December 8, 2022

In this issue

• Recent Announcements
• Supporting your practice: COVID update, Pulse oximeter inaccuracy, Comprehensive Annual Visits
• Epic updates: Dec. 14 upgrade
• CME



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Announcements

• It's official! Last week, we shared the exciting news that Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health have formally come together as Advocate Health. Our new unified organization will reimagine how, when and where care is delivered as it advances health equity and improves access and affordability.

• John Piotrowski, MD has been appointed Population Health Medical Director for North Illinois following the retirement of Bob Belter, MD. In this new role, Dr. Piotrowski will be responsible for clinical oversight of the North Illinois PHOs, including Good Shepherd, Condell and Sherman PHOs, to drive improvements in utilization, quality and overall PHO performance. Dr. Piotrowski currently serves as Advocate Condell and Good Shepherd PHO Medical Director and will continue these responsibilities in his new leadership role. Read full announcement.

Clinical Integration updates: View the latest program update.

Comprehensive annual visits: These visits support care gap closure for your patients. APCs conduct point of care screenings as well as clinical assessments and help schedule outpatient appointments. Learn more.

Patient outreach: We are conducting patient outreach on your behalf to support quality outcomes and close quality care gaps. Read more.

Prepare for team member health plan transition: Effective Jan. 1, 2023, the Advocate Aurora Health team member health plan will transition to UMR, UnitedHealthcare’s Third Party Administrator (TPA) solution. Learn what you need to know about preauthorization, claims and more.

Update: Bebtelovimab for treatment of COVID: On Nov. 30, the FDA revoked the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for bebtelovimab for the treatment of high-risk COVID patients. This decision was based on a significantly reduced viral susceptibility to bebtelovimab seen in the now dominant BQ variants of the virus. Learn more.

Potential pulse oximeter Inaccuracies: Research has shown that there are racial disparities in pulse oximeter accuracy in detecting hidden hypoxemia. These disparities have led to poorer outcomes in patients with darker skin tones. When interpreting pulse oximeter readings, consider multiple clinical signs and symptoms of hypoxemia in addition to the reading. Additional recommendations for reducing risk will be shared as they become available. Learn more.

Epic Upgrade coming next week: View this overview for safety and efficiency enhancements slated for this upgrade on Dec. 14. Education will be available on your Epic Learning Home Dashboard.

Epic Update: Ambulatory Epic Connect: Epic upgrade, in basket and more.

 In Case You Missed it! 2022 Year in Review

Continuing Medical Education and Learnings

2023 Get Climate Smart Series 

Join this six-session series covering the impact of climate change on our patients’ and communities’ health. Learn what your team can do to manage and care for your patients’ acute illness or chronic disease due to air quality, rising temperatures, vector-borne diseases and extreme weather. 

Dignity and Pregnancy and Childbirth:

Preventing Racial Bias in Prenatal Care 

This one-hour course empowers physicians, APCs, nurses and team members to provide high-quality and equitable care.

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Upcoming CME



Dec. 9: Prepare-Enrich Certified Facilitator Training

Dec. 14: Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Series: Clinical Risk Adjustment

Dec. 15-16: Evidence-Based Behavioral Health Series: Chronic pain psychology care

Jan. 11: Get Climate Smart: Why Us? Climate and health overview

Jan. 23: Get Climate Smart: Air quality

Feb. 1: Get Climate Smart: Rising temperature