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COVID-19
Vaccine Updates
Physicians: Do you or your staff still need the
first dose of COVID-19 vaccinations? Have each medical
staff person in your practice that still needs the first dose
vaccination complete this form. Please
double check the spelling of the email address and the accuracy of
the phone number! This is NOT for your patients or the public!
SARS-CoV-2 Variants Circulating in the United States
The Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) national
genomic surveillance program identifies new and emerging SARS-CoV-2
variants to determine implications for COVID-19 diagnostics,
treatments, or vaccines authorized for use in the United States.
Monitoring the spread of emerging variants in the United States
relies on widespread, rapid sequencing. Continue reading.
BCMS Continues to Recommend Following CDC Guidelines
The Bexar County Medical Society continues to stress
the importance of wearing masks, practicing social distancing,
washing hands frequently, and receiving a vaccine when eligible as
the most effective ways to stop the spread of COVID-19.
CDC Health Alert: Johnson & Johnson Vaccine
As of April 12, 2021, approximately 6.85 million
doses of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine
(Janssen) have been administered in the United States. The CDC is
reviewing data involving six U.S. cases of a rare type of blood
clot and in these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral
venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low
levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). Continue reading.
Texas Medical Association (TMA) on Prior
Authorization
Health plans continue to increase the number and
frequency of prior authorizations, costing physicians and their
patients time and money. The increasing number of prior
authorization requirements for everything from novel therapies to
generic prescription medication takes physicians away from patient
care and often causes patients to delay or abandon their care. Read
TMA's one pager on streamlining prior
authorization burdens.
New Federal Rules Allow Patients To See Clinical
Notes Written By Their Physicians
The Washington Post reported that “this spring, new
federal rules went into effect that will allow patients to see the
clinic notes physicians write, which advocates say will improve
patients’ knowledge of their own health.” According to the Post,
“Supporters of the open-notes effort say they are optimistic that
this change will make a big difference because people will be able
to click on their patient portal...and see what their doctors have
written, rather than just a list of often confusing test results
and other information.” Read full story here.
Virtual First Tuesdays at the Capitol
Join TMA at noon on the first Tuesday of the month
(April and May 2021) for a virtual legislative update and trip to
the Capitol. TMA’s lobby team will outline issues important to
medicine and actions you can take now to make a difference.
Registration is FREE.
May 4
Free PPE Supplies
Need PPE for your practice? Let us help! Physician
practices in need of PPE, please click here to indicate your PPE
needs. Requests are filled as donated supplies are available.
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