The Washington Rheumatology Alliance is focused on creative ways to increase the rheumatology workforce to meet the demand for care, such as instituting clinical rotations in rheumatology for nurse practitioner programs and advocating for pediatric rheumatologist loan forgiveness.
During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic in Washington, D.C., we were asked to evaluate a 14-year-old boy admitted to the pediatric hospitalist service. He had been healthy until two weeks before, when he noted a sore throat, and soon after he developed fevers and rashes without congestion, shortness of breath, conjunctivitis or swollen lymph…
Patients in intensive care may experience dangerous manifestations of rheumatic disease, such as digital ischemia, multi-system organ failure and more. In a session at ACR Convergence 2021, experts addressed how to manage and treat these critically ill patients.
In 2022, rheumatology practices should prepare for documentation, coding, billing and reimbursement revisions related to evaluation and management (E/M), split/shared billing policies and telehealth services.
During ACR Convergence 2021 in early November, the ACR honored a group of individuals who have made significant contributions to rheumatology research, education and patient care, announcing the recipients of the ACR’s 2021 Awards of Distinction, as well as the group of Distinguished Fellows. recognized for their contributions. Three pediatric rheumatologists and one pediatric fellow…
On Dec. 8, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for AstraZeneca’s Evusheld (tixagevimab co-packaged with cilgavimab and administered together) for the pre-exposure prophylaxis (prevention) of COVID-19 in certain adults and pediatric individuals (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kilograms [about 88 pounds]). The product…
ACR CONVERGENCE 2021—Rheumatology patients who test positive for COVID-19 would benefit from early use of monoclonal antibodies, said Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, MD, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth), Houston, in a session about effective treatment options for COVID-19. Acknowledging that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has already…
Physician burnout takes a toll not just on providers, but on their patients and practices as well. Speakers at a recent ACR town hall provided research-based tips to help address the root causes of burnout.
Two sessions at ACR Convergence 2021 addressed a holistic approach to taking care of older patients with RA & other rheumatic diseases.
A presentation at ACR Convergence 2021 discussed the 2020 ACR Guideline for the Management of Gout, the latest information on the risk of cardiovascular death associated with febuxostat and the use of pegloticase for patients with gout.