News for Healthcare Providers

• Previous Announcements + Previous Announcements -

  05/09/2013 16:05 EDT

  May HEALTH Connections now available

  Read this month's healthcare provider newsletter for updates related to H7N9, asthma data, CME opportunities, and more.

  05/01/2013 15:10 EDT

  Pertussis cases in Warwick

  Please be advised that beginning May 1, parents of children who attend John Brown Francis Elementary School in Warwick, Rhode Island are being informed by letter of a couple of cases of pertussis in students who are siblings, that have occurred a few weeks apart. This may prompt additional calls to other healthcare providers with questions or concerns about the situation and about early childhood vaccinations for pertussis (DTaP). Parents of children in the the siblings' second grade and fourth grade class rooms will receive a different, two-sided letter advising targeted prophylaxis. The specific instructions for parents are: If your child has a weakened immune system, ask your child's doctor for your child to receive antibiotics to prevent pertussis (prophylaxis). Please do the same if your child lives with a woman who is pregnant, an infant less than 12 months old, or anyone with a weakened immune system. Current pertussis clinical,laboratory, and reporting guidance for Rhode Island healthcare providers can be found on the HEALTH website.

  04/30/2013 16:30 EDT

  Action Speaks series - the State of Healthcare in Rhode Island

  As a part of the Action Speaks series, the state of healthcare in Rhode Island will be discussed at two upcoming community forums in Providence. A forum on May 1st ('OBAMACARE': What It Means For Rhode Island) will take place at the Roots Cultural Center from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. A forum on May 8th (How Rhode Island Can Improve Health, Reduce Cost, and Restore Our Economy) will take place at AS220 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Director of Health Michael Fine, M.D. will be speaking at the event on May 8th.

  04/30/2013 08:27 EDT

  School nurse teacher conference open to physicians

  The 2013 Rhode Island School Nurse Conference, "Managing School Health Issues Together," is open to physicians. The conference will be held on May 29, 2013, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. Registration is required.

  04/22/2013 13:08 EDT

  Preconception Health Summit registration deadline extended

  A few spots still available! Register now and join us Thursday, April 25 from 8:30am to 2:30pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick.

  04/10/2013 15:39 EDT

  April HEALTH Connections now available

  Read this month's newsletter for information about closing a practice, applying for the health professional loan repayment program, registering for the Rhode Island Preconception Health Summit, and more.

  04/09/2013 08:57 EDT

  CDC Travel Advisory: China Reports First Human Infections with Novel Influenza A (H7N9) Virus

  All physicians who see patients with influenza illness in travelers returning from China -- regardless of season -- should contact the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) Division of Infectious Disease and Epidemiology at (401) 222-2577. As of April 4, 2013, public health officials in China have reported the first known human infections and deaths identified with a novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of the 14 patients hospitalizations associated with this strain, all had severe respiratory illness and six deaths have resulted. Read the complete CDC Health Alert Network Advisory: emergency.cdc.gov/HAN/han00344.asp.

  04/02/2013 11:32 EDT

  2013 Rhode Island Preconception Health Summit

  The summit will provide strategies to integrate preconception health into policy, programs, and practice, move forward the state's strategic plan, and optimize healthy pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes. The agenda includes a keynote address by Tricia Rose, PhD, addressing the social context of sexual and reproductive health, a panel discussion, and technology-assisted audience response. We invite you to join us at this event on Thursday, April 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 801 Greenwich Avenue in Warwick. Registation required online.

  03/27/2013 11:45 EDT

  Public health grand rounds - 2013 Immunization Update

  Penelope Dennehy, MD will give a public health grand rounds presentation on April 4 titled "2013 Immunization Update." The event will take place from 8:30-9:30 am at the Rhode Island Department of Health (Public Health Auditorium, 3 Capitol Hill, Providence). Additionally, the presentation can be viewed live via webcast.

  03/14/2013 13:08 EDT

  Urgent Message to All Licensed Prescribers in RI

  As of March 8, 2013, the office of Christopher Huntington, M.D. is closed. Dr. Huntington had approximately 450 patients who were on long-term Schedule II and Schedule III medications. We expect that the abrupt closure of his practice may present some challenges to the physician and healthcare provider community. The Rhode Island Department of Health is working with Dr. Huntington's office on its transition plan for Dr. Huntington's patients. Information about where and when patient records will be released will be posted on the Department's website as soon as it is available.

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