$16 Million Investment for Vulnerable Delawareans at DSCYF |
Funded by the American Rescue Plan Act |
Governor John Carney, Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF) on Tuesday announced a $16 million investment to renovate and remodel Wharton Hall on the DSCYF campus. The new facilities will be funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The goal of this investment is to add more in-state crisis beds and create a state-of-the-art, trauma-informed behavioral health diagnostic center to meet the complex needs of this population. Watch the press conference here.
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Governor Carney Formally Extends Public Health Emergency |
Under Delaware Law, PHE Declarations Must be Renewed Every 30 Days |
Governor John Carney today extended the Public Health Emergency order another 30 days. The extension allows the State of Delaware and medical providers to continue COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs, enables continued staffing flexibility at hospitals and long-term care facilities, and maintains the State of Delaware’s eligibility for low-income Delawareans to continue receiving enhanced federal food benefits.
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Free Tickets to the NASCAR Cup Series Race at Dover Downs |
Event Takes Place on Sunday, May 1st |
The Medical Society of Delaware is pleased to partner with Dover Motor Speedway to provide the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary race day experience at the track. As a thank you to health care workers for all you do to keep our community healthy and safe, members are invited to redeem two complimentary tickets to the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series Race at Dover Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 1st. Refer to the flyer for more information and the registration link. Supplies are limited, first-come, first-served.
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National Prescription Drug Take Back Day |
Delaware will hold its 22nd National DEA Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022. Delawareans can discard their expired or unused medications at locations statewide between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Organized nationally by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is operated locally by the Division of Public Health (DPH). In addition to the sites participating in National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day activities, there are 28 permanent medicine drop-off locations across the state available year-round. Six of Delaware's permanent drop-off sites are in Walgreens pharmacies and the other 22 are located in local law enforcement agencies. In addition to medicine drop off locations, DPH and community partners also distribute medication deactivation bags to the public to use at home. For a list of permanent collection sites and how to get a free disposal bag, visit www.helpisherede.com/understanding-addiction/safe-drug-storage-and-disposal. There are 25 locations participating in the National Prescription Drug Take Back event. Collection site locator and other information can be found on the Take Back Day website. Delawareans can bring any used needles to be disposed of properly at the following locations (https://www.helpisherede.com/documents/DDPHOHCR-34668-HelpIsHereDE-SharpsDisposalLocations_R1.pdf). The used needle disposal containers are only for public and not commercial entities, and individuals will need to sign a waiver stating that needles are from home use. To further enhance overdose prevention and education efforts, three of the DEA National Prescription Drug Take Back locations (Middletown, Wyoming, and Selbyville Police Departments) will also be offering Overdose Response Training and Narcan distribution to the public. For other community trainings and where you can get free Narcan go to: https://www.helpisherede.com/overdose-prevention. For more details about the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, visit http://dhss.delaware.gov/dph/hsp/hhdrugtakeback.html.
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Report of the MSD Interim Council Meeting |
Semi-Annual Virtual Meeting Held on April 21st |
The 10th Interim Meeting of the MSD Council was held on Thursday, April 21st. The Council agenda included reports from the President, Matthew Burday, DO, and Treasurer, Brian Galinat, MD, MBA, as well as an advocacy update from Richard Henderson, MD, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. The 2022 Nominating Committee members were nominated and will be ratified by the Executive Board at its meeting in May. Janice Tildon-Burton, MD, Chair of the Bylaws Committee, presented proposed changes to the Bylaws, which were adopted. Two resolutions were also presented to the Council for its consideration and both resolutions were adopted. The report of the Interim Council Meeting can be accessed here.
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COVID-19 Remembrance Memorial Ceremony to Take Place |
A Day of Hope to Remember, Honor, and Recognize |
On May 3rd at 1:00 p.m. Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, the Delaware Division of Public Health, members of the General Assembly in partnership with the Yellow Heart memorial, and COVID Survivors for Change will hold a COVID-19 Remembrance Memorial Ceremony to remember and honor the lives lost during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the survivors and front-line public health and health care workers in Delaware. During the event, a memorial tree and plaque will be unveiled and the Yellow Heart Memorial will provide hearts for loved ones to fill out for their lost family members. The in-person memorial ceremony will take place at the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Jesse Cooper Campus, located at 417 Federal Street in Dover, Delaware. You are invited to join in remembering the 2,896 parents, siblings, and children who were lost to the pandemic, as well as honor those with long-haul symptoms and recognize the sacrifice of those working in public health, health care, and long-term care.
