| health_care_vaccine_mandate_new_practice_resources | Health Care Vaccine Mandate: New Practice Resources | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/September_24/health_care_vaccine_mandate_new_practice_resources | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2021/September/covid-vax-vials-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Vials of COVID-19 vaccine" /></div>
<h5>September 24, 2021</h5>
<h2>Health Care Vaccine Mandate: New Practice Resources</h2>
<p>Practices, clinics, and other health care settings across Washington have a little under a month left to ensure clinicians, staff, and other workers in private health care and long-term care settings are fully vaccinated by the state deadline of Oct. 18. Here's what's new since <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/September_10/department_of_health_updates_faqs_for_health_care_vaccine_mandate">our last update</a>:</p>
<h3>Sample FAQ from The Everett Clinic</h3>
<p>The Everett Clinic has shared its frequently asked questions document that addresses concerns about the mandatory vaccine requirement. The document represents one practice's interpretation of the proclamation, is provided for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as legal advice on any specific facts. We encourage you to consult with legal counsel before implementing any policy or practice or taking any employment-related action. </p>
<p><a href="[@]WSMA/Resources/COVID-19/Implementing_the_COVID_19_Vaccine_Mandate_at_Your_Practice/Implementing_the_COVID_19_Vaccine_Mandate_at_Your_Practice.aspx?WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Access The Everett Clinic COVID-19 Vaccination FAQ</a> (sign-in required).</p>
<h3>Sample contractor attestation form</h3>
<p>Working with the employment attorneys from Montgomery Purdue PLLC, the WSMA offers a sample contractor attestation form, which your practice may adapt for use.</p>
<p> <a href="[@]WSMA/Resources/COVID-19/Implementing_the_COVID_19_Vaccine_Mandate_at_Your_Practice/Implementing_the_COVID_19_Vaccine_Mandate_at_Your_Practice.aspx?WebsiteKey=c182ff6d-1438-4899-abc5-614681b54927">Access the sample contractor attestation form</a> (sign-in required).</p>
<p>More resources, including an on-demand webinar and other sample clinic policy and exemption forms are available on the WSMA website. Visit <a href="http://www.wsma.org/WSMA/Resources/COVID-19/Implementing_the_COVID_19_Vaccine_Mandate_at_Your_Practice/Implementing_the_COVID_19_Vaccine_Mandate_at_Your_Practice.aspx">Implementing the COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate at Your Practice</a> (sign-in required) for these resources.</p>
</div> | 9/24/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| submit_your_concerns_on_troubling_optometrist_scope_expansion_and_other_proposals | Submit Your Concerns on Troubling Optometrist Scope Expansion and Other Proposals | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/September_24/submit_your_concerns_on_troubling_optometrist_scope_expansion_and_other_proposals | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2021/September/eye-exam-645x425px.jpg" class="pull-right" alt="Patient receiving eye exam" /></div>
<h5>September 24, 2021</h5>
<h2>Submit Your Concerns on Troubling Optometrist Scope Expansion and Other Proposals</h2>
<p>The Washington State Department of Health has issued draft recommendations on three scope of practice proposals under sunrise review. The DOH is now seeking public comment on the recommendations before issuing its final report on the proposals to the Legislature.</p>
<h3>Optometrist scope of practice </h3>
<p>The Optometric Physicians of Washington is proposing to expand optometrists' scope to include certain surgical procedures, the use of lasers and ultrasounds for therapeutic purposes, and broad prescriptive authority without specifying additional education or training requirements. The WSMA expressed <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2021/wsma-comment-optometrist-sunrise.pdf]">opposition to the proposal</a> during the <a href="[@]Shared_Content/News/Latest_News/2021/sunrise_reviews_on_the_horizon_midwifery_optometrists_and_anesthesiologist_assistants">initial commenting period in July</a>.</p>
<p>In its draft recommendations, the DOH supports the concept of the scope proposal, with some limits about services that can be offered and education that optometrists must obtain. <strong>The WSMA has serious concerns regarding the DOH's inappropriate recommendations. We strongly urge you to submit comments in opposition by Oct. 2</strong>. Email comments to <a href="mailto:optom-sunrise@doh.wa.gov">optom-sunrise@doh.wa.gov</a><strong>.</strong> The DOH draft report with recommendations is available <a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/2000/2021/2021DraftOptometrySunrise.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">here</a>.</p>
<h3>Midwifery scope of practice</h3>
<p>The Midwives Association of Washington is proposing an increase in the scope of practice of licensed midwives (not certified nurse-midwives). The proposal includes adding "limited prescription authority for contraception and medications and therapies for various common conditions in pregnancy and postpartum, for those with appropriate training." The WSMA believes additional clarification and safeguards are needed in this proposal, as outlined in <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2021/wsma-comment-re-midwives-sunrise-review-proposal.pdf]">comments issued in July</a>.</p>
