November 2024

Munson Neurosciences: Expert Care Close to Home
Munson Neurosciences provides patients across Northern Michigan with comprehensive neurology and neurosurgery services and reduced wait to schedule appointments. According to the World Health Organization, one in three people are affected by a neurological condition. At the same time, it’s estimated that people in rural and smaller communities like our own have up to 80% less access to neurological care than those in urban areas. However, this statistic no longer applies to our region.

Munson Neurosciences Highlights

• The number of Munson neurology and neurosurgery providers has tripled over the last five years.

• Appointment wait times are 90 days or less depending on the Neuroscience subspecialty—and as little as two weeks in interventional pain—which is consistent with national averages.

• Thanks to our expanded team of providers paired with investment in cutting edge technology, some of the most complex neurological and neurosurgical cases can now stay in Northern Michigan.

• Three neurologists have joined in 2024 and another two are joining in 2025. This momentum will help further expand access, expedite scheduling, and in the future, broaden our reach to other communities as we’ve done in cardiology and oncology.

• Although most neurosurgical services occur at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, we also hold clinics in Cadillac, Grayling, and Prudenville so patients can schedule pre- and post-op appointments closer to home.

Along with general neurology and general neurosurgery, Munson Neurosciences has sub-specialists in diverse areas of neuro-care, including:

The patient is at the center of all we do and now those who are burdened by of a neurological condition can find comfort closer to home and experts who have trained at respected institutions like Harvard, Mayo Clinic, and others. To learn more about Munson's Neurosciences, patients can visit munsonhealthcare.org/neurosciences.

Physician Spotlight

“Often one of our most important jobs as neurologists is to alleviate fear. Our team is knowledgeable and experienced, leading to expert care that answers questions and improves functioning.”  

“I am extremely dedicated to the field of neurology and whole-heartedly committed to enhancing the lives of my patients. I make it a priority to ensure that my patients leave my office feeling empowered and well-informed about their diagnoses and treatment plan.”

“Nowhere in medicine is the mind/body connection more apparent than neurology. I find it a privilege to help my patients navigate this connection.”

AHA Releases 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke
The AHA has released its 2024 Guideline for the Primary Prevention of Stroke, a resource for clinicians on various prevention strategies for individuals with no history of stroke. For a synopsis of the key points, read AHA's Top Things to Know. The update replaces the 2014 “Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of Stroke.”

Munson's Stroke Neurology Clinic is available for consult or referral by calling 231-392-0640.

Technology

Retired Fax Numbers to be Disconnected
In 2019, Munson Healthcare retired the following fax numbers for exam scheduling: 231-935-3205 and 231-935-3206. Although these numbers were retired, we continue to occasionally receive orders faxed to these numbers. If you are still faxing to these numbers, please update your fax numbers to the following as soon as possible as the retired numbers will be disconnected on Friday, Nov. 15.

• Munson Healthcare Radiology Scheduling | Cadillac Hospital, Grayling Hospital, Kalkaska Memorial Health Center, Munson Medical Center, Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital:
  231-935-3473 

• Munson Healthcare Non-Radiology Exams | Cadillac Hospital, Grayling Hospital, Munson Medical Center, Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital: 231-935-3203

Also, a reminder all orders for Charlevoix Patient Access Services should be faxed to 231-935-7878 as 231-547-8615 was disconnected on Nov. 6.

Healthcare Team

Welcome to Munson's Newest Providers!
In addition to announcing new providers when they join as part of Provider Moves (see below), we invite you to learn more about some of the recent additions to our Healthcare Team by reading their news release. Please join us in welcoming...

