Small But Significant Changes Being Made For Health Equity |
Delaware Labs Changing Calculation of eGFR to New CKD-EPI 2021 Equation |
At the Medical Society of Delaware’s (MSD) Annual Meeting of the Council held on November 9, 2021, a resolution was adopted to eliminate the race correction factor in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the measurement of kidney filtration rate. With the adoption of this resolution, MSD aligns itself with national nephrology groups in support of removing race as a standard for eGFR reporting in laboratory facilities. The Medical Society of Delaware fully supports the National Kidney Foundation-American Society of Nephrology (NKF-ASN) Task Force recommendations to immediately implement the 2021 Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology (CKD-EPI) creatinine equation with the elimination of race as the standard for eGFR reporting in all laboratory facilities operating in the State of Delaware. The Medical Society of Delaware also supports approaches to address and eliminate race as a factor in medical decision-making, with respect to laboratory and other clinical information.
Since the adoption of the Council resolution, MSD has been in touch with LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics about their progress in moving to eliminate the factor. MSD was pleased to learn that health care professionals will see changes in the future on patients’ lab reports from LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics that will not include a race coefficient for eGFR. This is a first step in addressing health equity to improve health and the lives for communities of color.
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DE Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment At All-Time High |
Cost of Monthly Premiums Kept Relatively Steady |
With strong public demand for coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, enhanced federal subsidies, and Delaware’s reinsurance program keeping the cost of monthly premiums relatively steady, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services announced enrollment on Delaware’s Health Insurance Marketplace for 2022 set an all-time high, increasing 26.8% over the open enrollment total for 2021. During Delaware’s ninth open enrollment period, which began on November 1, 2021, and ended January 15, 2022, a total of 32,113 Delawareans enrolled for health insurance on HealthCare.gov. During the previous year, sign-ups during the open enrollment period totaled 25,320.
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CMS Letter to Administrators on Health Care Worker Vaccine Rule |
CMS Moving Forward With Implementation |
This week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter to health care facility administrators on the COVID-19 Health Care Worker Vaccine rule. The letter details the importance for health care facility workers to be vaccinated. The Omnibus Health Care Staff Vaccination rule is now in effect nationwide and CMS is moving ahead on implementing the rule in the District of Columbia, the territories, and all 50 states.
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Delaware Health Advisory: Administration of EVUSHELD |
Evusheld for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 for Certain Individuals |
The Delaware Division of Public Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services and Hospital Preparedness is issuing guidance on the administration of EVUSHELD for providers responsible for adult and pediatric patients over 12 years of age, weighing more than 40kg, who have medical conditions that may result in moderate to severe immune compromise, who are unable to mount an adequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccines, and would benefit most from receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) from COVID-19. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued an Emergency Use Authorization for the emergency unapproved product EVUSHELD. EVUSHELD (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab) is a long-acting monoclonal antibody currently approved for the PrEP of COVID-19. There are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives to EVUSHELD for the pre-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 for individuals that may not mount an adequate immune response to vaccination or have a history of severe adverse reaction to vaccines or their components.
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Pfizer/BioNTech Seek COVID Vaccine EUA for Children Under 5 |
FDA Encouraged Application Due to Urgent Public Health Need |
Pfizer and BioNTech are seeking emergency use authorization (EUA) for the first coronavirus vaccine for children younger than 5 and began submitting data on the first two doses of the planned three-dose regimen. A committee of outside advisers is expected to meet to review the data in the coming weeks, influencing but not determining the decision the FDA makes. A similar advisory committee to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also review the data. The vaccine could become available as soon as the end of the month.
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FDA Approves Second COVID-19 Vaccine |
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine To Be Marketed As Spikevax |
On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a second COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine; the approved vaccine will be marketed as Spikevax for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older. Spikevax meets the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality required for approval. Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine has been available under emergency use authorization (EUA) for individuals 18 years of age and older since Dec. 18, 2020. Spikevax has the same formulation as the EUA Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and is administered as a primary series of two doses, one month apart. Spikevax can be used interchangeably with the EUA Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine to provide the COVID-19 vaccination series. Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine remains available under EUA as a two-dose primary series for individuals 18 years of age and older, as a third primary series dose for individuals 18 years of age and older who have been determined to have certain kinds of immunocompromise, and as a single booster dose for individuals 18 years of age and older at least five months after completing a primary series of the vaccine. It is also authorized for use as a heterologous (or “mix and match”) single booster dose for individuals 18 years of age and older following completion of primary vaccination with a different available COVID-19 vaccine. The FDA is requiring the company to conduct postmarketing studies to further assess the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following vaccination with Spikevax. These studies will include an evaluation of long-term outcomes among individuals who develop myocarditis following vaccination with Spikevax. In addition, although not FDA requirements, the company has committed to conducting additional post-marketing safety studies, including conducting a pregnancy registry study to evaluate pregnancy and infant outcomes after receipt of Spikevax during pregnancy. Read the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet.
