Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Oct 2020
ReviewTelemedicine and the Interdisciplinary Clinic Model: During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.
The emergence of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the subsequent need for physical distancing have necessitated a swift change in health care delivery. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, many institutions utilized an interdisciplinary clinic model including both a laryngologist and a speech-language pathologist for the evaluation of patients with voice, swallowing, and upper airway disorders. To improve access, many providers are pursuing the use of interdisciplinary telemedicine to provide individualized patient-centered care while allowing for physical distancing. The purpose of this commentary is to review the current literature regarding telemedicine in laryngology and speech-language pathology as well as the current and future states of practice for interdisciplinary tele-evaluations.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Oct 2020
SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Health Care Workers: Cross-sectional Analysis of an Otolaryngology Unit.
The restart of routine in- and outpatient activity in the COVID-19 postepidemic peak needs to be carefully planned in light of specific patterns of viral diffusion. We evaluated SARS-CoV-2 serology in the entire personnel of a COVID-19-free otolaryngology department in a highly affected area. The aim was to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity among staff to clarify the impact of different risk factors for infection. ⋯ The only variable associated with a higher risk of infection was the number of extrahospital contacts without personal protective equipment (P = .008). Our study shows that in non-COVID-19 departments, the use of adequate personal protective equipment leads to low rates of infection among health care workers. The prevalent risk of infection was related to extrahospital contact.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Oct 2020
Creation of a New Educational Podcast: "Headmirror's ENT in a Nutshell".
Podcasts are online digital audio programs that are disseminated via online subscription that are easily accessible through computers or smartphones. Increasingly, residents and medical students are prioritizing podcasts for asynchronous medical education due to ease of use, convenience (eg, use while exercising or commuting), and repeatability. Some trainees have found podcasts more useful than traditional didactic lectures. ⋯ An otolaryngology specialty podcast, "Headmirror's ENT in a Nutshell," was created to augment asynchronous learning and address the acute need for distance learning opportunities. Over the first 7 weeks of production, 50 episodes were created. Episodes were posted on www.headmirror.com, with subscription services available through Apple Podcast, Spotify, and other platforms.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Oct 2020
Revaluation of Otolaryngologic Procedures With 10- and 90-Day Global Periods in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
A recent investigation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) suggests that physicians provide fewer postoperative visits (POVs) than expected for procedures with 10- and 90-day global periods. CMS is now contemplating revaluation of these procedures, which could result in lower Medicare payments to otolaryngologists. ⋯ The top 5 procedures accounted for nearly three-quarters ($6.2 million and $8.6 million; 72.6%) of the estimated Medicare payment reduction. Further study is necessary to guide the development of equitable and effective payment reform.