MN Supreme Court Rules on Newborn Screening: Screening Preserved, Storage and Research Use Limited
The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that blood spots can no longer be used for additional public health research without parental consent. Here are some talking points to use with families.
The recent ruling of the Minnesota Supreme Court does NOT materially change current practices for performing newborn bloodspot screening (NBS). The Department of Health will continue to provide screening, and consent is NOT required for performance of screening. Please assure families that the outstanding screening provided to Minnesota babies continues.
The ruling did assert that the actual blood spots are "genetic information" under the 2006 Minnesota Genetic Privacy Act so that their retention beyond that required for a lab under Federal law would require written consent from parents.
It is unclear what effect this will have on continuing quality assurance for the NBS lab or on the development of new tests to improve the screening process.
MN-AAP is monitoring this issue closely and will have additional updates soon. For additional questions, please contact cairns@mnaap.org
Funding Available for Community Pediatrics Projects
AAP's Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) program supports pediatricians in the initial and/or pilot stage of developing and implementing community-based child health initiatives that increase access to medical homes or health services not otherwise available. Grants of up to $12,000 are awarded to pediatricians each year on a competitive basis.
For pediatric residents, CATCH funding is available for the planning and/or implementation of community-based child health initiatives. Grants of up to $3,000 are awarded twice each year on a competitive basis.
Submissions are due Tuesday, January 31 at 2 p.m.
For more information or to submit a grant request, contact Dr. Brian Lynch, MN Catch Coordinator, at lynch.brian@mayo.edu or check out one of the links below.
Jan. 12 Webinar: Improving Breastfeeding Practices through the Baby-Friendly USA Designation
In the United States, 125 hospitals and birth centers have achieved the Baby-Friendly designation for implementing gold-standard breastfeeding practices. Austin Medical Center became the first hospital in Minnesota to achieve that designation last year.
On Thursday, January 12 at 3 pm, NICHQ and the CDC will hold an informational webinar about Best-Fed Beginnings, an initiative to improve breastfeeding practices through the Baby-Friendly USA designation. Attendees will learn more about this initiative, including how to get involved in the 18-month learning collaborative that will engage up to 90 hospitals.
Please forward this link to others who may be interested!
Need Help Transitioning Special Needs Youth into Adult Health Care Settings?
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is requesting proposals from qualified respondents to develop a Health Care Transitions pilot project.
This project will develop a model of successful health care transition to adult care for youth with special health care needs and their families by testing strategies, tools and materials supplied by the National HealthCare Transition Center.
Obesity can be associated with multiple co-morbidities, including hypertension. In this webinar, Dr. Carl Cramer, pediatrican nephrologist at Mayo Clinic, discusses appropriate screening for hypertension as well as an initial approach to treatment in the primary care office.
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:
Identify, evaluate and treat hypertension in the primary care office
Describe diet and lifestyle modifications for patients diagnosed with hypertension
Identify common ways that specialists treat hypertensive children
Want to see which employers are hiring pediatricians in Minnesota? There are currently several opportunities posted on our website at www.mnaap.org/employmentopportunities.htm
FREE CME Webinar on December 15: Identifying and Treating Hypertension
Obesity can be associated with multiple co-morbidities, including hypertension. On Thursday, December 15 at noon, Dr. Carl Cramer, pediatric nephrologist at Mayo Clinic, will discuss appropriate screening for hypertension as well as an initial approach to treatment in the primary care office. There will be time for a Q&A session at the end.
This webinar is FREE for MN-AAP members, $30 for non-members. Open to physicians, nurses, PAs and other health care providers. CME is available!
November, 2011
Download the November newsletter now!
Download the November issue of Minnesota Pediatrician!
DHS to Address Questions re: New Psychiatric Consultation Service
Primary care practitioners and other health care professionals will soon be required to call a collaborative psychiatric consultation service in order to receive guidance and authorization for prescribing certain psychiatric medications for children enrolled in fee-for-service MA.
There is an excellent article with more details about this service in the October 2011 issue of Minnesota Medicine, which can be found here.
What questions do you have about this new service? Email them to cairns@mnaap.org and they will be addressed by DHS at this month's board meeting.
Calling all Med-Peds Residents and Physicians
MN-AAP is interested in forming a Med-Peds interest group to identify a project that would benefit their practices and would help connect other Med-Peds statewide. If you are interested, please contact cairns@mnaap.org
We are thankful...
