CLINICAL UPDATES

Narcan Now Available Over-The-Counter

The FDA recently approved Narcan, 4 milligram naloxone hydrochloride nasal spray for over-the-counter (OTC), nonprescription, use. Naloxone is a medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdose and is the standard treatment for opioid overdose. Learn more about this critical step to reduce drug overdose deaths. 

N. MI Flu Activity Report | Testing No Longer Recommended

As influenza activity is currently very low in our area, routine flu testing is not recommended. MHC’s N. MI Flu Activity Report is now on hiatus until the next flu season.

Effective March 31, the automatic flu vaccine ordering process in Cerner systems was discontinued for the 2022-2023 influenza season, i.e., unvaccinated individuals who are admitted to an MHC facility will not receive the flu vaccine.

Medical Records Must be Completed Within 7 Days

MHC has updated its Medical Record Completion policy to keep the patient at the center of all we do, maintain compliance with federal requirements, and support timely billing.

Credentialed medical staff are required to complete medical records within 7 calendar days of discharge at all MHC entities, both hospital and ambulatory.

Per medical staff bylaws, providers who do not comply with this policy may have their clinical privileges suspended. A suspended provider cannot see, treat, admit, consult, or round on patients, schedule patients for surgery/procedures, perform/assist in surgery/procedures, perform obstetric deliveries, or accept a transfer. If privileges have been suspended, the provider is required to complete all medical record deficiencies to have privileges reinstated.

For more information, read the Medical Record Completion FAQs and watch the Provider Forum with guest Dr. Diane Donley.

Informed Consent FAQs

On March 1, MHC launched a new Informed Consent process and form. Resources are below to address this new practice:

• New Informed Consent Form
• Informed Consent Frequently Asked Questions

COMMUNITY HEALTH

Diabetes Toolkit

Diabetes is a complicated disease requiring a significant level of care and attention. There are program and resources available through Munson Healthcare to support you and your patients in the management of this disease. Read more in this Diabetes Toolkit. 

Rollin' With the Colon | Colorectal Cancer Awareness Event

Join us for Rollin’ with the Colon: A Colon Cancer Awareness Panel and Mini-expo. This is a free community event held on Thurs., April 13 from 5-7:30 pm at the Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City, offering:

• A panel discussion from 5:45-6:45 pm, including colon and gastrointestinal health experts and a colorectal cancer survivor
• Mini-expo with experts, vendors, and a walk-through inflatable colon
• Informational scavenger hunt

RESOURCES

Provider Moves

The Provider Moves webpage that lists provider moves across the MHC system has been updated for March including new providers, location changes, retirees, providers no longer on staff (or practicing), and other updates (e.g., name changes, practice moves, new phone and fax numbers). For a complete directory of MHC-credentialed providers, go to Find A Doctor.

Please join us in welcoming the following employed providers who are new to Munson Healthcare:

• Chantal Hopper, NP | Munson Walk-In Clinic
• Morgan Olson, PA | Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Primary Care
• Carolann Sheaffer-Hoffman, PA | Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Primary Care

Cures Act | Information Blocking

The Cures Act prohibits Information Blocking, which is anything that interferes with a patient’s access, exchange, or use of their electronic health information (EHI).

• harm prevention
• security protection
• IT downtime
• uncontrollable events (e.g., internet service interruptions, terrorist attack)

All Cures Act requirements support HIPAA. Although patients always have the right to receive certain types of protected health information (PHI), Cures Act adds to and clarifies HIPAA to give patients increased and easier access to documents already collected as part of their care. 

For more information, visit HealthIT.gov or email questions to mhc-cures-request@mhc.net

To read past issues of Practice Pro, visit our website.