Houston Medical Times by Rick Delarosa

Serving Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Montgomery and Galveston Counties

HOUSTON

Volume 11 | Issue 1

Inside This Issue

January Edition 2021

Resolution Refresh: Three Ways to Hit Reset on Your Health By Srinath Sundararajan, M.D., FACP

Memorial Hermann Life Flight Launches First Air Ambulance Service in the Nation for K9s See pg. 10

INDEX Legal Matters........................ pg.4 Mental Health...................... pg.5 Healthy Heart....................... pg.8 Age Well, Live Well...........pg.11

Blossom Hotel Brings International Luxury to Texas Medical Center See pg. 12

ach New Year’s Eve, millions of Americans bid farewell to the past year and look forward to a fresh new start on January 1. This year, however, ringing in the new year was radically different as many of us celebrated long-held traditions virtually – or not at all – and braced for post-holiday spikes in COVID-19. The pandemic has indefinitely changed how we live, work, communicate, and interact with one another. Now, more than ever, it’s time to take a comprehensive approach to health and wellness. Here are three ways to hit reset on your health – and there’s no better time to start than now. Prioritize your emotional and physical health. The National Institutes of Health reports that the emotional impact of living with a cancer diagnosis and treatment, fear of recurrence, and the daily stress of living with physical symptoms can create new or worsen preexisting emotional distress for cancer patients. Furthermore, in a survey by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), nearly half of cancer patients surveyed – 45% – said the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively

impacted their mental health. Talk to your physician if you or a loved one are experiencing depression or anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Consider whether getting counseling or mental health care, including via telehealth, would be helpful. When it comes to physical health, preventative screenings are the single most effective way to detect cancer early, often before signs or symptoms occur. Yet, cancer screenings dropped dramatically during the pandemic, leading to delayed or missed diagnoses. ASCO reported in October 2020 that two-thirds of Americans surveyed delayed or skipped a scheduled cancer screening as a direct result of COVID-19. Skipping screenings can adversely impact your long-term health. Make a commitment this year to schedule and keep your annual screenings and wellness check-ups. Don’t underestimate the power of a healthy diet. With more time at home during the pandemic, many people have discovered, or rediscovered, a love of cooking. Some have also discovered the convenience of grabbing extra snacks throughout the day. Stock your pantry with healthy staples and make it a point to plan meals on the weekends to set yourself up for a healthy week ahead.

Keep your meal rotation fresh by trying a new recipe weekly and bulk up your soups and salads with hearty vegetables. Your body and your mind will thank you. Commit to staying in touch with family and friends. Among the challenges of living with cancer are feelings of loneliness and isolation. Cancer patients and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of complications from viruses, like COVID-19, adding layers of social separation that may magnify loneliness. Eight in 10, or 81% of people with cancer, and 60% of Americans have limited their contact with others to reduce their risk of contracting the virus, according to ASCO. Reach out to a loved one and ask for regular phone calls or video chats. Everyone is going through this together. By finding the strength to reach out for help, you may learn that others in your social circle are struggling too. We are living in an unprecedented time – but there remains hope and anticipation for good things to come. As oncologists, we are constantly inspired by our patients’ strength and courage as we join them in their fight against cancer. We wish good health and happiness to all in the year ahead.

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Convincing Patients Not to Delay Necessary In-Person Care During COVID-19: Top 5 Tips Chad Anguilm, MBA, Vice President, In-Practice Technology Services Medical Advantage Part of the TDC Group of Companies Although the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred innovations throughout healthcare, many medical practices are wrestling with a stubborn trend: Due to anxiety about potentially contracting the virus, many patients are putting off in-person appointments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), by June 30, 2020, an estimated 41 percent of U.S. adults had delayed or avoided medical care, including urgent/ emergency care and routine care, because of concerns about COVID-19.

s patients’ fears intensify with the current surge in COVID-19 cases, many practices are presented with a three-fold problem: Patients not getting the care they need, a decline in revenue from in-person appointments, and potential liability risks presented by patients who experience adverse events because of a delayed diagnosis—

the number one cause of medical malpractice suits. Despite these challenges, practices nationwide have developed strategies to enable their in-person operations to remain safe for patients and profitable for the practice. In advising healthcare providers on operations during COVID-19, practice consultants from Medical Advantage, part of the TDC Group of companies (TDC Group), have compiled the following top five tips for encouraging patients to come in for necessary in-person visits during the pandemic: 1. Educate patients about the dangers of ignoring critical health issues. Emphasize to patients that ignoring critical health issues can be more harmful than potentially being exposed to the COVID-19 virus, and that medical facilities can be some of the lowest risk places to visit during the pandemic due to strict sterilization. A recent study determined that 225,530

excess deaths (the gap between observed and expected deaths) occurred in the U.S. between March 21 and April 11, 2020. About two-thirds of these excess deaths were related to COVID-19, but the other third was the result of other conditions. The study further demonstrated that states with the highest death rates from COVID-19 also had the largest proportional increases in deaths from other underlying causes, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In other words, where the COVID-19 disruptions were largest, diminished access to medical care and/or fear that medical care would be dangerous in a COVID-19-intense environment were

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causing patients to not get care that they otherwise would be getting for diseases not related to COVID-19. Additionally, the National Cancer Institute predicts an excess of 10,000 deaths due to breast cancer and colorectal cancer because of missed screening in the year 2020. Therefore, patients with heart conditions—or even those experiencing symptoms of heart conditions—should not wait until their conditions worsen and potentially become life-threatening. The same can be said of patients with diabetes, those see Top 5 Tips..page 14

January 2021

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Legal Matters No Steak, No Wine? OIG Cautions Against Physician Speaker Programs

Asher D. Funk, J.D. Dayna C. Laplante, J.D. Polsinelli, PC

n a recent Special Fraud, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) raised significant fraud and abuse concerns with companies offering or providing remuneration in connection with physician speaker programs. Speaker programs typically involve one health care professional presenting to others on a company’s drug or device, or a disease state relevant to the company’s products, in exchange for a speaker honorarium. While speaker programs may have some legitimate purposes, HHS-OIG

warned of risk the programs create, if one purpose is to induce or reward federal health care program referrals. Because the HHS-OIG rarely issues Special Fraud Alerts and has not done so in over six years, this guidance warrants the attention of health care providers along with a review of health care entities’ current practices. In the Fraud Alert, HHS-OIG identified the following non-exhaustive list of “suspect characteristics,” which may be present in speaker programs and increase the risk of liability under the Anti-Kickback Statute: • Little or no substantive information is presented at a company-sponsored speaker program; • Alcohol is available or free, or a meal greater than modest value is provided to attendees; • The program’s setting is not conducive to the exchange of educational information (e.g. restaurants, sports or entertainment venues);

• A company sponsors a large number of programs on the same or similar topic, particularly where there is no recent substantive change in relevant information; • No new medical or scientific information, or a new FDA-approved or clear indication for the product, has occurred in a significant period of time; • Health care professionals attend the same or substantially similar programs more than once; • Program attendees do not have a legitimate business reason to attend (e.g. significant others of the health care professional attendee, employees of the speaker’s medical practice, others with no use for the information, etc.); • Sales or marketing personnel influence the selection of speakers or the company selects speakers or attendees based on past or expected revenue they will generate by ordering company products; and, • Compensation the company pays health care professionals for speaking is more than fair market value or takes into account the volume or value of past or potential business generated. HHS-OIG emphasized in the

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Fraud Alert that many investigations and enforcement actions under the federal False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute included one or more of the characteristics listed above. HHS-OIG also acknowledged the nearly $2 billion that drug and device companies reported as being paid to physicians for speaker-related services in the last three years. A recent settlement between Medtronic USA Inc. and the Department of Justice highlights these enforcement efforts and the importance of properly reporting payments made to physicians. On October 29, 2020, Medtronic agreed to pay over $9.2 million to settle allegations that Medtronic violated the Anti-Kickback Statute and False see Legal Matters...page 14

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Mental Health Top 5 Strategies to Cultivating Your Mental Health By Lindsay Israel, MD,

odern life keeps us very busy. We find ourselves ignoring the fundamentals like our health, family, friends, community etc. All that neglect causes dysfunction in our lives. We try desperately to fix the problem after it becomes a significant issue. In other words, we are attempting to reverse the damage once it has already become a disorder. As a physician, this neglect is something I see among my patients every day. It is important to remember that prevention is a big piece to eradicating depression and anxiety. Yes, there are some things that are simply unavoidable such as genetics and certain life stressors, such as a death of a loved one or a lay-off from a job. However, if we focus on areas of our lives we can control, then we would have a much easier time coping with events that are out of our control; the

