapid responses for COVID+ patients (or PUIs) given the logistical complexity of their inpatient care. 
  • Led by Danielle Stolfi this team has utilized simulation in multiple acute care areas to develop and optimize this complex process in a PDSA format. 
  • This model was a spin-off from the PICU COVID intubation and cardiac arrest simulations ran by Vivian Gannaban and Matt Pizzuto who are also supporting this effort.
  • The group also includes leaders and representatives from NC Children’s Hospital nursing leadership, rapid response committee, simulation committee, and respiratory therapy including: Sofia Aliaga, Julia Shapiro, Afsaneh Pirzadeh, Traci Ockomon, Lisa DelVecchio, Heather Curran, Kelly Cherry, and Jennifer Burkett.  
  • The COVID Pediatric Rapid Response Guide is attached and can be found on the Pediatrics COVID-19 Clinical Resources page as well as the PICU Clinical Pathways site.
Ambulatory Care
  • Video visit are the preferred virtual care option for patients not seen in person. 
  • We have 3 video platforms, Amwell via EPIC, Doximity and WebEx Teams. 
  • If AmWell is not working, please switch to Doximity or WebEx Teams before converting your visit to a phone visit. 
  • Please contact Ryan Haushalter or the Virtual Care center if you have any questions or need assistance with video visits. 
Your COVID-19 Questions & Answers
Response from Tom Belhorn

Q: I have some patients who live a significant distance from UNC. Can they go elsewhere to get a pre-procedure test?
 
A: This is a common question! The answer is yes – but the timeline will be the same as if obtained here at UNC. The test should be obtained within 48 hours prior to the procedure AND the parent has to bring a copy or verification of the result with them on the day of the procedure. The problem is some outside testing facilities cannot guarantee a rapid turnaround time. But any COVID PCR test result within the specified timeline is fine. 
 
BTW, if you know some of the volunteers at the RDC, please thank them for doing all the testing. Counting both Saturday and Monday, >225 pre-procedure COVID tests were done at our RDC!
SOM Research Opening Guidelines - June 1
The final SOM Research Opening Guidelines are attached for both Lab-based & Human Subjects research in anticipation of the University plan to resume research on campus on June 1 .  Also attached are two documents referenced in the Human Subjects document that will be available shortly on the OHRE website.
 
This document is expected to be fluid and will be updated accordingly with a newer version date when information is added. Please share this information with faculty in your units as you continue to work with them to adopt the outlined policies.
 
Blossom Damania will host a SOM Town Hall to address faculty questions related to the attached guidelines on Thursday, May 28, 3-4pm . The Town Hall will be held by Zoom using the call information below. This TownHall is only intended for research faculty so that we can work with them to ensure they have all the information needed to implement their plans.

Topic: SOM Research Reopening Town Hall
Time: May 28, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 989 9473 4632
Password: 977412
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SPR Launches COVID-19 Research Webinar for SPR Members
Join SPR President Stephanie Davis, MD and Strategy and Operations Officer David Hunstad, MD as Mark R. Denison, MD , SPR Member and Gabriela M. Marón Alfaro, MD, MS share their expertise in coronavirus and pediatric infectious diseases. This inaugural SPR webinar will cover research on the novel coronavirus, its biology, and the current clinical studies of COVID-19 relevant for pediatrics. REGISTER NOW
Midweek Meditation - Beginning June 3rd
Meeting ID: 963 3021 8732
Password: 880053
Though we'd hoped to begin our Wednesday meditation sessions tomorrow, we must
modify our start date to begin next week, on Wednesday, June 3rd.
We hope this will be a meaningful and helpful resource for everyone.
We had our wonderful Herrington Leadership conference today! This was conducted virtually and I would like to thank Kenya McNeal-Trice, Wayne Price and their team for organizing!

Please be on the look out for Children’s wellness updates and opportunities.
 
Gratefully,
919-417-3130 (cell)