September 2023

SERVICES

Sepsis Awareness Month

September is Sepsis Awareness Month. In support of this important recognition month, we wanted to bring attention to this urgent, life-threatening medical emergency.

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection, which can lead to tissue damage, organ failure and death.

Just how serious is sepsis? Sepsis is the leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals. The risk of mortality increases almost 8% for every hour that care is delayed. In fact, 80% of sepsis deaths could have been avoided with more rapid recognition and treatment.

Please share the following sepsis resources and education with your providers. Don't forget to block their schedules for Fri., Sept. 29 from 12:30 - 1:30 pm for a free CME presentation on Sepsis Guidelines.

Clinical Resources

• 2023 Sepsis Provider Quick Reference | reference for the Surviving Sepsis Guidelines and Sepsis Bundle Treatment Guidelines. 
• Sepsis Advisor Summary 2023 | quick reference guide to the Sepsis Advisor, the order set providers use to order the sepsis bundle components. 
• Sepsis/Septic Shock Algorithm

Patient Resource

• Stay Ahead of Sepsis | Munson Connection Blog

Free CME Opportunities

• Pneumonia and Sepsis in Critical Care: Navigating a Complex Patient Diagnostic Workup
• SPOTLIGHT: Critical Care Updates 2021: The Latest Advances in Diagnosing Sepsis and Pneumonia
• Webinar for CME/CE Credit: Sepsis and Post-Sepsis Syndrome
  
  

Additional Site for MRI Services

Starting Wed., Sept. 20, the mobile MRI unit will travel to Cowell Family Cancer Center every Wednesday and Friday from 7:30 am to 6:45 pm (excluding third Friday of the month). 

For questions, please contact Stephanie Lamont or radiology scheduling at 231-935-7210.

CLINICAL UPDATES

CT SI Joint Injection Medical Necessity Guidelines

Munson Healthcare has received several denials from Medicare or Medicare Advantage Plans for CT SI Joint Injection Radiology procedures. Please note, Medicare will only pay for this service with the following diagnosis codes:

• M43.28 | Fusion of spine, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
• M46.1 | Sacroiliitis, not elsewhere classified
• M47.818 | Spondylosis without myelopathy or radiculopathy, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
• M53.3 | Sacrococcygeal disorders, not elsewhere classified

Please ensure patients have a supportive diagnosis prior to scheduling. Learn more. 

mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Update

The FDA issued an EUA for updated monovalent COVID-19 vaccines formulated to more closely target currently circulating variants and to provide better protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death. 

As a result, the current bivalent mRNA (Moderna, Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccines are NO LONGER authorized for use in the U.S.

Until the updated 2023-2024 monovalent COVID-19 vaccines are available to be ordered, there will be a short period when vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines will not occur. We anticipate the updated 2023-2024 vaccine will be available soon.

Reminder: ICD-10 Now Required for Ancillary Services

• Effective July 1, ICD-10 diagnoses code(s) and a narrative description that support medical necessity must be included on all outpatient ancillary service orders (e.g., lab, radiology, EKG, etc.).
• This change supports our goal of system standardization for Revenue Cycle.
  
  

RESOURCES

Provider Moves

The Provider Moves webpage that lists provider moves across the MHC system has been updated for August 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:

• Michelle Beigle, NP | Little Traverse Primary Care
• Rachael Brehler, NP | Munson Healthcare General Surgery & Trauma Care
• Mary Douglas, PA | Munson Urgent Care West
• Jacob Fishbaugh, PA | Munson Healthcare Kidney & Hypertension Specialists
• Wayne Fuller, MD | Munson Healthcare Anesthesia
• Bilal Malek, MD | Munson Hospice and Palliative Medicine Inpatient Services
• Jordan Nester, MD, specializing in Sports Medicine | MHC Otsego Memorial Hospital Orthopedic Surgery and Harbor Springs Specialty Care Clinic
• Donald Scholten, MD, specializing in Sports Medicine | Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute
• Megan Spicer, NP | MHC Otsego Memorial Hospital Urology and MHC Ausable Urology
• Joseph Ward, MD, specializing in hip and knee | Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute

The following are Munson Healthcare employed providers who are new to the following locations:

• Andrew Bone, MD | Munson Urgent Care
• Sarah Crowley, NP | Munson Healthcare Neurosurgery

EDUCATION & EVENTS

Farms, Food, and Health Conference: Culinary Medicine
September 22-24

This Farms, Food, & Health training program offers providers an innovative Continuing Medical Education program that highlights and connects local food, culinary, and nutrition concepts. Sponsored by Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, MHC, and Great Lakes Culinary Institute. For more details and to register, click here. A limited number of provider scholarships are available. To request a scholarship, contact events@munsonhealthcare.org.

2023 Northern Michigan HIV Summit
September 29, 10 am - 3 pm

The 2023 Northern Michigan HIV Summit is a free opportunity to learn about and discuss the state of HIV care across our region. New this year is a presentation of the Excellence in Community Collaboration Award. For a list of topics and speakers, or to register, click here. 

Save the Dates!

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