Theft of Data Occurred Despite Ransom Payment

On Monday, UnitedHealth Group provided an update on its analysis of the data accessed in the cyberattack on Change Healthcare and said it found files containing protected health information or personally identifiable information that could cover a substantial proportion of people in America. To date, the company has not seen evidence of exfiltration of materials, such as physicians' charts or full medical histories among the data. UnitedHealth added that with the complexity of the review, it will likely take months of further analysis to identify and notify impacted customers. In the meantime, it's offering two years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection to anyone who has been affected by the breach and continues to monitor the internet and dark web to determine if data has been published. There were 22 screenshots, allegedly from exfiltrated files, some containing protected health information and personally identifiable information, posted for about a week on the dark web by a malicious threat actor. UnitedHealth Group offered to make notifications and undertake related administrative requirements on behalf of any health care professional or customer to help ease the reporting obligations on other stakeholders whose data may have been compromised. People can visit a dedicated website to get more information and details on these resources. A dedicated call center has been established to offer free credit monitoring and identity theft protections for two years to anyone impacted. The call center can be reached at 1-866-262-5342 and further details can be found on the website. UnitedHealth Group expects more information and announcements to be forthcoming as its investigation continues, including an official notification of a breach. For more information on UnitedHealth Group's funding assistance program, please visit Temporary Funding Assistance for Providers. Meanwhile, the ongoing impact of the cyber-attack and subsequent system outage continues to threaten the sustainability of physician practices as indicated by surveys performed by the American Medical Association (AMA).

More Innovation, More Start Ups, Higher Earnings

On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule to promote competition by banning noncompetes nationwide, protecting the fundamental freedom of workers to change jobs, increasing innovation, and fostering new business formation. The FTC estimates that the final rule banning noncompetes will lead to new business formation growing by 2.7% per year, resulting in more than 8,500 additional new businesses created each year. The final rule is expected to result in higher earnings for workers, with estimated earnings increasing for the average worker by an additional $524 per year, and it is expected to lower health care costs by up to $194 billion over the next decade. In addition, the final rule is expected to help drive innovation, leading to an estimated average increase of 17,000 to 29,000 more patents each year for the next 10 years under the final rule. An estimated 30 million workers—nearly one in five Americans—are subject to a noncompete. Under the FTC’s new rule, existing noncompetes for the vast majority of workers will no longer be enforceable after the rule’s effective date. Existing noncompetes for senior executives - who represent less than 0.75% of workers - can remain in force under the FTC’s final rule, but employers are banned from entering into or attempting to enforce any new noncompetes, even if they involve senior executives. Employers will be required to provide notice to workers other than senior executives who are bound by an existing noncompete that they will not be enforcing any noncompetes against them. According to STAT (4/23, Subscription), for the health care industry, the noncompete ban does not apply to nonprofit companies, as the FTC determined it only has jurisdiction over for-profit companies, meaning the ban likely won't apply to most of the country's hospitals for which the majority are nonprofit and some of the country's biggest health insurers. But if a tax-exempt company is organized in a way that seeks to drive profit for its members, the FTC can treat that company as for-profit and make it subject to the ban. This could include certain cases where nonprofit hospitals have relationships with for-profit physician practices. The Commission found that employers have several alternatives to noncompetes that still enable firms to protect their investments without having to enforce a noncompete, such as trade secret laws and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that both provide employers with well-established means to protect proprietary and other sensitive information. The final rule will become effective 120 days after publication in the Federal Register.

