A Newsletter for the Members of the Alabama Chapter - Winter 2021

Bryan L Balentine, MD, FACEP

President

 

Denise Louthain

Executive Director

dlouthain@alacep.org

877-225-2237 | Website
 

In this edition: 

ALACEP President’s Letter

Save the Date: 2021 EMerald Coast Conference

Correction to Previous ALACEP Newsletter

Ultrasound Case of Interest

Case Report: Right Thumb Swelling

High-Dose Propranolol for Significant Clenbuterol Toxicity Refractory to Esmolol and Phenylephrine

Welcome ALACEP New Members

News from ACEP:

COVID-19 Resources

Breaking Down President Biden's Executive Order on Strengthening Medicaid and the ACA

Free ACEP Member Benefits including Wellness & Assistance Program and 2020 LLSA Literature Review

ACEP's Podcasts

Peer Support Resource: Theater of War

ACEP's Latest Pain Management and Opioid-Related Resources

ACEP Virtual Grand Rounds - February Topic: Simulation: OB Emergencies with EMRA

Save the Dates: Virtual PEM21 and LAC21

Save the Date: ‘Virtually Unstoppable’ CORD Academic Assembly

ACEP Leadership and Excellence Awards - Nominations due March 1

EMF and AFFIRM have announced a new $40,000 grant in honor of Dr. Tamara O'Neal

PEER Can Help You Cram for the ConCert Exam

ABEM Issues Statement on its Commitment to Maintaining Certification Standards
 

ALACEP President’s Letter

Bryan Balentine, MD

President, Alabama Chapter of ACEP

 

Please join me for the first Alabama ACEP in-person conference since COVID on the warm beaches of SanDestin June 7-10, 2021. Feeling cooped up and ready to connect with colleagues? Now is your chance to live again. Line up for your vaccine and be well-protected to resume a new normal again. Quarantine had positive impacts but also many negatives. In the spirit of wellness, we were never designed to live alone. Come connect with all your colleagues. Masks still encouraged.

 

We will have another amazing line-up of nationally-renowned speakers from our multi-state conference. What a great time to celebrate our survival of the recent pandemic than by the exchange of ideas and how we can better care for our patients….and ourselves….on the beach. Sunshine and a smile resolves many ills.  

 

I appreciate your countless hours of service to our patients and those less-fortunate abroad. 

 

I pray for peace and health on all your families. The question is not how long COVID will last but how long you will last?  Make the decision today that you will persevere. We are better together and will make it through. 

 

On a personal note, please reach out to me directly for medical mission trip opportunities. I organize at least one a year. 
 
 

Correction to Previous ALACEP Newsletter

Article: Atypical Appendicitis

Chris White MD, Jason King MD, Brandon Delavar MD

 

This is a correction to the last ALACEP newsletter. The author list for this article included Chris White MD and Jason King MD. Brandon Delavar MD was accidently left off as a contributing author. Dr. Delavar please accept my apologies. The article has been corrected on our website. 

 

Linda B Thompson MD, ALACEP Newsletter Editor
 

Ultrasound Case of Interest

David Pigott MD RDMS FACEP, Chris Greene MD MPH, Andi Wright MSN FNP-BC

UAB Department of Emergency Medicine

 

30M with no significant past medical history presents with right posterior ankle pain after playing basketball. He states he came down on his right foot and felt a pop in his right ankle and felt like someone hit him with a baseball bat. He has not been able to bear weight since the injury. On exam, the patient was very tender over the superior aspect of the posterior heel and was unable to plantar flex the right foot.  >> READ MORE
 

Case Report: Right Thumb Swelling

Kevin S. Barlotta, MD

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

 

Chief Complaint: Right thumb pain and swellingHPI: 55F insulin-dependent diabetic with a remote history of right thumbnail infection 3 weeks prior to presentation treated with local wound care and a course of oral antibiotics. The patient reported mild improvement initially, however, describes progressive symptoms and a new 4-day history of atraumatic right thumb pain and swelling. She denies fever and other skin and extremity complaints. She endorses onychophagia. >> READ MORE
 

High-Dose Propranolol for Significant Clenbuterol Toxicity Refractory to Esmolol and Phenylephrine

Hudson B1, Rivera JV2, Rushton W1,2,3

1. Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham

2. Office of Medical Toxicology, University of Alabama Birmingham

3. Alabama Poison Information Center, Children’s of Alabama 

 

Introduction

Clenbuterol is a potent, non-selective beta-adrenergic agonist. Exposures in the United States most commonly result from use of adultered illicit substances or abuse for anabolic effects. Treatment is particularly challenging given clenbuterol’s potency and long duration of action. Short-acting beta-adrenergic antagonists, such as esmolol and metoprolol are often utilized; yet reported cases commonly report persistent symptoms despite therapy.  >> READ MORE
 

Welcome New Members!

 

Samuel Anich

Cassidy Shae Baldwin

Andrew D Bloom, MD

Joel Andrew Brenny

Blake C Briggs, MD

Jonathan Desimone

Brenda J Diggs

Derek Bret Harding

Colby Kihara

Grace A Lagasse, MD

Brian A Lewis

Raymond Maguire, MD

Kaitlyn Meads

Kendra Mims

Raymond R Oldham

Andrew Shayne Outlaw, MD 

Raj Vipul Patel

John Paul Petrykowski

Daniel Phillips

Walker B Plash, MD

John R Stevenson

Timothy B Stokes, MD

Morgan Caroline Tibbo
 

FROM NATIONAL ACEP
 

Stay current with the COVID-19 Center. It's your one-stop-shop for clinical and legislative updates.  

 

New Resource: COVID-19 Data Visualizations

ACEP's newest resource provides visualizations of U.S. emergency department data across three categories: total visits, COVID-like illness visits, and influenza-like illness visits. The data are available at both national and Health and Human Services (HHS) regional resolutions and across several timescales (e.g., 7-day, 30-day, 90-day). It's sortable by time and region. Data is updated weekly. View the visualizations. 

 

Vaccine Hesitancy Webinar: Register for “This is Our Shot: How EM Docs Empower Patients to End the Pandemic,” a free webinar hosted by ACEP's Diversity, Inclusion and Health Equity Section at 3 p.m. CT on Feb 17.  Speakers: Pilar Ortega, MD; Ugo Ezenkwele, MD, MPH, FACEP and Robert Rodriguez, MD.  Moderated by: Tracy MacIntosh, MD, MPH, FACEP.

 

The February 10 edition of the Capital (30) Minutes webinar provided updates on COVID relief, physician mental health and more.

 

Quick Links: COVID-19 Field Guide | COVID-19 Vaccination Toolkit | COVID-19 Microlearning Education

 

The COVID-19 crisis is uniquely exhausting at work and at home. ACEP’s Physician Wellness Hub can help you find the right support.

Regulatory News

Breaking Down President Biden's Executive Order on Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act

Since taking office, President Biden has issued a plethora of executive orders, mostly related to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and reversing or adjusting policies implemented by the last administration. As a reminder, executive orders themselves do not effectuate new policies. Rather, in most cases, they call on federal agencies to examine or institute new policies—usually through regulations. On January 28, President Biden issued a broad sweeping Executive Order on "Strengthening Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act." READ MORE

 

Catch up on the latest federal regulatory news with ACEP's Regs and Eggs blog: 

  • The New Medicare Add-on Code for Medication-Assisted Treatment in the Emergency Department—Got Questions? ACEP’s Got Answers - February 11

  • X-ing the X-Waiver: The Fight Continues! - January 28, 2021
  • At the Buzzer! CMS’ Last Minute Regulatory Actions - January 21, 2021
  • Major Crisis Averted (for Now): Rather than Medicare Payment Reductions, a Raise May be Coming Your Way In 2021 - January 7, 2021
 

ACEP Member Benefits

ACEP Wellness & Assistance Program: Did you know your ACEP membership comes with three free counseling or coaching sessions available through phone, text or online chat? And for a small extra fee, you can add on financial and/or legal assistance. Learn more about this free member benefit.

