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December 2018 Newsletter Read the latest issue of GOGS News. Inside is excellent information on asthma and its link to postpartum depression, a year in review update from ACOG, management of hypertension in pregnancy, Legislative Day 2019, and more. OB-GYN Newsletter December 2018... Read Article
Flu Vaccine Resources We have new resources on flu, tdap, and immunization during pregnancy, available from Emory. The first serves as a framework for in-office patient education. The second is an overview of the research behind flu and tdap vaccination. TalkingPointsforPatients Pregnancy and Vaccines... Read Article
GOGS October 2018 Newsletter The October Newsletter is out! Highlights: GaPQC quarterly update STDs, including a look at increased rates of syphilis and the need for screening Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy - Treatment options Using virtual reality as an alternative pain treatment   OB-GYN Newsletter... Read Article
MOD 2018 Georgia Premature Birth Report Card November is Prematurity Awareness month! 2018 Premature Birth Report Card   The 2018 Premature Birth Report Card was released today. Although our rate increased from 11.2 to 11.4, our grade of D remained. This year’s report card highlights the preterm birth rate since 2007, the grade... Read Article
Prematurity Summit 2018 March of Dimes’ 2018 Prematurity Summit The 2018 Prematurity Summit in Macon, GA is almost here! A save the date calendar request went out some time ago, but below is additional information and a link to registration.   The Prematurity Summit aims to inform, advance and leverage str... Read Article
ACOG 2018 Postpartum Toolkit Resources are available from ACOG for addressing mental and physical changes in women during the first year after birth. Conditions addressed are depression, fatigue, lack of sleep, pain, breastfeeding difficulties, lack of sexual desire, and urinary incontinence. Coding and billing tips are also pr... Read Article
Maternal Substance Use Resource List The following document provides updated clinical, prevention, and research organizations, programs, and services for mothers in Georgia in need of addiction treatment. Please share these resources with your patients.   Maternal Substance Use Resources... Read Article
Racial Disparities in Maternal Mortality   Upcoming CMQCC Webinar  Racial Disparities and Maternal Mortality in California: Spotlight on Cardiovascular Disease Wednesday, November 7 12:00-1:00 PST Pre-registration required. R... Read Article
Increased Age Range for Gardasil Administration FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years old Gardasil 9 prevents certain cancers and diseases caused by the nine HPV types covered by the vaccine. https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm622715.htm... Read Article
AAP Cautions Against Marijuana Use During Pregnancy, Breastfeeding "Based on the limited data that do exist, as pediatricians, we believe there is cause to be concerned about how the drug will impact the long-term development of children.” Marijuana Use while Pregnant... Read Article
Resources: Hypertension in pregnancy and immunizations in pregnancy Read the latest from MDEdge on managing hypertension in pregnancy. Importance of providing standardized management of hypertension in pregnancy https://www.mdedge.com/obgyn/article/173954/obstetrics/importance-providing-standardized-management-hypertension-pregnancy   The link below ac... Read Article
Excision of a Bartholin gland cyst: Anatomy and pathologies review followed by surgical technique MDEdge has published a video on gland cyst removal. Please head over to Arnold Advincula’s Surgical Techniques Video Channel in the Multimedia Library at mdedge.com/obgmanagement Read the preview.... Read Article
Ovarian Cancer Webcast We would like to invite you to participate in this webcast focusing on clinical pathways for remission maintenance in ovarian cancer. This activity examines best practices for the adoption of clinical pathways that consider all available treatment options for remission maintenance. Faculty ... Read Article
Syphilis Prevention Screenings USPSTF recommends syphilis screening for all pregnant women The US Preventive Services Task Force published a statement in the Journal of the American Medical Association reaffirming a recommendation that all pregnant women be screened for syphilis infection early in pregnancy. An evidence report... Read Article
New CME courses from The Doctors Company As many of you know, The Doctors Company offers complimentary (yes, FREE) CME and CE classes to both members and nonmembers. We have courses for doctors, practice managers and office staff. You will find below links to two of the newest programs that focus on Distracted Practice. You can access mul... Read Article