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Recall of Lots of Accupril (Quinapril HCI) |
Due to N-Nitroso-Quinapril Content |
Pfizer is voluntarily recalling five (5) lots of Accupril (Quinapril HCl) tablets distributed by Pfizer to the patient (consumer/user) level due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-quinapril, observed in recent testing above the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) level.
Nitrosamines are common in water and foods, including cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and vegetables. Everyone is exposed to some level of nitrosamines. These impurities may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels over long periods of time. Accupril is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Accupril is also indicated in the management of heart failure as adjunctive therapy when added to conventional therapy including diuretics and/or digitalis. To date, Pfizer is not aware of reports of adverse events that have been assessed to be related to this recall. Pfizer believes the benefit/risk profile of the products remains positive based on currently available data. Although long-term ingestion of N-nitroso-quinapril may be associated with a potential increased cancer risk in humans, there is no immediate risk to patients taking this medication. Patients currently taking the products should consult with their doctor or health care provider about alternative treatment options for them.
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Recommendations Finalized on Aspirin Use for CVD Prevention |
Low-Dose Aspirin Use to Prevent First Heart Attack or Stroke |
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF, "Task Force") published on Tuesday a final recommendation statement on aspirin use to prevent heart disease and stroke. People ages 40 to 59 who are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and do not have a history of CVD should decide with their health care professional whether to start taking aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. People age 60 or older should not start taking aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke. These recommendations only apply to people who do not have a history of CVD and are not already taking daily aspirin. When deciding whether patients ages 40 to 59 should start taking aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke, health care professionals should take into account the patient’s CVD risk, chance of bleeding, and other factors. Importantly, these recommendations are not for people who already have heart disease, have had a stroke, or are already taking aspirin; these people should talk to their health care professional about their individual circumstances.
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HHS Pledge Initiative for Health Care Sector to Reduce Emissions |
June Event Will Highlight Private Sector Commitments |
Last Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with the White House, issued a call to action for health care stakeholders to commit to tackling the climate crisis through a new initiative aimed at reducing emissions across the health care sector. Climate change exacerbates health disparities and private health care stakeholders have an opportunity to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate future damage. According to the National Climate Advisor, Gina McCarthy, the health care sector contributes 8.5% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Federal Health systems are already taking action to reduce emissions under the Biden Administration. This new initiative challenges private health systems to match or exceed these goals and to build climate considerations into the future of health care. U.S. hospitals, health systems, suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, and other industry stakeholders are invited to submit pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase their climate resilience. Forms are due by June 3, 2022. The White House plans to host a convening in June to highlight health care sector progress in promoting climate actions. The voluntary pledge asks signees, at a minimum, to commit to: (1) reducing their organization’s emissions (by 50% by 2030 and to net-zero by 2050) and publicly reporting on their progress; (2) completing an inventory of Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions; and (3) developing climate resilience plans for their facilities and communities. It also asks them to designate an executive lead for this work.
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Teaching Patients About Climate Change |
Just 45 Seconds Is All It Takes |
How can you talk with your patients about the health risks of climate change without disrupting the office visit? This important topic can be time-consuming and even controversial. The Medical Society of Delaware's My Green Doctor explains an easy solution that may work well in your practice. Read more. My Green Doctor is a FREE money-saving membership benefit to learn how to adopt environmental sustainability, save resources, and help create healthier communities. Everyone in your practice can register as Partner Society members at www.MyGreenDoctor.org or at www.MyGreenDoctor.es (si, en Espanol) and use the discount code MGDMSD to save $60 instantly and give full access to My Green Doctor for free. Ask your practice manager to register and to put My Green Doctor on your next agenda.