“curveballs” of life. Though the word “habit” can have a negative connotation, it more accurately describes a behavior done repetitively as a routine. A habit can be a choice, and a healthy habit is a healthy choice. These lifestyle amendments are time-tested and clinically proven to be effective in preventing the symptoms associated with anxiety and depression. Here are 5 simple strategies we can incorporate into our day-to-day routine to lay a healthy foundation and maintain our mental wellbeing. 1. Protect Your Sleep, Your Life Depends on It! This is perhaps the most important intervention to our mental upkeep. Chronic sleep problems affect 50% to 80% of patients in a typical psychiatric practice, compared with 10% to 18% of adults in the general U.S. population. It is a chicken or the egg dilemma. Do mental health disorders cause sleep disturbances or does insomnia

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trigger a cascade of symptoms leading to a mental health problem? The basic answer is both can occur. Neuroimaging and neurochemistry studies suggest that a good night’s sleep helps foster both mental and emotional resilience, while chronic sleep disruptions set the stage for negative thinking and emotional vulnerability. In 2010, the American Medical Association along with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recognized insufficient sleep as a serious health risk amongst adolescents. It is not too surprising that sleep issues in our teen years can persist into adulthood. The brain likes patterns; repetition, routine. If it receives signals on a regular basis, even unhealthy ones, it will lock

into that pattern. Good sleep hygiene is of the utmost importance in preventing sleep disorders which can lead to other comorbid psychiatric illnesses. 2. Maintain a Balanced Diet Our eating habits can play a large role in our mood regulation throughout the day. Big carb loads can lead to big carb crashes which can cause fatigue, concentration issues and irritability, symptoms that are also apparent in depression. Protein, healthy non-saturated fats, fiber and some simple carbohydrates should all be represented in our meals. Moderating our food intake will see Mental Health...page 13

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Winter Workout Options to Stay COVID Safe

s we move into the winter months, cold weather and less daylight may impact your COVID outdoor workout routine. A sports medicine expert at Baylor College of Medicine offers tips on staying safe while being active both indoors and outdoors. “It’s important to find ways to stay active right now, but be sure to do so safely,” said Dr. Theodore Shybut, associate professor in the Joseph Barnhart Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Baylor. “A lot of people have gained the dreaded ‘COVID 19’ and with the holidays right around the corner, I encourage everyone to make a plan to stay active and to make it fun.” Cold weather workouts There are many considerations to make when exercising outdoors in cold weather, including wearing layers and even remembering to wear sunscreen. Shybut said that oftentimes during colder months, athletes anticipate sweating less and do not hydrate as well as they would in

January 2021

warmer months, which can result in dehydration and cramping. He says to be sure to hydrate properly before any workouts. See more tips about cold weather workouts. At-home workouts If you are moving toward at-home workouts this winter, it’s important to introduce new workouts properly to avoid injury. Shybut encourages doing some research online and finding virtual classes for beginners. Don’t forget that even though you are at home, you still need to warm up properly to prevent injuries – this includes doing a dynamic warmup. DIY races Since many annual races are canceled due to COVID or are being held in a virtual format, people are running on their own to support various causes. Because you are not in a formal race setting where organizers are taking safety precautions for all runners, it’s important to take some of those precautions on your own, whether it’s a 5K, 10K or a marathon.

This includes going on a familiar course. Shybut suggests driving the course and understanding the traffic patterns. When determining your course, he said to seek out softer surfaces, such as crushed rock or gravel, because these lower-impact surfaces can help prevent injury. He also suggests making sure that somebody knows where you are going and keeping your phone with you during your run. Hydrate ahead of the run or enlist friends who can meet you at set locations along your route so you can hydrate with water or a sports drink. Other tips If you decide to start going to gyms as they reopen, try to go first thing in the morning when all of the equipment is clean. Make sure that your gym is enforcing appropriate

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mask and hygiene policies and consider switching gyms if you have any doubts. Be sure that you have the right shoes for your workout and consider buying a new pair if your shoes are worn out. If you know your shoe size and style preference, buying them online is an option, but those starting new workout routines may want to visit a specialty shoe store to find just the right shoe. Consider splitting up your workout routine during the day. Shybut suggests two walks during the day or doing short body weight workouts between meetings. Use the time from canceled meetings to do something active as well. He encourages staying active and moving around during your workday even if you are working from home. 

