Weekly Roundup: In Case You Missed It
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COVID-19 By the Numbers (as of 7/10/20):
- Alameda County: 7,485 confirmed cases, 147 deaths (including City of Berkeley data)
- Contra Costa County: 4,460 confirmed cases, 88 deaths
- California: 304,297 confirmed cases, 6,851 deaths
- US: 3,106,931 cases; 132,855 deaths
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ACCMA & CMA At Work for You
The ACCMA has partnered with the California Medical Association and the State of California to provide physician practices with
FREE medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) kits
, including N95 and surgical masks, gowns, gloves, and face shields. Small and medium sized practices must
apply for the free PPE kits
by July 21
– both member and non-member practices are eligible to apply.
PPE will be available for local pickup on July 29 and August 3
. There will be one pickup site in Contra Costa County and one site in Alameda County. Details regarding the pickup event will be provided as the date nears.
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ACCMA President, Dr. Katrina Peters, and Santa Clara County Medical Association President, Dr. Seema Sidhu, co-authored an
article in support of public health officials
, which was recently published in the East Bay Times. "We have avoided a tragic outcome so far because our public health officers acted early. Their actions saved thousands of lives. Our public health officers are heroes."
The California Medical Association (CMA) is
opposing the new federal rule
that would revoke thousands of student visas, as it jeopardizes the ability to train physicians and other health care personnel, particularly during a time of critical health care workforce shortages.
The Nocturnists, a partner podcast of the California Medical Association, began gathering health care provider stories at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. They recently released a nationwide,
interactive story map
and a 10-part audio documentary series, "
Stories from the Pandemic
".
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Financial Assistance
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) opened a new
“Medicaid Targeted Distribution” portal
, where Medicaid-dependent physicians can apply to receive a portion of the $15 billion in funds to be distributed to Medicaid providers. The deadline to apply for funding is
July 20, 2020.
This funding does not require repayment.
Following the passage of the Paycheck Protection Program Extension Act, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
resumed accepting applications
on Monday, July 6. The new deadline to apply for a PPP loan is August 8, 2020.
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Clinical Trials and Studies
On Wednesday, July 8,
scientists warned
of a potential wave of COVID-19-related brain damage. New evidence suggests that COVID-19 may lead to severe neurological complications, including inflammation, psychosis, and delirium.
The HHS collaborated with the Department of Defense (DoD) to announce a
$16 billion agreement with Novavax, Inc
. to demonstrate commercial-scale manufacturing of the company’s COVID-19 investigational vaccine. The Novavax project expects to produce 100 million doses of investigational vaccine, all of which will be owned by the federal government.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is launching a
new clinical trial network
, aiming to enroll thousands of volunteers in large-scale clinical trials, which will test a variety of investigational vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19.
On Sunday, July 5, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
issued a Health Advisory
about adverse events that have ben observed in individuals using methanol-based hand sanitizers. The CDC advises all consumers to avoid the use of hand sanitizer that has been recalled by the FDA due to the presence of methanol as an active ingredient.
The
EPA approved two products
, Lysol Disinfectant Spray (EPA Reg No. 777-99) and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist (EPA Reg No. 777-127), based on laboratory testing that shows the products are effective against SARS-CoV-2.
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In Other News
The Trump administration has formally submitted a
notice of withdrawal
from WHO. The letter, which was sent on Monday, July 6 to the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, indicates that the U.S. is withdrawing due to WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The withdrawal will be effective July 6, 2021.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) will be
releasing eligible inmates
with 180 days or less remaining on their sentence to parole or probation supervision. Alternative confinement or early release is permitted by the Secretary’s authority under Government Code section 8658 during emergency situations that endanger the lives of inmates.
Contra Costa County also released an
updated order
, specifying that face coverings should be worn inside of businesses or in areas where people are waiting in line to enter a business. Individuals who are within 6 feet of someone who is not a member of their household must also where a mask.
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What We're Reading - COVID-19 Resources and Guidance
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FREE | CME Available | Tuesday, July 14 | 12:00 - 1:30 PM
Presented by the California Medical Association
COVID-19 is likely to be part of the clinical landscape for the foreseeable future, so the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS) and the California Medical Association (CMA), in partnership with the California Academy of PAs (CAPA) and Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California (OPSC), are hosting a monthly and virtual grand rounds series
on the evolution and management of COVID-19 patients.State health leaders
Mark Ghaly, MD
,
Alice Chen, MD
, and
Sonia Angell, MD
will discuss part and current state efforts to prepare for COVID-19 surges and data collection methods for surveillance and planning, as well as related impacts to California communities.
Register online
.