CDC Issues Health Advisory

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory on Tuesday this week to alert clinicians about risks of counterfeit or mishandled botulinum toxin injections. CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state and local partners are investigating clusters of 22 people in 11 U.S. states reporting adverse effects after receiving injections with counterfeit botulinum toxin or injections administered by unlicensed or untrained individuals or in non-healthcare settings, such as homes or spas. Eleven patients were hospitalized and none have died. When botulinum toxin diffuses around the injection site, it can result in adverse effects. Botulism is the disease caused by botulinum toxin circulating in the blood and producing effects remotely from the injection site. There may be symptom overlap between the presentation of localized adverse effects from injection of botulinum toxin, especially in the head and neck, and the early symptoms of botulism. Information about the botulinum toxin injection (e.g., dose) can help distinguish between botulism and localized adverse effects but is challenging to obtain for counterfeit products. Clinicians and health departments should consider the possibility of adverse effects from botulinum toxin injections in patients presenting with localized paralysis. Clinicians should immediately contact their state, tribal, local, or territorial health department if they suspect botulism.

To Help Prevent COVID-19 for Immunocompromised People

FDA has authorized a monoclonal antibody to help prevent COVID-19 for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised, ages 12 and older, and weighing at least 88 pounds. In addition to vaccination, Pemgarda may provide another layer of protection against COVID-19 and can be given at least 2 weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. A healthcare professional gives Pemgarda as a single intravenous infusion over 60 minutes at a doctor’s office or health care facility. If continued protection is needed, additional doses may be given every 3 months. People who are privately insured or have Medicare part B may receive Pemgarda for free. Learn more.

Cureus Journal of Medical Science Announces Article Submissions Open April 23

The MSD Academic Channel through the Cureus Journal of Medical Science is introducing the CT or CBCT Guided Online Adaptive Radiotherapy Clinical Case Reports publishing competition. The competition will be open for article submissions on April 23rd. Online adaptive radiotherapy is the process of altering a patient’s treatment plan based on anatomy imaged at the time of treatment, while the patient is on the treatment table. By adapting plans to account for changes in the target and surrounding tissues, ART can help maintain therapeutic doses to treatment targets and reduce radiation exposure to normal tissues. Thus, online ART represents a significant advance relative to non-ART image-guided and intensity-modulated radiotherapy. Thanks to Varian Medical Systems' support, Cureus offering substantial honorariums for the top three articles as judged by their Scholarly Impact Quotient™ (SIQ™) post-publication rating system. Prizes include $3,000 USD for 1st place and $2,000 for both 2nd and 3rd place, as they seek to recognize contributions that push the boundaries of medical science.

Strengthens Privacy Protections for Lawful Reproductive Health Care

On Monday, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a Final Rule, entitled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy. The Final Rule strengthens the Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule by prohibiting the disclosure of protected health information (PHI) related to lawful reproductive health care in certain circumstances. HHS is issuing this Final Rule after hearing from communities that changes were needed to better protect patient confidentiality and prevent medical records from being used against people for providing or obtaining lawful reproductive health care. This Final Rule will bolster patient-provider confidentiality and help promote trust and open communication between individuals and health care professionals or health plans, which is essential for high-quality health care. The Final Rule may be viewed here.

Codifies Legal Protections for Continued Access

Noting the alarming threats to reproductive health care across the nation, lawmakers filed new legislation last week that would safeguard access to fertility treatments in Delaware. HB 374 would codify legal protections for fertility treatment professionals, ensuring residents have continued access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive treatments.

Delaware Officials Underscore Urgency

Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long and leaders from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), along with partner community agencies, led a community response briefing on Monday to provide the latest outcome data and other information regarding the State’s efforts to support individuals struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) in Delaware. Organized by DHSS’ Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH), these quarterly briefings aim to inform the public about the State’s ongoing work to reduce overdoses and respond to the opioid epidemic.

Testing Readiness, Response Capabilities of State Agencies, Community

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) hosted a Family Assistance Center (FAC) Full-Scale Exercise on Thursday, April 18, in Frankford. The exercise simulated a traffic collision with multiple coach buses and numerous injuries and fatalities. It was held to test the readiness and response capabilities of state agencies and the community. DPH collaborated with the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, Delaware State Police, Delaware Division of Forensic Sciences, Division of Social Services, Victim Services and other emergency and community-based organizations to develop a comprehensive FAC plan. Participants acted out different scenarios that mimicked what might occur following the emergency.

Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support

Searching for a healthy lifestyle program to support patients with diabetes? The Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) is a clinically based series of services that provides self-management education and support.  

• It is often offered in a clinical setting such as a hospital practice or a pharmacy. It could be delivered at an employer health site as well.
• It covers monitoring of blood sugar levels, including newer forms of technology support, and medication therapy management, as well as nutrition education and clinical support.
• Programs include clinical experts, including Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, Pharmacists, RN’s, Registered Dietitians, and other Allied Health Professionals.
• Eligibility for DSMES requires a diagnosis of diabetes and a referral from a medical professional.
• DSMES is a covered by insurance as a health benefit. It is also covered by the Delaware Emergency Medical Diabetes Funding for those with diabetes who are under- or uninsured.

The 2020 Consensus Report showed those who participated on a regular basis were found to have significant reductions in mortality and A1C reduction of 0.57%. HEDIS and other quality measures look at the percentage of adult members whose most recent HbA1c is <8.0%. For more information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a DSMES Toolkit and extensive background on the DSMES. There are several DSMES programs in Delaware, including Bayhealth, ChristianaCare, and I&O Diabetes Consultants in Millsboro.

Kent, Sussex Counties Among Cleanest in US for Daily Particle Pollution

The 2024 “State of the Air” report, released on Wednesday by the American Lung Association, finds that Delaware’s air quality showed mixed results of best performances and continuing problems for some of the most harmful and widespread types of air pollution: fine particle pollution and ozone smog. Nationally, the report found that nearly four in ten people in the U.S. live in counties that had unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution. The 16-county Philadelphia-Reading-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, which includes Delaware’s New Castle and Kent Counties, improved to its best-ever results for ozone smog for the third consecutive year, but continued to post failing grades, with the area ranking most polluted in the Mid-Atlantic and 35th worst in the nation for the measure. Additionally, while Kent County again remained unchanged at its “B” grade for ozone pollution, New Castle County improved to a “C,” its second passing grade after last year’s “D,” which nevertheless means there are still too many days with poor air quality. Meanwhile, in the five-county Salisbury-Cambridge, MD-DE metro area, Sussex County earned its second “A” grade by recording zero days with unhealthy levels of ozone.

The Physicians Foundation Continues to Champion Solutions to Create Change

On Tuesday, The Physicians Foundation called for a need to collectively address drivers of health (DOH) throughout the United States, as research continues to suggest the health of individuals across the country is in crisis. The Physicians Foundation remains steadfast in its dedication to comprehensively address patients’ DOH, such as food security and transportation access, improving patient outcomes and ultimately lowering U.S. health care costs through practical solutions. As part of its commitment to address DOH, The Physicians Foundation announced milestones that will advance how we pay for and deliver care to improve health. Read the press release.

Less Sugar and Salt on the Menu

The USDA announced updates to the school nutrition standards to contain less salt and sugar. First proposed in February 2023, the finalized regulation was released on Wednesday this week. USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) published the final rule titled, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is the next step in continuing the science-based improvement of school meals and other USDA child nutrition programs (CNP), as well as advancing USDA’s commitment to nutrition security. The new rules seek to better align school meals with federal dietary standards and build on a 2010 law that aimed to make cafeteria breakfasts and lunches healthier. While this rulemaking is effective July 1, 2024, USDA is gradually phasing in required changes over time. Program operators are not required to make any changes to their menus as a result of this rulemaking until school year 2025-26 at the earliest.

Resources for Hospital Leaders to Improve Professional Wellbeing

To help leaders improve professional wellbeing at their hospital, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed a guide. The Impact Wellbeing™ Guide: Taking Action to Improve Healthcare Worker Wellbeing provides the necessary background and tools. It helps hospital leaders and executives supplement or accelerate their work on professional wellbeing at the operational level. Created in partnership with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, the Guide builds upon existing research and resources from organizations who have made strides to address health care worker burnout. It also draws on NIOSH’s 50 years of occupational safety and health expertise. Most importantly, the Guide was real-world tested in six hospitals across the United States. The Guide includes six evidence-informed Actions with useful background information and tools to fully equip leaders to make improvements. The final Action is a long-term wellbeing plan to sustain efforts. 

