Practice Support Newsletter

June 2023

Measure of the Month

Follow-Up Care for Children Prescribed Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Medication (ADD)

School is out in most of the region and now is a great time to get ahead of the back-to-school rush. Focusing on follow-up appointments for prescribed ADHD and ADD medication during the summer months will help with a smoother transition back into the classroom in the Fall. The measure specifications focus on two rates, they are:

• % who had one follow-up visit with a practitioner during the 30-Day Initiation Phase
• % who remained on ADHD medication for at least 210 days had at least two additional follow-up visits with a practitioner within 270 days after the Initiation Phase

Strategies to help improve your rates:

• Take advantage of summer break and beat the back-to-school rush!
• Review patient lists for those who have not had two follow-up appointments and would be due around the time school resumes in the Fall. 
• Gain buy-in during the initial visit with caregivers on the importance of follow up visits if starting/continuing a medication
• Schedule appointments for follow up prior to the patient and caregiver leaving the office
• Connect with families with additional support, such as: ADDA, CHADD, ADDitude, and many more.
• Work with a South Piedmont AHEC Practice Support Coach

Regulatory Reminders – AED Checklist

Having an AED onsite can be a lifesaving addition to your practice. Having this resource also means you should ensure your team is comfortable with it and that it works. Both the pads and battery should be checked at a regular interval ensuring the pads are not expired and the battery is still operable. Here are some best practices for AEDs:

• Monthly documented checks of the AED to:
• Ensure the AED is present and in the right location
• Ensure the pads are not expired. (You may need to order pads with ample lead time depending on your vendor)
• Ensure both Pediatric and Adult pads are present based on your practice demographics
• Ensure the status of the battery is green (typically green checks or green blinking lights)
• Documented education provided to the Team includes:
• Location of the AED and reasons for use
• Difference of Pediatric and Adult pads
• Use of the AED specific to the model and brand onsite

Make It Actionable! Review the practice policy and documentation of training and checks. If you would like to develop a site-specific checklist, the practice can utilize online resources such as Safety Culture or AED Leader amongst others.

Save the Date: Lunch and Learn – Diversity: Implicit Bias

Join South Piedmont AHEC for an understanding of Implicit Bias and how to avoid it in the medical practice setting on July 11, 2023, 12 PM. Use the registration link to save your seat!

DEA MATE Training

On December 29, 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 enacted a new one-time, eight-hour training requirement for all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered practitioners on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders.

Beginning on June 27, 2023, practitioners will be required to check a box on their online DEA registration form affirming that they have completed the new training requirement. The full letter with detailed requirements is available online.

NC DHHS Operation Fan Heat Relief

As temperatures begin rising, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Aging and Adult Services is partnering with the N.C. Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers to distribute fans to eligible recipients through Operation Fan Heat Relief May 1–Oct. 31 to help older adults at risk stay safe this summer.

People 60 and older, as well as adults with disabilities, are eligible to sign up for assistance May 1–Oct. 31 at local aging agencies across the state. To read the full announcement, view it on the NC DHHS website.

Managing Chronic Diseases in the Geriatric Population

This is a free, on-demand training focusing on patient-centered treatment while working with the geriatric population. In this online module, learners will be presented with a balanced, compassionate look at patient goals and preferences while analyzing the existing evidence and identifying resources which will help achieve the preferred outcomes for the patient and family. Click here to register and review the available CEU’s/Contact Hours.

End of PHE Resources

• Provider Reverification and Billing Modifications Reminder
• DEA Telemedicine Flexibilities for Controlled Substances Extended Through November
• Coverage for COVID-19 Testing (English) (Spanish)
• Palmetto GBA End of PHE Presentation (Video Recording) (Slides)
• Fact Sheet: End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• HHS Fact Sheet: Telehealth Flexibilities and Resources and the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• North Carolina Moves Forward: The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
• Information for Medicaid, WIC, and FNS beneficiaries (English) (Spanish)

South Piedmont AHEC Practice Support – Helping you meet the challenges!

In this time of great transition in health care practices need to position themselves for new payment models, incentive programs, and other health care reforms while refocusing on patient-centered care. South Piedmont AHEC is currently able to provide these direct, individualized services at no cost.

Additional Resources: