On Thursday, March 11, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan into law, sending $1,400 to most Americans and aid to state and local governments, schools, and businesses. This $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill also included expanding the Affordable Care Act and tax benefits that are estimated to cut child poverty rates in the US…
The Winter 2021 issue of Colorado Family Physician is out. In this issue, we focus on a theme of Health Equity and explore it from some unexpected angles, such as disability rights and environmental justice. We also discuss important vaccine news, updates on COVID-19, and the care benefits of sympathy. And don’t forget the CME!
COVID-19 vaccination has been challenging for both seasoned vaccinators and those newer to vaccine administration. The following resources may be especially useful to those who do not have a lot of vaccine administration experience but are involved in the COVID-19 vaccination response. These resources may also be useful to vaccinators with more experience: Understanding How…
On May 23, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed SB19-228 Substance Use Disorders Prevention. The new law, section 12-30-114, C.R.S., requires the Colorado Medical Board (Board) to adopt rules on substance use prevention training for prescribers. The Board’s new Rules went into effect on March 30, 2020, and require any physician or physician assistant seeking a…
Proper vaccine administration is critical to ensure that vaccination is safe and effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Colorado Immunization Branch (CIB) recommend that all healthcare personnel who administer vaccines receive comprehensive, competency-based training on vaccine administration policies and procedures BEFORE administering vaccines. Comprehensive, skills-based training should be integrated into…
A press release from the Governor’s Office. In anticipation of the first shipments of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in December, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has collaborated closely with local public health agencies across the state to prepare health care facilities to receive the vaccine. These health care facilities will…
Today, at 1:30 pm, CAFP Board Treasurer/Secretary Alan-Michael Vargas, MD, FAAFP, will be joining one of his COVID-recovered patients to speak at a press conference with Governor Jared Polis. The press conference will discuss the seriousness of this new phase of the pandemic. The press conference will be streamed at the governor’s Facebook page. CAFP…
Having worked with providers over the last several years to develop quality improvement strategies to improve vaccination rates, one thing has become clear… immunization reminder/recall systems work, and you can’t use one without the other. Reminder and recall, although two separate activities, must exist together to raise immunization rates and remind patients and parents how…
The Fall 2020 issue of Colorado Family Physician is out. Inside, we introduce Gina Carr, MD, the new president of the board, and discuss the latest approaches and education for family physicians. We also discuss suicide prevention, essential cybersecurity practices, and we launched our 2021 CAFP Award Nominations. And don’t forget the CME!
Webinars often provide a brief overview of vaccination recommendations and practical guidance for implementing them. The following webinars provide guidance for maintaining routine vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic, steps for improving vaccination service delivery, and points to consider when discussing shared clinical decision-making with patients: Maintaining routine vaccination during COVID-19: An MMWR report released in…
At first glance, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pediatric (i.e., child and adolescent) and adult immunization schedules can appear overwhelming and difficult to understand. Fortunately, there are instructions, additional information, and resources to better understand both schedules: Instructions and Additional Information Tables and corresponding information: The pediatric and adult immunization schedules have brief…
CAFP Board Member Cleveland Piggott, MD, MPH, has been named the Vice Chair for Diversity, Health Equity, and Inclusion at the The University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine (DFM). This is a wonderful step for Dr. Piggott, who has devoted his life toward social justice and health equity. We are so proud of Dr….