Medical school will transform ASU, NEA
From the Jonesboro Sun, 6/5/2016, By Chris Wessel, Editor It's hard to adequately grasp the significance of opening a medical school in Northeast Arkansas, but here are a few interesting facts that should lend perspective to such an endeavor: It's been 137 years since a medical school was…
Formation of Statewide MG Support Group and “Walk to Stomp Out MG” Planned
To increase awareness and support for patients with Myasthenia Gravis (MGFA), a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder, Dr. Vickie Henderson is organizing the state's first "Walk to Stomp out MG." The walk has been set tentatively for December 3rd at 9 a.m. at Lake Dardanelle State Park in Russellville and will be…
How to talk to Congress about the issues
(from AMA Wire) - Members of Congress will be heading home in a few weeks for summer recess to meet with their constituents—now’s the time to make sure you get a seat at the table to make sure your legislators are well-informed on the issues that you care about.…
CDC quantifies current impact of Zika in US
From the AMA Morning Rounds, 6/17/2016 ABC World News Tonight (6/16, story 10, 0:10, Muir) reported CDC revealed Thursday there are 234 confirmed cases of Zika in pregnant women in the US, with six of those women’s babies showing Zika-related defects. NBC Nightly News (6/16, story 10, 0:25,…
CDC Recommendations for Subsequent Zika IgM Antibody Testing
This is an official CDC HEALTH UPDATE Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network June 21, 2016, 1140 EDT (11:40 AM EDT) Summary Testing for Zika virus infection using real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) molecular assays is now commercially available. When requesting Zika rRT-PCR testing from a…
Practice Management Update: Medicaid PCP Assignments
It has just come to our attention that a computer error is causing Medicaid patients to be delinked from their assigned PCP. In addition to the challenges posed for PCPs, our understanding is that it is also causing some claims to be denied for lack of PCP referral. …
AMS Welcomes 46 New Members
By joining the Arkansas Medical Society (AMS), the physicians listed below have illustrated their commitment to improving health care in their communities and our state. “As AMS members, these physicians are part of a statewide network of over 4,300 Arkansas physicians, residents and medical students, dedicated to protecting…
New Policy Released Concerning Texting in Your Practice. Are You Compliant?
The Joint Commission has updated its policy on texting orders, and the AMS’ free member benefit, DocbookMD, remains the best way to ensure your practice’s compliance. The new Joint Commission policy reads: “Licensed independent practitioners or other practitioners in accordance with professional standards of practice, law and regulation,…
Zika Update
The Zika virus continues to lead the news. Read below several updates from the CDC and the AMA about the disease and the US response. Congress fails to act on Zika funding before recess The Washington Post (5/27, Kane, Debonis) reported that Congress left the Capitol last week…
Health Alert Network (HAN) Update
Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network May 25, 2016 Diagnostic Testing of Urine Specimens for Suspected Zika Virus Infection Summary On May 13, 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued interim guidance that recommends Zika virus rRT-PCR testing of urine collected less than 14 days…
FDA approves first implantable drug to treat opioid addiction
The Washington Post (5/26, McGinley) reports in “To Your Health” that the Food and Drug Administration “on Thursday approved the first implantable drug to deliver long-lasting medication to people addicted to opioids.” The implant, known as Probuphine, “administers the anti-addiction drug buprenorphine in a continuous dose for six…