New Surgeon General’s motto to “create better health through better partnerships”
On September 5, Vice President Pence swore in Jerome Adams, MD, as the new surgeon general. Dr. Adams, an anesthesiologist with a master’s degree in public health, said that he is eager to start helping victims of Hurricane Harvey as the “nation’s doctor.” He also reaffirmed his commitment…
CDC Health Advisory: Increase in Reported cases of Cyclospora cayetanensis Infection, United States, Summer 2017
Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), State and Local Health Departments, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating an increase in reported cases of cyclosporiasis. The purpose of this HAN Advisory is to notify public health departments and healthcare facilities and to provide guidance to healthcare…
ASMB Proposes New and Amended Rules
On Thursday, August 3, 2017, the Arkansas State Medical Board will hold public hearings on several proposed rule amendments and new rules. Comments can be submitted to the Board until the August 3rd public hearing. Among the proposals: Amendment to Regulation 2(4), listing the prescribing of excessive amounts…
Legislation Goes into Effect: What You Need to Know
AMS actively tracked and worked 342 of the 2,069 bills filed in the 2017 legislative session. The following bills represent some of more high-profile issues AMS successfully fought for, amended and/or monitored closely that we anticipate will have more of an impact on you, your patients and your practice: Physician…
CDC Health Advisory
Patients Receiving Eculizumab (Soliris®) at High Risk for Invasive Meningococcal Disease Despite Vaccination Summary Eculizumab (Soliris®) recipients have a 1,000 to 2,000-fold greater risk of invasive meningococcal disease compared to the general U.S. population. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescribing information for eculizumab includes a black box warning for…
Where’s My Doctor
"Where's my doctor?" We get that question a lot. It happens often when a physician leaves a practice, usually as an employee. Under most employment contracts the practice – either under hospital or physician ownership – retains ownership of the medical records when a physician leaves. However, the departing physician has a relationship with…
Moseley Invested in First Arkansas Medical Society Distinguished Dean’s Chair
June 12, 2017 | Pope L. Moseley, M.D., dean of the College of Medicine and executive vice chancellor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), was formally invested June 8 as the inaugural recipient of the Arkansas Medical Society Distinguished Dean’s Chair. Moseley, a leader in internal medicine and…
Potential for Falsely Low Blood Lead Test Results from LeadCare® Analyzers
Summary The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety communication warning about the use of Magellan Diagnostics’ LeadCare® analyzers (LeadCare, LeadCare II, LeadCare Ultra and LeadCare Plus) with venous blood samples because they might result in falsely low test results. FDA is now advising that…
Latest Newsletter Now Available
The May 2017 issue of AMS NewsBriefs has been distributed via email and printed mail. Members, if you did not receive a copy, please give us a call to update your subscription preferences at 800-542-1058. The issue is available online in the Publications section as well as excerpts…
Misinformation Abounds on PDMP Mandate
The AMS office has received several calls over the past couple of weeks about Act 820, which mandates checking the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program prior to prescribing certain medications. Apparently, some hospitals are incorrectly telling their medical staff that the Act is already in effect. In other cases,…
Prescription Waiver for Disaster Declaration Counties
In April, intense storms and subsequent flooding ravaged parts of our state. The aftermath left Arkansans picking up the pieces. Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield wants to help members and is waiving prescription costs for Arkansans whose medications were lost as a result of the devastating weather…