Local Drought and Public Health
More than one-third of all PA counties are now under a drought warning and even more are under a drought watch. “When Every Drop Counts: Protecting Public Health During Drought Conditions – A Guide for Public Health Professionals” is available at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Publications/Drought.htm. CDC developed this publication to assist public health officials, practitioners, and other stakeholders in their efforts to understand and prepare for drought in their communities. The document includes information about how drought affects public health, recommends steps to help mitigate the health effects of drought, identifies future needs for research and other drought-related activities, and provides a list of helpful resources and tools.

Pertussis Outbreaks in Pennsylvania
Whooping cough is increasing around the country and Pennsylvania is no exception. York and Delaware counties have seen the largest increases in disease this year. Most cases are being seen in the 8-12 year-old and 13-49 year-old age groups.

Vaccination is the best defense, but immunity from vaccines and natural infection wanes over time. In addition, many teens and adults are not getting the recommended Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) booster. As a result, pertussis continues to spread, causing the hospitalization and death of infants too young to be fully protected against this disease.

Recommendations: Get your own Tdap booster; Encourage all teens and adults to receive their Tdap booster. Use every opportunity to vaccinate teens and adults with the Tdap vaccine; Consider the diagnosis of pertussis in your patients. Pertussis is often misdiagnosed as other respiratory infections, which allows the disease to continue spreading; Promptly report suspected and confirmed pertussis cases to your local public health department.For more information, including news, recommendations and links, go to www.pafp.com/pafpcom.aspx?id=288.

NEW CME Webcast To Use Motivational Interviewing To Help Adolescents
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds and for every suicide death in this age group an estimated 100 to 200 teens attempt suicide. But how do you address young patients who challenge your recommendation for treatment and counseling? A new CME webcast from the PAFP Foundation introduces motivational interviewing – for specific use with adolescents – as a powerful tool to guide patients to get the help they need. The webcast is approved for 1 Prescribed credit; 1 hour of patient safety CME and is FREE at http://www.pafp.com/pafpcom.aspx?id=242.

Public Health News AND CME in the PAFP Magazine
A CME article features three monographs on adolescent/adult immunization. “Clinical Scenario Series on Immunization.” is approved for 2.5 Prescribed Credits, 2.5 hours of patient safety CME.

Also, an article on snus and other forms of smoke-free tobacco that are being marketed in smoke-free states like Pennsylvania is in the same magazine on page 51.

PA REACH East Info
The recipient agreement, effective Sept. 27, 2010, is now available for PA REACH East participants. PAFP is a PA REACH East subcontractor and can help you reach “meaningful use” with your EHR system. Although there are some upfront fees with this program through Quality Insights of Pennsylvania the return is substantial for each provider in a practice that reaches meaningful use, said PAFP’s Vice President of Quality Initiatives Lee Ann Grajales. For more information contact her at lgrajales@pafp.com or go to http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafp/keystonephysician_2010summer/#/10
 

Residents & Students...Don’t miss the FMEC Northeast Region Conference, October 29 – 31, at Hershey Lodge & Convention Center.

Student scholarship applications are available today to cover registration, hotel and conference meals. This is a great conference for everyone from first-year students exploring the specialty through those embarking on the interview trail.

Great opportunities for residents include sessions on FQHC/CHC opportunities and networking lunch with employer/recruiters.

PAFP offerings include Path to Practice Panel (Sat., 10am) & Clinical Camp (Sat., 2:45 – 5pm) Join the social media conversation with FP bloggers…http://fmec2010.blogspot.com/

Research Day is set for Saturday, March 12, 2011, in State College in conjunction with PAFP’s Live CME event, State College Breakaway. The call for abstracts is open. Submit your abstract online with your conference registration. Also, travel assistance is available for resident & student research presenters.

Good News for PMSLIC Customers
PMSLIC has filed with the Insurance Department of PA for a five percent decrease in overall rate change. All classes, specialties and territories will get a rate decrease. The filing proposes an effective date of 01/01/2011. Once the filing is approved, policy holders will be provided with the specifics of their own rate change. The filing also includes adding cyber liability at no extra cost for insured physicians