Southwest Pediatrics Medical Home newsletter

July 2009

H1N1 influenza pandemic: What's the significance of a pandemic?

Comprehensive and compassionate care.

A hidden treasure: Katy's Kloset.

Even consider a medical grant?

Upcoming events.

Clinic notes: 2009 flu season information.

Get creative @ your library.

H1N1 influenza pandemic: What's the significance of a pandemic?

Christopher Schwake, MD, pediatrician, CMG-Southwest Pediatrics

In March and April 2009, a form of influenza that previously only afflicted animals of swine origin began to infect humans, first in Mexico and then ultimately spreading to the U.S. It is believed that this new influenza A (H1N1) virus is passed between people in much the same way the common influenza viruses that are seen during the fall and winter spread by coming in contact with the coughs and sneezes of people who are ill with the virus and by touching one's mouth or nose after touching objects that are covered with virus. The collection of symptoms seen with the HIN1 virus also are similar to the typical influenza virus - fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some affected people also have complained about nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea.

After it was clear that the virus was spreading person to person in the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control activated its Emergency Operations Center (April 22, 2009) to better coordinate the public health response. Because the H1N1 virus is new to humans, one initial concern was how people's immune systems would fight off such an infection. As with typical influenza, the greatest concern is for those who are medically fragile, such as the elderly or infants, and those with underlying health issues, especially those with chronic respiratory conditions or compromised immune systems.

An additional concern was whether or not people's immune systems would have an exaggerated response to the new virus, making those affected feel worse with more significant symptoms than seen with the typical influenza. As noted above, the initial data suggests this is not the case for the large majority of those infected, but the potential still exists for more severe illness as the virus evolves. On April 26, 2009, the U.S. Government declared a public health emergency and has been actively implementing the nation's pandemic response plan.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that a global pandemic of new influenza A (H1N1) was occurring by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6 . This change was made because of the continuing spread of the virus, not because of the severity of illness. Since it was determined that the H1N1 virus had reached a pandemic stage this spring, national and global efforts have been made to allocate funds, resources and supplies (including testing materials, antiviral drugs, personal protective equipment and respiratory protection devices) to fight the spread of existing disease, limit severity of existing illness and hopefully prevent future cases through the development of a H1N1 vaccine. Without the pandemic designation, such efforts may not have been able to be made, especially given the existing state of the global economy.

The H1N1 virus and the impact of the illness on our society further stresses the importance of the steps taken by our office and other providers throughout the country during the common influenza season during fall and winter. We encourage everyone in our practice to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine this fall, unless your physician has said that your child should not receive the vaccine for a specific reason. We will alert you when we know more about a possible H1N1 influenza vaccine becoming available. For additional information, please visit the CDC Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.

Comprehensive and compassionate care

Bob Rohloff, MD, pediatrician, CMG-Southwest Pediatrics

Southwest Pediatrics is building a Medical Home. A Medical Home is not a building but a way of practicing pediatrics that is accessible, continuous, comprehensive, family-centered, coordinated, compassionate and culturally effective. This is the third article in a three part series aimed at explaining what each of these characteristics means and how they apply to our pediatric practice. The previous articles (see the March and May 2009 issues) discussed these terms: family centered, coordinated, accessible, continuous and culturally effective. In this issue, comprehensive and compassionate will be described.

Comprehensive

Care is provided by well trained pediatricians who are willing to manage your child's medical and psychological  health care needs or refer to appropriate specialists. This care is available in the office or by phone 24 hours a day, every day of the year. All of the child and family's needs are identified and addressed whether they are medical, social, psychological or financial. During well child visits the child's growth and development are evaluated. All aspects of the child's life are assessed. Immunizations are provided. Extra time is scheduled for children with special health care needs. The physician helps in referring to specialists and remains involved with the family to offer assistance. The physician is an advocate for the family and child in the community, helping the family identify community resources. All of this is done in partnership with the family.

Compassionate

The office staff and the physician have a genuine concern for the well being of the child and family. The physician empathizes with the problems the child and family are facing.

