Newsletter
February 2020
C. Difficile Testing Decision Tree - Physician Education Express
Testing for C. difficile should be performed on patients with clinically-significant diarrhea, defined as 3 or more loose stools per day for at least 24 hours in the presence of signs and symptoms of colitis. Providers should ensure that the patient has not been administered laxatives in the prior 48 hours as a possible explanation of diarrheal symptoms.
To access the last Physician Education Express and decision tree for assisting to determine when to order testing for C. difficile to to https://iuhealthcpe.org/view/c-difficile-testing-yes-or-no
RQI and Resuscitation Certification Resources
Need more information about the changes in IU Health resuscitation training for residents, fellows, and medical students?
To access the Center for Physician Education resource page or select Quick Links and CPR Resource Page for up-to-date policy information, job aids, and medical student course scheduling calendar to to https://iuhealthcpe.org/web/bls
Want to know more about how RQI works and where to complete your training? You can access demonstrations and simulations of RQI course work, cart locations, and certification maintenance in the RQI Information Videos section.
RQI cart locations can also be located on the CPE main home page https://iuhealthcpe.org/
IU Health Monitoring the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in China
IU Health Infection Prevention is actively monitoring the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak and health alerts sent by the Indiana State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html). IU Health’s current process to screen patients for cough and travel meets the recommendations for healthcare facilities.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people; numerous other coronaviruses circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats. Rarely, an animal coronavirus will evolve and infect people, and then spread between people, such as with Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV).
The primary prevention strategy for coronaviruses is the same as with all respiratory viruses – identify, isolate and inform:
Identify – screen for early recognition
All IU Health patients entering the system are asked: Do you have a new cough in the last 21 days? Have you traveled in the last 21 days?
These two questions identify patients who may be at risk for this illness. It is essential that everyone is asked the travel question, and the response is entered into the EMR or communicated to the receiving department/facility.
Isolate – avoid the spread of disease
Patients: Place a surgical mask on the patient, covering their nose and mouth. Immediately place the patient in a room and close the door. Place the patient in a negative pressure room if available (Airborne Precautions).
Team Members: Use Standard, Airborne and Contact Precautions, including personal protective equipment (PPE): a gown, gloves, an N95 mask, and goggles or a PAPR. It is essential to follow the correct order for donning and doffing the PPE.
Inform - engage medical staff and Infection Prevention for evaluation
Notify your local Infection Prevention department. To find your local contact go to https://team.myiuhealth.org/Patient-Care/Infection-Prevention/Contacts-and-Resources
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Have questions? If you have any questions or concerns, email infectionprevention@iuhealth.org
AHA Webinar: Promoting Resilience and Preventing Burnout
WHEN: March 17th from 12:00pm - 1:00pm
The Business Case of Humanity in Healthcare
The National Taskforce for Humanity in Healthcare (NTH) proposes a new model that goes beyond burnout prevention and promotes resiliency and the restoration of humanity in healthcare. During this webinar participants will hear how to move beyond the prevention of burnout, and instead systemically cultivate human thriving and connection in ways that promote resilience, well-being, and joy for all health care team members. Speakers will share lessons learned from deploying the NTH Solutions for Thriving Blueprint.
With speakers from Parkview Physician Group and the National Taskforce for Humanity in Healthcare (NTH)
Register below:
In-Person Human Trafficking Training March 4th - 5th
WHEN: March 4th – 5th from 9am – 5pm
WHERE: Nashville, Tennessee
To participatein the training:
•Gather a team of 3–5 people from your healthcare organization—include a combination of executive leadership and frontline staff
•Bring a letter of commitment from executive leadership
•Complete the 2-hour assigned SOAR Online modules before the training
For more information visit https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/091bab549617485895fecce52edc78f9
HEAL Trafficking and Hope for Justice’s Protocol Toolkit for Developing a Response to Victims of Human Trafficking in Health Care Settings
This toolkit is designed to help professionals working in health care settings such as emergency departments, hospitals, clinics, private offices, or school based health centers develop a protocol to respond to potential victims of human trafficking who present to their facility. The toolkit presents an ambitious, comprehensive approach to protocol development, portions of which may be adopted for particular contexts based on capacity. The document is based on existing guidelines and recommendations from experts in this field.