Prepare for your continuous EM board certification with Critical Decision's 2020 LLSA Literature Review issue (free member benefit). Get the highlights from each ABEM article to make your studying faster and more productive. 

Podcast fans: ACEP's podcast family includes Frontline, ACEP Now, Annals of EM, Critical Decisions and JACEP Open + EMergence, a new EM innovation podcast.
 

Peer Support Resource: Theater of War

Have you heard of Theater of War? The format includes presenting dramatic readings of seminal plays—from classical Greek tragedies to modern and contemporary works—followed by town hall-style discussions designed to confront social issues by drawing out raw and personal reactions to themes highlighted in the plays. ACEP hosted two Theater of War performances in 2020 and recently partnered with the Infectious Disease Society of America on a podcast discussing how these performances can help EM physicians process the unprecedented hardships of working in the ED during a pandemic. Learn more.
 

ACEP's Latest Pain Management and Opioid-Related Resources:

  • Enrollment deadline for E-QUAL 2021's Opioid Wave IV is Feb. 14. 

  • Latest Frontline podcasts: ACEP Pain and Addiction Care in the ED (PACED) Program with Dr. Alexis La Pietra and Cathlyn Robinson & California Bridge Program with Dr. Alicia (Kurtz) Gonzalez

  • ACEP's Managing Acute Pain (MAP) point-of-care tool was recently updated. It's available on the ACEP website and within the emPOC app (Mac App Store or Google Play).
 

ACEP Virtual Grand Rounds (free online series)

February Topic: Simulation: OB Emergencies with EMRA

February 24, 2021 | 10:00 am - 3:15 pm CT | Must be registered by 8:00 am CT

Topics include newborn resuscitation, precipitous delivery, postpartum hemorrhage and more. Sign up today.
 

Save the Dates: Virtual PEM21 and LAC21

ACEP's Annual Leadership & Advocacy Conference is now scheduled for July 25-27 in Washington, D.C. This is your chance to advocate for your specialty, engage with new members of Congress and connect with your peers. Join the Interest List for updates.

 

While you're marking your calendars, make plans to join us for this year's Virtual Advanced Pediatric Emergency Medical Assembly April 19-21, 2021. Learn what's new and gain the skills you need to take on your next pediatric emergency.
 

CORD 2021 Academic Assembly

CORD is excited to launch its ‘Virtually Unstoppable’ Academic Assembly on April 12-15, 2021. Registration information coming soon! Visit www.cordem.org for updates.
 

Nomination Deadlines Coming Up in March:

 

ACEP Board & Council Officer nominations (March 22)

Wellness Center of Excellence Award (March 1)

*ACEP Leadership & Excellence Awards (March 1)

 

*Some of the newest ACEP Leadership and Excellence Awards include:

  • Community Emergency Medicine Excellence Award

  • Disaster Medical Sciences Award,

  • Diane K. Bollman Chapter Advocate Award

  • Policy Pioneer Award

  • Innovative Change in Practice Management Award

  • Pamela P. Bensen Trailblazer Award

Check out all ACEP Leadership and Excellence Awards
 

From the Emergency Medicine Foundation:

  • Show your love for EM research this Valentine's Day! For every EM practitioner who watches this video, Vapotherm will donate $10 ($20 per EM resident) to the Emergency Medicine Foundation.

  • EMF and AFFIRM have announced a new $40,000 grant in honor of Dr. Tamara O'Neal. Apply by March 31.
 

PEER Can Help You Cram for the ConCert Exam

Getting ready for the spring ConCert Exams? ACEP has tools that can help! PEER is the leading resource for review and self-assessment. You can check your readiness with a free PEER pretest. Learn more.
 

News From ABEM

ABEM Issues Statement on its Commitment to Maintaining Certification Standards

Feb 08, 2021

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) understands that this past year was particularly challenging for emergency physicians, especially early career physicians. Every physician member of the ABEM Board of Directors is clinically active and understands the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The disruptions affecting our specialty have also affected ABEM certification. Read the full statement here. 
 

Alabama ACEP

P. O. Box 1265

Dothan, AL 36302

© 2021 Alabama Chapter ACEP. All rights reserved.

View Web Version