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Potential for Internal Pump Malfunction in Medtronic HVAD |
Welding Defect May Cause Pump to Malfunction |
Today, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Letter to Health Care Providers to alert about the possibility that patients who have the Medtronic Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) System and appear to present with pump thrombosis may have a welding defect in the internal pump causing the pump to malfunction. Medtronic issued an Urgent Medical Device Correction to inform health care providers of the pump weld defect and is conducting an investigation to identify which HVAD pumps may be affected. As stated in the FDA’s June 2021 communication, the FDA does not recommend the elective removal of properly functioning systems at this time. Decisions about removing or exchanging the Medtronic HVAD System should be made by health care providers and patients together on a case-by-case basis, considering the patient’s clinical status and surgical risks.
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Moderna Files for Authorization of COVID Vaccine for Young Kids |
For Those Six Months to Under Six Years of Age |
Moderna today announced that it has submitted a request for emergency use authorization (EUA) for its COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) in children 6 months to under 2 years and 2 years to under 6 years of age to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and that similar requests are underway with international regulatory authorities. The requests are based on a 25 μg two-dose primary series of mRNA-1273. The EUA submission for children ages 6 months to under 6 years will be complete next week. Moderna is also currently studying booster doses for all pediatric cohorts.
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Health Advisory for Outpatient COVID-19 Treatments |
Those With Mild to Moderate COVID-19 and at Increased Risk |
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) issued a health alert to provide the health care community with information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the use of treatments for outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are at increased risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is updating health care providers, public health departments, and the public about the availability and use of recommended therapies for COVID-19 and to advise against using unproven treatments that have known or potential harms for outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19. For patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 who are not hospitalized and who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes, several treatment options, including antiviral medications and monoclonal antibodies, are now widely available and accessible.
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FDA Approves First COVID-19 Treatment for Young Children |
Veklury (Remdesivir) Approved for Patients 28 Days of Age and Older |
On Monday, the US Food and Drug Administration expanded the approval of the COVID-19 treatment Veklury (remdesivir) to include pediatric patients 28 days of age and older weighing at least 3 kilograms (about 7 pounds) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing who are hospitalized or not hospitalized and have mild-to-moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. This action makes Veklury the first approved COVID-19 treatment for children less than 12 years of age. The only approved dosage form is Veklury for injection.
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Biden Administration Increasing Antiviral Treatment Availability |
Reports of Difficulty Finding Physicians to Prescribe/Pharmacies to Dispense |
Paxlovid, the first oral antiviral treatment for COVID-19, is currently authorized for adults and children ages 12 and older who have tested positive for COVID and are at high risk for severe outcomes, including hospitalization and death. Paxlovid must be initiated within 5 days of symptom onset. Earlier this week, the Biden Administration announced new action to make antiviral treatments to combat COVID-19 easier to access. Under this new action, the number of pharmacies that carry antiviral treatments will nearly double, now that the US has ample supply. Pharmacies in the federal antiviral pharmacy program will be able to order free oral antiviral treatments directly from the federal government and also continue to be able to receive treatments from state and territorial health departments and through the Test-to-Treat initiative. The Administration expects that oral antivirals will soon be available in more than 30,000 locations. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will work with pharmacy partners to increase availability even further to up to 40,000 sites over the coming weeks. The White House also is taking steps to stand up more federally-supported test-to-treat programs in pharmacies and clinics.
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AMA Announces CPT Update for COVID Booster Candidates |
For Pfizer and Sanofi-GlaxoSmithKline Booster Candidates |
The American Medical Association (AMA) earlier this week announced an editorial update to Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) that includes newly assigned provisional CPT codes for COVID-19 booster candidates from Pfizer and Sanofi-GlaxoSmithKline. The Pfizer booster candidate is proposed for use in children ages 5 to 11 who have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series, while the Sanofi-GSK booster candidate is proposed for use in persons age 18 and older who have completed a COVID-19 vaccine primary series. Each provisional CPT codes is effective for use on the condition that its assigned booster candidate is granted an Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The AMA is publishing the CPT code update now to ensure electronic systems across the U.S. health care system are prepared in advance for the potential FDA authorization.
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COVID-19 Vaccines for Those Vaccinated Outside the US |
CDC Recommends Staying Up-to-Date with COVID-19 Vaccines |
For the best protection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, including people who received a COVID-19 vaccine outside of the United States. A person is up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they have received all recommended doses in the primary series and one booster when eligible. People vaccinated outside of the United States who have not completed the primary series (of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine) do not have to start the primary series over. They should get one primary series dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). If the first dose was an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, it would be best to get the same vaccine again to complete the primary series. They should also receive a booster when eligible.
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HHS to Make Coverage More Accessible, Affordable in 2023 |
Changes in the Individual, Small Group Health Insurance Markets |
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), announced new measures that will allow consumers to more easily find the right form of quality, affordable health care coverage on HealthCare.gov that best meets their needs. The upcoming HealthCare.Gov Open Enrollment Period will begin on November 1, 2022. The 2023 Notice of Benefits and Payment Parameters Final Rule (final 2023 Payment Notice) makes regulatory changes in the individual and small group health insurance markets and establishes parameters and requirements issuers need to design plans and set rates for the 2023 plan year. The rule also includes regulatory standards to help states, the Marketplaces, and health insurance companies in the individual and small group markets better serve consumers. Major policies include the following: advancing standardized plan options; implementing new network adequacy requirements; increasing the value of coverage for consumers; increasing access for consumers and removing barriers to coverage; expanding access to essential community providers; and further streamlining HealthCare.gov operations.
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Physician Emeritus Section Social Luncheon Series Returns |
"The Delaware Courts and Brown vs. Board of Education" |
The Physician Emeritus Section held its first educational luncheon on April 12th since the two-year pause of its educational luncheon sessions due to the pandemic. MSD Physician Emeritus Section members were excited to visit again with friends and colleagues while enjoying lunch on a beautiful spring day at the University and Whist Club. Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz, Jr. of the Delaware Supreme Court spoke of the unique role played by Delaware lawyers and judges in the US Supreme Court’s 1954 landmark decision declaring separate but equal doctrine unconstitutional in public school education. He shared how his father, former Delaware Judge Collins J. Seitz, played an integral part in the decision when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld his reasoning that school segregation was inherently unequal. The Physician Emeritus Section will meet again on June 14th when Anne Boylan, Historian at the University of Delaware will present “Delaware’s Suffrage Story”. Pictured are MSD Physician Emeritus Section member, Allen L. Davies, MD, and Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz, Jr. Dr. Davies introduced Chief Justice Seitz at the event.
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Virtual Events to Help You Move Forward |
COVID-19 Shadow Pandemic: Mental Health Impacts on Patients & Care Teams
“Shadow Pandemic: Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 on Patients and the Care Team,” the latest on-demand webinar in the AMA’s Overcoming Obstacles series, explores how experts have engaged pediatric and adult patients before and during the pandemic, and how patient health needs have changed over time. Hear the challenges encountered and solutions used to creatively address patient needs, and what is next for patient care.
AMA to Host Interactive Session on Telehealth for Dermatology
The AMA is hosting an interactive session that will highlight the innovative ways that telehealth is currently being used in dermatology. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with speakers, as well as gain insights on ways to leverage a variety of telehealth modalities, including provider-to-provider e-consults, live audio/visual, and store-and-forward.
AMA STEPS Forward® Podcast: Creating A Culture That Supports Well-Being
In the latest AMA STEPS Forward® podcast episode, Dr. Nigel Girgrah, Chief Wellness Officer at Ochsner Health System, discusses strategies for creating a culture of well-being at your health care organization – including addressing mental health stigma, building a strong EAP program, employing an opt out vs opt in approach, and encouraging leadership to be vulnerable about their own burnout struggles.