East Region | Charlevoix, Gaylord, Grayling

• Michelle Chartier, DO | Munson Healthcare Little Traverse Primary Care
• Victoria Watters, MD | Gaylord Family Practice *new location
  
  

Grand Traverse Region/System | Traverse City area

• Leeda Bashardost, MD | Munson Neurocritical Care
• Dallas Foley, NP | Munson Healthcare Neurosurgery
• Taylor Schuch, DO | Munson Healthcare Elmwood Primary Care
  
  

South Region | Cadillac, Frankfort, Manistee

• Emily Nelson, FNP | Munson Healthcare Sleep Disorders Clinic
• Kegan Rummel, DO | Munson Healthcare Cadillac General Surgery
  
  

Provider Moves
Munson Healthcare's Provider Moves webpage has been updated for October including new providers, practice 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 Munson-credentialed providers, go to Find A Doctor.

Please join us in welcoming the following new Munson-employed providers:

• Matthew Lederer, DO | Munson Healthcare Cedarwoods Internal Medicine and Geriatrics
• Matthew Schuch, DO | Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute
• Taylor Schuch, DO | Munson Healthcare Elmwood Primary Care
• Jennifer Yankee, NP | Kalkaska Memorial Health Center Surgery

The following Munson-employed providers are new to the following MHC practices:

• Alyssa Battle, NP | Munson Healthcare Little Traverse Primary Care
• Danielle Begin, PA | Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute
• Spencer Popp, PA | Munson Healthcare Orthopedic Institute
• Victoria Watters, MD | Munson Healthcare OMH Medical Group Family Medicine

Also, Miriam Weiss, MD; Grayling Community Health Center and Munson Behavioral Health Services, has changed her name to Miriam Brown, MD.

 Services

3D Mammography is the Standard at MHC
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., and about 80% of women with breast cancer have no family history of this disease. Early detection of breast cancer saves lives!

• MHC Mammography screening guidelines
• MHC Breast imaging order guidelines

With 3D mammography as the standard at our 11 screening locations across Northern Michigan, Munson offers the most comprehensive screening available. This annual screening is covered by most insurances and no referral is needed at any of our locations. A reminder patients (or your office) must call to schedule their mammography appointment.

Please set 3D as the default orderable for mammography in your office’s EHR.

For more provider guidance on Mammography, refer to clinical and educational Mammography resources.

Breathe Easy – Catch it Early: Lung Cancer Awareness Month Event

• Description: Community members are invited to join us for Breathe Easy – Catch it Early, a free community event featuring:  
  • A panel discussion with Munson Healthcare experts as well as lung cancer patients and survivors 
  • Mini-expo featuring a 5'x5' learning lung 
  • Opportunity to interact with Munson’s new ION Robot and the DaVinci Robot

• When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 4:30 - 6:30 pm with panel discussion 5:30 - 6:30 pm

• Where: Cowell Family Cancer Center, Traverse City 

• Cost: Free; no registration required

• Flyer: Click here for a print-and-post flyer

 Patient Care

Increased Vigilance: Pediatric Pneumonia
As there has been increased incidences of diagnosed pneumonia in pediatric populations in Michigan, clinicians are asked to have a heightened suspicion for this diagnosis when evaluating a pediatric patient with a respiratory illness as pneumonia can result from infections with several common viruses and bacteria circulating in the fall/winter. For details including treatment guidance, click here.

Encourage parents/guardians to keep children up to date on vaccinations against preventable illnesses. Please talk to every patient, every visit, every time about immunizations. Help us keep one another healthy.

MHC Birthing Hospitals Immunizing Newborns Against RSV
As RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the U.S., MHC's birthing hospitals are immunizing newborns against RSV who are eligible for Michigan's Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. This is already in effect at Cadillac Hospital, Grayling Hospital, Munson Medical Center, and Otsego Memorial Hospital. Immunizations will be available at Charlevoix Hospital at a later date.

Munson's primary care offices and outpatient clinics will have Nirsevimab available for infants who were not immunized against RSV while in the hospital during the newborn period.

CDC Updates Recommendations for COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines
CDC recommends lowering the age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50 years. To learn more, read the CDC news release.

The CDC has updated its COVID-19 vaccine guidance for adults 65 years of age and older, and people 6 months and older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.