These are the characteristics of the medical home. All physicians like to feel that they are providing "quality care" to their patients. The medical home characteristics define what quality care really should be. Research has shown that families are happier in a medical home office. It also has been shown that health care in a medical home is less expensive over time for families of children and youth with special health care needs. It takes a great deal of time and effort to build a medical home but we at Southwest Pediatrics are committed to making that effort. Feel free to visit our parent resource center or attend one of our parent information meetings. Above all, please feel free to let us know how we are doing and how we can better meet your needs.

A hidden treasure: Katy's Kloset

Julie Turkoske, information and referral specialist, Southeast Regional Center for CYSHCN and president, Board of Directors for Katy's Kloset

Katy's Kloset Equipment Lending Library is a service of Team Up! With Families. Team Up! supports Katy's Kloset by providing the rental of the warehouse space, office supplies, phones and utilities necessary to keep Katy's Kloset open. There is no paid staff, every member of the Katy's Kloset team is a volunteer.

Katy's Kloset specializes in assistive devices and medical equipment for children and adults. The equipment that comes to Katy's Kloset is donated by families who no longer need it and then it is loaned out free of charge to other families or individuals.

Families might borrow equipment if their child is waiting for their insurance to approve the purchase of a new item, if their current equipment is broken and "in the shop" for repair, or just to try it with their child to see if it is helpful. No prescription is required; but it is recommended that families have their child's therapist look over the item they have borrowed to ensure a good fit.

Some examples of items you may find at Katy's Kloset are wheelchairs, standers, canes, crutches, bath seats and much more. In addition to these types of equipment, visitors also will find a variety of non-durable supplies such as g-tube feeding supplies, incontinence products and occasionally some samples of formulas.

Some frequently requested items, such as collapsible strollers and adapted bikes are difficult to come by. Volunteers keep lists of people waiting for those items.

Katy's Kloset recently moved to W246 S3244 Industrial Lane in Waukesha, just off of Sunset Drive. Katy's Kloset is run by dedicated volunteers and is open most Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and other times by appointment. Please know that you will need to leave a message most times but someone will return your call. For more information about borrowing or donating or for more information about Team Up! With Families visit www.teamupwithfamilies.org or call (262) 746-9034. 

Ever consider a medical grant?

Kimberly Gunn, parent, member of the Parent Advisory Committee

Asking for help can be hard for many of us to do. But when it comes to our children, many of us put our pride aside to make certain their needs are met. I always thought I would work part time after I had children. When our twins were born premature, and one had cranio and heart defects, it became obvious working was not an option. I became a stay at home mother for the next four years.

As the economy worsened our budget tightened. I investigated how I could stay home and keep our budget out of the red. The main cost that impacted our budget was a nutritional supplement. My daughter requires a feeding tube to ensure her complete nutrition, at a cost of $250 per month. PediaSure® is considered a special diet and not covered by a majority of health insurance companies. Then I got information about a medical grant through the United Healthcare Children's Foundation. I thought it would take a lot of work and time to fill out all the information needed to apply for the medical grant. I couldn't have been more wrong!

A medical grant is charity funded, and its goal is to guarantee medically necessary services are available to children. With gaps in commercial medical plans, families often are left to assume a large amount of debt, or children do not receive medically necessary services. United Healthcare Children's Foundation was aware of this gap and decided to assist families with their children's medical expenses. They award grants up to $5,000 depending on your child's needs this amount can vary considerably.

To get started all you need to do is go to www.unitedhealthcarechildrensfoundation.org. Then click on "To Apply" and go over both the application criteria and application checklist. Once you have all the information required on the checklist in hand, you can begin the online application process. It takes about 15-20 minutes to complete the application. Please be aware once you being the online application you must complete it in its entirety. If you do not qualify for the grant it will inform you immediately during the online application process. Once you have finished the online application you will be asked to mail in the appropriate paperwork within 60 days. After they receive your paperwork, the foundation's board will meet to review your application and you will be notified through the mail. The entire application process can take from one to three months.

Upcoming events

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Part 1: Diagnosis
Guest speakers: Robert Rohloff, MD, and Christopher Schwake, MD
Oct. 6, 2009
6-8 p.m.
Community Room
New Berlin Public Library
15105 Library Lane
New Berlin, WI 53151 

Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Part 2: Treatment and Medication
Guest speakers: Marianne Burton, PhD, child psychologist, and Paul Norton, MD, developmental behavioral pediatrician
Nov. 10, 2009
6-8 p.m.
Community Room
New Berlin Public Library
15105 Library Lane
New Berlin, WI 53151 

Presented by The Southwest Pediatrics' Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Parent Advisory Committee and the New Berlin Public Library. 