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Highmark Members Eligible for OTC COVID Tests Without Cost |
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Using Existing Pharmacy Network Eliminates Need for Reimbursement |
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Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, complying with the Biden administration order for insurance companies to provide at-home COVID-19 tests at no cost, announced members can now obtain the over-the-counter tests at any in-network pharmacy without having to pay upfront. Up to eight over-the-counter tests per month can be obtained. The program is meant for individuals who have been exposed to or are showing symptoms of COVID-19, not for those who need testing to return to school or work. There is no guarantee that a pharmacy will have inventory. Highmark had been complying with federal guidelines to reimburse clients for the cost of COVID-19 tests purchased since that requirement began January 15th.
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Medicare Beneficiaries Will Be Eligible For Free OTC COVID Tests |
Access to Over the Counter Tests at No Cost Starting in Early Spring |
Those in either Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage will be able to obtain over-the-counter COVID-19 tests at no cost. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) anticipates this option will be available to people with Medicare in the early spring. Under the new initiative, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for free. Tests will be available through eligible pharmacies and other participating entities. This policy will apply to COVID-19 over-the-counter tests approved or authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is the first time that Medicare has covered an over-the-counter test at no cost to beneficiaries. This new initiative will enable payment from Medicare directly to participating pharmacies and other participating entities. Fact sheet available.
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Delaware Attorney General Unveils DOJ Human Trafficking Unit |
First Dedicated Human Trafficking Unit |
Closing out Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined advocates, State and local partners, and prosecutors on Monday to announce the formation of the Delaware Department of Justice’s (DOJ) first dedicated Human Trafficking Unit (HTU). In the last five years, Delaware law enforcement has made more than 50 human trafficking-related arrests, though that figure is widely believed to represent only a fraction of the full scale of sex and labor trafficking in Delaware given the inherently clandestine nature of the crime and the state’s location on the I-95 corridor. The HTU will focus on a holistic approach that emphasizes collaboration with public and nonprofit partners, raising awareness, supporting survivors, engaging in community outreach, and eradicating trafficking through education, prevention, and, when appropriate, prosecution. Health care professionals are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspected human trafficking victims. Anyone who suspects human trafficking may be occurring should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888, or call 911 if someone may be in imminent danger.
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Highlight On Events And Educational Offerings |
An Approach to Patients Who Have Not Gotten the COVID-19 Vaccine |
This course module was developed by the "Made to Save" Campaign and will explore a patient-centered approach to COVID-19 vaccine counseling to increase trust, confidence, and vaccine uptake, based on the experience of a national grassroots COVID-19 vaccine education and outreach campaign focused on underserved communities of color. The Yale School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
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Opioid REMS: Moving Forward, Safely & Effectively |
Patients suffering with chronic or acute pain present a tremendous challenge to any clinician. How do the experts handle these patients and how does that compare to your practice? Join leading experts in an innovative, engaging curriculum that utilizes augmented reality to help you immediately impact and improve the outcomes of your patients with pain. This educational program is designed for physicians and other health care professionals who are DEA registered prescribers of controlled substances. In addition, non-prescribing health care team members who support the treatment and management of patients with pain but are not authorized to prescribe will benefit from participating in this educational series. Purdue University College of Pharmacy designates this internet enduring activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. There is no fee for the program.
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Bayhealth Medical Grand Rounds - For Health Care Professionals |
Bayhealth Hospital invites health care professionals to attend their Medical Grand Rounds. This regularly scheduled series takes place every fourth Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Bayhealth Medical Center in Dover. You can also join via zoom. Registration is required. Upcoming dates for meetings are February 8, March 8, April 5, and May 3, 2022. To join the Zoom by meeting number use Access Code 2435 528 4699 and Password Bayhealth.
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Long COVID and Fatiguing Illness Recovery Program |
Family Health Centers of San Diego, the ECHO Institute, University of Washington, and University of Colorado have collaborated to provide a CDC-funded monthly webinar-style ECHO learning session to rapidly disseminate Post-acute Sequelae of SARS-COV-2 infection (PASC) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) findings and emerging best practices. This large-scale national monthly ECHO webinar series will offer didactic presentations by subject matter experts, examples of emerging best practices and models of care, and a facilitated Q&A. The Long COVID and Fatiguing Illness Recovery Program ECHO is intended for primary care providers and patient lived experience experts and advocates are welcome. Sessions will be held February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, and June 9, all beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern time. To Register.
