Dedicated to the health of children and adolescents. | | |
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President's Perspective
by Gretchen Homan, MD, FAAP
Dear Kansas Pediatricians,
It is wintertime in Kansas. The time of year when it feels like our well-child checks are also sick with viral infections, our hospitals are endlessly busy, and we have less daylight to work with. This pattern is not new to us, and I imagine across the state we are all doing similar things which means none of us is working alone.
Winter in Kansas can bring snow and ice one day and sunshine and warmth the next day and I think the practice of pediatrics has a way of mixing in sunshine and warmth too. It seems more and more of our kids have significant issues that are often multifactorial, many in number, and with impactful consequences. But it is so amazing to meet a new baby, maybe born weeks early but who is doing great. Their entire hand holds your finger while you answer their parents’ questions, and you think – one day this baby could be my doctor! We know our kids are strong and resilient, but they need us to give them a chance, help them heal and advocate for their futures.
We are the helpers and every day you are helping so many Kansas kids and their families. Whether it’s taking the extra time to teach supportive care for bronchiolitis, checking on the new admission once more, learning to diagnose and prescribe treatments for anxiety and depression or handing out a sticker after a flu shot. For your patient, their interactions with you might be the biggest part of their day and you make a difference for good.
Yes, it is winter in Kansas with all that comes with it. However, this time of year is also a time to reflect and give thanks. When I pause to think about this I have so many things to be grateful for. I use the word grateful with an extra smile because my teenage son recently taught me how to spell it once and for all. He even knew the error I was making without asking, that I tried to spell it from the word great. I love learning from kids!!
So, I am full of great feeling (great-full, smile) for my family, my friendships, and the privilege to take care of kids while working with the best colleagues – you all!! I think our strong connections and sense of commitment to community will help us through this winter season. I and all of us here at KAAP are available to support and help you anytime. Please reach out if there is something we can do for you and look for the times of warmth and sunshine that I am sure will pop up just when we need them this season. And for your patients, it is quite possible you are the warmth and sunshine they need. Thank you for being a Kansas Pediatrician!!
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Executive Director Update
by Melissa Hudelson
I have had a great time over the last few months visiting KAAP members at their practices! I appreciate those of you who have welcomed me and shared about how things are going. I have heard many of the same themes from members around mental and behavioral health. These meetings have also reminded me how different each practice is, and that each community has unique challenges and strengths.
I am putting together the information that I am learning during my travels to help the KAAP Board of Directors with the strategic planning we will be doing in the spring and for KDHE to use to direct their programming. If I haven’t been to your practice yet I would love to visit and hear your perspective so it can be included. Please reach out to me if I can bring lunch to your office and learn more about what you think KAAP and KDHE should be focusing on.
KDHE purchased Bright Futures and mental health resources for KAAP members this fall. If you would like books or handouts, just let me know and I will get them to you. I can be contacted through email at mel.hudelson@kansasaap.org or by phone at 913-530-6265. Have a wonderful holiday season!
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National Amoxicillin Shortage
As most of you know there is a national shortage of amoxicillin. All formulations are impacted on some level (tablets, capsules, chewable tablets, suspensions) resulting in limited supplies in the state. We do not know how long the shortage will last.
Children’s Mercy created this table to provide a summary of alternative therapies for common infections that we wanted to share. For more information, visit the FDA web page.
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Legislative Update
After a long election night and close race between Governor Laura Kelly and Attorney General Derek Schmidt, Governor Kelly has won re-election by a narrow margin of about 16,000 votes. Other closely watched races included that of Attorney General and the battle between Democrat Chris Mann and former Secretary of State Kris Kobach, as well as several House races in Johnson County and two additional constitutional amendments. More on all of that follows.
This report focuses on the General Election outcomes and implications, as well as covers some of the highlights over the last couple of weeks. We’ll provide a report in early December detailing leadership elections and committee assignments, as well as an updated look at the 2023 Session. Read the full report.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
by Sarah Zuk, MD MPH
Hello! My name is Sarah Zuk and I am the new Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for KAAP. I am relatively new to KAAP. I am an early career physician and just started my third year of practice. I am excited to step into this new role, and look forward to getting to know my fellow KAAP colleagues along the way.
I would like to tell you all a little bit about myself. I grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I attended medical school at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City. Between my second and third years of medical school I earned master’s degree in public health. I did my pediatric residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, and about two years ago my husband and I returned to Kansas City to start our jobs. I work at the University of Kansas Medical Center where I am a general pediatrician (I do all outpatient medicine), and I also engage in some teaching and academic activities within the School of Medicine. I am fluent in Spanish and have the privilege of caring for a large number of Spanish-speaking families within my practice, which is just one part of the multicultural patient population I see.
