*NEW* Hilo Medical Center COVID-19 Updates Drive-through COVID-19 testing is now available at Hilo Medical Center. Providers MUST SCREEN ALL PATIENTS for travel history & symptoms prior to sending them for testing. It is important to know that this service is for COVID-19 testing ONLY (Respiratory Panel & Influenza NOT included). There are a limited number of tests available at this time. To utilize these services:
Complete a CLH lab requisition (or electronic order from your EHR)
Write in the COVID‐19 Test code U685 in the miscellaneous field, then fill in an ICD‐10, note on req “For HMC Drive-Through Testing”
If faxing paper requisition, fax to CLH at Hilo Medical Center location
Attached is the updated announcement from Tuesday with more details. For questions on COVID-19 tests, please call their provider hotline at (808) 640-6630 from 7:00 AM-5:00 PM on Monday-Friday.
*NEW* COVID-19 Testing Criteria and Specimen Collection Process Please review CDC guidelines and State of Hawaii Department of Health requirements for COVID-19 testing attached. Clinical Labs of Hawaii Updated specimen collection guidelines (attached) are also included if testing is appropriate. Contact CLH Account Services Representative Jacqueline Kopie at 808-987-7439 if you need testing supplies.
*NEW* EHI IPA COVID-19 Conference Calls on Tuesdays and Fridays Starting tomorrow, Friday, March 20, 2020, EHI will be holding 30-minute conference calls to hear member concerns, ask questions, and share ideas and information from 7:00-7:30AM. We will continue this on a regular basis until further notice. The next session will be on Tuesday, March 23, at the same time, from 7:00-7:30AM.
TO CALL IN: 1-346-708-4267
USE CONFERENCE ID: 744 712 904 #
*NEW* State of Hawaii DOH Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) unveiled a new website for the public to access the latest information on COVID-19 in Hawai‘i. hawaiicovid19.com provides timely information and resources on the coronavirus, including guidance on how to prevent and mitigate community spread, common symptoms of COVID-19, and frequently asked questions. Sign up to receive updates at health.hawaii.gov/updates. Attached is the announcement from David Ige regarding the new COVID-19 website, social distancing, and more.
*NEW* Announcement from the Endoscopy Center On March 14, gastroenterology clinics around the nation were advised to postpone all elective procedures, such as screening & surveillance colonoscopies, and non-urgent Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The Endoscopy Center has rescheduled all procedures with these diagnoses for dates after April 5, 2020. For more details, please read the notice attached.
*NEW* COVID-19 Employment Guidelines & FAQ America’s Physician Groups (APG) shared a guideline (here) for employers as a resource.
*NEW* Medicare Telemedicine Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet The links attached (here and here) provides regularly updated information on Medicare telemedicine visits and reimbursement.
*NEW* COVID-19 Precautions Video Attached is a video on basic information regarding COVID-19 that you can send out to your patients using the link (here).
CDC COVID-19 Flyers Attached are some flyers that you can hang up on your walls and factsheets regarding COVID-19 (here, here, here, here, here, here, here). The IPA can print these in bulk for your office. Please email Jo at jvitales@ehiipa.com if you would like us to print for you. For more information on COVID-19, please refer to the CDC website here.
*NEW* Article: “Don’t kill Hawaii’s health care system” by Dr. Edward Gutteling Read article here.
*NEW* 2020 Legislator in Recess The Legislature is currently in recess and no hearings will be scheduled until further notice. We will keep you apprised of any updates regarding the State and House bills we have been following in regards to GET tax exemptions in healthcare.
*NEW* SB 2542 SD2 The Physician Shortage Crisis Task Force has been following the legislature regarding the GET healthcare exemption bills. The IPA submitted testimony in support on Monday, March 16. The hearing that was scheduled for Tuesday, March 17 has been postponed indefinitely. We will update as we get more information.
SCR211 (One Shared 2030 Health Vision Plan for Hawaii Island) Resolution The following Resolution was released by the senate (attached). The bill is requesting the office of primary care and rural health to facility discussions with key community health and social service organizations within Hawaii County to address the health and wellness needs of the most vulnerable by aligning the goals and objectives of key organizations into one shared 2020 health vision plan. Attached is a letter sent to the committee members asking for collective action.
Petition on Change.org: Eliminate GE Tax on Healthcare in Hawaii Hawaii Physician Shortage Task Force started the petition (attached); please sign and distribute widely to your patients via email lists, etc., along with this link regarding the bills. All major media outlets in Hawai‘i are being notified with the information on the Task Force GET Bill SB 2542. Here are 10 reasons to pass the GET exemption on healthcare for reference (attached).
*NEW* Hilo Heart Walk Event CANCELLED Due to the CDC guidelines regarding events with crowds of 50 or more, the American Heart Association is cancelling the Heart Walk event in Hilo. See flyer attached. Thanks again to all the providers and clinics who have supported and donated to us in this effort. Please contact Jo at jvitales@ehiipa.com if you have $$s for us to pick up by Wednesday, March 25. We will be distributing t-shirts to offices who participated. Mahalo to the following providers/clinics who have participated:
Dr. Brenda Camacho
Dr. Pradeepta Chowdhury
Dr. Alan DeSilva
The Family Medicine Center
Hawaii Island Healthcare, Inc.