GOGS August Newsletter Our latest issue is published, featuring discussions on inadequate access to medical insurance, AIM and the resurgence of GaPQC, a prenatal education study, and maternal mental health initiatives. Plus, Society President Hugh Smith highlights a year of amazing successes for GOGS and women's health. ... Read Article
ACOG July 2018 Newsletter This month's newsletter centers on long-acting reversible contraception. Online Postpartum LARC training LARC video series Committee Opinion LARC Help Desk Read the newsletter here: https://www.magnetmail.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm?ep=l91KQpM0sytM3xDgV9SlgjzvyMIiCFR02g6N1d... Read Article
TDC Resources on Patient Safety New Video: Obstetrics: Innovations in Patient Safety Description: Jay M. Berman, MD, FACOG, of the Wayne State University Physician Group in Detroit, Michigan, describes changes his practice made to improve patient safety based on the data and recommendations in The Doctors Company’s Obstetric... Read Article
2018 Legislative Update Catch up on legislation passed in 2018 that affects your practice. Dr. Andy Toledo recaps the General Assembly. 2018 General Assembly update... Read Article
Journal of Hospital Medicine Statement on Prescribing Opioids Read the full article here: https://www.hospitalmedicine.org/about/press-releases/opioid-consensus-statement/?oc_slh=80512411919a7f5d170ea073385b033c8a5aa865658b7c29f976caa1e0f81fa0 JHM Releases Opioid Consensus Statement Journal of Hospital Medicine Releases Consensus Statement ... Read Article
March of Dimes 2017 Premature Birth Report Georgia received a D again for premature birth ranking last year. Chatham County received a failing grade. Georgia's 2017 Premature Birth Report Card is available here: https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/tools/reportcard.aspx?frmodrc=1&reg=13... Read Article
April GOGS Newsletter The Society talks opioids, legislation, breastfeeding, and its annual meeting in the April 2018 issue. Read here.... Read Article
Georgia Perinatal Quality Collaborative Website GaPQC has launched a new website! Browse the site to see what this amazing multi-disciplinary program is doing daily in the fight against maternal morbidity and mortality. https://georgiapqc.org/... Read Article
Nicotine Replacement Therapy Referral Process Referral process Fax referral form is completed by clinic staff and signed by patient Provider completes/signs NRT referral form Both forms are faxed together to the Quit Line Pregnant PT Fax Referral Form Pregnant PT NRT Referral Form... Read Article
February GOGS Newsletter Check out the news from Georgia OBGyn Society for Winter/Spring 2018. OB-GYN Newsletter Feb 2018... Read Article
The Doctors Company CME Courses Page This web page provides easy access to some of the courses GOGS members may find interesting or need to access for premium credit program requirements.  One of the courses is a new 3-hour CME for Safe and Effective Opioid Prescribing: Georgia Edition that was just released to assist GA physicians wi... Read Article
The State of Maternal Mortality in Georgia Georgia Perinatal Quality Collaborative is working tirelessly to lower maternal mortality. Commissioner J. Patrick O'Neal asks for your help. GaPQC_CommissionerLetter_signed_2018 Read Article
Tuck Sleep Guides – Women and Sleep Disorder A sleep guide for seniors that discusses how bodily changes as we age affect our sleep patterns. https://www.tuck.com/sleep-aging/   A sleep guide for women with insomnia. https://www.tuck.com/insomnia-women/   A sleep guide for women experiencing the changes of menopause... Read Article
Course on Safe and Effective Opioid Prescribing The Doctors Company presents a 3-hr program in which practitioners will learn to: Adhere to Georgia’s controlled substance prescribing rules. Implement an assessment process for identifying abuse or misuse of controlled substances. Discuss with patients, the risks associated with contro... Read Article
Physicians for Rural Areas Assistance Program The Georgia Board for Physician Workforce administers a state program to assist physicians with the repayment of loans they obtained while attending medical school. Want to know more about the PRAA program? Learn more here: PRAA flyer Learn more about the Georgia Board for Physician Workforc... Read Article
December Newsletter View this month's GOGS newsletter! OB-GYN Newsletter December 2017... Read Article
Coding Resources for 2018 Provided below are supporting documents related to the Medicaid coding policy for c-section as discussed by Alan Joffe, MD, of Peachstate Health Plan. Provider Billing Examples Cesarean Sections Accepted ICD 10 Diagnosis Cesarean Sections Medicaid Payment Policy final November 2017 Appen... Read Article