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Healthy Heart Go Ahead and Ditch The Grand New Year’s Resolution By American Heart Association

Dr. Jen n i fer A shton, A BC ’s c h ief medical correspondent and American Heart Association national volunteer, talks about easy, free, and fast ways to improve health – one month at a time.

t the dawn of every year, many of us resolve to shed some pounds and get in shape. But by the middle of January, we’ve dropped the barbells and stepped off the treadmills — returning to unhealthy habits. After seeing that routine play out year after year, Dr. Jennifer Ashton, a board-certified Ob-Gyn, bestselling author and ABC’s chief medical correspondent, and American Heart Association volunteer expert for Go Red for Women, tried a different approach. Never a fan of making lofty New Year’s resolutions, Ashton committed to smaller challenges every month for a year. She focuses on things nearly anyone can do anytime, anywhere and at no expense.

January 2021

“They literally take seconds or minutes instead of hours,” she said. “The barrier to entry is almost nonexistent. As much as I love a self-challenge, doing one massive thing is too daunting, because if you don’t nail it, you feel like a failure.” During the process, she discovered how easily something could become a habit and how little it took to make a positive impact on health and well-being. Doing the challenges, however, also showed her there was room for improvement. The daughter of a cardiologist, Ashton made heart-healthy changes such as taking more steps and doing more aerobic exercise. Something is better than nothing, Ashton said, advising people to start with even five minutes of activity. She recommended that people mix it up, incorporating a variety of activities. In the same spirit, Ashton swapped red meat for fruits and veggies. Focus on adding plant-based foods rather than eliminating meat, she recommended, noting that there

are hundreds of varieties of beans, fruits, and vegetables available on store shelves. Finding restaurants and home-delivery services that offer plant-based meals can also help to ease the transition. “It’s about being deliberate with the way I live my life and being proactive about health, wellness and disease prevention,” said Ashton, who has volunteered for the American Heart Association for nearly seven years. “Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women.” She also remembered the importance of mental health, challenging herself to meditate, laugh more, and do better with the three s’s. “Stress, poor sleep, and social

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disconnectedness have been linked with heart disease,” Ashton said. “I’m trying to encourage our society to focus on the neck up as much as we do the neck down.” The message is that anybody can take small steps to improve their health and well-being. The approach is for the fit and the couch potato; old and young; men or women. “In 2021, be as compassionate and nonjudgmental of yourself as you are with others. It’s okay to take a break, take a deep breath, reset, renew, and reconnect with what feeds your soul,” said Dr. Julia Andrieni, Senior Vice President of Population Health and Primary Care at Houston Methodist.

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CARING TAKES TRUE COURAGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.

THANK YOU TO EVERY PHYSICIAN, NURSE, FIRST RESPONDER AND HEALTHCARE WORKER IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. Thanks to those being called away from their own families to be of service to yours. And we thank the people of the Greater Houston area for taking every step possible to safeguard your own health. Thank you for the sacrifices you’re making. And for the impact you’re having on all our lives.

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

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Financial Forecast Implementing Social, Economic, and Governance-Related Investment Cures By Grace S. Yung, CFP Managing Director | Wealth Advisor Midtown Financial Group, LLC

hile you may have various financial objectives, you may also feel strongly about not placing money into companies or entities that operate on a platform that you don’t agree with. For instance, many investors don’t want to support organizations that produce firearms or discriminate in various areas, even if their stock shares have performed well. This is where ESG investing could offer a solution. Why ESG Investing Matters ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. Investors who employ an ESG strategy use these factors to analyze stocks, mutual funds, and other avenues of investments. This type of investing has gained traction over the past couple of decades as investors strive to not only grow and protect their money, but also help to shape the world. Also referred to as socially responsible investing, including these non-monetary criteria in a portfolio was once considered somewhat radical. However, this type of investing is not