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Guide to Resilience: A Four-Part Series
FREE | CME Available | Thursday, July 16 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
A four-part series providing tools and guidance to physicians as they navigate through the biggest crisis we have faced.
Information about future sessions coming soon.
To cope with the stress of the present and the future, doctors will need new resilience in the face of suffering, expanded capabilities to pay attention in more complex environments, and greater emotional intelligence in their relationships to care for others while also caring for themselves. This presentation introduces physicians to a positive psychology framework for promoting resiliency, grit, and self-care to ultimately increase their effectiveness and satisfaction at work and at home. Physicians actively pursuing their own resilience may be better equipped to handle the many challenges presented throughout their medical career and less likely to experience burnout, even in the COVID era. View the
full program flyer
.
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FREE | Tuesday, July 28 | 12:15 - 1:15 PM
Presented by the California Medical Association
CMA Physician Services has partnered with Aledade, to help
independent primary care physicians
and
health centers
successfully pursue value-based care. Adelade does this by working with independent primary care physicians and health centers to build and lead Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) that allow them to remain independent and thrive financially by keeping people healthy. Through value-based care, practices can diversify their revenue streams while improving patient outcomes. By way of example in the 2019 Medicare Shared Savings performance year, physicians practices that partnered with Aledade are projected to receive an average of $380,237 in shared savings bonuses. In this interactive webinar, CMA Physician Services and Aledade will give and overview of value-based care and Aledade's partner services. Participants will also hear from a physician who has partnered with Aledade and transitioned into value-based care.
Register online
.
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FREE | Wednesday, July 29 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Presented by the California Medical Assoc
iation
Panelists will discuss the components of screening adult patients for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress and developing comprehensive treatment plans. With distinct clinical viewpoints and a case-based format, this webinar will cover:
- The value of screening adults for ACEs and toxic stress and responding with evidence-based interventions and trauma-informed care.
- An overview of the ACEs Aware online training for providers, ACE Screening Clinical Workflow, and the ACEs and Toxic Stress Risk Assessment Algorithm.
- On-the-ground examples of how adult medicine providers are screening for and responding to ACEs and toxic stress.
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ACCMA's On-Demand Library
FREE | Available On-Demand
This online seminar provides an educational opportunity for community members to learn about overdose prevention, lessen the stigma surrounding the use of substances, specifically with opioid use disorder (OUD), and how to use Naloxone/Narcan, the lifesaving opioid overdose reversal drug. In this webinar, you will learn to identify signs of an opioid overdose and will go through the steps of responding to an opioid overdose, including how to use Naloxone. Among those key parts of the presentation, you will also learn about the Good Samaritan Law, risks associated with using and mixing substances, fentanyl, and resources about how to access Naloxone, sterile supplies and much more.
FREE
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Available On-Demand
On June 13, the ACCMA hosted its first Virtual Telehealth Vendor Fair. Telehealth vendors from across California and the Nation showcased their products and services so members can evaluate what solutions will work best in their practice. Vendors include Decoded Health, Doctorgram, TigerConnect, Updox, and VSee.
FREE |
Available On-Demand | CME Available
This one-hour, on-demand webinar led by Linda Hawes Clever, MD, MACP, offers practical, creative, and effective remedies to deal with the crush on personal and professional lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. It contains strategies, resources, and suggestions for handling physician wellness, as well as addressing questions and answers, as we listen and see the ingenuity, guts, and devotion with which we are addressing the harrowing challenges we all face as a profession, community, and nation. Discover how to reduce personal stress and learn healthy ways to contend with the impact of COVID-19.
FREE | Available On-Demand | CME Available
Telehealth services are expanding rapidly during the COVID-19 crisis. In partnership with Bay Area medical associations, the ACCMA teamed up with experts to develop a comprehensive webinar series to help physicians swiftly ramp up their telemedicine capabilities, from technology to practice implementation to coding. Experts discuss choosing a telemedicine platform; compliance; privacy and security considerations; billing and payment; policies, procedures, and workflow; informing your patients; and malpractice. Physicians who have experience practicing telemedicine share their practical reflections.
FREE | Available On-Demand
Medical offices and practices are essential businesses and were not required to close, but many physicians have faced difficulties with staffing, incorporating Telemedicine into their practices, ensuring waiting rooms are safe, etc. Sessions include "Getting Back Up and Running Safely," "HR and Employment Issues," and "Telemedicine and Reimbursement."
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CMA On-Demand Library
FREE | Available On-Demand
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Please contact ACCMA at 510-654-5383 or
[email protected]
with any questions or concerns you have.
This information will also be posted online at
www.accma.org/COVID-19
and will be updated frequently. Please check the ACCMA website regularly for updates.
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