Last week many of you donated to the Minnesota Academy of Pediatrics Foundation, and together we raised more than $1,100 to support projects that improve the health of Minnesota children! Thank you for your support -- we appreciate it!
Looking to make a change? See who's hiring in Minnesota. There are several employment opportunities posted on our website at www.mnaap.org/employmentopportunities.htm
Preparing for the next legislative session
To prepare for the 2012 legislative session, MN-AAP's public policy committee will be meeting on Thursday, November 17 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Minneapolis. The purpose of the meeting is to identify expected public policy issues and focus on 2-3 priorities for the coming year.
We welcome your input and involvement! Feel free to send any legislative questions or concerns to cairns@mnaap.org for consideration at the meeting.
And mark your calendar for Peds Day at the Capitol, Tuesday, February 21 at noon!
Consider donating to our Foundation on November 16
November 16 is "Give to the Max Day" in Minnesota. It's a chance for Minnesotans to donate online to their favorite causes and charities. We hope you'll consider donating to the Minnesota Academy of Pediatrics Foundation and supporting our efforts to increase immunization rates, reduce pediatric obesity and increase awareness of the importance of early brain development.
Watch your inbox for an opportunity to contribute on that day!
Bringing Attention to the Needs of Military Families
Last week MN-AAP participated in Living with the New Normal, a forum on bringing public attention to the needs of children living in military families. There are over 14,600 children/teens in military-connected families in Minnesota with the majority of children under age 12. MN-AAP will be coordinating with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (www.beyondtheyellowribbon.org/) to highlight health and mental health resources in communities across the state.
Miss the webinar on cholesterol screening and management? Watch it now!
Obesity can be associated with multiple co-morbidities, including high cholesterol. In this webinar, Dr. Christine Hills, pediatric cardiologist at Children's Heart Clinic, discusses appropriate screening for high cholesterol as well as an initial approach to treatment in the primary care office.
Looking to make a change? See who's hiring in Minnesota. There are several employment opportunities posted on our website at www.mnaap.org/employmentopportunities.htm
Upcoming CME Events
Looking for a list of local CME opportunities? We've put together a list of courses from hospitals and medical groups across the state. Check them out at www.mnaap.org/calendar.htm
October, 2011
Join us at the Got Your Shots? Conference October 20-21
The 2011 MN Got Your Shots Immunization Conference is October 20-21 at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park. This year the focus is on vaccine hesitancy and how we can better communicate with parents who have concerns about vaccines. The conference is hosted by the Minnesota Department of Health and CME is available.
Want to know more about MN-AAP's immunization work group and its plans for 2011-2012? Email cairns@mnaap.org with any questions you have. We still have a lot of work to do to increase child/teen immunization rates!
September, 2011
September is National Pediatric Obesity Awareness Month
One in five kids in Minnesota is overweight or obese.
Download our fact sheet on pediatric obesity in Minnesota.
The AAP National Nominating Committee has named Mary P. Brown, MD, FAAP, and Thomas K. McInerny, MD, FAAP, as candidates for AAP President-elect.
The election will take place from September 1 - October 1, 2011 and the winner will take office immediately following the annual business meeting at the National Conference and Exhibition (NCE). All vote-eligible members will be notified by email when the online ballot is available.
As part of the election campaign, candidates are asked to respond to questions posed by the National Nominating Committee. Recently, they were asked, "What would you say to general pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists who look at the cost of membership and wonder whether being a member of AAP is really worth it?"
The Community Access To Child Health (CATCH) Planning Funds Program provides grants from $5,000 to $12,000 to pediatricians to develop innovative, community-based initiatives that increase children's access to medical homes or to specific health services not otherwise available.
What program would you like to see in your community to increase children's access to specific health services? Consider applying by July 29.
What's your favorite medical website or pediatric app? MN-AAP is including an article in the next issue of Minnesota Pediatrician about top websites, apps and resources for pediatricians. Please take a moment to answer a few questions and let us know which resources you use.
Some members have expressed confusion over which services are open and closed during the state shutdown. Newborn screening IS continuing. The information below is being continually updated.
Which pediatric-related services remain functional?
Payments to health care providers serving patients on Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare
Vaccine distribution
Newborn screening
WIC, food assistance, adoption assistance, child support payment services, county child protection services
Notes about pediatric immunization data/vaccines
The MIIC website is operational and can be with submitted patient data, but may run slower
There is minimal staffing of the MIIC Help Desk. If you have MIIC questions, contact your regional MIIC coordinator, who will serve as your primary contact during the shutdown
The clinic VFC ordering process can be found here on the MDH website
Notes about Help Me Grow referrals
The online referral system and toll free number (1.866.693.4769) is not open.