only more attainable today, but it could also be more profitable. One reason for this is because consideration for environmental, social, and governance issues has evolved a great deal from its original concept of exclusionary screening of listed equities on the basis of moral values along. For instance, today, there are a number of different methods that are used by investors and financial professionals to match up investments that are based on a wide variety of different values. As the demand in ESG investing is accelerating, there are some key trends that are starting to emerge, such as: −− Climate change −− Social Unrest −− Interconnectedness of sustainability and the overall financial system −− Scarcity of a natural resource (such as fresh, natural water) −− Changing demographics It is important to keep in mind, though, that there isn’t one single exhaustive list of ESG issues. Rather, they can typically be interlinked, and because of this, it can be challenging to sort out which investment options are “only” environmental, social, or

Memorial Hermann Life Flight Launches First Air Ambulance Service in the Nation for K9s

emorial Hermann Life Flight is proud to launch its K9-Casualty Care Course and Transportation Service, making Life Flight the first air ambulance service in the nation to provide training, treatment and transportation for injured K9 officers. The K9-CCC program provides K9 handlers with emergency care training for their K9s including wound packing, poison control, CPR and tourniquet use. As part of the training, each handler receives a K9 specific Individualized First Aid Kit (IFAK) which includes wound packing material, gloves, a CPR mask for human-to-K9 CPR and a tourniquet. IFAKs for K9s were donated to Life Flight by We Ride to Provide, an organization honoring fallen police dogs. Handlers are also trained on when it is appropriate to call Life Flight for severely injured K9s. The program operates under the four pillars of teach, train, treat and transport. “It’s our hope that through our January 2021

program we are able to reduce the number of police canine fatalities by providing handlers with advanced first aid training and IFAKs,” said Rudy Cabrera, Chief Flight Nurse of Life Flight. “Early treatment and intervention is key to recovery from injuries and, through this program, we will be able to transport K9s to receive the most appropriate and optimal care.” Life Flight paramedics and nurses participated in specialized training, developed and approved by Houston veterinarian, Jeff Chalkley, DVM. Law enforcement K9s in need of critical medical care, who are within Life Flight’s 150-mile radius, will be transported to one of three veterinary hospitals: Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, VERGI 24/7 Animal Emergency and Critical Care Hospital or Westbury Animal Hospital. Each location has 24-hour access and is equipped with a helipad or a designated area for Life Flight to land.

governmental. How Returns on ESG Investments Stack Up In the past, environmentally and socially conscious investments were deemed as more risky than other, more traditional, options. But that assumption has since changed – and in some cases, ESG investments could even be more lucrative. A 2020 research analysis from a global asset management firm found that 80% of the reviewed studies showed that sustainability practices actually have a positive influence on the performance of investments. Further research determined that not only can the performance of mutual funds with an ESG bent match that of more traditional funds, but in some cases these investments can perform better.6

Does ESG Investing Match Up with Your Financial Values? With so many different ESG investment opportunities available today, it can be difficult to sort them all out. That being said, you should determine what is important to you and how much of your portfolio you want to have allocated towards this type of investing style. So, before you move forward with any ESG investment strategy, it is recommended that you discuss your short- and long-term objectives with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner who is well-versed in this type of investing. That way, you will be better able to narrow down which ESG investments – if any - are right for you.

Life Flight’s K9-CCC program is the first non-government agency program in the nation to provide care and transport to injured K9s through an established protocol and policy, according to the Texas Operational Canine Program brings vision of Dr. James ‘Red’ Duke to life Committee. “Memorial Hermann Life Flight has been a leader the vision of trauma medicine pioneer, in trauma care in the Greater Houston the late Dr. James “Red” Duke. The community for more than 40 years,” simulator K9 used during training is said Life Flight Medical Director Dr. named Jake, a tribute to Dr. Duke’s Lesley Osborn. “Expanding our services beloved dog. In 2016, under the to now include caring for K9 officers – leadership of Cabrera and Life Flight who are also putting their lives on the Outreach Education Coordinator line – showcases our commitment to George Tarver III, Life Flight began our fellow first responders, along with developing the K9-CCC program. “As leaders in trauma care and our desire to continue to elevate the standard of prehospital care in this with the support of the community, country.” Osborn is assistant professor Memorial Hermann Life Flight is of emergency medicine at McGovern always identifying ways to be on the Medical School at The University cutting edge of medicine and advances of Texas Health Science Center at in care delivery,” said Tom Flanagan, vice president of the Trauma Service Houston. Launched in 1976 as the second Line and System Integration at air ambulance program in the country, Memorial Hermann Health System. Memorial Hermann Life Flight was

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see Life Flight ...page 13

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Age Well, Live Well Preventive Measures for Staying Healthy By Ully Wagner Texas Health and Human Services

s you age, your immune system can weaken and have a harder time fighting off infections, such as influenza (seasonal flu), pneumonia and shingles. Without a robust immune response, these diseases can lead to severe complications or long-term illness. If you have a chronic condition like diabetes and heart disease, receiving a vaccine is even more important. Vaccines can help you, your family and others in your community stay healthy. Visiting your health care provider for preventive services like vaccines can help you avoid disease or identify it early on to receive treatment. Some people with specific conditions should not receive certain vaccines or should wait

and older. An additional vaccine, the PCV13 is recommended for some older adults that may be at increased risk. Healthy Aging Resources In addition to receiving these vaccines, you can also bolster your chances of staying healthy by regularly visiting your health care provider, eating nutritious foods and maintaining an appropriate level of physical activity. The following resources can help support older Texans with healthy aging. Age Well Live Well Age Well Live Well has resources to help individuals and communities stay healthy, connected and informed. Visit hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/community-engagement/age-well-live-well for more information. Texercise Texercise, an HHS health

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to get them. Talk to your health care provider about which vaccines are right for you. Shingles Vaccine Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, the varicella-zoster virus. Current data suggests that nearly 1 in every 3 Americans will develop shingles sometime in their life. The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults 50 years and older. Seasonal Flu Vaccine Flu season happens every year, typically from October through May. During this time, adults 65 years and older make up more than 60 percent of influenza-related hospitalizations. The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for people 6 months of age and up, and receiving the vaccine when you are older can be even more important. Pneumonia Vaccine Pneumococcal disease is caused by a common germ that can infect different parts of the body, such as the lungs (pneumonia), the bloodstream and the brain. The PPSV23 vaccine is recommended for adults 65 years

promotions initiative, offers free resources and programs to engage adults 45 years and older in regular physical activity and a good diet. Visit texercise. com to learn more about healthy aging and to request a free copy of the Texercise handbook. Area Agencies on Aging Every community in Texas is covered by one of 28 AAAs. They offer no-cost services, such as home-delivered meals, homemaker assistance, and evidence-based health and wellness interventions for people 60 and older. Visit txregionalcouncil.org/ regional-programs/health-and-humanservices/area-agencies-on-aging to find an AAA that serves your area. SNAP SNAP provides assistance to help put healthy food on your table. Visit yourtexasbenefits.com for more information on what SNAP offers and how to check your eligibility and apply. Information in this article comes from vaccines.gov and cdc.gov/ vaccines.ď ľ

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The Blossom Hotel Texas Medical Center

just steps away from the largest medical center in the world and Houston’s top-notch businesses and entertainment venues, including NRG Stadium, Hermann Park, Rice University and the Museum District. With over 400,000 square feet of amenities, relaxation is assured to all with retail shopping, three chef-focused restaurants, an ever-growing lobby library, outdoor pool deck, top-tier fitness center, karaoke room and expansive meeting and event spaces. The hotel will include unique services such as long-term storage, laundry, language translation available in Mandarin, Spanish and German, appointment scheduling and travel services to accommodate globetrotters, patients January 2021

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their morning with a Nespresso coffee brewed in-room. When returning to their refuge, guests can take advantage of the smart TV or unwind and refresh in the luxurious, marble bathroom, complete with rain shower head, robe, slippers and Gilchrist & Soames amenities. “We designed the hotel to mirror the union of both Houston’s unique character and our goal to embrace our international guests,” said Larsen. “Just as Houston has welcomed us, we are thrilled to welcome Houston and beyond to Blossom Hotel, a concept engrained into our brand identity: Be International. Be Houston. Be You.”

Houston Medical Times

Mental Health

Continued from page 5 give us the best chance of having a good day. 3. Get Regular Exercise Any activity that induces our heart rate to increase is considered exercise. For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise, which equates to about 20 minutes a day. Yes, we all have very busy lives, but we can all find a way to carve out 20 minutes for ourselves for this very important task. In fact, healthy diet and exercise will circle back up to improving our sleep. If we engage in habits #1-3, our bodies will certainly thank us.

Life Flight

Continued from page 10 “Dr. Duke’s passion for pre-hospital emergency care and his love for dogs were driving factors in establishing this program. This was Dr. Duke’s idea and I’m proud our team was able to make

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Page 13

4. Get Involved in Your Community Whether it is through a community center or a church or temple, surrounding ourselves with people who have similar goals as us can have a profoundly positive impact on our mental wellbeing. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute has helped fund studies investigating this very topic. Donating our time towards a community project, or simply socializing is a quality way to help our self-esteem and build a network of support. Interacting with fellow human beings reminds us we are not alone and gives us an outlet to share our thoughts and feelings. Community can be the forum in which topics such as depression and anxiety can be discussed freely. 5. Find a Hobby Lack of motivation and anhedonia

defined as decreased pleasure in pleasurable activities are classic hallmark symptoms of depression. Finding an enjoyable activity serves a preventative role in combating the onset of depression and anxiety, as it can be a healthy outlet at the end of a stressful and can be a positive distractor from any negative thoughts. Engaging in an activity that brings us pleasure and enjoyment has a physiologic effect on our brains, triggering a release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin and newly discovered brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which is our ammunition in fighting depression and anxiety. Hobbies such as crafting, boxing, book clubs, gardening and many others will also circle back up to emphasizing the importance of socializing and being around others, as isolation can be a trigger for depression and reinforce

anxiety. Remember, activity “activates” us all. The Next Step Which of these items are easiest for you to implement? Take out your phone and enter them into your calendar as nudges to getting started. Including these fundamental activities in your day-to-day will change your life for the better. Your positivity will also begin to affect everyone around you. By following these 5 lifestyle choices, we put ourselves in the best position possible to prevent the onset of depression and anxiety. Though typically we are trying to “kick” habits, these are 5 healthy habits we should all try to “kick” into gear for a better way of living.

his vision come to fruition.” Agencies were able to enroll in training programs which began in April 2019. Since then, more than 100 K9 handlers and 40 emergency medical services and fire personnel have been trained on treating their injured K9s. The Life Flight team is conducting three to five training classes each month and

estimates there are approximately 200 police canines in the Greater Houston area. “The Memorial Hermann Life Flight K9-CCC program is very important to the K9 handler and police K9 officer’s community,” said Kristin Uhlin, Senior Police Officer and Handler/Leader with the Narcotics

Division Canine Detail at the Houston Police Department (HPD). K9 handlers with HPD have participated in the trainings. “Our department is fortunate to have this resource and service available to our team so we can continue to protect and service the Greater Houston area.”

• Integrating the Montessori method into the public school curriculum • Currently offering Pre-K thru 4th • Open enrollment until positions ﬁll

• Comprehension Stem Program • Character & Leadership Development • High Tech – 7 computers per classroom

2319 N. GRAND BLVD., PEARLAND, TX. 77581 www.hmps.net | 281-485-2500 medicaltimesnews.com

January 2021

Page 14

Legal Matters

Continued from page 4 Claims Act by holding and paying for over 130 events at a restaurant owned by a neurosurgeon. Given the risks attendant to speaker programs and HHS-OIG’s skepticism, the Fraud Alert highlighted alternative means for drug and device companies to educate health care professionals about their products. Those suggestions include the provision of online resources, the package inserts for drugs or devices, third-party educational conference and medical journals. What Providers Should Know • The Special Fraud Alert warns that all participants in speaker programs – drug or device companies and health care professionals that present at or attend those events –

