MMS NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The MMS wishes our community a healthy, happy 2018, including stable,
inclusive health care policy that supports our providers, patients, and
communities. To participate in effective advocacy and other actions, see
"How and why to get involved in an MMS committee," below.
CDC advisory: Influenza and antiviral treatment
The CDC has issued an advisory reminding
clinicians that influenza should be high on their list of possible
diagnoses for ill patients. Influenza activity is increasing nationwide,
with A(H3N2) viruses predominating — strains associated with
higher-than-typical hospitalizations and deaths in people aged 65+ and
young children. All hospitalized patients, and all high-risk patients
(hospitalized or outpatient), with suspected influenza should be treated
as soon as possible with a neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral. Ideally,
treatment should be initiated within 48 hours of symptom onset, and
should not be delayed, even for a few hours, for the results of testing.
Antiviral treatment initiated later can still be beneficial for some
patients. The advisory
includes information on influenza testing, additional clinical
considerations, antiviral medications, and patient education resources.
Adult immunization champion award: Nominate a colleague
Do
you have a colleague or peer who has improved adult immunization rates
in Massachusetts? The Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition is
accepting nominations for its 2018 Champion Award. Nominations are due
February 16; download a nomination form.
Last year's Champion Award went to two winners, including MMS member
Lloyd Fisher, MD, for his optimization of EHR to increase patient
immunization rates at Reliant Medical Group (read a Q&A with Dr. Fisher in Vital Signs).
January 27: New England Conference on Global and Community Health for Trainees
This
full-day conference includes lectures and workshops on global and
domestic health topics, and opportunities to network with others
involved in global and community health work. The keynote speech —
Towards a Global Public Health — will be delivered by Sandro Galea, MD,
DrPH, dean and Robert A. Knox Professor at Boston University School of
Public Health. The conference, sponsored by the MMS and its Committee on
Global Health, will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, 8:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. at the MMS Headquarters, Waltham; information and registration. Entries to the "Service in Global Health" photo contest for medical students and residents are due by January 9.
Reminders: Stuff you should click on
How and why to get involved in an MMS committee
If you're looking to revitalize your network and support your professional community, getting
more involved with the MMS accomplishes both at once. Consider
participating on a committee (we're bound to have at least one that
aligns with your interests) or the Member Interest Network Executive
Council. Committee appointments are for specific terms. We have put in
place resources for distance participation, including conference calls
and online meetings. Applications are due March 2; more info and applications.
Benefit Buzz: Time is running out for low-cost legal service
Ring
in the New Year by making sure you are not disadvantaged if you're
notified of a Board investigation. Having attorney representation
experienced in Board regulations and proceedings can help ensure a
successful outcome. Take advantage of the Legal Advisory Plan (LAP), a
member-only, low-cost legal service, at a fraction of the cost of hiring
an attorney. Enroll for January 2018 – January 2019 coverage now. You
must be enrolled at the initiation of a BRM-related investigation to
avail yourself of plan services; learn more. Questions? Email lap@massmed.org or call (781) 434-7311.
April 10: Massachusetts Adult Immunization Conference
Save the date! The 23rd annual conference, organized by MDPH and the Massachusetts Adult Immunization Coalition,
will be held on April 10, 2018, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in Marlborough. It
will address updates on new vaccines and adult immunization schedules,
vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks and management, an overview of the
Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), long-term
infection control and vaccine guidance, and strategies for hard-to-reach
populations. Registration will begin in mid-February. Questions?
Contact alexandra_burke@jsi.com or (617) 482-9485.
New CME requirements for licensing in 2018
In
2018, the Board of Registration in Medicine is piloting a new program
to help physicians focus their continuing education on their patients’
needs. The program cuts biennial CME requirements from 100 to 50. Learn more about changes
to licensing requirements, and the guidelines and frequently asked
questions relating to CME in Massachusetts. Additional information,
including licensing forms, is available from the Board of Registration in Medicine.
Handwritten CMS paper claims not accepted after February
Effective
February 2018 in Massachusetts, National Government Services (NGS) will
no longer accept handwritten paper claims, in accordance with CMS IOM
100-4, Chapter 26, Sec. 30. Going forward, paper claims must be
submitted using standard type font.
Environmental health conference: Natural gas and public health
This unique conference explores the health impacts of gas infrastructure in our local communities. Natural Gas Infrastructure and Public Health: From Local to Global
will be held at the Boston University Photonics Center on January 30,
10:00-5:00 p.m. Conference co-sponsors include the MMS, BU School of
Public Health, Mass. Association of Health Boards, Greater Boston
Physicians for Social Responsibility, and more. The conference will
address the impact of natural gas infrastructure (NGI) on air pollution
and respiratory disease, and climate change and its health consequences,
as well as the roles of Comprehensive Health Impact Assessments and
municipal Boards of Health in NGI planning; information and registration.
Educational programs and events
View our full calendar of upcoming live CME activities.
Featured online CME courses – Risk Management credit
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
Find additional risk management online CME activities.
This week in health care
Sign up for daily roundups of health news affecting Massachusetts.
Sessions' memo complicates MA legal marijuana rollout
The state Cannabis Control Commission plans to forge ahead in developing a legal marijuana market in Massachusetts, despite uncertainty
generated Thursday by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions' rescission of
an Obama-era policy that directed federal law enforcement to adopt a
laissez faire stance in states that have legalized marijuana.
Tufts nurses approve new contract
The unionized nurses of Tufts Medical Center have approved a new contract, officially ending a long labor dispute that included a contentious strike last summer.
Fenway doctor accused of harassment leaves 2 more posts
Dr. Harvey J. Makadon,
70, resigned from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center on Dec. 8, a
spokeswoman said. That same day, his role as a member of the faculty at
Harvard Medical School ended, according to a Harvard spokeswoman.
Gov. Charlie Baker releases $100M for human services programs
Republican Gov. Charlie Baker's administration has released $100 million, much of it targeted for human services programs, six months after the heavily Democratic legislature mandated the spending.
AG Maura Healey to review Partners' plan to acquire Mass. Eye and Ear
The Health Policy Commission said Partners' takeover of Massachusetts Eye and Ear would boost health spending by as much as $61 million a year — expenses that ultimately would be borne by consumers and businesses.
Massachusetts courts ban deadly opioids
Fentanyl and carfentanil will be banned from Bay State courtrooms starting next week because Trial Court officials fear the potentially deadly risks posed by the potent and toxic opioids.
Lahey using app to help women assess risk for breast cancer
Since January, the program
has identified 500 women who should see a genetics counselor and
another 2,000 who would benefit from further consultation with a breast
specialist.
Hearing in Newburyport on proposed hospital merger
City
officials are urging residents to attend a public hearing on Wednesday,
Jan 3, at 5 p.m. in Newburyport City Hall Auditorium to discuss a
possible new health care system that would merge Anna Jaques Hospital with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Lahey Health, New England Baptist, and Mount Auburn Hospital.
Personal information of some Blue Cross members exposed
The exposure was not the result of a cyberattack, but happened when a Blue Cross employee mistakenly emailed information to one employer that contained personal information for workers of a different employer, Blue Cross said.
More fights over Obamacare and Medicaid likely in 2018
Health care executives and politicians in Massachusetts worry that Republicans in Washington are not finished trying to repeal, or at least weaken, the law known as Obamacare.