<p>In its draft recommendations, the DOH supports the proposal conceptually, believing it has the potential to increase access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. The DOH does not, however, support the proposal as submitted, due to patient safety concerns regarding the ambiguity of the proposed prescriptive authority and education and training requirements. The DOH lists recommendations for the applicant group, including collaborating with obstetricians and gynecologists to determine appropriate parameters. The DOH draft report with recommendations is available <a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/2000/2021/2021DraftMidwiferySunrise.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">here</a>. Comments should be emailed to <a href="mailto:mwsunrise@doh.wa.gov">mwsunrise@doh.wa.gov</a>.</p>
<h3>Anesthesiologist assistant scope of practice</h3>
<p>The Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists is proposing the creation of a license for anesthesiologist assistants. The <a href="javascript://[Uploaded files/News and Publications/Newsletters/2021/wsma-support-aa-sunrise.pdf]">WSMA submitted comments</a> in support of this proposal in July, acknowledging that the proposal delineates the advanced graduate degrees, extensive training, and advanced patient monitoring techniques necessary for such a license.</p>
<p>The DOH recommended in favor of this sunrise proposal, with some suggested changes to ensure patient safety. According to the DOH, if the recommended changes are made, the proposal will meet the sunrise criteria to demonstrate it protects the public from harm, ensures adequate education and training, and is the most cost-effective option for this credential. The DOH draft report with recommendations is available <a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/2000/2021/2021DraftAnesthesAsstSunrise.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">here</a>. Comments should be emailed to <a href="mailto:anesthesiology-sunrise@doh.wa.gov">anesthesiology-sunrise@doh.wa.gov</a>.</p>
<h3>Deadline for feedback</h3>
<p>Comments on the DOH draft recommendations are due by midnight Oct. 2. The WSMA will share our comments on these draft recommendations once they are compiled.</p>
<h3>About sunrise reviews </h3>
<p>In Washington state, the Department of Health makes recommendations to the Legislature on health profession scope of practice proposals in a process called a "<a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/AboutUs/ProgramsandServices/HealthSystemsQualityAssurance/SunriseReviews/HealthProfessions">sunrise review</a>." These recommendations are weighted heavily by the Legislature when considering scope expansion proposals during legislative sessions. The above proposals will likely be in play during the upcoming 2022 session.</p>
</div> | 9/24/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |
| wsma_launches_covid_19_vaccination_confidence_campaign | WSMA Launches COVID-19 Vaccination Confidence Campaign | Latest_News | Shared_Content/News/Membership_Memo/2021/September_24/wsma_launches_covid_19_vaccination_confidence_campaign | <div class="col-md-12">
<div class="col-sm-5 pull-right" style="text-align: center;"><img src="/images/Newsletters/MembershipMemo/2021/September/talk-to-your-doctor-stevensco-645x425px.png" class="pull-right" alt="Talk to your doctor screen image" /></div>
<h5>September 24, 2021</h5>
<h2>WSMA Launches COVID-19 Vaccination Confidence Campaign</h2>
<p>The WSMA this week launched its "Talk to Your Doctor" COVID-19 vaccine confidence campaign to encourage vaccine uptake in rural and disadvantaged communities in our state.</p>
<p>This three-month, multiplatform, data-driven marketing campaign features videos with local doctors promoted across popular web platforms, including Facebook and YouTube, and supplemented with traditional media outreach and print resources. Supported through a grant from the Washington State Department of Health, the first phase of the campaign launched this week in the Tri Counties, with potential additional funding available for a second phase in Southeast Washington later this year or in early 2022.</p>
<h3>Watch the Tri County "Talk to Your Doctor" videos</h3>
<p>For the Tri County campaign, the WSMA produced eight 15-second spots and three 30-second spots, designed to run across Facebook and before and during videos on YouTube and on Google-approved websites. The videos feature familiar local physicians from communities in Pend Oreille, Ferry, and Stevens counties and focus on different key messages to encourage vaccination, each including the tag line to "talk to your doctor about getting the COVID-19 shot." <a href="https://vimeo.com/user/6809798/folder/5498609">Watch the videos</a>.</p>
<p>Many thanks to our participating physicians: Curtis Gill, DO, Newport; Geoff Jones, MD, Newport; Lisa Matelich, MD, Newport; Shannon Radke, MD, Newport; Kal Kelley, MD, Republic; Ramon Canto, MD, Colville; Caleb Holtzer, MD, Chewelah; and Edward Johnson, MD, Kettle Falls. And a special thanks to Sam Artzis, MD, health officer for the Northeast Tri County Health District, for his guidance and support.</p>
<h3>"Talk to Your Doctor" brochure</h3>
<p>A print brochure will be developed for the campaign this fall and will be available to all WSMA members across the state.</p>
<p>If you have questions about the campaign, email Graham Short at <a href="mailto:gfs@wsma.org">gfs@wsma.org</a>.</p>
</div> | 9/24/2021 12:00:00 AM | 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM |