No images? Click here In This Issue - July 2021
Physicians' CornerFor this month's physicians' corner update, I wanted to touch on a few hot topics specifically related to vaccine uptake and access. Encouraging Vaccine Uptake As we see new surges of COVID-19 in Europe and the US, the Public Health Agency of Canada has done modelling showing that Canada remains at risk of another wave of COVID-19 until we get 75% of our population vaccinated with 2 doses. We are approaching 70% of people having a first dose, and 60%
having two doses. So we have a little farther to go still. Please encourage all patients who are eligible to book a first dose or move up the date of their second dose of vaccine as soon as they are eligible to do so. As discussed below, you should now be receiving reports from Ontario Health indicating which patients in your practice are vaccinated and which are not, to help you with this. Walk-in Appointments Now Available Niagara Region Public Health Clinics
Niagara Health's COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic at Seymour-Hannah arena
In-home vaccinations For patients who leave their home to access medical appointments in the community, they must get their vaccine at a clinic, pharmacy or through their family doctor. Clinics in Niagara are accessible and have wheelchairs onsite if you need one. In Niagara, we're in the process of vaccinating those who have been referred by Home and Community Care Support Services (formerly the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network) as they receive chronic or complex home care and are housebound. If you have a patient who doesn't receive chronic or complex home care, but who are seeking an in-home vaccination, advise them to call the COVID-19 Info-Line to be assessed for eligibility at 905-688-8248, press 7. UPDATE: Identifying Patients in Need of COVID-19 Vaccination & Booking SupportOntario Health (OH) has made available a new COVaxON Aggregate Primary Care Vaccination Report for all physicians who are participating in a patient enrollment model. This report identifies rostered patients who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Ontario Health has been running information sessions to support in understanding how to use these reports in practice. A memo was distributed by the OCFP and OMA/SGFP with instructions on how to use this information. Family physicians in these models should consider this memo a formal request to contact as many of these patients as possible to provide them assistance in the booking of their COVID-19 vaccinations. This service is pursuant to an agreement between the Ministry and the OMA and garners a one-time payment of $6 per patient (please note, this is not intended for situations where family physicians provide general information around how to access or register for an appointment or where a family physician administers vaccine to the patient and bills for the vaccination service). Recommendations:
More Information:
UPDATE: Niagara Health's Seymour-Hannah Vaccination Clinic Winding DownNiagara Health will wind down its mass vaccination clinic at the Seymour-Hannah arena in mid-August, allowing the sports and entertainment centre to be returned to the City of St. Catharines and restored to its original purpose. A smaller vaccination clinic will be opened at the St. Catharines hospital to continue vaccinating those who still need their first or second dose. This vaccination effort is part of a larger immunization program with Public Health, pharmacies and primary care. Our combined success has been significant in vaccinating Niagara residents and workers. “Thank you to our staff and physicians, Public Health and Niagara Region colleagues, community physicians, Niagara EMS, the City of St. Catharines and all other partners who helped make this clinic possible,” says Linda Boich, Executive Vice President at Niagara Health. UPDATE: Public Health Dental Clinics Re-OpenedNiagara Region Public Health’s Dental program is excited to announce the opening of our preventive dental clinics and mobile services! Our dental clinics offer services to children under 18 years of age. Services include
To help reduce barriers for families accessing dental care, Public Health has implemented virtual screening and tele-dental services. Through our virtual services, we are able to enroll eligible children on Healthy Smiles Ontario and assist with preventive oral health needs. If you have a client with questions regarding Healthy Smiles Ontario or dental services, please have them contact the Dental program. Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program To allow more seniors access to dental care, the Ontario government is updating the income eligibility thresholds for the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). As of Aug. 1, 2021, income thresholds will increase for both single and couple seniors. In Niagara, three Community Health Centers will soon be offering dental services for OSDCP clients. Fluoride Varnish and Primary Care Physicians have the unique opportunity to improve a child’s oral health before dental issues arise. Educating parents on the importance of an oral health routine and fluoride varnish can help reduce the chance of dental decay. In Niagara, children can receive free fluoride treatments at participating primary care offices through our fluoride varnish program. To learn how your practice can participate in this program, please connect with the Dental program. REVIEW: Primary Care Administering COVID-19 VaccinesAs follow-up to last month's editorial on the COVID-19 vaccine program - primary care settings, it's important to reiterate that Primary care, alongside pharmacy, will be key COVID-19 vaccine distribution channels as we look ahead to the fall. In the coming months across the province, Public Health mass immunization clinics will begin to ramp down operations and in some cases, clinics will close. Locally, our clinics in the coming weeks will be smaller, but continue to operate as long as there is demand. As plans and details change, we will update you further. As we enter into the final home stretch, it's critical that we work together and continue to expand community-based access to vaccination and increase coverage levels. As the first point of access to the health care system, primary care represents a key partner in this effort and can play a unique role in addressing vaccine hesitancy and facilitating patient vaccine uptake. Many people also prefer to receive the COVID-19 vaccine from their trusted health care provider. The intention is that primary care practices will vaccinate their patients as they normally would, documenting it using the provincial COVaxON system. Public Health will provide the vaccine and ancillary supplies (needles/syringes) to clinics able to provide first and second doses to eligible patients. If you administer the vaccine to patients in your practice you are eligible to bill the G593 + Q593 (out of basket at $18.60 per patient). For more information, view the OMA COVID-19 Billing Codes for Primary Care document. If your practice is not yet participating in the COVID-19 vaccine program, please review the 5-step onboarding process and contact HCPengagement@niagararegion.ca to express interest in participating in the program locally. REVIEW: Cancer Screening ResumptionPrimary Care Provider Update: Patients with an Abnormal Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Result Without Follow-up Colonoscopy What is the current situation?
Why is timely follow-up colonoscopy for abnormal FIT results important?
What can primary care providers do?
MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS
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