Get 20% off the price of all online subscriptions to AAP journals and periodicals, including Grand Rounds, NeoReviews, Pediatrics in Review and Hospital Pediatrics. Go to http://shop.aap.org/journals by Dec. 31 and enter promo code G8WAY2DAY at checkout.
CATCH: Call for proposals
Grants of up to $10,000 for pediatricians and fellowship trainees and $2,000 for pediatric residents are available from the Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) program. CATCH seeks innovative initiatives that will ensure all children, especially underserved children, have medical homes, timely immunizations and access to health services not otherwise available in their communities. All pediatricians are eligible to apply regardless of employment setting or retirement status.
Applications will be accepted for Planning, Implementation and Resident Grants until Jan. 29. Applicants will receive notice of funding decisions by May 15. Only online applications are accepted. For details and to apply, visit http://www2.aap.org/catch/funding.htm.
Hep B birth dose honor roll
Does your hospital have a coverage rate of 90% or above for administering hepatitis B vaccine to all newborns before hospital discharge? If so, apply to be included on an honor roll that recognizes this accomplishment with a color certificate and inclusion of the hospital in an online listing. Find out more at www.immunize.org/honor-roll/birthdose.
Spanish pediatric palliative care resource
A new pediatric palliative care brochure is available for Spanish-speaking families from the National Institutes of Health. Cuidados paliativos para niňos: Apoyo para toda la familia cuando su hijo vive con una enfermedad grave intends to raise awareness of benefits of pediatric palliative care among Hispanic families and caregivers.
The brochure includes information on options surrounding a child’s care and answers questions such as: How do I know if my child needs palliative care? Does accepting palliative care mean our family is giving up on other treatments? How can my child’s pain be managed? How can our family get palliative care?
The resource also offers advice on managing distressing symptoms.
Access the brochure in Spanish at http://1.usa.gov/1OoX4bH; the English version is available at http://1.usa.gov/1OoX8YJ.
New videos available on Pediatric Care Online
Pediatric Care Online integrates essential pediatric resources, providing the full range of clinical information and tools required for the efficient and informed practice of pediatrics.
A new video series on Implementing Mental Health in Practice offers examples of patient/family encounters that encompass the most difficult conversation areas for six key mental health topics. The videos provide a positive example of the techniques demonstrated. They may not fit every situation or the style of every provider, and may need to be adapted for particular patients' cultures, genders or family structures. The series is supported by the AAP Friends of Children Fund.
Learn about free trial subscriptions for residents and pediatricians at www.aap.org/pcotrial. For more subscription information, visit http://shop.aap.org/Pediatric_Care_Online.
Pediatric medical home infographics
Three infographics on pediatric medical home and practice transformation are available at www.aap.org/medicalhome for pediatric health care professionals. Each can stand alone or be combined as a series. Collectively, the visuals raise awareness of children’s uniqueness; rapid changes in pediatric practice taking place at the patient and family, practice, and community levels; and actions pediatricians and other child health professionals can take to advocate for children while responding to changes in practice.
Shop AAP
Your Baby’s First Year, fourth edition (CB0095; members: $7.99), http://bit.ly/1JErPEs
2016 Nelson’s Pediatric Antimicrobial Therapy, 22nd edition (MA0788; members: $33.95), http://bit.ly/1Op2djO
Spanish Red Book: Informe 2015 del Comité sobre Enfermedades Infecciosas, 30.a edición (MA0749; members: $75), http://bit.ly/1Paozpt
Are your reusable medical devices clean?
If reusable medical devices are in your practice’s equipment arsenal, you might want to take a moment to check that they are being cleaned, disinfected and sterilized appropriately.
Device reprocessing procedures are important enough to prompt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a health advisory with recommendations, infection-control policies and procedures, and suggested training protocols for those who rely on a contractor to handle their medical device reprocessing.
Failure to follow manufacturers’ reprocessing instructions has led to lapses in cleaning, putting patients at a greater risk of infection, according to the advisory. The CDC and FDA urge health care facilities to comply with the manufacturers’ steps and implement policies and procedures consistent with current standards and guidelines.
Report problems with medical device reprocessing to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/. View the health advisory at http://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00382.asp.
How to make your practice more adolescent-friendly
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a few tips to help your practice meet adolescent patients’ needs.
- Risk screening tools: Assess strengths as well as risky behaviors, use confidentiality policies and establish follow-up procedures to see if patients obtained referred services.
- Preventive services: Adapt office reminder systems, standing orders and other measures to deliver immunizations, screenings and behavior counseling.
- Referral sources for chronic conditions, special needs and behavioral health issues: Don’t forget to incorporate some services that accept Medicaid or offer sliding fee scales.
Links to screening, intervention and referral resources are available on the Adolescent Health: Think, Act, Grow website, http://1.usa.gov/1MldHhN.
