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January 11, 2024

In this issue

• MSSP Distribution Meetings
• 2024 CI Program Webinars Now Available 
• Updated Guidelines for Remdesivir Supply
• Chicago magazine Top Doctors
• Epic Updates
• CME

Note: When accessing APP Pro links below, you may need to sign in again if you are not taken directly to the referenced page or information.

In Gratitude to Dean Feldman, MD

We are thankful for Dean Feldman, MD, and his years of service as APP Board Chair in addition to his other leadership roles, and excited for continued strong leadership under Emelie Ilarde, MD, FAAFP, our new Board Chair, and Deborah Winiger, MD, our new Vice-Chair.

Starting Next Week – MSSP Performance/Distribution Meetings

Remember to join the upcoming in-person Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Performance and Incentive Distribution Meeting for your primary PHO. Starting this year, MSSP Incentives will be distributed separately from the Annual CI Incentive.

Get an overview of 2023 performance and updates for continued success in 2024.

View meeting dates/times and add to your calendar.

Clinical Integration updates:

• View the latest program updates including 2023 key dates, clinical integration appeals and changes for incentive and APP membership eligibility.
• Learn key program changes and measures for 2024 through on-demand webinars on APP Pro. 

Population health outreach: View the patient outreach being conducted on your behalf to support quality outcomes and close quality care gaps.

New safety event reporting platform: We have transitioned from MIDAS to the Origami platform for all safety events and near-miss reporting. Learn more about how to enter a safety event when at an Advocate site.

Emergency appeal for blood and platelet donors: Our blood partners just announced that supply has fallen to critically low levels, and there is an emergency public appeal. Consider donating at one of our on-site drives in Illinois

Pharmacy & Therapeutics updates: Review the latest Pharmacy and Therapeutics ambulatory and regional committees’ decisions. View December summary.

Advancing Research:

• Blood pressure trial is one of first Wake Forest studies to expand to Midwest
• JPCRR: Pediatric critical care fellows call for postresuscitation debriefing
• Midwest breast cancer clinical trial helps teacher, now triathlete

Updated Guidelines for Remdesivir Supply

The demand for the antiviral remdesivir currently outpaces supply, impacted by the most recent COVID surge and a scheduled shutdown by the primary manufacturer. Consider if remdesivir is the best option for your patients and use Paxlovid as an alternative whenever appropriate. Read guidelines.

Chicagoland Area Physicians Recognized as Top Doctors​

The January issue of Chicago magazine recognizes physicians across Chicagoland who were nominated by their peers in its Top Doctors list. Congrats to the physicians who were recognized.​

Also check out these features:

• Mila Felder, MD, emergency medicine, on how top doctors stay healthy
• Darren Gitelman, MD, neurology, on his Alzheimer's disease research

New Facility to Serve Our Communities

Advocate Outpatient Center

486B Randall Road

South Elgin, IL 60177

Expanding in a growing community, our new 36,800 sq. ft. outpatient center will open Jan. 22 offering convenient access to immediate care, primary care, endocrinology, OB/GYN, urogynecology, and more. Learn more.

Cervical Cancer Screening changes: Effective Jan. 16, Cervical Cancer Screening (HPV/Cotest) and Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Smear) will replace previous Cervical Cancer Screening Topics in Epic Connect. Make sure to document follow-up recommendations in the Pap Tracker tool and view this tip sheet and the Epic Ambulatory Update.

Epic Update: Ambulatory Epic Connect: Cervical cancer screening, controlled substance prescribing, medication dispense history lookback and more.



Epic Update: Hospital edition: Upcoming changes to controlled substance prescribing, controlled substances for SNFs alert, E-prescribe to SNF and more.

Two Events Celebrating Togetherness, Unity and Service

It starts with me: Shifting the cultural climate through belonging

Friday, Jan. 12, 11 a.m. – noon

As we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., we find inspiration in his legacy demonstrated through our year-round commitment to diversity, advancing health equity and service. Join us.

National Day of Racial Healing

Tuesday, Jan. 16, 11:30 a.m.

Listen in on an enterprise-wide prayer call to come together for racial healing and encourage action to create a more just and equitable world. Join us.

Continuing Medical Education

MEDtalks: Delirium in an older adult

Tuesday, Feb. 13, noon – 1 p.m.

Learn best practices to screen, evaluate and care for delirium in older adults who develop this geriatric syndrome, along with evidence-based strategies for preventing it.

Upcoming CME

Virtual unless specified otherwise

Jan. 18: MEDtalks: Frailty – A clinical review and the impact on healthy aging

Feb. 7: 17^th Annual Advocate Heart Institute Prevention to Cure Symposium (virtual and in-person)

Feb. 10: New Developments in Cardiology (in-person)