Contact the child’s local school district to make a referral to Help Me Grow: Infant and Toddler Intervention and Help Me Grow: Preschool Special Education
Which pediatric-related services are closed?
Medical licenses issued through the Board of Medical Practice
Any services and state agencies not explicitly mentioned within the judge’s ruling, available here.
We want to hear from you! How has the shutdown affected your patients and/or practice? Send a quick email to debilzan@mnaap.org and let us know so we can pass that information along to legislators.
MDH Warns Against Use of Black Henna in "Temporary Tattoos"
MDH has been investigating reports of allergic skin reactions in a group of 35 Twin Cities eighth-graders who had been given temporary tattoos using a dark-colored material. About half of the children had skin reactions, which included blistering and weeping lesions. In most cases, the lesions appeared within 20 days of getting the tattoo, and half occurred within 7 days.
Materials that are sometimes added to henna can cause allergic reactions in some people when applied to the skin can and cause people to develop lasting chemical sensitivities, according to MDH officials. One of the most commonly used additives – and one that is of particular concern – is para-phenylenediamine (PPD), which is used as a darkening agent to create “black henna.”
Henna tattoos are frequently offered by vendors at salons, or at venues like public celebrations, fairs or festivals. People who consider getting a henna tattoo – for themselves or their children – should make sure the vendors are not using products that contain PPD or other additives.
Child Smoking Rate Higher in Minnesota than Most States
Nearly 12 percent of kids ages 12-17 in Minnesota have smoked a cigarrette within the past month, according to the CDC, making the child smoking rate in Minnesota one of the highest in the country. The FDA recently unveiled graphic warnings that must be placed on all cigarrette packages next year, which may help curb these rates. However, AAP encourages pediatricians to discuss smoking habits with adolescents and parents and offers several resources for doing so.
Individuals with Mobility Disabilities: Providing Equal Access to Care
The federal government released a new publication on how to provide equal access to medical care for persons with mobility disabilities, including an overview of general requirements, commonly asked questions, and illustrated examples of accessible facilities, examination rooms and medical equipment.
Dietary Interventions
Lunchtime Webinar, July 12, noon - 1 p.m. FREE CME for members!
Presented by: Michaeleen Burroughs, R.D., L.D., pediatric dietician at Mayo
Dietary counseling is an important part of obesity treatment and prevention. It can be difficult for primary care physicians to provide and effective message in a short amount of time. In this webinar, a dietician will provide a practical approach to dietary counseling in the primary care office.
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:
Identify appropriate daily caloric intake and serving sizes for children at different ages
Describe specific dietary interventions for overweight and obese children
Identify ways to track and assess the nutritional value of food
Make an appropriate referral to a dietician
This webinar is free for MN-AAP members, $30 for non-members. Open to physicians, nurses, PAs and other health care providers.
More than 80 people and 16 exhibitors gathered for MN-AAP's annual meeting to June 3 and heard a wonderful presentation by MDH Commissioner Dr. Edward Ehlinger. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr. Edmund Burke (age 91) of Rochester and the Child Advocacy Award was presented to Dr. Glenace Edwall of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. The winner of the iPad give-away was Dr. Julia Joseph-DiCaprio with HCMC!
Lilly's Message to Minnesota Pediatricians: Sign up today for MN-AAP's Annual Meeting June 3!
Meet Lilly, a spunky little 4-year-old who cares as much about health care reform as you do. On behalf of all the kids in Minnesota, she invites you to attend MN-AAP's Annual Meeting on Friday, June 3 from 6-9 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel in Bloomington.
Speakers include Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Edward Ehlinger, who is a board-certified pediatrician. In addition, Governor Mark Dayton has been invited to speak.
A written ballot with a more lengthy bio of each candidate has been mailed to members. If you prefer to vote on-line, please include your AAP member number or last name to validate your vote as required by our Bylaws. Thank you for any comments or suggestions you would like to send to the current and new Board members.
Based on U.S. crash data, AAP now recommends toddlers should be in rear-facing car seats until age 2 or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. Also, children should ride in a belt-positioning booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches and are between 8-12 years of age.
