WORD TO THE WISE Newsletter: June 2020 - Volume 20, No. 6

In this issue: Update from your president: A reflection and statement Update from your CMS BOD rep: Smoking and COVID-19 PCMS update: Register for liability and COVID-19 webinar News and resources: Testing site for COVID-19; coaching available; updated codes for telemedicine; interactive exhibit to spot signs of drug abuse; law relaxes PPP requirements Events: Consortium lunch and learn series; series on adolescent reproductive health; breastfeeding clinical update; Parkview events in 2020; Robert Hawkins Tribute News from CMS: CMS advocacy pays off; Virtual Grand Rounds event - June 10 News from AMA: Action against racism and police brutality

UPDATE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT: Marcel Junqueira, MD

A reflection on the current state of our community and country Communities around our nation are hurting right now. Pueblo physicians are feeling this very personally and through the pain of our patients and loved ones. Beginning with the COVID-19 pandemic, physicians and other providers selflessly stepped up to address this urgent public health crisis and rapidly adapted our practices to see patients virtually when at all possible -- a bright spot in a bleak scenario. We are still navigating the pandemic, learning more about the virus every day, applying this knowledge to our practices, and watching our economy reopen while urging caution and preparing for a next wave of COVID-19. But now, just a little more than two weeks after George Floyd was killed during an arrest, we feel deeply the pain of those taking their voices to the streets in protest and we wish to be part of the constructive dialogue about unwarranted deaths and marginalization of people of color. As physicians we know that racism and inequality are detrimental to our patients. As such, the PCMS Board of Directors developed the following statement on race and health equity that we hope aids the effort to change. "Pueblo County Medical Society (PCMS) was founded in 1881. From the beginning, the founders of PCMS encouraged its members to be involved in all aspects of community life, advocated for healing the sick and wounded, and promoted the advancement of health and social equity throughout Pueblo, Colo. Early in our history, female doctors and physicians from minority communities joined our society, held prominent positions on our board of directors, and some ascended to our presidency. PCMS members and staff have contributed countless hours to promoting and advancing the art and science of medicine both locally and in surrounding areas. Our society currently serves over 320 physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants through educational, advocacy, and networking events."

UPDATE FROM YOUR CMS BOD REP: Brad Roberts, MD

Evidence-based medicine I recently had the opportunity to be a panelist in a Colorado Medical Society webinar on commercial determinants of health and their effect on COVID-19 outcomes. They asked me to address smoking, vaping and cannabis and in the course of my research of popular media articles and peer-reviewed literature I found a stark discrepancy in that the media stretched the evidence to purport that smoking was a potential COVID-19 preventative. It reminded me of the importance of physicians giving a critical eye to not one peer-reviewed studies but also understanding what the public may be hearing from other sources. Read more here.

PCMS UPDATE

Don't miss this webinar! Medical Liability and Resuming Patient Care Wednesday, June 17, 2020, 6 - 7 p.m. 1 hour AMA CME; registration required PCMS is pleased to co-host a webinar on Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. with speakers Michelle Swift, RN, JD, and Richard F. Cahill, Esq., from The Doctors Company. As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout communities, health care providers are on the front lines of this pandemic, providing medical care, insight and comfort at a time when it is desperately needed. During this unprecedented time, patient care has been limited or postponed for a future time uncertain. Now, as practices are resuming care, questions about patient safety and fears of surging malpractice litigation cast a shadow as patients reenter the medical office. This program discusses the new standard of care when treating patients after COVID-19, informed consent, and what types of medical legal claims can be expected post-COVID-19. Register here. A recording will be available after the event; email cheryl.law@pueblocms.org for the link.

NEWS AND RESOURCES

Update: Community-based Testing Site for COVID-19 The Community Based Testing Site (CBTS) is open and available for symptomatic individuals, non-symptomatic first responders and health care workers, and those over 65 years old on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. through June 30, 2020.

Coaching available from Practice Innovation Program Colorado An opportunity is available to primary care providers to get individual coaching on a variety of topics including implementing and fine tuning telemedicine. Access a flyer here. Slots are limited; contact Allyson Gottsman, Colorado Health Extension System Program Manager, as soon as possible if interested at 303-915-7701 or Allyson.Gottsman@CUAnschutz.edu. The Regional Health Connector program at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment works with this program and will be the local connection for resources as well as the coach.

CDPHE: Updated codes for telemedicine Codes have been added to the list of CPT/HCPCS codes which may be billed using Place of Service code 02. Find the list midway down the page on this Telemedicine - Provider Information webpage.

Share with your patients: Resource to address drug misuse Learn the warning signs of prescription drug misuse and teach others to spot these signs. The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) of Colorado is partnering with the Code 3 Association to share an interactive, eye-opening, educational tour of a typical teenage bedroom with parents, educators and leaders in our community to help them spot signs of drug use or misuse. Go to rali-co.org/rali-cares to take the virtual tour and learn from experts how to spot the warning signs of prescription drug misuse.

New law relaxes Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) requirements On June 5, 2020, President Trump signed into law H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 (PPPFA). The PPPFA attempts to address concerns expressed by the small business community around the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) aimed at providing COVID-19 relief. As summarized in this Forbes article, the PPPFA makes the following changes: (1) it lowers the amount of the loan needed to be spent on payroll from 75 percent to 60 percent; (2) it extends the time period to use the funds from eight to 24 weeks; (3) it pushes back the June 30 deadline to rehire workers to Dec. 31, 2020; (4) it eases rehire requirements by adding additional exceptions for a reduced head count; and (5) it extends the repayment term from two years to five. Find more information here from CPA Ryan Hagan with Altruic Advisors.