I am looking forward to serving as the Chair of the DEI Committee. This is a relatively new committee, and in the past few months, we solidified our mission and vision statements. We have a page on the KAAP website with an abundance of interesting and informative resources (articles, AAP-specific resources, and recommendations for books, movies, podcasts, etc.). Please feel free to check it out here.
I look forward to working with all of you and getting to know you as time goes on. My contact information is below if anyone wants to reach out regarding DEI-related topics or otherwise.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!
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Save the Date!
Progress in Pediatrics Spring 2023 will be held in Salina on Friday, April 21st! Look for registration in January. Exhibitor registration is open now. If one of your amazing vendors would like a booth, please send them this link.
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Vaccine Liaison Update
by Mallory Laur
What started as a busy fall with back-to-school checkups quickly pivoted into sick visits as kids are experiencing high rates of RSV, strep throat, and other viruses. We know that you are fatigued managing patient volumes on top of working to lessen illness by getting kids in for their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
The U.S. announced that it will keep in place the public health emergency status of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring free COVID-19 vaccines until a shift to the commercial market. Meanwhile, flu vaccine uptake continues to be low, while hospitalization rates in kids are among the highest seen in almost a decade. View the CDC’s one-page guide on motivating parents to vaccinate their child against the flu.
KAAP also has materials available to promote all vaccinations in your practice, including:
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Immunization schedule wall clings for kids up to age 6.
- Tips on how to hold a child during vaccination
- COVID-19 vaccine safety infographic
- Patient vaccination recall guide
- Social media graphics and more.
Download all files here. Let me know if you would like a toolkit mailed to your practice, including the wall clings, fidget pop-its, sticker books and flyers.
Coming Soon!
KAAP is working to launch a QI project in 2023 that would provide MOC-4 credit to help members understand their immunization rates and how to work to improve them. More information to come.
Please reach out with toolkit requests, questions, or other ways I can support you at mallory.laur@kansasaap.org.
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Moderna10 COVID-19 Vaccine Expiration Date Extension - ACTION REQUIRED
The expiration dates of the Moderna10 monovalent products (listed below) have been extended. This extension is for an additional 3-month shelf life and have been updated on the Moderna Vial Expiration checker.
Assess all Moderna monovalent COVID-19 vaccine inventory and adjust the expiration date accordingly. Updated expiration date must be updated in your on-hand inventory in KSWebIZ and all existing inventory in the storage unit needs to be labeled with the new expiration date.
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Multiple-dose vials are stored frozen between -50°C to -15°C (-58°F to 5°F). During storage, minimize exposure to room light and avoid exposure to direct sunlight and ultraviolet light. Unpunctured vials can be stored refrigerated between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F) for up to 30 days prior to first use. Never refreeze once thawed. For more information visit Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Storage and Handling.
If you need assistance updating the expiration date in KSWebIZ, please contact the Helpdesk at 877-296-0464. If you have questions, please email KDHE for assistance.
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KPF Update
The 2022 Year End Appeal for the Kansas Pediatric Foundation has begun, and we want to first say, thank you for another year supporting the health of children in Kansas. Please consider giving a tax-deductible donation this holiday season, to further impact child health in Kansas through the TAP-TAM Early Literacy Endowment or the Kansas Kids Fund.
The TAP-TAM Early Literacy Endowment supports the Turn a Page. Touch a Mind.® (TAP-TAM) early literacy program that has grown since 2004 to include 144 practices and clinics that have given more than 1,500,000 books to patients up to 5 years old at well-check visits. TAP-TAM provides the foundation for caregivers to bring the gift of reading to children.
The Kansas Kids Fund is unrestricted funding that is used to support Pediatricians and projects that improve child health. This fund provides the Pediatricians in Action grants that allow KAAP members to address needs in their communities. Funded grants in the past year have focused on emotional regulation in an elementary school and a grant focusing on increasing physical activity with children and their pets. Look for the Pediatricians in Action grant application that will be available in January!
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Schedule Maternal Depression Screening Trainings with Free CME
On January 1, 2021, KanCare began paying for maternal depression screening. KAAP is offering Maternal Depression Screening trainings for practices that include free CME and a lunch stipend for your office. Contact Mel at mel.hudelson@kansasaap.org for more information or to schedule your training.
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Pediatric Payment Corner
If there are issues you are having with payment from any payers, please reach out to pediatriccouncil@kansasaap.org and we are happy to try and help.
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