April 29, 2022
COVID-19
Ongoing support for patients with long term COVID-19 symptoms?
 
In January 2021, St. Joseph's Health Care London opened a Post-Acute COVID-19 Clinic and Rehab Program for patients with long-term, lingering COVID-19 symptoms or complaints who were referred by the London Urgent COVID Clinic (LUC3). As the virus has evolved, demand for these services has changed. In addition, the LUC3 clinic closed on March 31, 2022. 

St. Joseph's is seeking to determine the ongoing need for specialized care and support for patients with long term COVID-19 symptoms, and would appreciate hearing from you about the patients you are seeing in your practice. Please complete this 4-question survey by May 13, 2022. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience!

Rapid Molecular Testing site at 460 Springbank Dr. closing April 29

On Friday, April 29, the Rapid Molecular Testing Centre at 460 Springbank Drive for community healthcare workers is closing permanently. This is the result of low testing volumes and the increase in access to Rapid Antigen Testing in the community. COVID-19 testing will continue to be available at the Carling Assessment Centre, the MyHealth Testing Centre at 024-279 Wharncliffe Rd. N., and participating pharmacies.

Nirmatrevir/ritonavir (Paxlovid)

  • How to determine which patients should be prescribed Paxlovid
  • Considerations when prescribing Paxlovid
  • Pre-assessing patients

Process and tools to identify and communicate with your high risk patients that could be eligible for Paxlovid. From Ontario Health, April 29.

For your EMR: resources to help with Paxlovid prescriptions and referrals available for PS Suite, Oscar and Accuro. From eHealth Centre of Excellence.

PHO Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Practices for Clinical Offices

If you missed this webinar, the recording of the presentation and a copy of the slides are available.
Patient Care
CMHAATV Crisis Centre moves back to 648 Huron St. on May 2

On Monday, May 2 at 8:30 am, the CMHA Addiction Services Thames Valley Crisis Centre will return to 648 Huron St. from its temporary site at 534 Queens Ave.

Please help them notify individuals who need or may need crisis services. Updates will be posted on their website. They are also happy to deliver to you print materials and takeaways with the Crisis Centre’s address. For more information, email [email protected]. 

Health Connect Ontario replaces Telehealth Ontario

Health Connect Ontario adds enhanced online tools and allows individuals to call 811 or visit the website 24/7 to get health advice, help navigate health services and find information in addition to calling or chatting online with RNs. Read more here.

Severe acute hepatitis detected in children

Close to 170 cases of acute hepatitis of unknown origin have been reported in children up to 16 years of age in Europe and the US. Read the WHO alert and case definition.  
Free virtual self management groups in May

Strategies to help patients quit and discussion of medication options to help them be successful.

Dream On: CBTi for Insomnia - May 16 (1:30-3:30 pm)
A non-medication approach to helping patients get their sleep back!

Let's Talk about Driving - May 18 (2:00 pm)
For older adults, people living with MCI or dementia and their family and friends.

Heart Health - May 19 (1:00-3:30 pm)
Practical approach to managing cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular disease risk through health behaviour changes and the potential use of medications.

Steady and Strong: Falls Prevention - May 30 (1:30-3:30 pm)
Focusing on how to prevent falls and strategies to manage a fall if it happens so that patients can continue to live in their own home and/or have a better quality of life in their community. 

These virtual programs are led by qualified facilitators (pharmacists, dietitians, OTs, RNs, etc.) See the full list of programs in this printable poster or on the Thames Valley FHT website (contact: Kelly McConnell [email protected]).
New Self-Management Programs Website

People living with a chronic illness, their caregivers and providers can now find all self-management programs available in the SW Ontario region in one convenient location: www.selfmanagementprograms.ca. The site is easy to search and easy to read. Here's what it looks like:
Streamlining your practice
Free -- get set up with eReferrals!
 
To be set up on eReferrals in your primary care clinic or receive more information, please email [email protected] (email address corrected).

Getting set up with eReferrals is an easy (and free) process that:
  • avoids unreliable fax-based referrals
  • helps you track and respond to referrals
  • emails patients the status of their referrals and appointments

Have you received the MoH's Axe the Fax survey?

Please consider responding to the “Axe the Fax” Assessment Survey that asks about the current state of fax use. The MOH is analyzing the current state and drivers of fax use to identify potential options for phasing out fax use in Ontario’s health system.
Education Opportunities
Healthcare Provider Webinar about Blacklegged Ticks and Lyme Disease
Tuesday, May 3

Dr. Alex Summers from MLHU will review tick identification and Lyme disease testing, diagnosis and treatment, and take your questions. This is part of their regularly scheduled webinar. Click here to join.

35th Geriatric Medicine Refresher Day
Wednesday, May 4 (virtual), 8:00 am-12:05 pm

Hosted by the Division of Geriatric Medicine Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry Western University in collaboration with St. Joseph's Health Care London. Register here.

30th Annual Clinical Day in Family Medicine
Wednesday, May 11 (in person if COVID requirements permit)
Four Points by Sheraton, 1150 Wellington Rd. S., London

Sponsored by the Citywide Department of Family Medicine, LHSC, St. Joseph’s and the Department of Family Medicine, Western University. Register at: https://conference.has.uwo.ca/Register/default.aspx?code=C001112

Family Medicine Connections: Hospital and Community (Schulich)
June 1, 7:45-8:30 am

Meeting ID: 943 9272 4770

Grand Rounds in Family Medicine (Schulich): These Hormones are not Normal
June 1, 8:30-9:30 am

Meeting ID: 963 0919 0239

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