The Color Red Is Not Enough

On Monday, Earth Day, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Weather Service presented a new online heat risk system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors with a seven-day forecast that's simplified and color-coded for a warming world of worsening heat waves. Magenta is now the worst and deadliest of five heat threat categories, providing rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief. It is a step higher than red, which is considered a major risk hurting anyone without adequate cooling and hydration and has impacts through the health care system and other industries. Enter a ZIP code on the CDC dashboard to get more focus on health risks and air quality and zoom in on the weather service map online for more detailed forecasts and explanations. Both versions include heat risk for the next seven days and there is a Spanish edition. 

Pilot-Scale Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility to be Built

Delaware's Congressional Delegation took part on Monday with officials from the University of Delaware in a groundbreaking ceremony for the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals’ (NIIMBL) new Securing American Biomanufacturing Research and Education (SABRE) Center on the STAR Campus in Newark. The SABRE Center will be a 90,000 square-foot pilot-scale biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility to support the work of NIIMBL and enable the growth of the larger biopharmaceutical industry in Delaware. It will also serve as a workforce training facility for industry in Delaware and the region and is expected to help bring biopharmaceutical firms to the state and top talent from NIIMBL member companies to Newark for collaborative work.



Christine Donohue-Henry, MD - Chief Population Health Officer, ChristianaCare

Gloria C. Okpah, MD - Resident, Family Medicine, Bayhealth

MSD members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding applicants for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any comments on the current pending member(s) listed above or if you know of someone interested in joining MSD. You could be eligible for a membership referral discount on your dues!

Kind to Kids Charity Foundation: A Future for Every Child, All Year Round

As a year-round charity fundraising effort, MSD continues to support the Kind to Kids Foundation to make an impact in the lives of children and teens in foster care. You can donate items throughout the year from the "My Blue Duffel" Amazon Wish List. Your donation will provide direct support for a child in foster care. "My Blue Duffels" are emergency care kits given to children entering the foster care system. From the wish list, donors purchase items that are then sent to Kind to Kids to distribute. The children are victims of child abuse and neglect and are coping with trauma. Your gift will bring hope, love, and kindness to a vulnerable child. Kind to Kids Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit charity and your donations are tax deductible. Thank you for your support.

Sunday Breakfast Mission Clinic in Need of Physician Volunteers

The Sunday Breakfast Mission is a Christian rescue mission that provides overnight shelter, meals, and showers to men, women, and children every night of the year. It also provides a longer term residential program for a smaller number of people to support them out of homelessness. The medical team triages medical issues, treats minor acute illnesses, dispenses non-prescription medications, provides wound care, and attempts to connect people with appropriate community resources. There is a need for a few licensed physicians to help with a nurse-led medical clinic. The Sunday Breakfast Mission clinic is located at 110 Poplar Street in Wilmington. Physician volunteers are needed on Tuesday nights from 5-7 p.m. with a one to two times a month commitment. Parking is available on site or nearby. Please contact Dr. Cynthia Heldt for further information or Kelly Rivera, nurse coordinator.

Reduce Extraneous Cognitive Load

A lack of organization and the way information is presented to you can lead to an extraneous cognitive load. One big contributor is lack of standardization—for example, having your clinical rooms organized differently every time. Another source is split attention—when you are interrupted during a task, it takes time to reorient back to what you were doing. Organize your workflow and develop strategies to reduce this cognitive load and preserve your attention. 

LEARN MORE:

Podcast:

• Treating Attention as an Asset

Toolkit:

• Individual Resilience and Well-Being

Playbook:

• Saving Time

AMA STEPS Forward^® offers a collection of engaging and interactive educational content designed to help put the joy back into medicine.

Updates Vital to Enhancing Patient Care and Optimizing Practice Performance

As we step into the 2024 MIPS performance year, Chirpy Bird is highlighting some critical updates to the Promoting Interoperability (PI) category that are vital for enhancing patient care and optimizing your practice's performance. 

Here are a few key takeaways:

1. 180-Day Reporting Period: Physicians must now demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology (CEHRT) for a continuous 180 days during the MIPS performance year. Early preparation is crucial for success!
2. No COVID Exceptions: For 2024, the MIPS PI measure will not include exceptions or hardships specific to COVID. All physicians must adhere to the updated reporting requirements to avoid penalties.
3. Enhanced Patient Engagement: Focus on improving care coordination and patient outcomes through effective utilization of e-prescribing, health information exchange, and data security measures.

Information on Recent Product Recalls and Safety Announcements

Public Encouraged to Follow Established Choking Rescue Protocols

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety communication to encourage the public to follow established anti-choking protocols, which are step-by-step guides, approved by the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association to relieve the airway obstruction in choking victims. These protocols include abdominal thrusts (also called the “Heimlich” maneuver) for children and adults. These protocols do not include anti-choking devices. The safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter anti-choking devices have not been established; they are not FDA approved or cleared. If you choose to use them, only use anti-choking devices after established choking protocols have failed.

Sapropterin Dihydrochloride Powder

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. announced that it is voluntarily recalling six (6) lots of Sapropterin Dihydrochloride Powder for Oral Solution 100 mg to the consumer level due to powder discoloration in some packets leading to decreased potency. The issue was discovered during an accelerated stability test in addition to customer complaints. The product is indicated to reduce blood phenylalanine (Phe) levels in adult and pediatric patients one month of age and older with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) due to tetrahydrobiopterin-(BH4-) responsive Phenylketonuria (PKU) and is packaged in individual packets, 30 per carton. Reduced efficacy of the product would result in elevated Phenylalaninemia (Phe) levels in patients. Chronically elevated Phe levels in infants and children are likely to cause permanent neurocognitive deficits, including permanent and irreversible intellectual disability, developmental delay, and seizures.

Tracecarts Containing 16FR Urine Meter Foley

DeRoyal is recalling certain Surgical Tracecarts that contain a Nurse Assist 16FR Silver Urine Meter Foley. This recall is in direct response to Nurse Assist LLC’s, November 6, 2023, recall over sterility concerns. The rest of the items contained in the tracecart are not affected or impacted by this recall. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries or death.

Stay-Safe Catheter Extension Sets, Stay-Safe/Luer Lock Adapter, Tablo Hemodialysis System

Fresenius and Outset Medical

Fresenius Medical Care is recalling these devices to provide a correction to the instructions for use of the Stay-Safe Catheter Extension Sets and Stay-Safe/Luer Lock Adapter after non-dioxin-like (NDL) polychlorinated biphenyl acid (PCBA) leaching was found in the peroxide-cross linked silicone tubing for these devices. These NDL-PCBA compounds can enter a patient’s peritoneal cavity via the dialysate solution. Patients who are less than 40 kg may be exposed to higher than allowable levels of NDL-PCBAs as a result of this issue. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these affected devices, without following the updated instructions for use, may cause serious injuries, serious health consequences, or death. Please be aware, this recall is a correction, not a product removal. 

Outset Medical, Inc., is recalling the Tablo Hemodialysis System after non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl acids (NDL-PCBAs) leaching was identified at levels above allowable safety limits. The NDL-PCBAs are coming from the silicone tubing used as a part of the machine’s hydraulics and for the dialysate lines. Patients may be exposed to higher than allowable levels of these NDL-PCBA compounds via the dialysate solution. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these affected devices may cause serious injuries, serious health consequences, or death. Please be aware, this recall is a correction, not a product removal.

