WORD TO THE WISE Newsletter: March 2020 - Volume 20, No. 3

In this issue: President's update: Physicians are the front lines of coronavirus response PDHPE update on coronavirus Update from your CMS BOD Rep: Public option bill drops Events: Parkview events in 2020; Nightingale Awards; Judy Sykes Symposium; Robert Hawkins Tribute; Sangre de Cristo Gala Resources: Coronavirus info for physicians from CDPHE; federal surprise billing bill News from CMS: Public option position under consideration News from AMA: Coronavirus resource center

UPDATE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT: Marcel Junqueira, MD

Colorado is in a state of emergency; physicians are the front lines I want to start by thanking all Pueblo-area physicians for your dedication to patients and our community. In this time of uncertainty about coronavirus (COVID-19), they turn to doctors for reassurance and care. There are many resources available to keep yourself informed and I urge you to do so, regardless of specialty. PCMS repeats the advice of the Colorado Medical Society to stay connected and engaged with our local public health department and state public health department. Read the coronavirus update from PDPHE below. Sign up to subscribe to receive Health Alert Network (HAN) broadcast emails from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment by emailing cdphe_epr_sit@state.co.us with your full name, position and county of employment. Sign up for CDC.gov email updates here. If you have any questions on signing up for these alerts, contact PDPHE at 719-583-4444. Stay well.

Coronavirus information from PDHPE Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a state of emergency on March 10 as the number of coronavirus cases grows. At a personal level, the Pueblo Department of Public Health & Environment continues to recommend non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to include: Practice good hygiene. Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. In the absence of soap and water, use hand-sanitizer; use your elbow or sleeve to cover coughs and sneezes. Stay home if you’re sick; keep your children home if they are sick. The illness can last for many days so make preparations now to work from home if possible. We advise Coloradans to always be prepared for an emergency -- like a large snowstorm -- and have a plan for your family. Make sure to have 72 hours of key supplies on hand like medications, infant formula, diapers, pet food, etc. FEMA guidance for pre-pandemic COVID-19 preparedness is available on Ready.gov. Stay informed with reliable, up-to-date information. People who have general questions about coronavirus disease 2019 can call CO HELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email COHELP@RMPDC.org, for answers in English and Spanish (Español), Mandarin (普通话), and more. For your organization we recommend: Review your emergency plans and continuity of operations plans. Encourage people to stay home when they are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. Send staff home who become sick at work.  Encourage staff to wash their hands frequently. Disinfect surfaces on a regular basis. Consider flexible work options for employees that can work from home. Healthy people who recently traveled may return to work unless otherwise indicated by Public Health. We will continue to provide additional updates as information changes.

UPDATE FROM YOUR CMS BOD REP: Brad Roberts, MD

CMS considering position on the public option Following a months-long stakeholder process, the bill for a statewide public health insurance option (now called the "Colorado Option") has been introduced to the Colorado General Assembly. As I wrote in my column last month, member feedback on the proposal was split, though the bill was not available when the all-member survey was in the field. An initial look at the bill shows positives and negatives, and the CMS Council on Legislation is recommending a position to "monitor" the bill to the CMS Board of Directors at our meeting this week. Stay tuned for more as this issue is debated internally and at the state Capitol.

EVENTS

Parkview Medical Center – 2020 Symposiums Save the date for the following symposiums presented by Parkview Medical Center: Saturday, April 18, 2020: Pain Management Symposium Saturday, July 18, 2020: Surgical Services & Trauma Symposium Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020: Neurosciences Symposium Below are the 2020 Parkview Medical Group (PMG) All-Provider Meetings: Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. And below are the 2020 Parkview General Medical Staff (GMS) meetings: Tuesday, April 21, 2020, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

2020 Nightengale nurse recognition event, March 27, 2020 The Nightingale and Luminary Award Ceremony in Pueblo will be held March 27, 2020. Buy tickets here. The Nightingale Luminary Awards recognize nurses throughout Colorado who exemplify the spirit of the profession in the areas of advocacy, innovation and leadership. State Nightingale Awards will be presented in Denver on May 9, 2020.

