February 2022
Long COVID
Dr. Dilip Elangbam, MD, CMD, FACP
Gita Elangbam, BS

What is in the name? Long COVID-19 Definition: The post COVID-19 condition occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS -CoV–2 infection, usually three months from the onset of COVID- 19 with symptoms that last for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction, but also others and generally have an impact on everyday functioning. Symptoms may be new onset following initial recovery from an acute COVID – 19 episode or persist from the initial illness. Symptoms also fluctuate or relapse over time.

Through a large global consensus process, a working, clinical case definition of post-COVID–19 condition, from the following twelve domains, are now available to the public. A repository of published/available definitions of post-COVID-19 conditions can also be found here.
Any views or opinions presented in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent any policy or position of PAMED, PMDA, AMDA, its affiliates, and members.
PMDA Education Committee Wants to Hear from YOU!

PMDA is primed to convene its third annual Spring Symposium, its first in-person meeting since the onset of the pandemic. The meeting is slated for Saturday, May 21, 2022, at the Williamsport Hospital in Williamsport, PA, the Little League Capital of the World!

Recognizing that our colleagues, exhibitors and guests have varying comfort levels with in-person engagements, the PMDA Education Committee has created a short survey to guide its planning for the upcoming meeting.

Please take a moment to complete the survey so the Education Committee can plan for your comfort, safety, and positive experience. Here’s the link:
Thank you for taking the time to inform our planning!
SAVE THE DATES

  • May 21, 2022 - Spring Symposium
  • September 21, 2022 - Regional Meeting
  • October 14-15 Annual Symposium
GO BALTIMORE or GO DIGITAL at PALTC22! 

Have you registered for PALTC22? There are two registration options for the event, which is taking place March 10-13: GO BALTIMORE or GO DIGITAL.
New Hosts Take the Wheel on AMDA On-The-Go Podcasts
With the start of 2022, AMDA’s popular podcast programs feature two new hosts. Diane Sanders-Cepeda, DO, CMD, is the new host of AMDA On-The-Go; Karl Steinberg, MD, CMD, HMDC, has taken the helm of the Caring On-The-Go and JAMDA On-The-Go podcasts. Wayne Saltsman, MD, PhD, CMD, who has been the programs’ host since they started, recorded his final episode in December. Read more
Download the FREE AMDA App to access AMDA’s podcasts, new Parkinson’s Disease & Psychosis in the PALTC Setting Pocket Guide, and more!
JAMDA Recruiting for New Editor-in-Chief

The position will begin in September to start the transition of editors, with full responsibility beginning with the January 2023 issue. The position is for a five-year initial term, renewable based on performance. Learn More
Antibiotic Prescribing Survey

Christopher Crnich, MD, PhD, at UW-Madison and Robin Jump, MD, PhD, at the Cleveland VA are conducting a research study about antibiotic prescribing to develop tools that improve antibiotic prescribing in the nursing home setting. They are recruiting clinicians (NP, PA, MD, or DO) to participate in a 15-minute case-based survey that includes clinical vignettes of nursing home residents and questions about antibiotic prescribing choice.

Participants will receive a $50 Amazon gift card. Interested clinicians can fill out the survey.
COVID-19: Vaccine Access in Long-term Care Settings

The federal government is committed to ensuring that residents and staff in long-term care settings, like nursing homes, assisted living, residential care communities, group homes, and senior housing, have access to COVID-19 vaccines to get primary series and booster shots.
CMS encourages long-term care providers to consider the option that works best for their residents and staff when coordinating access to COVID-19 vaccines, either in the local community or on-site. The CDC has additional details on these options.

As a reminder, through enforcement discretion, CMS will allow Medicare-enrolled immunizers, including but not limited to pharmacies working with the U.S., to bill directly and get direct reimbursement from the Medicare program for vaccinating Medicare skilled nursing facility residents. Find Medicare billing and payment information.
AMDA On-The-Go
Podcast Series