MMC ED Piloting Use of Dalbavancin for Cellulitis Treatment
To reduce short-stay hospitalizations while ensuring effective treatment, MMC ED is piloting a 1-time dose of dalbavancin for eligible patients presenting with moderate acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs), including cellulitis. Since the pilot launched Sept. 19, 2 patients received the treatment and both avoided hospitalization.

Guidance for Primary Care/Urgent Care Providers

• Administration: Dalbavancin is a 1-time IV antibiotic given in the ED for cellulitis and is equivalent to 10-14 days of antibiotics given its long half-life of 2 weeks.

• Discharge: ED providers will outline the infection area for monitoring. Patients will be instructed that although redness may spread initially, pain should decrease.

• Follow-up/Continuity of Care: Patients will follow up with PCP and Urgent Care providers as needed. The ED pharmacist will assess the need for further antibiotics based on wound culture results, if applicable.

After the successful initial pilot at MMC, the Dalbavancin ED clinical pathway is expected to be expanded to other MHC EDs over the next 6-12 months.

 Resources

Updated Financial Assistance Forms Are Now Available
Offering financial assistance to patients who need it is an important part of providing Exceptional Experiences and Patient-Centric Care. MHC recently created new Financial Assistance forms for use system-wide:  

• Financial Assistance – Form 10570 (English language) 
• Financial Assistance – Form 10572 (Spanish language) 

Additional information can also be found at the Financial Assistance page on munsonhealthcare.org. 

As Munson's Financial Counseling department is no longer able to accept old forms, using them will result in delays. If you have old versions printed or saved, please recycle them so they can no longer be accessed.

 Reminders

Affordable Care Act Marketplace Enrollment Underway
The Affordable Care Act Marketplace enrollment window is open until Jan. 15, 2025. Open enrollment remains important for anyone not covered by health insurance through their employer or other means. About 418,100 Michigan residents are enrolled in the Marketplace. 

Munson Healthcare offers certified application counselors as a resource to help individuals enroll in the Affordable Care Act’s health insurance Marketplace for 2024-25. Counselors are available in Cadillac, Grayling, Manistee, and Traverse City. 

Know someone who can benefit from the enrollment? Learn more here.

Slow Down for Safety: Sharps Safety in the OR
Surgical settings are high-risk environments due to the large quantities of blood and body fluids, prolonged exposures to open surgical sites, frequent handling of sharp instruments, and the necessity for coordination among team members while passing sharp surgical instruments.

According to JMIR Perioperative Medicine, surgeons and first assistants are at the highest risk for injury, accounting for 59% of the injuries in the OR, with up to 16% of injuries occurring while passing sharps hand to hand. At Munson Medical Center, there was nearly a 35% increase in both OSHA and non-employed provider injuries in the OR from FY23 to FY24.

Click here to learn what you can do every day to protect yourself and your team.

Report all sharps injuries immediately in VOICE and provide immediate first aid to the percutaneous injury. Submit a VOICE report for significant occurrences, near misses, or any existing or perceived risk or harm to the Healthcare Team.

Medical Staff News
In addition to receiving the monthly Practice Pro newsletter, you also receive the weekly Medical Staff News (MSN) on Thursday afternoons. A reminder that MSN and some other provider communications are now mailing from medicalstaffnews@munsonhealthcare.org. Please have your Munson-credentialed providers whitelist medicalstaffnews@munsonhealthcare.org.

 Education

Early Bird Registration Discount Ends Soon!
Please share with your providers

Participants at this popular and educational event can choose from:

• An à la carte menu of varied in-person CME sessions
• Dynamic plenary sessions
• Networking with peers at the Friday Evening Provider Reception

Cost for the CME sessions is $150/day (excludes lodging). No cost to attend the Provider Reception. Register by Nov. 30 to save $25/day!

Providers can learn more and register at munsonhealthcare.org/providersymposium.

This program has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. 

Upcoming CME Opportunities
For a list of upcoming events, visit our website.

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

Have staff who would benefit from receiving Practice Pro? Please have them subscribe by completing this form.