If you missed MNAAP's annual dinner on June 13, you can still hear Senator Klobuchar's message to pediatricians, which includes an update on national policies affecting children's health and a call to action.
"The work you're doing is so important," Klobuchar said, "from immunizations, to childhood obesity, to bullying prevention, to health care homes, to newborn screening, to marriage equality, to child poverty."
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This summer Governor Mark Dayton thanked newborn screening advocates in person and reaffirmed his commitment to protect this life-saving program in a ceremonial bill signing. The newborn screening restoration law went into effect August 1.
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Plan to join us on Friday, May 1, 2015 for MNAAP's Hot Topics in Pediatrics conference and annual meeting in the Twin Cities. Once again, MNAAP is planning daytime continuing medical education sessions followed by its annual dinner that evening.
This is a great opportunity for general pediatricians and pediatric specialists to learn more about key child public health issues -- and best practices for addressing them both inside and outside the clinic.
This year more than 150 people from across the state attended the event. In addition to local pediatric experts, guest speakers included U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, State Representative Kim Norton, and Minnesota Commissioner of Health Ed Ehlinger, MD, MSPH.
Make connections, get your questions answered, and leave with tools and resources to improve your practice. Details and registration coming soon!
View notes/presentations from the 2014 conference
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Chapter leaders recently posted three questions to the two major candidates for governor. Below is a link to the responses from Jeff Johnson, the Republican nominee. Governor Mark Dayton's campaign has declined to participate in this and other candidate questionnaires this year, suggesting that they are allowing the Governor's track record to speak for itself.
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In an open letter to all U.S. healthcare professionals recently, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Nicole Lurie, MD, MSPH, a former Minnesota physician, reminded healthcare professionals of 3 simple steps they can take to help prevent the spread of the disease:
Detect: Ask all patients with non-specific complaints about recent travel. Although thesigns and symptoms of Ebola are nonspecific (e.g., fever, headache, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), Ebola can be virtually eliminated from your differential by ruling out travel to the affected area.
Protect: Use good infection control practices. Frequent hand washing and decontamination of surfaces and equipment are key.
Respond: Have a plan. You should know what to do when encountering a suspected Ebola patient. Remember, Ebola is a nationally notifiable disease and must reported to local, state, and federal public health authorities.
CDC: Information for healthcare workers
AAP: Guidance and checklists
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In an effort keep a pulse on pediatricians' professional needs and concerns, MNAAP will be sending its annual fall member survey in the coming weeks. Please be sure to participate and speak up!
The survey takes less than 3 minutes to complete, but will help shape the chapter's continuing education programs, advocacy efforts and strategic initiatives in the months and years ahead. Thanks in advance for your input!
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Minnesota's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs are designed to identify newborns and infants who are deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) through universal screening so that those infants can receive timely and appropriate interventions to facilitate access to language.
Key Facts from the 2013 annual report:
- 67,329 newborns were screened for hearing loss with a refer rate of 4.4%.
- 247 children were confirmed to have permanent hearing loss.
- 0.09% of parents chose to opt out of newborn hearing screening.
- 52.3% of newborns received their diagnosis of hearing loss within 90 days!
- 205 newborns did not pass newborn hearing screening (refer) and were LOST to follow up!
To learn more, view the full report or contact Lisa Schimmenti, MD, FAAP, MNAAP EHDI Chapter Champion at las@umn.edu to schedule a talk about EDHI in your practice or hospital.
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Last month the Minnesota Department of Human Services announced it was increasing funding for school-linked mental health services across the state. Under five year contracts with the department, 36 mental health organizations will serve 35,000 students in more than 800 schools across Minnesota by 2018. The $45.4 million investment follows a commitment last session from Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature to double the capacity in schools for mental health early intervention and treatment services.
Read press release
List of school districts served by grantees
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