April 23, 2024

Note: New Content Noted with Asterisks* and Highlighted.

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As communicated last week, our 2023 surplus distribution will be going out to most of our member practices this week. You will receive a detailed report in the mail with provider-level performance data. If you have questions about your report, please contact your TCCN Provider Relations Representative.

All primary care practices that joined TCCN prior to 2023 will receive a distribution. Practices that joined in 2023 will qualify for distributions starting with the 2024 performance year. Please be sure to complete your 2024 membership requirements so that you will qualify for any 2024 distributions.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) posted a new webpage to share answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Rules and the cybersecurity incident impacting Change Healthcare, a unit of UnitedHealth Group (UHG), and many other health care entities. The cyberattack is disrupting health care and billing information operations nationwide and poses a direct threat to critically needed patient care and essential operations of the health care industry.

OCR enforces the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules, which sets forth the requirements that HIPAA covered entities (most health care providers, health plans, and health care clearinghouses) and their business associates must follow to protect the privacy and security of protected health information and the required notifications to HHS and affected individuals following a breach.

The webpage answers questions and provides helpful information on many topics, including:

• Why did OCR issue the March 13, 2024, “Dear Colleague Letter”?
• Why is OCR initiating an investigation and what does it cover?
• Has OCR received breach reports from Change Healthcare, UHG, or any affected health care providers?
• Are large breaches (those affecting 500 or more individuals) posted on the HHS Breach Portal on the same day that OCR receives a regulated entity’s breach report?
• Is OCR’s 2016 ransomware guidance applicable to the Change Healthcare cyberattack?
• Are covered entities that are affected by the cyberattack involving Change Healthcare and UHG required to file breach notifications?
• What HIPAA breach notification duties do covered entities have with respect to the Change Healthcare cyberattack?
• What HIPAA breach notification duties do business associates have with respect to the Change Healthcare cyberattack?

The new FAQs on the Change Healthcare Cybersecurity Incident may be viewed at: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/special-topics/change-healthcare-cybersecurity-incident-frequently-asked-questions/index.html

The HHS Breach Portal: Notice to the Secretary of HHS Breach of Unsecured Protected Health Information may be found at: https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf

OCR is committed to enforcing the HIPAA Rules that protect the privacy and security of peoples’ health information. Guidance about the Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rules can also be found on OCR’s website.

Members of Children’s Professional Staff are invited to attend the Children’s 2024 Professional Staff Annual Meeting on Thursday, August 15, from 6 – 8 p.m. in a very special location—Arthur M. Blank Hospital. This meeting is presented by Medical Staff Services and The Children’s Care Network (TCCN).

Join us for a casual evening of celebration and fun, featuring food and drinks, networking opportunities and tours of the emergency room, an operating room, a general patient care room and the garden at Arthur M. Blank Hospital. This event will offer a “first look” inside the new hospital before it opens in September, and we cannot wait for you to see it.

Because we want to be sure to have enough food and staff to lead the tours, we are asking that you register for the Children’s 2024 Annual Professional Staff Meeting by

Wednesday, May 1. Please register here.

Please contact professionalstaff@choa.org with questions about the meeting. We hope to see you there!

We are excited to build on last year’s momentum as we launch the 2024 TCCN Quality Program. We will continue to renew our commitment to excellence by focusing on moving the needle forward on quality improvement outcomes.

Click here to view details and requirements for this year's Quality Program.

For questions regarding TCCN Value Added Services, please reach out to

Barbara Douglas, TCCN Associate Director of Programs at Barbara.douglas@tccn-choa.org.

The McKesson team has created another special with a discounted price just for the TCCN McKesson Medical Supplies Program!

Asthma is one of the cornerstones of TCCN quality programming. One tool in the effective management of asthma is spirometry and following Asthma Action Plans. Spirometers provide additional objective data to diagnose asthma severity and control, monitor lung function, and adjust medication. Sharing lung function readings also provides an opportunity for patient and family education around the importance of compliance.

We are excited to offer an opportunity to utilize this technology at the point of care in your

office.

Features and Benefits - EasyOne ® Air Spirometer

• Large color touchscreen for easy data entry and navigation
• EasyOne® Connect software for EMR integration and PC spirometry
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Long-lasting rechargeable battery
• Calibration-Free TrueFlow Technology for high accuracy of results
• Not made with natural rubber latex EasyOne ® Flow Tube
• Disposable mouthpiece helps reduce risk of cross-contamination
• Resistance-free testing for precise measurement
• Non-sterile
• Not made with natural rubber latex

Seasonal TCCN promotion on NDD EasyOne Air and Easy on-PC spirometry systems

• Free 2-year extended warranty ( Total of 5 Years )
• EasyOne Air: $1,950 per Unit
• Easy on PC: $1,650 per Unit

If you are not a part of this program – please reach out to your McKesson Rep about joining the

program.

You may also reach out to Barbara Douglas via email barbara.douglas@tccn-choa.org.

Thank you for your continued support of TCCN!

