Patient Transfer Guidelines

There is news regarding the development of Patient Transfer Guidelines for individuals being transferred from Emergency Departments and State Operated Psychiatric Hospitals and Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers (ADATCs).

See Memo from Michael S. Lancaster, M.D., Chief of Clinical Policy, and Susan Saik, MD, Medical Services Manager re Patient Transfer Guidelines Feedback, and Patient Transfer Guidelines 2010 for more details.

Severe Influenza in Pregnancy:
Consultation and Reporting
From Megan Davies, MD, State Epidemiologist:
October 27, 2009

MEMO and GUIDANCE

Peramivir IV information
FROM THE CDC via State Epidemiologist Megan Davies
October 25, 2009

Dear Colleague,

On Friday, October 23, 2009, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the use of the investigational antiviral drug Peramivir intravenous (IV) in certain adult and pediatric patients with confirmed or suspected 2009 H1N1 influenza infection who are admitted to a hospital.

Specifically, Peramivir IV is authorized only for...

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Erythromycin Eye Ointment Shortage and prevention of neonatal eye infections with GC and chlamydia
From Megan Davies, MD, State Epidemiologist:

The recommended prophylaxis for ophthalmia neonatorum (ON), erythromycin (0.5%) ophthalmic ointment, has been identified as being in short supply by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

To prevent gonococcal ON, a prophylactic agent should be instilled into the eyes of all newborn infants and is required by North Carolina law. Currently, erythromycin ophthalmic ointment is the only recommended prophylactic agent available in the US. ...

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REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

Please report patients fitting this description to the Carolinas Poison Center, 800-222-1222.

NCCEP Emergency Legislative Alert

PLEASE REVIEW THE ATTACHED FROM THE NC MEDICAL SOCIETY REGARDING PENDING LEGISLATIVE BUDGET ACTION TO DRASTICALLY CUT MEDICAID SPENDING IN NORTH CAROLINA. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATOR IMMEDIATELY!

• Talking Points: Oppose the House HHS Budget Proposal, June 2, 2009
• HHS Budget Proposal 06-02-09 Analysis
• House Appropriations Subcommittee for Health and Human Services Proposed Money Report FY2009-11

QUESTIONS?

Contact Colleen Kochanek at colleen@kochaneklawgroup.com OR write to

Executive Director
NC College of Emergency Physicians
P.O. Box 6524
Raleigh, NC 27628
Phone: 919.881.0872
Fax: 919.882.1563

Oseltamivir Resistance Clinician Alert
From Megan Davies, MD, State Epidemiologist:

Health Alert: Oseltamivir-Resistant Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Virus (8/21/09)

Scam Alert

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has become aware of a scam where perpetrators are sending faxes to physician offices posing as the Medicare carrier or Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). The fax instructs physician staff to respond to a questionnaire to provide an account information update within 48 hours in order to prevent a gap in Medicare payments. The fax may have the CMS logo and/or the contractor logo to enhance the appearance of authenticity.

Medicare FFS providers, including physicians, non-physician practitioners, should be wary of this type of request. If you receive a request for information in the manner described above, please check with your contractor before submitting any information. Medicare providers should only send information to a Medicare contractor using the address found in the download section of the CMS.gov website found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ or http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll.