“It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men” – Frederick Douglass

NO MORE SECRETS

 

Mental health problems used to be kept as deep, dark secrets. Nobody wanted to admit an issue that was commonly seen as a moral failing or a lack of willpower. Depressed? “Put a smile on your face and stop moping around.” You get the picture.

 

We are fortunately far removed from most of that. But the attitude that mental health issues should be kept secret still lingers among many medical providers. If mental health problems were instead (accurately) called “brain health” problems it might be less common to keep them hidden. We wouldn’t keep neurological diagnoses secret. Why mental health ones?

 

Just as a patient who takes medication and sees a neurologist for seizures will have all that documented in their primary care chart, the same should be true for a patient with a mental health diagnosis. A chart listing sertraline in the med list without listing the reason for its use and the other professionals (psychiatrist, therapist) involved is a chart that needs updating.

 

And just as you would call a neurologist with questions about how a patient is being managed or to report new difficulties, the same should happen when a patient seeing a mental health professional is on a confusing array of drugs or tells you about worsening symptoms. Most therapists and psychiatrists have patients sign consents to exchange information with others involved in their care. If you’re not sure your patient has done that, you can use your own consent form. Even though HIPAA rules allow sharing of information without consent for the purposes of continuity of care, some mental health providers will require the extra step of written consent.

 

When a patient comes for a health maintenance visit, it’s good to update the chart’s list of other caregivers. “What other professionals are helping you with your health?” Because some patients may think you only want the names of people addressing physical health issues, you may not automatically hear about mental health providers. So the second question to ask is “How about any mental health professionals?” And because many patients will tell you the names of their prescription drugs but not nonprescription treatments, it’s important to ask not just “What medications are you currently taking?” but also “How about over the counter medications, herbal treatments and other nonprescription medications?” Many of these are used by patients not interested in prescription drugs to treat mental health symptoms.

 

Open communication between patients, primary care offices and mental health providers is part of good medical care. Secrets are not.

Family Friendly Economy State House Day

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Mission is to join communities and families in providing opportunities for citizens to achieve health and independence.

 July 15, 2016

To Healthcare Providers:

            The New Hampshire Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) supports breastfeeding as the normal and healthiest way to feed infants, with a special emphasis on exclusive breastfeeding to provide maximum health benefits to mothers and babies. For infants who are not breastfed, WIC follows the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that all formula fed infants receive iron-fortified formula for the first year of life.

            We are writing to inform you that, effective October 1, 2016, Abbott Nutrition will be the New Hampshire WIC Program’s new infant formula contractor in place of Mead Johnson. The standard formulas will be Similac Advance (milk-based formula for 0-12 months) and Similac Soy Isomil (soy-based formula for 0-12 months) in place of the current Mead Johnson Enfamil Newborn, Infant and Prosobee formulas respectively. In addition, the following Mead Johnson formulas will be considered non-contract and will not be provided as of October 1, 2016: Enfamil Gentlease, Reguline, and AR.

          The following alternate standard contract Abbott formulas will be allowed effective October 1, 2016: Similac Sensitve, Similac Total Comfort and Similac for Spit-Up with medical documentation. Medical documentation is required for Similac Sensitve, Similac Total Comfort and/or Similac for Spit-Up because they contain 19 calories/ounce at standard dilution. USDA requires medical documentation for any formula provided by WIC not meeting a minimum of 20 calories/ounce at standard dilution. A Request for 19 Calorie formulas form (RSF_19) specifically created for this purpose is enclosed and can be downloaded at http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/wic/index.htm under related resources to assist you with this requirement.

• As of October 1, 2016, WIC participants currently receiving Mead Johnson Enfamil Newborn, Infant and Prosobee will automatically receive Similac Advance or Similac Soy Isomil at their WIC visit. Alternate standard contract formulas, Similac Sensitive, Similac Total Comfort and/or Similac for Spit-Up, are available upon request with medical documentation.

• The New Hampshire WIC Program continues to coordinator with NH Medicaid to provide special infant formulas to participants with qualifying medical conditions. A copy of the Request for Special Formula (RSF) and a list of all formulas provided by WIC is available at http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/nhp/wic/index.htm under related resources.

      We thank you in advance for your continued support of the New Hampshire WIC Program. Please call or contact Frances McLaughlin at 603-271-4546 or wic@dhhs.nh.gov if you have any questions about the formula covered by the NH WIC Program. Thank you for your assistance in making this a smooth transition to our new contract infant formula provider.

Sincerely,

Lissa Sirois, RD, IBCLC

Administrator

Nutrition Services Section

 

RECENT CHANGES TO NH’S CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING LAW:

What Granite State Pediatricians Need to Know

Each year an estimated 1,000 New Hampshire children under the age of six test positive for elevated blood lead levels greater than 5 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL), the threshold set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicating a child has lead exposure and the need for case management. According to the Division of Health and Human Services, New Hampshire’s pediatric elevated blood lead level (EBLL) rates are 2.5 times the national average. Currently, 37% children currently enrolled in New Hampshire’s public schools, who have been tested for lead exposure, have had an EBLL greater than 5mcg/dL at some point in their lives. In New Hampshire during 2014, of the 10,281 5 year-olds who were tested for lead at some point in their lives, 15% had an EBLL greater than or equal to 5 mcg/dL. Most of these children will be entering kindergarten within the next year. It is quite possible that these numbers are actually much higher.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, testing rates for one and two year olds in New Hampshire have remained flat and in some communities have declined over recent years. In 2014, blood lead testing rates for New Hampshire 2 year olds were only 37%. (See chart below.) The successful passing of Senate Bill 135 in July 2015 includes requirements intended to improve New Hampshire’s testing rates, especially for children in high-risk communities, including an 85% testing rate milestone for one- and two-year olds living in universal testing communities, receiving Medicaid or WIC (Woman, Infant, Children supplemental nutrition program) benefits or enrolled in Head Start. 

Why is childhood lead poisoning still a health issue in our State? New Hampshire has some of the oldest housing stock in the country with more than half of the housing built before lead paint was banned in 1978. Children living in homes built prior to 1978 are at increased risk for lead exposure. Near trace amounts of lead dust generated from friction, impact or chipping lead paint surfaces is the primary source of nearly every EBLL in New Hampshire. Children are exposed to lead from crawling on floors and touching surfaces where lead dust collects and then placing hands or objects in mouths. Home renovations and repairs completed by either uninformed DIY homeowners or contractors not certified by the EPA in lead-safe work practices are another common source of lead exposure. 1 in 3 children who have an EBLL were exposed to lead during home renovations.

Lead Exposure’s Negative Impact on Children’s Brain Development

Study after study demonstrates that even low blood lead levels negatively impact a child’s development. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a paper Educational Interventions for Children Affected by Lead (April 2015) which identifies lead’s ‘Neurobehavioral Signature," and the negative impact that lead exposure has on children’s cognitive abilities, speech and language, hearing, visual-spatial skills, attention, impulse control, social behavior, emotional regulation, and motor skills. The CDC paper outlines the importance of early intervention, education and nutrition support services for children with an EBLL.

The impact of childhood lead poisoning on New Hampshire’s children, families, classrooms and communities is significant. Yet this environmental public health issue has often been ignored up until recent changes to the State’s Lead law, RSA 130-A. Recent legislation has brought much needed attention to childhood lead poisoning, low testing rates, and prevention.

New Legislation – Childhood Lead Poisoning BLL Testing Rates

Changes to New Hampshire’s current childhood lead poisoning statues were made with the passing of Senate Bill 135 that was signed by Governor Hassan in July 2015. All Granite State pediatricians are impacted by these changes. Here are the key points of the new legislation:

Improve Pediatric Blood Lead Testing Rates

To prevent children from being missed and to provide children the treatment and protection they need, this new law establishes a 85% testing rate milestone for one- and two-year olds living in universal testing communities, receiving Medicaid or WIC benefits or enrolled in Head Start. The new law also requires, should this BLL testing target not be reached by 2017, that the NH Division Public Health Services (DPHS) change current rules and move to compliance enforcement. Click here to see law.

 Establishes the Childhood Lead Poisoning & Screening Commission

This Commission with its two working subcommittees on 1) screening and 2) prevention will explore new initiatives to both improve detection through increased BLL testing rates and to reduce exposure through prevention. Dr. William Storo, pediatrician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Concord and President of New Hampshire Pediatric Society has been appointed a member of this new commission. Click here to see list of members.

 Getting information to parents of children with EBBL greater than 5mcg/dl.

New Hampshire’s statute has not been amended to reflect CDC’s lowering of the blood lead reference value in 2013 to 5 mcg/dL with strong statement of "no safe level of lead exposure". The new legislation attempts to address this gap by ensuring that DPHS notifies each and every parent of a child with an EBLL >5mcg/dL with information to ensure they understand the consequences of lead poisoning and the steps that can be taken to avoid lead hazards. Information is also will be provided to landlords, to enable them to take action to eliminate lead hazards when a tenant’s child has been found to be poisoned.

 New Lead Fact Sheet for Providers conducting capillary testing.

Any medical provider conducting capillary blood lead testing shall provide their patients with Lead and Children factsheet prepared by DPHS to any parent or guardian of a child whose test indicates any presence of lead. This new Lead and Children fact sheet describes the health effects of childhood lead poisoning, the advisability of obtaining a venous blood test, and the benefits of identifying and addressing lead hazards. The Lead and Children factsheet also includes a statement that, in the case of rental properties, it is advisable to inform the property owner of the EBLL and that the family cannot be evicted based on the child’s EBLL. 

NH Childhood Lead Poisoning Medical Testing Guidelines

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), in absence of a state guideline, recommends that all children be tested for lead exposure at 1 and 2 years old. Many other New England states, follow the AAP guideline and have what is known at "Universal Testing" where all children are tested for lead exposure at age 1 and age 2.

New Hampshire uses a "risk-based approach "to recommend which children be tested for lead. Individual towns and their demographics are evaluated and are designated either a Universal or a Target community. In New Hampshire, 52% of our communities are classified as high risk, or Universal (U) testing communities. Children living in Universal communities, along with all children receiving Medicaid or WIC benefits or enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start, are to be tested for elevated lead levels at ages 1 and 2; no questions asked.

Children residing in communities thought to have less risk or Target (T) communities and are not receiving Medicaid or WIC benefits or enrolled in a Head Start program are tested using a targeted approach. The NH Childhood Lead Poisoning Screening and Management Guidelines have a Risk Questioner for Pediatricians that includes five simple questions to assess the child’s risk: If answer is yes, or ‘unknown’ to any of the questions, the child should be tested.

Source: NH DPHS 2014 Lead Blood Surveillance Report

In New Hampshire, BLL testing rates are very low for 1 and 2 year olds, with only 37% of 2 year olds being tested in 2014. (See chart above.) All pediatric health providers need to put attention on improving BLL testing rates to identify lead exposure and support protective and early interventions for healthier outcomes. In-office, blood lead testing is gaining the attention of more New Hampshire pediatricians as a means of improving BLL testing rates and supporting better health outcomes.

In-Office Capillary BLL Testing: Proven Effective in Improving Testing Rates

The implementation and use of in-office, capillary BLL equipment, is an effective, highly accurate, and proven means of increasing testing rates. These small analyzers are designed for efficient, in-office BLL testing, using a capillary sample drawn during work flow of the 1 and 2 year old Well Child Check. The LeadCare II analyzers are easy to use and provide accurate results within minutes before a child leaves the office.

In the 1990’s the CDC had recommended venous blood for blood lead testing because of capillary samples presented a risk of false positives due to skin contaminated with lead dust. However, the CDC discovered that venous blood draws were a significant deterrent to pediatric blood testing because venous collection meant a second, additional trip to a lab and a significant percentage of children did not go for the test. In addition, the CDC discovered that the venous blood draw on a very young child was perceived as more traumatic to child and parent, leading more parents to refuse the blood draw at their child’s 2 year old Well Child Check appointment. In the early 2000’s, response to these deterrents, the CDC investigated capillary collection for BLL testing. The CDC determined that, with proper sampling technique, the benefits of capillary blood lead testing (increased testing rates) significantly outweighed the very low incidence (~2%) of contaminated samples. In 2004, the CDC, armed with information from recent research, made two significant contributions to help pediatric providers improve BLL screening rates. First, the CDC provided grant funding for the development of LeadCare II system that requires just two drops (50 μL) of blood, and provides results within three minutes. Second, the CDC produced an Instructional Video describing how to collect capillary (finger stick) samples for blood lead testing. The CDC's goal in supporting the development of a point-of-care, capillary BLL testing system was to improve compliance with AAP BLL testing guidelines by making lead testing available in more locations, especially high risk communities where compliance is low. 

The CDC’s goal in developing the LeadCare II was to improve compliance with AAP BLL testing guidelines by offering an easier, less traumatic sample collection technique. In-office, capillary BLL testing LeadCare II analyzers are proven effective to increase screening rates and allow pediatric providers to share the results and important preventative education with families before the Well Child Check visits ends and the child leaves the exam room. Learn more about LeadCare II analyzers.

Guidelines and Resources Available for Pediatricians

In early 2015, the Division of Public Health Services (DPHS), Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program sent by US mail to all pediatric practices the new NH Childhood Lead Poisoning Screening and Management Guidelines booklet with current childhood lead poisoning testing, treatment, clinical evaluation and management information. Lists in this booklet identify all New Hampshire communities with the Universal ‘U’ or Target ‘T’. It also contains the five (5) screening questions for Target communities and many other resources for pediatricians to share with patient families to support lead poisoning awareness and education.

In addition, new childhood lead testing and medical management quick guides are now available for pediatricians to use in exam rooms. The laminated medical management quick guides include 1) Child Lead Testing and Treatment, Clinical Evaluation and Management 2) Lead Testing Designation by Community and 3) Lead Testing With LeadCare II Analyzers.

New Hampshire DPHS Health Homes and Lead Poisoning and Prevention Program has new parent information fact sheets on Childhood Lead Poisoning, Lead Hazards, Lead and Pregnancy, Lead and Nutrition, Lead in the Environment, and Take Home Lead. These are available printed or electronically for pediatricians to distribute to parents.

Additional Childhood Lead Poisoning Screening and Management Guideline booklets that include laminated quick guide reference sheets for exam rooms are available at no cost by request. Short educational sessions on NH childhood blood lead level testing requirements, medical management guidelines, NH DPHS public health nurse EBLL case management, and impact of recent legislation, can be scheduled at your practice or hospital affiliate. Convenient before clinic hours, lunchtime, or evening education sessions can easily be arranged. For more information about any of these resources, contact Gail Gettens, MS, child development specialist and Health Promotion Advisor, Division of Public Health Services, Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 271-1393 or gail.gettens@dhhs.state.nh.us

Mentorship is an important tool for professional development and has been linked to greater productivity, career advancement, and professional satisfaction. The AAP recognizes that mentorship is critical in helping nurture future leaders and a key opportunity to engage existing members and leaders. The AAP Mentorship Program seeks to establish mentoring relationships between trainees/early career physicians and practicing AAP member physicians. A primary goal is to promote career and leadership development. Mentors will have opportunities to further develop leadership skills and learn about emerging trends from the next generation of their peers. Mentees will gain a trusted advisor and learn methods to enhance career advancement. And all parties will form professional relationships and share advocacy, professional, and research interests.

 

Becoming involved is very easy. The only requirement to participate is to be a national AAP member in good standing. Participants need only sign-up and complete an online mentor/mentee profile form (you can sign up to be both a mentor and mentee if you so choose). The profile form collects information on education/training, subspecialty interests, practice/professional/clinical interests, chapter affiliation and the amount of time the participant is willing to commit. Mentors/mentee pairs will have the ability to meet traditionally in person if they choose a local match or use one of several online tools to meet virtually.

The program is set-up for both “traditional” long-term relationships, as well as short-term “flash” mentoring. The flash mentoring component allows for mentees to contact mentors for quick questions, set up 1-2 meetings, as well as participate in online topical forums and Q&A forums. Therefore, the time commitment and expectations can be tailored to fit each mentor/mentee pairs’ needs.

Visit www.aapmentorship.chronus.com and sign up to be a mentor and/or mentee today! AAP login and password required.

The New Hampshire Health Alert Network: We Need You!

One of our high schools held a mock crash and trial just before prom time.  The following is a video of the crash event.  This school (Spaulding High School) is very committed to promoting highway safety for teens and earlier this year formed a teen highway safety team that developed meaningful peer to peer educational programs.

 

This link will take you to a video entitled "Take My Keys".  It was created by Matt Clark, a young man who was recently released from prison.  At the age of 18, while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, Matt crashed and killed his best friend.  He is a powerful speaker for high school presentations but wanted to find another way to reach teens and created the video.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huA9cm4MWeg

It's actual name is "Somebody Loves You, Somebody Needs You". 

New Hampshire has a fairly new campaign known as NH Driving Toward Zero.  Their web address is http://nhdtz.com/.  This site has some good resources including a GDL brochure that we created entitled "Saving Lives: Graduated Licensing Best Practice for New Hampshire's Teen Drivers".  It can found under important information on the home page and under the materials section of the resource page.

The New Hampshire Pediatric Society is the state chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Our membership consists of over 280 dedicated physicians from across the state. Most of us are in primary care in private practice, some of us are pediatric subspecialists, some of us are based in an academic center (Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center), some of us are employed by the State of New Hampshire, some of us work in community health centers, some of us are retired. All of us are working hard to promote the, health and well-being of infants, children, and adolescents. We welcome new members and if you are a part of the AAP, you are eligible to be part of the NHPS, too. Feel free to contact the Chapter Officers and/or any NHPS fellow member for more details on how to join this well respected long standing professional group, as together, we "CAN" and "DO" make a difference.

A child's life is like

a piece of paper on

which every person

leaves a mark. 
--Chinese Proverb