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MSD Seeking Nominations to Recognize COVID-19 Efforts |
Nominate a Physician for Exceptional Service Performed During Pandemic |
MSD wants to recognize physicians who demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their patients, communities, and profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. We seek to recognize both physician leaders whose work may be widely known, as well as physicians who labored in relative anonymity. To this, we are seeking nominations from our members of physicians whose personal sacrifice and performance beyond expectation during the pandemic would merit recognition. All physicians in Delaware, excluding trainees, are eligible. Nominations can be submitted online. Persons nominating will be asked to describe the reason the physician is being nominated. The deadline for submitting nominations is Thursday, May 19th. Awards will be presented this fall.
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Premier Educational Program Partner Spotlight |
Diamond State Financial Group |
MSD is pleased to highlight a 2022 Premier Educational Program Partner. Premier Educational Partners have joined with the Medical Society of Delaware in supporting high quality professional medical education for Delaware physicians and other health care professionals to advance the health and well-being of Delaware's citizens. Diamond State Financial Group (DSFG) provides customized solutions to assist you in reaching your financial goals. DSFG offers a comprehensive line of products and services, and can assist with such needs as college funding, and retirement or estate planning, as well as enrollment in MSD’s group 401(k) plan. DSFG is committed to helping you accomplish your long-term financial objectives. For more information on Diamond State Financial Group please visit: http://www.dsfg.com/
If you would like to become a PEP Partner, please contact Lynn Robinson, Director of Professional Education.
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MSD member, James M. Ellison, MD, MPH, The Swank Foundation Endowed Chair in Memory Care and Geriatrics with ChristianaCare Health System, was quoted in a recent article published April 27, 2022, in Medscape on the hotly debated subject of whether there should be a standard measure or age for physician retirement. In the piece "How Old Is Too Old to Work as a Doctor?", Dr. Ellison provides both pros and cons that aging brings to practicing physicians.
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Bayhealth’s new medical office building in Harrington is on schedule to open with expanded services in early 2023. The new, 10,000 square foot facility located at 16681 S. DuPont Highway is a short distance from the current space, which is the longtime home of Bayhealth Primary Care, Harrington and Bayhealth Outpatient Center, Harrington. In the new space, patients will find additional exam rooms, a Coumadin Clinic, and outpatient testing services including lab and imaging. The new building was also strategically designed with extra space for future services to ensure that it can keep pace with the growth of Harrington and the surrounding communities.
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For the 11th consecutive year, Christiana Hospital and Wilmington Hospital have received a perfect score of 100 and the designation of “LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader” in the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). Now in its 15th year, the HEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of health care facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors, and employees.
In breakthrough research at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, scientists have discovered that a protein secreted by tumor cells can switch off the body’s natural defenses against triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study, led by Jennifer Sims-Mourtada, Ph.D., lead research scientist at the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research (CTCR), at the Graham Cancer Center, is reported in The Journal of Translational Medicine, available online.
To transform the care of pediatric patients in the community, ChristianaCare will open a Pediatric Care Center in September 2022 that will provide 24/7 combined short-stay inpatient and emergency care. The new center will be located on the first floor of the Center for Women’s & Children’s Health on ChristianaCare’s Newark Campus. ChristianaCare projects the 24-hour Pediatric Care Center will be able to evaluate and manage 90% of the pediatric cases currently seen in the Christiana Hospital Emergency Department. The center expects to care for an estimated 6,300 patients the first year, with volume projected to grow 5% each year. The Pediatric Care Center will also provide expert care to children and adolescents with behavioral health emergency needs and provide appropriate referral sources for follow-up care.
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Lindsay M. Grasso, MD - Surgical Resident, Bayhealth Medical Center
Daniel R. Feldman, DO, MPH - Internal Medicine Resident, ChristianaCare
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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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COVID-19 Information Finder |
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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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16.1 million
Number of people reporting misusing any prescription drug in the past 12 months
2020 National Survey on Drug Use & Health
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515
Number of overdose deaths in 2021 in Delaware.
Delaware Division of Forensic Science
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15%
Percent increase in overdose deaths in Delaware from 2020 to 2021.
Delaware Division of Forensic Science
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May 26 - Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association 92nd Annual Meeting, 6:30-9:00 p.m., DuPont Country Club.
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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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