Plan to attend the Judy Sikes, PhD Scholarly Activity Symposium - April 15, 2020 Plan to attend the Judy Sikes, PhD Scholarly Activity Symposium presented by Parkview Medical Center and the Graduate Medical Education Department. The symposium will be held on April 15, 2020 at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, and registration is not required. Dr. Teresa Braden, Director, and her committee have created an impressive educational and informational platform. The event has been approved for CME credits. Practitioners and nursing staff throughout southern Colorado are invited to attend the symposium. The following events will take place: oral presentations on cases, research and quality initiatives; poster presentations; judging of the events; prizes for top three oral presentations, best three posters in research/QI/safety and best three posters in clinical vignettes. Contact Jodi Lopez at 719-595-7581 or  jodi_lopez@parkviewmc.com with any questions.

Mental Health America of Pueblo Robert Hawkins Tribute & Award Ceremony - May 15, 2020 The 19th Annual Robert Hawkins Tribute & Award Ceremony presented by Mental Health America of Pueblo will be held May 15, 2020, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Pueblo Community College Fortino Ballroom. This year's honorees are Dr. Robert Tonsing, Teah Miller and Dominique Mundt. Purchase tickets here.

Save the date: Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care Gala - June 13, 2020 Plan to join Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care for a Gala celebrating 35 years serving the community. It will be held June 13, 2020 at Occhiato Ballroom. Attire is business forma; black-tie optional. More information to come.

NEWS AND RESOURCES

Coronavirus: What physicians need to know The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (2019-nCoV) that was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China in December 2019. As of March 10, more than 114,000 cases have been confirmed worldwide and more than 4,000 people have died. In this article from February, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment provides guidance to providers on identifying, reporting and treating a patient suspected of having 2019 novel coronavirus. Read more here. Also, the Colorado Medical Society has compiled helpful resources from a variety of sources -- including accredited continuing education -- on this CMS.org coronavirus resource page and will continue to update it as new tools are available.

Contact your U.S. representative about surprise billing A bill currently under consideration by the U.S. Congress aims to end surprise medical bills. The house of medicine tentatively supports the bill with suggestions for modifications to make the bill more balanced, fair and patient-centric. Click here for more about the bill, a link to a statement from the American College of Emergency Physicians and to access a tool for contacting your congressional representative.

NEWS FROM THE COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY

CMS considering a position on the public option One of the most talked-about bills this legislative session was just introduced last week, one that would create a statewide public health insurance option called the "Colorado Option." While the Colorado Medical Society is still analyzing the bill and considering a position based on a variety of factors including member feedback, CMS released a statement outlining initial observations -- including positive tenets of the bill and concerns. “Our members are united in the goal to bring high value care to all patients in Colorado,” said CMS President David Markenson, MD, MBA. “We are committed to being part of this process to ensure that physicians have the ability to practice medicine in the way that provides the best care to their patients.” Read the full press statement here.

NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION COVID-19 (2019 novel coronavirus) resource center for physicians

The American Medical Association is closely monitoring COVID-19 and compiling up-to-the-moment information for physicians from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local health departments. Click here for what you need to know about how to prevent, diagnose and treat the virus.

MISSION:   Fa cilitating meaningful collaboration of medical professionals in Pueblo County through social networking, education, and advocacy!    VISION:   To c reate a medical society that serves as a venue for collaboration for the betterment of healthcare in Pueblo County, and improve the practice of medicine and life of medical professionals, locally.

Board Officers: President: Marcel Junqueira, MD; President-Elect: open position; Treasurer: Kathleen Brown, MD; Past-President: Tom Greidanus, MD |  Directors: CMS Representative Brad Roberts, MD; Teresa Braden, DO; Ross Patrick, MD; Jacob Mathew Jr., DO; Cheryl Walker, DO; and Kevin Weber, MD |  Chief Executive Officer: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM

This newsletter is intended for the members and interested persons of the Pueblo County Medical Society. If you have received this and wish to opt-out call 719-281-6073 or use the “unsubscribe” link below.

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