Top 5 Tips

Continued from page 3 who find symptoms of cancer, those who need to participate in a regular cancer screening, those who experience certain infections, and those with other potentially serious conditions. 2. Update safety practices, workflows, and precautions. A cornerstone of any strategy to encourage patients to come in for necessary visits during the COVID-19 pandemic is patient safety. Temperature and health questionnaire screenings, mask mandates, sanitation and social distancing policies, and PPE for staff are all familiar, excellent steps, but represent only the beginning of a cohesive patient safety plan that minimizes virus hazards and ensures patient peace of mind. One of the most effective ways to ensure patient safety is by focusing on patient triage. Patients who need COVID-19 tests can call or text from their cars, eliminating the need for them to be in the waiting room. Patients coming in for other issues can be screened on the phone and in the parking lot before directly entering the exam room. Other workflow adjustments can increase patient safety protections even further. For example, scheduling staff and patients strategically keeps the number of people in the clinic low, reducing the risk of virus transmission. In addition, staggering scheduling allows practices to dedicate their limited in-person resources to patients with priority needs, while using telehealth and other solutions for less at-risk populations. One idea is to have senior hours or at-risk hours, a dedicated one-to-two-hour block of appointments January 2021

Houston Medical Times

may be subject to an enforcement action if the programs violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and, by extension, the False Claims Act. • While the Special Fraud Alert does not prohibit speaker programs outright, risk under the Anti-Kickback Statute is a fact-specific inquiry and the Fraud Alert is one tool health care entities can use when assessing their risk. • Health care providers that offer or attend speaker programs should carefully assess whether current practices align with the identified suspect characteristics and determine whether changes are warranted. This includes the evaluation of alternatives to speaker programs which offer education without providing remuneration to health care professionals. • The factors HHS-OIG identified

as suspect are not surprising (e.g. the level of speaker compensation, value of meals provided, program setting or identity of attendees), but there may be other characteristics of suspect programs that health care providers had not contemplated and warrant consideration for any future speaker events. • Given the highly infrequent use of Special Fraud Alerts by HHS-OIG, providers should view the HHS-OIG’s guidance as a warning shot preceding future investigations and enforcement actions. Through the Fraud Alert, HHS-OIG has signaled that speaker programs are a priority area for enforcement which requires health care entities’ full attention. 

each morning for those most at risk. 3. Bolster marketing efforts to communicate new COVID-19 measures to patients. Communicate patient safety policies clearly to patients. Whether you’re reaching patients in person, through your website, or via a phone or telehealth connection, being clear and transparent about the steps your practice is taking to offer safe care during the pandemic will boost patient peace of mind. On-site at your practice, this can mean signage inside and outside pointing out distancing and sanitation measures. Some practices have used color-coding systems to clearly signal to patients which areas, like exam rooms and waiting areas, have already been disinfected before their visit—and the schedule for cleaning. Patients coming into the practice in person represent an opportunity for practice staff and physicians to verbally communicate the new safety procedures, as well as create a sense of precaution by leading by example and adhering to patient safety practices during the appointment. Text, email, patient portal messaging, social media, and website campaigns are all places where you can educate and reassure patients about extra precautions your practice is taking. Showing and communicating with patients that their safety is being prioritized with protective, pandemic-adapted policies gives patients increased peace of mind, making them more likely to come in for any necessary in-person visits. 4. Shore up patient outreach efforts to triage at-risk populations. By proactively targeting certain at-risk and chronic care management (CCM) populations, usually via phone, practices have successfully continued

delivering these patients the in-person care they need, even during the pandemic. This means reaching out to patients who are older or have underlying conditions. Practices can utilize nurse telehealth appointments to triage patient needs and ensure CCM patients are following medical advice, diet recommendations, and taking medications as prescribed. In this way, providers can take care of all or most of the check-up remotely, and reserve in-person space for patients with priority needs. Create a strategy, have a plan, pick up the phone, and drive appointments. Many patients are spending their days at home and are more likely to pick up a call when they see that it is from their healthcare provider. 5. Leverage telehealth to take the pressure off in-person operations. One dilemma medical practices face during the pandemic is how to enact social distancing policies while still providing patients the in-person care they need. For this reason, telehealth has become a critical tool for allowing healthcare providers to offer basic care remotely while freeing up appointment and office space for patients who need in-person care. Medicare and Medicaid compliance codes have been relaxed during the pandemic, allowing practices to deliver certain services via telehealth that had previously been reserved for in-person visits. Using telehealth services to bridge the gap while reserving in-person care for patients with priority needs is a crucial part of any plan to keep patients coming in for necessary visits during the pandemic.

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Looking for a way to jump-start some healthy habits? Build up your baseline of positivity with #21DaysofGratitude! Participating in this challenge can set you up for success, so you can be Healthy for Good. Follow along and share your progress on social!

January 2021

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