COVID-19 Update #13 PDF

Dear Georgia AAP Colleagues:
Here are your updates for Friday, May 1:

NOTE: If you are reading this message as a blast fax, visit us on the web at www.gaaap.org to view the message on-line to enable links. All previous blasts are archived on our website.

Clinical Guidance

Presidents of AAP And AMA Urge Parents to Not Skip Well-Child Visits or Vaccines During The Pandemic Dr. Sara “Sally” Goza, Fayetteville, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Dr. Patrice Harris, Atlanta, president of the American Medical Association, write in an op-ed for USA Today (4/28) about the importance of keeping up with children’s health during the pandemic. Drs. Harris and Goza write “for the most part, children seem to be spared from the most extreme and dangerous effects of the coronavirus,” but they urge parents to not skip well-child visits or vaccines. Harris and Goza conclude, “At a moment when our nation’s eyes are on the spread of the virus, our eyes are on the children.” (from AAP Daily Briefing.)

FURTHER READING: We Are Taking on What May Be Most Important Work Of Our Lives

New AAP guidance released today (April 2, 2020) addresses the care of infants whose mothers have suspected or confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The report “Initial Guidance: Management of Infants Born to Mothers with COVID-19” along with a Q&A covers precautions for birth attendants, rooming-in, breastfeeding, testing, neonatal intensive care, visitation and hospital discharge. Click here for the article from AAP News.

Practice Management

COVID Template to Practices for Parents
The Chapter has created language for practices to use with their patient’s families to encourage well visits during this time. Please click here to access the template.

Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) Financial Resource
MGMA has created a spread sheet for loan forgiveness and weekly expenses to help practice understand if they are staying on track. This information is not intended to be a substitute for legal advice or replace the advice of a qualified professional. Users are encouraged to consult with their legal counsel and representatives of lending institutions regarding the completion of their loan applications. Clear here to view the spreadsheet document. Georgia Chapter

American Academy of Pediatrics

1350 Spring Street, Suite 700  Atlanta, GA 30309-2904
Fax: 404-249-9503  Phone: 404-881-5020  website: www.gaaap.org
Plan for the Possibility of a Back to School Rush

The possibility of a busy back to school season approaches. Please be sure to plan by verifying that your site has a cushion of 3 months’ supply of VFC vaccine on hand. DPH will currently honor vaccine requests of up to 100 doses over the presumed doses needed amount during the rush. If you have any questions, please contact Noreen Dahill at ndahill@gaaap.org.

Telehealth

Chapter Presents Telehealth in Pediatrics: Getting Started, Getting Paid Chapter hosted a 75-minute webinar on Telehealth in Pediatrics: Getting Started, Getting Paid on April 28th from 6:00 – 7:15 pm. To view the recorded webinar please click here Questions? if you have telehealth questions you want the experts to answer, in the next telehealth webinar, send them to Fozia Khan Eskew at feskew@gaaap.org. Please put Telehealth Question in the subject line.

Family Support

Breastfeeding During COVID-19 Pandemic The outbreak of COVID-19 is a stressful time for everyone. This may be especially true for mothers who are breastfeeding and concerned about their baby’s health. However, new moms can successfully start and maintain breastfeeding during the pandemic , with some recommended precautions. This topic is addressed in the Chapter’s EPIC® Breastfeeding Programs. See more information below.

Cloth Face Coverings for Children >2 Years (asphyxiation risk ) During COVID-19 To protect ourselves and others from COVID-19, the CDC now recommends cloth face coverings be used when outside. But what about children? Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions about cloth face coverings and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Education

American Board of Pediatrics Recognizes MOC During COVID-19 This June, the ABP will award 25 Part 2 points and 25 Part 4 points, for MOC, to all certified pediatricians who have requirements due this year to recognize the commitment to lifelong learning and improvement during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no documentation necessary from the physician, and these points will be visible in your ABP Portfolio in early June.

For additional information about how COVID-19 has impacted MOCA-Peds, MOC fees, proctored exams, and more, view the ABP Board website or contact the ABP directly.

EPIC® Breastfeeding & Immunization Programs Delivered Virtually! A reminder that the Chapter’s popular EPIC® programs have gone virtual. We are innovating to bring our peer-to-peer education to you in a new way – online! We can customize a program to your office staff availability (they can even log on or call in from home) or you can register for one of our new webinar offerings. Visit the EPIC® website at www.GaEPIC.org to request either program. This education is at no cost to your practice, through our partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Advocacy

COVID-19 Update: Video Message from AAP President Dear Colleagues: As so often happens when confronted with unpredictable challenges in our profession, pediatricians have shown remarkable resilience, flexibility and creativity during COVID-19. Seeing the stories pour in from the frontlines of your work to keep children safe and healthy has been inspiring, and also illuminating.

The truth is that pediatricians are facing unprecedented challenges. You’re trying to do all you can without the right protective equipment, or a road map for how to do telemedicine on this scale, or assurances that your practice will be able to remain open next month or even next week. Today I want to talk to you about all your AAP is doing to get the word out. Please click here to view Sara “Sally” Goza, MD, FAAP (AAP President, ) video message and find out the two ways you can add your voice to our efforts.

Georgia Chapter American Academy of Pediatrics

1350 Spring Street, Suite 700  Atlanta, GA 30309-2904
Fax: 404-249-9503 Phone: 404-881-5020  website: www.gaaap.org

Announcements

Pediatrics By the Sea Canceled This Year As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the nation and our state, the Chapter has made the sad decision to cancel Pediatrics By the Sea, which was to be held on June 17-20, 2020, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Amelia Island, Fla. As a Chapter, the safety and well-being of our members, partners, and staff is of utmost importance, and we feel this is the best decision for all. If you have already registered as an attendee for PBS 2020, you will be receiving
information on your hotel reservations and the refund process. Visit our website for more information, www.gaaap.org.

Georgia Lags Behind Nation in Census Responses Georgia ranks 35th, among states, in its rates of response to the 2020 Census. Please continue encouraging families in your practice to complete the census on- line or via the phone. Click here to visit the Chapter’s website for more information and resources. If you have any questions or concerns about this information, please contact Noreen Dahill at ndahill@gaaap.org. If you have questions regarding Telehealth, please contact Fozia Eskew at feskew@gaaap.org.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Terri McFadden, MD, FAAP President

This message is also posted on the Georgia AAP listserv for our Pediatric nurses and practice managers.