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COVID-19: Long Term Neurological Impact and Nuances |
Would you like to learn about the chronic effects of COVID-19 on the brain? Attend the upcoming virtual symposium hosted by the Brain Injury Association of America and Montefiore-Einstein on February 16 from 11:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. and hear leading physicians provide background about neurological complications associated with COVID-19. Sessions will explore neurocognitive effects, imaging and current treatments for acute stroke patients, and long-term rehabilitation strategies for the future. Attendees will also have the chance to get their questions answered in a Q&A session to wrap up the day. Albert Einstein College of Medicine-Montefiore Medical Center designates this internet activity for a maximum of 4.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Registration and fee required.
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Registration for the 2022 AMPAC Candidate Workshop is Now Open |
Ever wonder how Doctors get elected to Congress or your state legislature? Considering a run for office for yourself? The AMPAC Candidate Workshop will teach you how to run a winning political campaign, just like we taught many of your American Medical Association (AMA) colleagues over the years. The Candidate Workshop is designed to help you make the leap from the exam room to the campaign trail and give you the skills and strategic approach you will need to make a run for public office. Political veterans from both sides of the aisle will give you expert advice about politics and the sacrifices needed to mount a competitive campaign. To provide the same high-quality content of the in-person program, the Virtual Candidate Workshop will be conducted over the course of two consecutive weekends: March 12-13 and 19-20. Both weekends are part of the full program and must be attended by participants. Each of the four virtual sessions will start at 11:00 am EST and run approximately four hours. There is a registration fee for both AMA Members and NonMembers, but waived for AMA residents and students (AMPAC Board will review and select four participants from the pool of qualified resident and student applicants). Space is limited. The deadline to register is February 28 or sooner if maximum capacity is reached. For more information please contact: Politicaleducation@ama-assn.org
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Wellford W. Inge, Jr., MD |
It is with sadness that we share the passing of MSD member, Wellford W. Inge, Jr., MD, on January 28th. Dr. Inge was 85 years of age. He graduated in 1962 from the Medical College of Virginia and completed a six-year surgical residency at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio where he was Chief Resident from 1968-1969. He served a three-year tour of duty at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas caring for the critically burned patients of the Vietnam War and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He joined Drs. James McNinch and Keith Hamilton in 1972 in the practice of general, thoracic, and vascular surgery. Dr. Inge retired in 2001 and enjoyed traveling, theater, reading, woodworking, philately, fine dining, and the daily jumble. He was a staple at the MSD Physician Emeritus luncheons and Annual Meetings and will be greatly missed. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 4th from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Wyoming United Methodist Church with service to follow at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations of remembrance may be made to the Wyoming United Methodist Church in Dover or The First State Animal Center and SPCA in Wyoming. Read obituary.
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John J. Fink, MD - Family Medicine, Bayhealth Kent General Hospital |
MSD's Membership Department is pleased to announce the newest members of the Medical Society of Delaware. Welcome to the third oldest medical society in the country! If you know someone interested in joining MSD, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any questions. You could be eligible for a referral discount!
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Luiz F. Araujo, MD - Vascular Specialists of Delaware
Olubusola A. Ogunlade, MD-OB/GYN, Medical Director, Planned Parenthood
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MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding applicants for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any comments.
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The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section, we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world. |
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10 Billion
Number of COVID-19 vaccinations given world wide.
Nature
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14.5 Million
Number of Americans that signed up for 2022 health care coverage through Marketplaces during historic open enrollment period (November 1, 2021 - January 15, 2022).
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
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10 Minutes
Amount of moderate to vigorous exercise added daily to normal routines that may prevent 110,000 deaths annually in adults over 40.
JAMA Internal Medicine
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March 5-7 - Medical Society Consortium on Climate & Health 2022 Annual Meeting, Accelerating Climate Solutions: From Urgency to Impact for Health Equity.
May 18 - SAVE THE DATE! 2022 Annual Rural Health Conference, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
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Was the information in this newsletter useful? If so, forward to a friend to let them know the value of your Medical Society of Delaware membership. |
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The information contained herein is solely informational, planned in accordance for a diverse membership audience. This communication reflects news and announcements that have been made available to MSD and is not intended to exclude other pertinent material. The content published is proposed to represent facts of interest and provide awareness to the members. MSD reserves the right to determine what information is relevant to its membership. |
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Copyright © 2022. All Rights Reserved. |
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