TAG: Transition Advisory Group
Meetings are held at ARCh
419 Frederick St., Waukesha, Wis.
6:30-8 p.m.
Please RSVP to Julie: (414) 266-3188, jturkowske@chw.org, or Monica: (262) 542-9811, advocacyarch@ameritech.net. 

Aug. 12: Networking and potluck (parent roundtable on MCO choices)

Sept. 16: Guardianship-Rock Pledl, Attorney

Clinic notes: 2009 flu season information

Amy Kastens, RN, CMG-Southwest Pediatrics

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children ages 6 months to 18 years receive the flu vaccine.

FluMist®

The FluMist vaccine is recommended for children ages 2 and older. This is a live, weakened virus vaccine sprayed in the nose. It is not recommended for children with a history of wheezing. It provides protection against most strains of influenza for up to 13 months.

Flu shot

The flu shot is recommended for children older than 6 months. This is an inactivated virus vaccine. It is available with or without a preservative. It provides protection against most strains of influenza for up to 6 months.

Mark you calendar

In August , we will begin scheduling for the following Flu Clinics:

• Saturday, Sept. 19.
• Saturday, Oct. 3.
• Saturday, Oct. 17.
• Saturday, Nov. 7.
• Saturday, Nov. 21.

All clinics are from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Flu vaccines are given by appointment only!

Get creative @ your library

Melissa Schneider, deputy library director and head of Youth Services, New Berlin Public Library

Looking for something to do this summer?

Get creative and join the summer reading program at the New Berlin Public Library! We have a reading program for all ages. If your child is very young and cannot yet read, you can read to him or her, keep track of the time and earn prizes. Children who can read on their own can also join and keep track of the time they read to win prizes. We also have a reading program for teens and for adults of all ages as well. So stop in, sign up and get reading.

In addition to the reading programs, we have activities for all ages. There are story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Bedtime stories take place twice a month in the evenings. There's also a playgroup for young children and their caregivers to play and socialize at 9:30 a.m. every Friday.

For school age children, we have Chess Club, Craft Club, Knitting and Crochet club, Lego club, language classes (such as French, Spanish, Chinese, and Sign Language) and our summer Read to Rover program to help children  improve their reading skills by reading aloud to a therapy dog.

The Friends of the New Berlin Public Library will be sponsoring our Percy the Friends Peacock coloring contest. Pick up your coloring sheet at the Youth Services Desk anytime beginning Aug. 10. Color your fish and return it to the Youth Reference Desk on or before Sept. 8 (Make sure your phone number is on the back). Children ages 3-12 are welcome to participate and cash prizes will be awarded. The contest is divided into three age groups and there will be a first, second and third place winner in each group, plus an honorable mention for each age. Winners will be notified by Sept.16 and the winning fish will be on display in the Friends display case in the library lobby. All other entries will be on display near the Youth Services Desk. Judges for the coloring contest are Friends members and a local artist.

Adults can get creative too at the library this summer! In addition to several monthly book clubs, we have other creative programs. Join us for our "Learn About the Artist Series." Participants will jump into the library's collection to learn about famous artists, view a short art video and receive a book list on library resources. New at the library this summer is the Walking Art Tour. The library was awarded the "Picturing America" grant. Please enjoy this rotating exhibit and plan on attending our Gallery Night @ NBPL later this year.

Are you a knitter? Interested in learning a new way to recycle old rags, clothes and fabric? Come to our Rag Bag program and learn how you can recycle these materials into awesome "rag bags" to hold your library books.

Due to the furlough days required by the City of New Berlin, the New Berlin Public Library will be closed Friday, Aug. 7, and Friday, Sept. 4.

There are so many ways to Be Creative @ Your Library this summer! Get involved at the New Berlin Public Library. All programs are FREE! You do not need to be a New Berlin resident to participate in our programs. For a complete list of programs with dates, times and age limits, please stop in and pick up a program guide, or view one on our Web site at www.newberlin.lib.wi.us.