Topic:

We Are In An Epidemic Of Pediatric Firearm Injuries: Challenging Safe Firearm Storage and Injury Prevention Conversations for the Pediatrician

Date:

April 24^th, 2024 from 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom

Speakers:

Drs. Keisha Fraser Doh and Sofia Chaudhary

Webex Details:

Click here to join the meeting

More ways to join:

Join from the meeting link

https://choa123.webex.com/choa123/j.php?MTID=m2034b68c955033bd0e50dc4366714680

Join by meeting number

Meeting number (access code): 2633 015 5981

Meeting password: MPscuN3T3h4 (67728638 from phones and video systems)

Tap to join from a mobile device (attendees only)  

+1-415-655-0001,,26330155981#67728638# US Toll  

Some mobile devices may ask attendees to enter a numeric password. 

Join by phone  

+1-415-655-0001 US Toll  

Global call-in numbers

Join from a video system or application

Dial 26330155981@choa123.webex.com 

You can also dial 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.

Topic:

Positive ANA Results - All That Glitters is Not Gold

Date:

May 14, 2024 12:00 PM via Zoom

Speakers:

Dr. Sampath Prahalad

Details:

This month Dr. Prahalad will be discussing positive ANA results and understanding when it is appropriate to refer to a specialist.

Click here to register!

As pediatricians increasingly play a critical role in “whole-child” care, they consistently identify a need to learn more about how to care for children with Behavioral and Mental Health (BMH) needs. Specifically, learning how to screen, when and how to treat, understanding the referral options and when it is appropriate to refer for specialty care.

Utilizing the Project ECHO platform, this cohort will meet every other Wednesday at lunchtime starting May 1^st for six sessions and will cover multiple facets of caring for pediatric patients with substance related and addictive disorders. Upon the conclusion of this cohort, we will offer additional cohorts through 2025 covering new behavioral and mental health topics.

Project ECHO uses the online platform, Zoom, and participation in Project ECHO is free of charge. Participants will have the opportunity to earn CME and MOC Part II credits for their participation.

Registration is open now through May 14^th. Registration is open to primary care providers in the state of Georgia only. Active participation is required and participants are expected to present at minimum one case during the series.

Event Details:

Substance Related and Addictive Disorders cohort sessions will take place every other Wednesday from 12:00pm – 1:00pm via Zoom. This series will be facilitated by Kayla Mays, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC.

· May 1st: Introduction to Substance Use Disorders and Other Comorbid Psychiatric Disorders - Olu Osoba, MD and Gretchen Weeks, MSN, APRN, PNP-C, PMHNP-BC

· May 15th: Pharmacotherapy for Opioid Use Disorder and Other Disorders - Joe Mathias, MD

· May 29th: Legal and Social Aspects of Substance Use in Youth - Pauline Anderson, MSW, LCSW

· June 12th: Marijuana Use in Youth: Recent Epidemiology, Presentation, Treatment Strategies, and New Research - Darron Lewis, MD

· June 26th: SUD and the Impact of Trauma: Correlation Between Connection and Addiction Recovery - Tina Niziurski, LCSW

· July 10th: Conference Updates: Substance Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Update 2024 Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy - John Gransbach, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC

This series will be limited to 35 participants due to the time constraints of case presentations. There will be an active waitlist so please add your name if the course is full and you will be contacted if you are able to join.

To register for this series, click here.

TCCN Requirements

• Effective August 1st: 2-Week Data Submission Requirement
• 2024 Quality Program Requirements

TCCN Resources

• TCCN RSV Toolkit
• TCCN Seizure Action Plan
• Endocrinology Referral Guide
• Nephrology Referral Guideline
• 2023 TCCN OSHA Webinar Recording and Slides and Bloodborne Pathogens Test
• TCCN Webinar: New AAP Clinical Practice Guidelines for Obesity
• TCCN Pediatric Coding Seminar- Webinar Recording and slides
• TCCN Antibiotic Stewardship Webinar Series: Why It's Important for Your Practice and Patients:
• Webinar #1: How to Access and Use the Website
• Webinar #2: Prescribing Guide
• Webinar #3: Antibiotic Dosing: Maximize antibiotic adherence, limit wastage, and promote antibiotic stewardship
• TCCN Risk Management Webinar Recording and Presentation

Community Updates

• Georgia Composite Medical Board Decisions Regarding Prescribing Via Telemedicine
• DPH Confirms Case of Measles in Atlanta Metro Area
• Moderna Pediatric COVID Vaccines Purchased on or After January 9, 2024 Now 100% Returnable
• Important Information About the Correct Dosage and Administration of Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (2023-2024 Formula) for Individuals 6 Months Through 11 Years of Age
• DEA Requirement for All Providers - MATE Act FAQ and Resources
• Resilience and Emotional Wellness – Healthcare Training | Strong4Life
• The InFLUence of Vaccine Technology on Pediatric Influenza Outcomes
• URAC Clinical Integration Accreditation Announcement
• Bilirubin Level Testing and Phototherapy Vendors
• Antibiotic Alternatives Tip Sheet

We are here for you. Please reach out to your TCCN Provider Relations Representative contact@tccn-choa.org with any questions.