AAFP to Facilitate PPE Purchasing

The AAFP is working on a collaboration with Project N95, a not-for-profit organization, to reserve quality-certified personal protective equipment for AAFP and chapter members.

As many small and independent practices continue to struggle to purchase PPE in smaller quantities, this collaboration allows AAFP to enable them to buy in amounts that are helpful to their practices.

From August 24 through September 2, AAFP will be facilitating a limited-time, members-only offer to purchase select PPE. All members (including students and residents) will be eligible to participate, but products can only be ordered during the seven-day period and can be shipped only within the United States. AAFP is currently working with Project N95 to finalize the details.

More details will be provided in the coming weeks. Make sure you watch for upcoming Weekly Beats for information.

Cognitive Screening Tools -Upcoming Changes to MoCA

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been monetized. As of September 1st, 2020, caregivers will no longer be permitted to administer the MoCA without having first completed the official MoCA ™ certification process. The certification process takes about an hour, costs $125 for individuals and is good for two years. Read more...

Utah to Close Health Clinics of Utah as Lawmakers Cut Funding

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Dr. David Sundwall checks out a patient at the Health Clinics of Utah clinic at 168 N. 1950 West, on Thursday, July 30, 2020.

Salt Lake Tribune - The state opened the health and dental clinics more than three decades ago, out of a commitment to treating Utahns without health care and others who are underserved, said Jake Fitisemanu, who manages the facilities.

Since then, the clinics have also begun running a mobile dental clinic that travels to rural communities without local providers and now serve as a resource for state employees who are on the public health plan.

You can read more about the closures from the Salt Lake Tribune here. If you are interested in signing a petition asking lawmakers to restore funding, you can sign on here.

COVID-19 UPDATES

Application Deadline for CARES Act Funding EXTENDED Again

HHS extended the deadline for eligible Medicaid and CHIP physicians and organizations to submit information and apply for funding from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund from August 3 to August 28, 2020. Learn more and apply here.

The FDA's list of dangerous hand sanitizers has now grown to more than 100.

The FDA is also warning about hand sanitizers containing insufficient levels of alcohol. Find the complete list here.

Changes to COVID-19 Initiative TestUtah

Fox 13, Utah - TestUtah.com, which was launched as an effort by Silicon Slopes companies to help battle COVID-19 and then became the subject of controversy surrounding no-bid contracts, has been tweaked and is under different oversight. Read more...

Which Cloth Masks Work Best to Help Stop COVID-19 Spread?

The goal of this case study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cloth face coverings to minimize droplet dispersion and aerosolization due to speaking, coughing, and sneezing -- behaviors that could help the spread of COVID-19. Read more...

UDOH No Longer Allows ‘modified quarantine,’ Will Not Allow Kids Exposed to COVID-19 to Attend School

Salt Lake Tribune - After fierce pushback from teachers and doctors, the state has walked back its controversial guidelines for schools that would have allowed Utah students to come to class even after being directly exposed to COVID-19. Read more...

UPCOMING EVENTS

UAFP Student & Resident Poster Session (VIRTUAL)

Support students and residents from around the state as they present their posters virtually, Thursday, August 20 at 7:00pm.

Individuals and teams are eligible for awards for their exceptional efforts. Awards are generously sponsored by Comagine Health.

Sign up now to receive Zoom link

UAFP Virtual Annual Meeting Friday, August 28th at 7:00pm

Hear from AAFP President-Elect, Dr. Ada Stewart
Convocation of new AAFP Fellows
Awarding of the Utah Family Medicine Physician of the Year, Dr. Camille Collett, and Family Medicine Advocate of the Year, Representative Suzanne Harrison.
Meet the new UAFP Board Members
Update on UAFP activities for the coming year

REGISTER NOW

CME Oppotunities

PARCKA PARLEYS
Opioid Induced Respiratory Failure (OIRD): are there early warning signs?

Robert J. Farney, MD, FACCP Division of Pulmonary Medicine & Sleep/Wake Center, University of Utah

Tuesday, August 18, 12:00 PM

Learn more and register online here

3rd Annual Update in Diabetes Care (Virtual)
Hosted by Intermountain Healthcare

Friday, October, 2020, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Virtual Meeting, Murray, UT