Newsletter
July 2018
EFFECTIVE 07/01/2018: Indiana Consent Law Changes
New Indiana consent law added:
- New decision makers to the list of those who can consent for the patient
- A priority listing of decision makers
- Obligation to make reasonable attempts to contact decision makers
- Defines who may not consent for patients
IU Health consent processes changes:
- Documentation of reasonable attempts to reach decision makers
- Witness signing of signature by patient or decision maker
Click here for more information
Riley Hospital Video on Non-Accidental Trauma (NAT) Identification and Reporting
Child neglect and abuse is not rare. There are over 700,000 victims nationally each year, resulting in over 1,500 deaths. In Indiana, there are over 200,000 reports yearly; 20,000 substantiated which includes 2,000 physical abuse cases yearly. Youngest children are the most vulnerable, 0-1 year olds experience the highest rate of victimization. 90% of the perpetrators are the victim’s parents.
Injuries may be missed or downplayed by medical providers. A sentinel injury is a warning sign, often a visible minor injury in a pre-cruising infant that is poorly explained, and thus suspicious for physical abuse. Sentinel injuries include bruises, sub conjunctival hemorrhages, intraoral injuries, radial subluxation (Nursemaid’s elbow), minor burns and occult fractures/abdominal injury.
30% of abusive head trauma cases are missed by medical providers the first time the child presents for care. Injuries are subtle or seem mild, symptoms are nonspecific, bruises not seen in “hidden” locations, and these injuries heal quickly. Physicians fail to consider abuse as a possibility.
Click here to view the Non-Accidental Trauma (NAT) 12 minute presentation by Dr. Cox, Dr. Thompson, and Cheryl Ramey-Hunt.
Suicide Rates Increase In Five Year Period
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) suicide rates have increased across 49 states from 1999 to 2016 with Indiana experiencing a 31-37% increase. Suicide is now the tenth leading cause of death and more than half of suicide victims had no known mental health condition. The American Hospital Assocation (AHA) has developed provider resources and toolkits to assist with addressing this epidemic.
AHA Webinar: Emergency Department, Lab, and Antimicrobial Stewardship: Connecting the Dots Addressing a Clinical Decision Dilemma at the Source
Learn the downstream impacts of false positive blood cultures in the emergency department, and how to virtually eliminate blood culture contamination and false positive diagnostic results for sepsis. Click here to register.
WHEN: Wednesday, July 18, 2018 1:00:00 PM EDT - 2:00:00 PM EDT
FDA Announces Approval of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System
On June 21, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release announcing the approval of Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system for use in people 18 years of age and older with diabetes. This is the first FDA-approved CGM system to include a fully implantable sensor to detect glucose, which can be worn for up to 90 days. Click here to view the full release.
CMS Request for Information: Reducing the Burden of the Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark)
The Stark Law prohibits physicians to an entity providing designated health services if the physician, or immediate family member, has a financial relationship with that entity. The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking feedback regarding obstacles, and burdens, in he physician self-referral law. On June 25, 2018, CMS issued 42 CFR Part 411 requesting public feedback within 60 days (August, 24, 2018). Click here for more information.
