Read this month's healthcare provider newsletter for recent health advisories related to pertussis and travel to the Arabian Peninsula, resources for physicians experiencing personal challenges, and more.
Healthcare providers are reminded that CDC now recommends a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy irrespective of the patient's prior history of receiving Tdap.
Please be advised that beginning May 29, parents of children who attend Growing Children of Providence Child Care Center are being informed by letter of a couple of cases of pertussis in daycare attendees. This may result in increased calls to area healthcare providers. Read the complete advisory: http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ece9b1661b3bf3b864a6894d1&id=b6bfe09687
During the week of May 27th, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will include a new call-to-action in select "Tips from Former Smokers" television commercials: "You can quit. Talk with your doctor for help." This tag will continue on some ads for the remainder of the campaign. The goal is to empower patients to talk about this issue with you, so that you can begin a dialogue with them about smoking and quitting. Their site provides more information and campaign tools to help get the conversation started.
Gain insights and improve your skills related to interacting with youth about sexual health issues. A special emphasis of this conference/training is to learn about current and emerging issues in sexual health, and the roles of culture and technology in young people's lives. Join us for this one-day conference on May 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Rhode Island College. Online registration is required. CMEs available.
HEALTH is investigating a cluster of deaths that appear to be related to the use of a fentanyl analog drug, a synthetic analog of fentanyl. The Office of the Medical Examiner has noted 10 deaths since March 7, 2013 of patients who appear to have died with this substance in their bodies. The most recent death was April 11, 2013. Most of these patients are from the Woonsocket and Pawtucket areas. Original screening of this substance identified this substance as fentanyl; however, a secondary screening revealed that the substance is an analog and not the prescription FDA-approved form of the drug. HEALTH encourages all providers to refer patients with addiction to appropriate resources
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.
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.
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.
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.
Healthcare providers are reminded that CDC now recommends a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy irrespective of the patient's prior history of receiving Tdap.
A list of trusted sources of information about vaccines is available online. Patients can be directed to these websites if they are seeking additional information about vaccines and vaccine safety.
Please be advised that beginning May 29, parents of children who attend Growing Children of Providence Child Care Center are being informed by letter of a couple of cases of pertussis in daycare attendees. This may result in increased calls to area healthcare providers. Read the complete advisory:...
The Yale/Tulane Planning and Response Program, in conjunction with the Yale University Department of Emergency Medicine, has produced this special report as a result of the recent outbreaks in China involving Avian Influenza (H7N9). This power point presentation was compiled entirely from open...
Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 23-17-21 and -36, and R23-17-HCW Rule 5.3 of the Rules and Regulations Pertaining To Immunization, Testing, and Health Screening For Health Care Workers, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health hereby declares on this 11th day of February, 2013,...