The toolkit serves to mobilize an interdisciplinary response to human trafficking that respects patient autonomy. While ultimately we hope that the implementation of anti-trafficking protocols at the local level will enable the identification of victims of labor and sex trafficking so that they may be brought to safety, the goal of protocol implementation in health care settings is not to foster disclosure by trafficked persons. Rather, we aim to guide health care facilities through the process of creating safe procedures and spaces where professionals can provide exploited adults and minors not only the health services they need, but also education about their options and empowerment to seek assistance. To download the toolkit go to https://healtrafficking.org/protocol-toolkit-for-developing-a-response-to-victims-of-human-trafficking-in-health-care-settings/
AHA Resource for Hospitals and Providers to Prevent Human Trafficking
The American Hospital Assocation (AHA) recording from a September 2019 webinar PHYSICIAN PERSPECTIVE: PROVIDING MEDICAL SAFE HAVEN PATIENT VISITS TO SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING where Dr. Ron Chambers provides perspectives of his personal experience with human trafficking cases and positive outcomes for developing a medical safe haven in communicities.
To watch the video go to:
CDC Update on Impact of Smoking on Postoperative Outcomes
According to a news release issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 20th, tobacco smokers are at significantly higher risk than non-smokers for post-surgical complications including impaired heart and lung functions, infections and delayed or impaired wound healing.
But new evidence reveals that smokers who quit approximately 4 weeks or more before surgery have a lower risk of complication and better results 6 months afterwards. Patients who quit smoking tobacco are less likely to experience complications with anesthesia when compared to regular smokers.
To view the full article and resources go to https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/20-01-2020-smoking-greatly-increases-risk-of-complications-after-surgery
JAMA Article: In Alzheimer Research, Glucose Metabolism Moves to Center Stage
On January 8, 2020, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published an article citing that patterns of reduced glucose metabolism are often seen in brain scans of Alzheimer and demetia patients. This is a potential indicator that patients with type 2 diabetes, or insulin resistance, may have elevated risk factors for developing Alzheimer disease or dementia. For the full article go to https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2758712
AMA: Three Ways Physicians Can Improve the Vaccine Conversation
In response to increasing hesistancy to vaccinate the American Medical Assocation (AMA) issued an article on January 15th guiding physicians on ways to assist providers in having conversations with parents regarding risks of non-vaccination.
For the full article go to https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/3-ways-physicians-can-improve-vaccine-conversation
Mitigating Burnout & Strengthening Engagement in Preceptorship Learning Event
CME Conference: Updates in Urology
Register and pay online at:
https://iu.cloud-cme.com/Urology2020
AHA Webinar - Gun Violence: A Biopsychosocial Disease
WHEN: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 12:00:00 PM EST - 1:00:00 PM EST
This webinar seeks to frame gun violence as a complex biopsychosocial disease. In the United States, nearly 40,000 deaths occur every year from gun violence. Furthermore, firearms injure an estimated 75-200,000 patients every year, many resulting in permanent physical disability and adverse behavioral health outcomes such as post-traumatic stress disorder. The risk of gun violence has behavioral factors and social determinants.
This webinar seeks to advance the biopsychosocial model, apply it to gun violence, and identify opportunities for prevention and care that informs a health system's and public health approach to reduce these deaths and injuries and make the communities we serve healthier and safer.
Attendees Will Learn:
- Define the disease model.
- Compare and contrast the application of this model to an infectious disease example and to gun violence.
- Frame gun violence as a complex biopsychosocial disease.
- Identify areas/opportunities for prevention and intervention based on the model.
- Identify specific opportunities shown to reduce gun violence that health systems can adopt/implement.
Event information and registration can be found at: https://events-na12.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/connect-action?sco-id=2625377207
2020 AMA Medical Student Advocacy & Region Conference (MARC)
WHEN: March 5th - 7th 2020
WHERE: Washington, DC
Spend a weekend in our nation's capital to advocate for the future of medicine:
- Participate in interactive sessions about current legislation affecting students and learn how to be a successful advocate.
- Spend a full afternoon on Capitol Hill to meet with your senators and representatives.
- Network and socialize with students from across the country to discuss region business, advocacy and leadership opportunities.
- Receive a professional headshot for free.
Register
To register for MARC and reserve your hotel room on the AMA room block by Friday, Jan. 24 at Hilton Washington DC National Mall to have your $50 registration fee waived go to https://apps.ama-assn.org/mtgregcvent/register/search?ECODE=6ad1bf2d-1e45-4a52-a39e-2951d2988c9d
Book a room
To reserve your hotel room at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall. Hotel housing cut off date is Feb. 2, 2020. AMA cannot guarantee room availability after this date to to http://www.cvent.com/events/2020-medical-student-advocacy-and-region-conference-marc-/travel-6ad1bf2d1e454a52a39e2951d2988c9d.aspx?i=38fecfcb-5857-42d2-af69-7d22a
For more information and to register go to https://www.ama-assn.org/member-groups-sections/medical-students/2020-ama-medical-student-advocacy-region-conference-marc