EVENTS

Next Lunch and Learn session: Wednesday, June 24, 12:30-1:15 p.m. The Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention’s Provider Education Work Group is pleased to announce a series of free lunch and learn sessions. The next event will be held on Wednesday, June 24, from 12:30-1:15 p.m. The topic will be on Chronic Pelvic Pain with speaker Nel Gerig, MD. Each presentation is eligible for 0.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. To receive CME credit, you must pre-register here. If you would simply like to drop in, no pre-registration is required. For a complete list of topics and dates, please visit the Consortium website. All sessions will be held via Zoom at this link / Password: 620980. All events will be recorded and posted online for future viewing.

Virtual series: Adolescent Reproductive Health for Primary Care Providers - Six weekly ECHO sessions, Thursdays 3 - 4 p.m., June 18-July 30 Do you work in adolescent reproductive health care? This ECHO series offers clinically relevant topics for primary care providers who provide or are looking to build, expand, and improve care to preteens through young adults. Once completed, participants will be able to evaluate and manage common conditions in adolescent reproductive health. Over the course of six sessions, Thursdays 3 - 4 p.m. June 18-July 30, the series will include an overview of adolescent reproductive health issues, best practices in adolescent contraception and common adolescent gynecology concerns. Sign up here.

Breastfeeding clinical update: The critical first weeks - June 30, 2020, 12 - 1 p.m. Marianne Neifert, MD, MTS, FAAP, is a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in lactation management who has educated diverse health professionals throughout Colorado and the nation. During this virtual clinical update, Dr. Neifert will discuss available guidance concerning the initial management of infants born to mothers with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, key components of breastfeeding assessment and management during the critical first weeks to ensure the establishment of an abundant milk supply and infant nutritional well-being and describe multiple sources of ongoing support for breastfeeding families-including key components of a breastfeeding-friendly medical office. CMEs available provided by Parkview Medical Center. RSVP here. Questions? Contact Gabby Jimenez at 583-4363 or jimenezgx@pueblocounty.us.

Parkview Medical Center – 2020 Symposiums All in-person Parkview classes, events, symposiums and large meetings have been canceled. Leadership will make a decision about other activities at a later date. Save the date for the following symposiums presented by Parkview Medical Center: Saturday, July 18, 2020: Surgical Services & Trauma Symposium Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020: Neurosciences Symposium Below are the 2020 Parkview Medical Group (PMG) All-Provider Meetings: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m. And below are the 2020 Parkview General Medical Staff (GMS) meetings: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Date changed! Mental Health America of Pueblo Robert Hawkins Tribute & Award Ceremony - Aug. 14, 2020 The 19th Annual Robert Hawkins Tribute & Award Ceremony presented by Mental Health America of Pueblo will be held Aug. 14, 2020, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the Pueblo Community College Fortino Ballroom. This year's honorees are Dr. Robert Tonsing, Teah Miller and Dominique Mundt. Purchase tickets here.

NEWS FROM THE COLORADO MEDICAL SOCIETY

HHS to distribute provider relief funds for physicians who previously did not receive aid Following strong advocacy from the Colorado Medical Society; American Academy of Pediatrics, Colorado Chapter; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Colorado Section; Colorado Academy of Family Physicians; the American Medical Association and others in the House of Medicine, the Department of Health and Human Services has announced that they will distribute $15 billion in aid to eligible Medicaid and CHP+ providers physicians who had not previously received any money from the Provider Relief Fund general allocation. This is a win for pediatricians, obstetrician-gynecologists, dentists and others who don’t have a high percentage of Medicare patients and therefore did not qualify for initial rounds of funding. The reporting portal opens Wednesday, June 10. Read more here.

Curious about COVID-19 treatments? Earn CME and a COPIC Point during Virtual Grand Rounds this Wednesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. Register today for Virtual Grand Rounds: COVID-19 Treatments this Wednesday, June 10, 6 - 7:30 p.m. Physicians can earn up to 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and 1 COPIC Point. With so much information swirling around treatments for COVID-19, expert panelists will present what you need to know (and what your patients have been asking) about convalescent plasma, remdesivir, the mechanism of anti-viral and other therapies, as well as the latest epidemiology of COVID in Colorado. There will be time for questions from participants. Register here. Find more information and the full accreditation statement here.

NEWS FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AMA Board of Trustees pledges action against racism and police brutality

At a virtual Special Meeting of the American Medical Association House of Delegates, the AMA Board of Trustees pledged action to confront systemic racism and police brutality: The AMA recognizes that racism in its systemic, structural, institutional and interpersonal forms is an urgent threat to public health, the advancement of health equity and a barrier to excellence in the delivery of medical care. The AMA opposes all forms of racism. The AMA denounces police brutality and all forms of racially-motivated violence. The AMA will actively work to dismantle racist and discriminatory policies and practices across all of health care.

MISSION:   Fa cilitating meaningful collaboration of medical professionals in Pueblo County through social networking, education, and advocacy!    VISION:   To c reate a medical society that serves as a venue for collaboration for the betterment of healthcare in Pueblo County, and improve the practice of medicine and life of medical professionals, locally.

Board Officers: President: Marcel Junqueira, MD; President-Elect: open position; Treasurer: Kathleen Brown, MD; Past-President: Tom Greidanus, MD |  Directors: CMS Representative Brad Roberts, MD; Teresa Braden, DO; Ross Patrick, MD; Jacob Mathew Jr., DO; Cheryl Walker, DO; and Kevin Weber, MD |  Chief Executive Officer: Cheryl Law, MA, MNM

This newsletter is intended for the members and interested persons of the Pueblo County Medical Society. If you have received this and wish to opt-out call 719-281-6073 or use the “unsubscribe” link below.

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