Prior to this announcement, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that three out of four parents are not properly using child restraints. Here are some helpful resources to share with parents to keep kids safe in the car:
Grant Opportunity for Primary Care Clinics
The Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) is now awarding grants to primary care clinics to increase early identification and early intervention of children with prenatal alcohol exposure. Grants will help clinics screen pediatric patients for prenatal alcohol exposure, refer them to appropriate support services, and create a community-wide system of comprehensive care for these children.
Grant awards will be up to $210,000, and distributed in equal payments of up to $70,000/year for 3 years. The grant period is May 2011-April 2014. Deadline for submitting a proposal is April 1, 2011.
AAP Offering Resident Scholarships and Resident Research Grants -- Deadline 2/28/11
AAP's Resident Scholarship Program is specifically designed to help allay financial difficulties for residents in good academic standing. The Academy grants annually a number of scholarships varying from $1,000 to $5,000.
The Resident Research Grant Program is designed to give pediatric residents with limited research experience an opportunity to initiate and complete research projects related to their professional interests. Grants of $2,000 are available to qualifying residents.
National Committee Nominations - Due 2/28/11
AAP is seeking nominations for its national committees for the 2011-2012 term year. The following committees have vacancies: bioethics (2); continuing medical education (2); drugs (2); development (2), early childhood, adoption and dependent care (1); genetics (2); infectious diseases (2); membership, district V (1); native american child health (1); nutrition (2); pediatric AIDS (1); pediatric workforce (1); practice & ambulatory medicine (1); psychosocial aspects of child & family health (1); residency scholarships (1); state government affairs (1); substance abuse (1); steering committee on quality improvement and management (2); violence prevention subcommittee (1).
Deadline for nominations is February 28, 2011.
Contact cairns@mnaap.org to inquire about a letter of support from the Chapter for your nomination.
MN-AAP Webinar Series on Pediatric Obesity Begins 2/15/11
Between 20 and 30 percent of children in Minnesota are now overweight or obese. The Minnesota Chapter of AAP is hosting a series webinars from local experts on pediatric obesity assessment, treatment and prevention. The topics range from motivational interviewing strategies to dietary interventions to managing co-morbidities to extreme treatments for morbidly obese children.
Our first webinar, A General Pediatrician’s Approach to Pediatric Obesity, is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15 from noon to 1 p.m. We invite family practice doctors, OB/GYNs, nurses, PAs and other health professionals to join us for this free webinar. Through presentations of clinical cases, Dr. Nancy Beery with Duluth Clinic will discuss the assessment of overweight and obese children, treatment options based on age and other factors, and referrals to specialists when appropriate.
Join Fellow Pediatricians for Peds Day at the Capitol Feb. 15
This is your chance to speak up for children's health in Minnesota. We’ve invited key legislators and opinion makers to address MN-AAP members and will arrange for you to meet with your own legislators, also. A briefing of key issues will be provided. We know you're busy, so we've provided two sessions for you to choose from: morning or afternoon. Free for all members.
Can't make Peds Day at the Capitol? Here are two ways to stay connected:
Speak up on MN-AAP's forum!
Is there one issue in your practice that concerns you most? What do you want policy makers to know and do about it? Take a moment to tell us and we'll be sure to pass it along to legislators on Feb. 15. If you have a question for the MN-AAP lobbyist and/or policy chair, please share it. Go to Forum
Sign up for legislative updates.
Each week our lobbyist provides a rundown of new and potential bills that could affect you, your practice and/or your patients. If you would like to receive these updates, send an email to debilzan@mnaap.org.
January, 2011
MN-AAP Internships Available for Graduate Students - Resumes Due 1/15/11
MN Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MN-AAP) is a non-profit organization focused on improving the health of Minnesota’s children and teens and supporting pediatricians statewide. Two initiatives for the coming year include:
Pediatric obesity prevention (pediatrician training, parent education and quality improvement initiatives at clinics); and
Reducing barriers to pediatric immunizations (vaccine purchasing and increase participation in MIIC).
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated public health intern to work with our Communications Director on obesity prevention resources for parents (to be listed on website). A second internship is available working with our executive Director on vaccine purchasing options for smaller clinics in greater Minnesota.
To Apply: Please send a resume, cover letter and two references (contact information only) to: cairns@mnaap.org by Jan. 15, 2011.
Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Proposals - Due 1/31/11
Grants of up to $12,000 are awarded to pediatricians to work collaboratively with local community partners to ensure that all children have medical homes and access to needed health care services.
Pediatric residents may apply for CATCH grants in amounts up to $3,000 to plan and/or implement a community-based child health initiative.