Lynda Hirakami DNP
Dr. Craig Kadooka (retired)
Dr. Roy Koga
Dr. Craig Shikuma
EVENTS
Annual General Membership Meeting – Wednesday, April 29, 5:30 PM Invitations to the Annual Meeting were sent by mail. Please respond if you plan to attend or if you cannot attend and would like anabsentee ballot to cast your vote. Those who haven’t will be sent an EVITE – please look in your email and respond there.
SAVE THE DATE! 24th Annual Symposium on August 21-23, 2020 at Fairmont Orchid in Waikoloa. Please email Jo Vitales at jvitales@ehiipa.com for more information. See flyer attached.
Benefit Fashion Show for Hilo Medical Center Foundation HMC is proud to announce a special fundraiser inspired by 5-year-old Haumea Friel to support their work at the Hilo Medical Center Foundation: Hauma Hawai‘i “Power to the Purse.” The event is on Monday, April 13. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in Willie K’s Crown Room. Flyer attached.
Walk with a Doc – Lili‘uokalani Gardens Park – Dr. Craig Kadooka – Every Sunday, WWAD meets at the park across the street from Hilo Bay Café. Walkers gather at 8:00 AM to hear a short healthcare talk, followed by stretching and then walking at your own pace. Anyone is welcome to participate.
PROVIDER RESOURCES
Hilo Medical Center CME Conference SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Grand Naniloa Hotel. For more information, contact HMC’s CME program coordinator, Janice Fagafa at jfagafa@hhsc.org or call 808-932-3176. Flyer attached.
BRIGHT GREEN POLST FORMS – If your office would like “bright” green POLST forms for your office, please email jbontuyan@ehiipa.com.
HIPAA Online Training – EHI IPA offers online training as a membership benefit for $20 per person. The certification received after successful completion is effective for 2 years. If you are interested, please complete the attached form and fax to 808-935-4472 or email to Jo at jvitales@ehiipa.com and send a check to East Hawaii IPA, 670 Ponahawai St., Ste. 117, Hilo, HI 96720.
Healthcare Source HR Screening Tool Available for Members – EHI offers member offices use of a complimentary employee screening tool. The tool helps assess whether potential new hires are the right fit for your office! The tool rates candidates numerically by job performance, retention and service excellence. It also customizes key questions for face-to-face interviews. This program has been used successfully by hundreds of healthcare organizations. Candidates are sent a link to the assessment with results forwarded to a designated office email address. Please email Jo at jvitales@ehiipa.com if you are interested in learning more about this tool.
American Heart Association FREE CME Webinars – View list of activities here. Type in “CME” in the Keyword search box and register for free.
PATIENT RESOURCES
*NEW* CANCELLED Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi: Ola Hou i Ka Hula Hypertension Class – Wednesdays starting February 5 to April 29, 5:00-6:30 p.m. at Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi office, 1438 Ave., Hilo. Flyer attached.
Refer Patients to Complete Their Advanced Health Care Directive at ADRC – 2020 dates attached.
*NEW* CANCELLED KTA Diabetes Self-Management Education – KTA will be suspending their self-management education classes until further notice.
*NEW* CANCELLED Hilo Medical Center Diabetes Support Group – Hilo Medical Center’s Leadership & Emergency Management team are closely monitoring developments as they become available. Committing to the safety and best interest of our community, the diabetes support group meetings will be placed on hold until further noticed. You will be informed when it is considered safe to resume meetings. Please email Colleen Talich at HMC with any questions at ctalich@hhsc.org.
Halau Mauli‘Ola Medical Nutrition Program – Stacy Haumea is relocating to 83 Maika‘i St., Hilo, for appointments Mon/Tue/Weds. She will continue to see patients with Hui Mālama on Thurs/Fri weekly. Flyer attached. NEW referral form attached.
Individual Nutrition Counseling Referral for Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi (HMONO) – Refer your patients to nutrition counseling with Stacy Haumea at HMONO using their referral form (here). Under the “Referred to” section, select HMONO Family Medicine Clinic.
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health – CARDIAC HEART ATTACK SYMPTOMS. Flyer attached. Let us know if you’d like the IPA to print out copies for your office by calling 808-797-3113.
Mountain-Pacific Quality Health: New Patient Tool for Heart Health – Check the MPQH website for their heart health calendar. These are free for patients and can start anytime of the year and includes weight logs and health tips. These offer a fun and easy way for patients to monitor their weight. A calendar example (scroll to the bottom for the example) and order form can be found here.
Beacon Health – PCP Referral for Behavioral Health Support – Beacon Health offers behavioral health services for HMSA patients. Attached is the referral form (here), the overview of services (here), and the WHO-5 Well-Being index tool (here).
