Please note: This is an internal Advocate Aurora Health newsletter and safe to open. |
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In this issue
- Annual Meeting & PHO Elections
- COVID-19 Vaccine
- Epic Connect Program Relaunch
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As a physician-led organization, your elected colleagues work continuously on APP boards and committees to advance our work in improving patient outcomes. Use the links below to join your primary PHO's virtual election meeting; no registration required.
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Christ: April 20 | 8-8:30 a.m. Join
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Condell: April 15 | 7:30-8 a.m. Join
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Good Shepherd: April 21 | 5-5:30 p.m. Join
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Good Samaritan: April 22 | 8:30-9 a.m. Join
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Illinois Masonic: April 28 | 8-8:30 a.m. Join
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Lutheran: April 27 | 7:30-8 a.m. Join
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Sherman: April 28 | 9-9:30 a.m. Join
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South Suburban: April 21 | 8-8:30 a.m. Join
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Trinity: April 22 | 8-8:30 a.m. Join
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Click the "read more" button below to read the full details on these timely updates
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Expanded patient vaccine eligibility: Our states, cities and counties are expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility differently, and our ability to expand to more of our patients varies based on supply. Select "read more" for the latest on IL patient eligibility.
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SafeCheck screening process update: Beginning April 19, we’re fully transitioning team member screening, including physicians, at Advocate Aurora sites to the SafeCheck app to enhance our process, while maintaining our Safe Care Promise.
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Bamlanivimab update: Advocate Aurora is switching from Bamlanivimab as a sole entity COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment to a combination of Bamlanivimab + Etesevimab due to emerging SARS-CoV2 variants – which are demonstrating resistance to Bamlanivimab alone. None of these therapies are intended for patients hospitalized due to COVID-19.
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COVID-19 Citizen Science Study: Advocate Aurora is partnering with the University of California, San Francisco to conduct the COVID-19 Citizen Science Study to stem the transmission of COVID-19 and its new variants, monitor vaccination efforts and ultimately improve health outcomes. Patients have started to receive invitations.
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Facebook Live: Check out yesterday's Virtual Town Hall hosted on Facebook Live. President and CEO, Jim Skogsbergh, and Robert Citronberg, MD, executive medical director of infectious disease and prevention, answer questions in real time from our consumers on all things vaccine. Watch on-demand on YouTube or Facebook.
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Message from President & CEO |
Watch Jim’s Skogsbergh's video for updates on our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion commitment and T25 strategy, in addition to hearing the latest on COVID-19 and our vaccination efforts from Dr. Robert Citronberg.
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We have Epic news!
Announcing Epic Connect Program Relaunch
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We're excited to announce the relaunch of the APP Epic Connect Program (formerly known as Epic Community Connect). Epic Connect is the ambulatory platform of Advocate Aurora Health’s instance of Epic for APP aligned physicians and another significant step toward a single patient record that greatly enhances patient safety and high reliability.
Last year, we paused the program roll out to ensure APP aligned physicians could focus on managing their practice amidst the constant changes and challenges brought forth by COVID-19. Keeping this in mind as we continue to face the pandemic, we are launching the program later this summer using a phased approach.
This week, we began reaching out to our Epic Connect eligible practices. Learn more and meet our six initial practices on APP Pro. Contact APP-EpicConnect@aah.org with questions.
Reminder: Until a practice goes live on Epic Connect, EpicCare Link will continue to be used for all referrals to Advocate Aurora and APP physicians and to review claims and enrollment for patients in HMO managed care plans and to contact the APP Resolution Center.
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EpicCare Link updates
See below for the latest ECL updates and visit APP Pro to access quick guides and other resources.
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- When referrals are generated for class of TO ADVOCATE AURORA along with the referral types of Radiology Services, MRI, and Rehab Services – the LOCATION/POS field will be mandatory, not the REFERRED TO PROVIDER field. This will make it easier and more user-friendly for our aligned providers to refer to an Advocate facility.
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Claims are pending for review at a higher rate than historical levels as we continue to work with Epic to implement the claims system change. The review by Epic and Advocate Aurora HIT will prevent incorrect adjudication and rework. At this time practices do not need to appeal or resubmit claims in a pended status. Pended claims will be released as system fixes are deployed. As previously stated, any applicable interest will be applied automatically. We appreciate your continued patience and feedback as we navigate this system conversion.
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Clinical Integration Program: Review this week's update.
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Clinical Risk Adjustment education series: We are offering three additional CME and MOC-approved sessions of the live webinar.
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Interested in how to turn ideas into innovation? The Clinician Innovation Series is a 4-part virtual series that will expose physicians to the different ways they can be involved with health care innovation-related activities, both internally and externally. The first live, virtual session is April 19. Learn more and register here.
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Pharmacy & therapeutic ambulatory and system updates: Review committee decisions and changes. For questions or additional information, email DPC@aah.org.
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Our commitment to action: The 2020 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Impact Report is now available. The report brings to life the steps Advocate Aurora is taking to make a difference within our organization and communities as we double down on DE&I and answered the call to keep our communities healthy throughout the pandemic.
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Spring Team Member Engagement Check-In Survey: No action is needed by physicians. You will receive a brief survey to complete later this year.
Click "read more" below for other important updates impacting your practice, including upcoming patient outreach, government newsletter and more.
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Next-generation WATCHMAN technology
The WATCHMAN FLX device serves as a safe and effective stroke risk reduction alternative for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation, especially those with a compelling reason not to be on blood thinners. Over 1,000 Advocate Aurora patients have received this new WATCHMAN implant. View sell sheets to learn more and how to refer your patients. Additional details.
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Your research is changing lives
Read this month’s Advocate Aurora Research Institute enewsletter which includes the latest clinical studies conducted throughout Advocate Aurora Health.
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Thomas Iannucci, MD, FACOG has been appointed Medical Director, Women’s Health Service Line supporting IL and dyad partner to Beth Boland, Administrative Leader. In this role, Dr. Iannucci will serve as the physician leader providing leadership, strategic vision and direction for Women’s Health services throughout Illinois, in partnership and alignment with the WH Service Line leaders in Wisconsin.
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Continuing Medical Education |
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Obesity & weight management: Evidence-based treatments
Weight management medications and obtaining the obesity medicine certification
April 21 | noon-1 p.m.
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Speakers and topics:
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Marisa Goninen, PharmD, BCACP, population health pharmacy coordinator for Advocate Aurora Health. Appropriate use of anti-obesity medications | Approved medications and costs | Prescribing and monitoring considerations
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Melanie Smith, DO, Family Medicine, certified in Obesity Medicine and Aurora Medical Center Burlington’s HMR medical director. Obesity Medicine certification
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CME Website: Webinars & Recordings |
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