Alerts

4/4/11		AAP Joins Call for Heightened Pertussis Vaccination The American Academy of Pediatrics, together with eight nursing, pediatric and physician organizations, is urging health care providers nationwide to encourage patients who have any contact with newborns and infants to get vaccinated for pertussis to stem a nationwide outbreak, including several groups that previously had not been recommended for the vaccine. An advisory letter to member health care professionals outlines the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for pertussis immunization. The letter also encourages health care providers to get their own vaccination, and to use an accompanying dosing guide outlining vaccine type and schedule for various groups.
2/17/11		New Immunization CPT codes 90460 and 90461 Affect Your Practice Billing On January 1, 2011 new immunization administration CPT codes 90460 and 90461 became effective, replacing codes 90465-90468 and reflecting the additional work associated with the provision of multiple-component vaccines. Payment for immunization administration in VFC will continue on a per-vaccine basis and not a per-component basis, recognizing that the VFC maximum regional charges set for each state were established on a per-vaccine basis. Maximum regional charges are those maximum dollar amounts, established by federal regulation, which cannot be exceeded for the administration of an immunization in the VFC program in each state. Learn more about how the new CPT codes 90460 and 90461affect your practice. Read the Q&A PPT
9/23/10		Similac Powdered Infant Formula Recall We have been informed by Abbott Nutrition that it is issuing a voluntary recall of certain Similac-brand, powder infant formulas because a quality review detected the remote possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product produced in a single manufacturing facility. The recall includes certain Similac powder infant formula sold in plastic containers and in 8-ounce sample cans, and 12.4-ounce and 12.9-ounce cans. If you have samples of Similac in your office, put these on hold and review the instructions from Abbott Nutrition in their Sept. 22 physician letter, which is posted on the AAP Member Center, along with Abbott's press release regarding the recall. To find out if a specific product has been recalled, consumers can visit www.similac.com/recall/lookup and type in the lot number. Products not involved in the recall include all Abbott Nutrition liquid ready-to-feed and concentrated formulas and all liquid and powder specialty formulas, such as Similac Expert Care Alimentum, Elecare, Similac Expert Care Neosure, Similac Human Milk Fortifier, and metabolic formulas for inherited disorders. In addition to a consumer Web site, www.similac.com/recall, Abbott has set up a hotline for consumers at (800) 986-8850. Health care professionals can call 1-800-545-5216.
8/24/10		Shiga Toxin E. Coli Cases Among Fair Attendees Three probable cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) with bloody diarrhea have been reported from Grand Traverse County with known onset dates between 8/15 - 8/17. All three are children who attended the Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City, MI between 8/9 and 8/13. One case has been hospitalized with probable Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). This fair likely attracts visitors (especially children) from a broad geographic area, so associated cases could potentially occur outside of the Grand Traverse area. Medical providers should be alert to severe diarrheal illnesses including bloody diarrhea, and order stool testing (both culture and rapid diagnostic methods) for STEC. Suspect STEC cases should be reported promptly into the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS) and asked about attendance at the fair. Contact MDCH Communicable Disease Division at 517-335-8165 concerning associated cases.
1/18/10		New School Immunization Requirements for 2010-2011 In early October 2009, new Communicable Disease Rules were passed by the Michigan Legislature regarding school immunization requirements. Please read the following files for more information. Dr. Lawrence Reynolds Talks About New School Immunization Requirements MDCH Letter regarding new requirements New Communicable Disease Rules — 2010-2011 School Reporting Year Information for Parents: Human Papillomavirus, Meningococcal & Other Vaccines for Pre-Teens and Teens
9/15/09		Bright Futures Periodicity Schedule
9/15/09		MDCH Childhood Obesity Outreach Letter
8/11/09		H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Information for Health Care Professionals