Legislative Day at the Capitol 2018 Join us February 15th in Atlanta for a day of discussion about women's health needs with our Georgia legislators! 2018 GOGS Legislative Day Flyer Read Article
Syphilis and Prenatal Care Read the latest article on prenatal care for moms with Syphilis here.... Read Article
ACOG LARC Bulletin This updated document replaces the previous ACOG Practice Bulletin on LARC, and expands on prior recommendations on the use of intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants. https://www.acog.org/Resources-And-Publications/Practice-Bulletins/Committee-on-Practice-Bulletins-Gynecology/Long-Acting... Read Article
“Telehealth and You” Series This 4-part audio series on telehealth was produced by OBG Management and features Contributing Editor Lucia DiVenere interviewing Haywood Brown and Peter Nielsen. The speakers report no relevant financial relationships. Featuring: Lucia DiVenere, MA Officer, Government and Political Affairs ... Read Article
North American Menopause Society Search the website of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) for accurate, unbiased information about menopause. NAMS is the leading nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to improving understanding of this natural biologic event.  www.menopause.org... Read Article
The Need for Diabetes Screening During Pregnancy The use of early pregnancy diabetes screening is inconsistent, and many women with risk factors for diabetes do not undergo early screening, a recent study found. Read the MDEdge article here.... Read Article
Journals for the Week Menopausal HT & Risk of Long-Term All-Cause Mortality JAMA; 2017 Sep 12; Manson, Aragaki, et al Are Visits to Ob-Gyns on the Decline? Obstet Gynecol; ePub 2017 Sep 5; Simon, et al NSAIDs & Postpartum Hypertension in Preeclampsia Obstet Gynecol; ePub 2017 Sep 5; Viteri, et al Incr... Read Article
Pelvic Exam Revisited The pelvic exam revisited The USPSTF says there is not enough evidence to assess the benefits and harms of the routine screening pelvic exam. These experts say that ObGyns should renew their commitment to individualized well-woman care and shared decision making. More than 44 million pelvi... Read Article
ACOG recommends Hemoglobinpathy ACOG now recommends hemoglobinopathy analysis for all women  ACOG now recommends hemoglobinopathy analysis for all women, with DNA-based testing following screening through complete blood count and hemoglobin electrophoresis, in their Committee Opinion #691 released in March 2017. DNA confirmati... Read Article
SMA Screening ACOG now joins ACMG in recommending SMA carrier screening for all women in their Committee Opinion #691 released in March 2017. Is your screening practice missing 'silent carriers' of SMA? Horizon offers SMA screening that automatically evaluates for the presence of a SNP commonly associated w... Read Article
Words2Reading July 25, 2017   Deal announces launch of Words2Reading website   Gov. Nathan Deal, in conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA), today announced the launch of the Words2Reading website, a web tool with curated resources for families, caregivers and tea... Read Article
In-office hysteroscopy procedures: Reimbursement jumps 237% As it does annually, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced changes to the resource-based relative value scale (RBRVS) physician payment system. The CMS identifies codes to review that appear to be either overvalued or undervalued, and the American Medical Associatio... Read Article
CBS46 – Obstetric Care Missing in Some Communities CBS 46 spoke with our own Dr. Cathy Bonk about the obstetric crisis in rural Georgia. http://www.cbs46.com/clip/13551374/obstetric-care-missing-in-some-communities Read Article
House Bill 249: Opioid and Benzodiazepine Prescriptions- New Rules New Requirements for Prescribers: On May 4, 2017, Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 249, an omnibus opioid bill by Representative Kevin Tanner. The new law calls for increased responsibility from prescribers and places certain restrictions when prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines, in... Read Article
3 Ways to Improve EHRs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyXMAFmLb0I Video Link Electronic health records (EHRs) must improve in three areas to reach their full potential and enable physicians to provide better care. As important tools in modern patient care, today’s EHRs must improve in the following areas: Us... Read Article
Treating PCOS with dual therapy is more effective From MDEdge, April 29, 2017. Many clinicians treat polycystic ovary syndrome with oral estrogen−progestin (OEP) monotherapy. Dual therapy with OEP plus metformin or OEP plus spironolactone is more effective. Read.... Read Article
Offer antenatal corticosteroids to women delivering between 34 and 36 6/7 weeks of gestation to improve newborn outcomes MDEdge discusses the benefits of corticosteroids on premature infants. Read the article.... Read Article
Anti-viral therapy during pregnancy reduces HBV transmission A new study has shown that an antiviral treatment given to women during pregnancy can help prevent transmission of hepatitis B from mother to child. Hepatitis B affects 240 million women. Read this article from UPI.... Read Article
Beyond Residency: No More Black and White An obstetrician describes her experiences as an MFM and how real-life OB is far less straight-forward than her education would have her believe. Read more here.... Read Article
Hormone Replacement Effective for Treatment of Hot Flashes "An oral combination of naturally-occurring estrogen and progesterone was found safe and effective for treatment of hot flashes in postmenopausal women with an intact uterus." Read MDEdge's latest article on hormone replacement trials. http://www.mdedge.com/clinicianreviews/article/135045/meno... Read Article
The Dangers of Syphilis in Newborns See this article from CNN below about syphilis in newborns: http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/01/health/syphilis-newborns-partner/index.html Read Article
News Source – Ob.Gyn. News   MD Edge is a great website with frequent national updates from the obstetrics and gynecologic fields. Some of their articles are pertinent to the problems and changes facing maternal health care in Georgia today. As a plus, reading news on this site may be eligible for CME credit. View the l... Read Article
17-P Resources New universal approval process and forms available for Medicaid and CMO patients. The new process begins November 1, 2016. See the 17-P Delivery Process: 17p-delivery-process-v1-1  Medicaid Universal 17-P Form  Amerigroup Universal 17-P Form  PeachState Universal 17-P Form WellCar... Read Article
New Contraceptive Concepts Updated Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use MMWR; ePub 2016 Jul 29; Curtis, et al Postpartum Long-Acting Reversible Contraception Obstet Gynecol; 2016 Aug; Committee on Obstetric Practice, et al... Read Article
DPH diabetes prevention and treatment Contact allison.smith@dph.ga.gov today to learn more about the Diabetes Prevention Program.... Read Article
DPH launches CATAPULT diagnosis model New Department of Public Health program, CATAPULT CATAPULT is aimed at creating a standardized and systematic approach to the diagnosis and quality of care for hypertension, diabetes, and other chronic conditions across the state. Components of the CATAPULT model include: (1) Committing to pa... Read Article
Public Health Resources Follow these links to learn more about Public Health Initiatives. http://dph.georgia.gov/public-health-districts http://dph.georgia.gov/sites/dph.georgia.gov/files/related_files/site_page/GACountyHealthDepts.pdf http://dph.georgia.gov/sites/dph.georgia.gov/files/District%20Directory_05%2020... Read Article
Pregnant Moms and Flu Shots: Vaccine is Good for Baby, Too! A research study from the CDC has affirmed that flu vaccines for pregnant moms are good for two. Research has shown that expectant mothers that receive flu vaccines up to six months during their pregnancy provide their fetus(es) with immunity against flu-related illnesses. During the study, it was r... Read Article
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS); An Introduction Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS); An Introduction What is PRAMS?: A state-wide population-based survey that collects information on women who give birth in Georgia. GA PRAMS began in January 1993 and it supplements birth certificate data by collecting infor... Read Article
Create A Safe-Sleep Environment for Baby, Prevent SIDS Create A Safe-Sleep Environment for Baby, Prevent SIDS Creating a sound, sleep-safe environment for newborns in crucial in ensuring healthy growth and well-being. According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, as many as three infants (on average) die a week due to sleep-related dilemmas. Di... Read Article
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Notifiable Disease to Georgia DPH The Georgia Department of Public Health has announced that neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) surveillance is now a notifiable disease to Georgia DPH, which requires by law that all observances/identification of NAS be reported to the GA DPH, effective January 1st. NAS is categorized as the abrup... Read Article