Perseus A500 Anesthesia System

Draeger Inc. is recalling the Perseus A500 anesthesia workstation after receiving reports that the internal backup battery failed spontaneously while the system was being operated off the main power supply. The battery failure caused unexpected shutdown without a low battery alarm while the device was running on battery power. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries, serious health consequences, or death. Please be aware, this recall is a correction, not a product removal.

Nimbus, Nimbus II Infusion Pump Systems

InfuTronix, LLC, is recalling Nimbus infusion pump systems due to multiple potential failure modes that may include battery failure, upstream blockage (occlusion), system errors, drug product leakage, high or low flow rate, or damaged housing. The devices will not be available or supported after June 20, 2024. The FDA has identified this as a Class I recall, the most serious type of recall. Use of these devices may cause serious injuries, serious health consequences, or death.

Bayhealth

The Bayhealth respiratory therapy team recently launched a multidisciplinary committee focused on decreasing readmissions and length of stay for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition to refining inpatient workflows, the team is focused on establishing relationships with community partners to offer resources and education to patients and community members. Bayhealth’s partnership with Delaware Quitline directly combats cigarette smoking, which is the leading cause of COPD. Delaware Quitline provides community members access to free coaching and smoking cessation products to help them on their journey to quitting. In addition to promoting the service to patients who smoke, Bayhealth and Delaware Quitline are combining resources to implement a direct referral system that will prompt a call from a Delaware Quitline coach to patients who can benefit from the service. Most recently, Bayhealth has partnered with the Southern Delaware COPD Coalition (SDCC) through which discharged COPD patients who meet specific criteria are referred to SDCC for a home or virtual visit from a respiratory therapist. The therapists work to develop a trusting relationship with the patients and assist throughout all aspects of disease management including identifying and addressing any physical, mental, emotional, or cultural needs.

ChristianaCare

ChristianaCare has launched an innovative electroencephalogram (EEG) brain monitoring program that represents a significant leap forward in the diagnosis and management of neurological conditions. The easy-to-use EEG program is the first of its kind that can be performed at the bedside to measure the electrical activity of the brain, providing a vital sign for brain function to help diagnose seizures more quickly. ChristianaCare is the first hospital system in Delaware to use the Ceribell point-of-care EEG monitoring system, which can reduce the time it takes to diagnose certain neurological conditions from hours to mere minutes. Using the system, clinicians have immediate access to EEG information so they can triage at-risk patients in just five minutes and monitor patients for treatment optimization.

Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications. Prescription Drug Take Back Day is operated locally by the Delaware Division of Public Health. Find a local collection site near you. In addition to participating sites, permanent medicine drop-off locations are available year round.

May 2 - Swank Dementia Symposium: Treatment of Dementia, 12:00-3:00 p.m., virtual and in person at John H. Ammon Education Center at ChristianaCare Newark Campus. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

May 7 - 61st Annual William J. Holloway Infectious Disease Symposium, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., virtual and in person at the John H. Ammon Education Center, ChristianaCare Newark Campus. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

May 15 - Quality Insights and AmeriHealth Caritas present Evidence-Based Opportunities to Improve Diabetes and Prediabetes Control and Prevention, 12:00-1:00 p.m., virtual. This activity has been approved for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 credit.

October 29 - SAVE THE DATE! 28th Annual Delaware Healthcare Forum, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Bally's Dover Casino Resort, Rollins Center, Dover.

September 19 - SAVE THE DATE! DAFP Geriatric Medicine Symposium, ChristianaCare, Newark.

October 19 - DAFP Research & Education Foundation Healthcare Heroes 5k, Cape Henlopen State Park.

November 23 - SAVE THE DATE! MSD Annual Meeting and Presidential Reception, Bally's Dover Casino Resort

• Information for Delaware Medical Professionals - https://publichealthalerts.delaware.gov/mpox/

The CDC website now features a new page dedicated to the current situation on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus (“H5N1 bird flu”) in mammals. The page includes information on the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in dairy cows in the U.S., the risk to people, a timeline of documented mammalian infections in the U.S. and globally, and a list of related links. Learn more.

The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section, we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world.