Bill Passed



Bill requiring child-resistant packaging for e-cigarette liquids passes Congress

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Jessica Meyer was diagnosed with brain cancer at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She had four 21-day cycles of chemotherapy and then 24 radiation treatments. Now she is here to share her story with you. 

After her last treatment, Jessica stated:

“I wanted to look back and see all the cool things I got to do and to educate people on what I was going through,” Jessica said. “It was really tough, but made me look at life differently.”

At the Annual Meeting, CPF will release video interviews with Jessica’s Specialists and have Jessica there in person to discuss her experiences with you all. 

This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear Jessica’s perspective as well as learn more about patient interactions so make sure to come out on March 1st, 2016 at 5:30 to hear “So you think you can be my doctor?” with Miss Jessica Meyer!

RSVP Here

Read more about Jessica Here

 

Jessica’s Bio:

Jessica Meyer is 13 years old. Because of her amazing doctors, she is proud to say she kicked brain cancer’s butt! At the beginning of her 5^th grade year Jessica was diagnosed with brain cancer.  The cancer was a germinoma which was located in her supra cellular region of her central nervous system.  It spread to her pituitary gland, hypothalamus and optic nerve.  Jessica underwent 4 cycles of chemotherapy, 24 rounds of radiation, blood transfusions, spinal taps, and multiple operations as part of her treatment. 

One of Jessica’s favorite quotes is “turn your scars into stars”, by Robert Schuller.  She has certainly done that.  Jessica is the 2015-2016 Tennessee Champion Ambassador for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  Jessica has a passion for educating and inspiring organizations and individuals about her journey. She hopes to make a difference for sick children that are fighting similar battles.  Jessica also continues to share her story and talents with other organizations such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Rally for Kids with Cancer, Extra Life, Bows & Ballcaps Foundation, The River of Hope RadioA thon, and CMNH Telethons.

Jessica continues her straight “A” status in the accelerated program at school.  She is a competitive dancer who competes throughout Tennessee. Her future plans are to use different media outlets to continue to educate and inspire as many people as she can touch. Jessica is working hard to produce her own You Tube channel as well as podcasts and maybe one day even her own Radio Show.

Stay Tuned….

 

CPF had a wonderful partner appreciation luncheon this November! 

A huge thank you to all of our wonderful partners, we couldn’t improve pediatrics without you.

Click here to see a condensed version of the partner powerpoint

Dashing Through the Snow Then to the Emergency Room:

Sledding and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Madi Shultz, SOCKs Communications Fellow

 

            As the winter season arrives, the topic that circulates around every elementary classroom is snow-related school cancelations. Particularly in the south, the irregular snow becomes a symbol of hope to young children impatiently waiting for the day when gloves, hats, snow boots, and sleds are actually needed in Tennessee. Graciously, the winter of 2014-2015 brought with it an abnormal amount of ice and snowstorms that encouraged young children and parents to venture into the icy abyss for the opportunity to sled. However, with this activity came something much less anticipated-a trip to the emergency room.

            Blunt force head trauma is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children, and after the snowstorms that struck Middle Tennessee in 2015, that realization became even more significant. A study conducted at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital currently published in abstract form found that between February 16^th and February 21^st, 2015, 62 children out of the 676 admitted in the time period had a sledding-related injury. Moreover, 16 of the patients required hospitalization and 5 required admissions into the pediatric intensive care unit. A total of 8 children in the study needed operative intervention for the sustained injury.

            With statistics to legitimize the stigma surrounding sledding, many cities have released insurance fines and even bans on sledding including Montville, New Jersey, and Lincoln, Nebraska. City officials in Paxton, Illinois, even removed a community hill to prevent future injuries from occurring. However, since Middle Tennessee rarely experiences significant snow, legislation and public safety communication regarding injury prevention may not be as well established.

            To prevent unplanned trips to the emergency department on snow days the following practices are recommended:

·         Wear a helmet

·         Use appropriate sled gear

·         Sled on the right terrain

·         Refrain from sledding headfirst

Every year in the United States 20,000 children are sent to the emergency department as a result of sledding-related injuries, and it may be time for Tennessee to better publicize the severity of sledding-related injuries. With better communication of this severity, a safer environment for winter activities can be achieved. 

From HealthTradition.com

 

December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 251,700 toy-related injuries in 2010 throughout the United States. 72% were to people less than 15 years of age. Additionally, in 2007 alone, toymakers recalled over 19 million toys worldwide because of safety concerns such as lead paint and small magnets.

When it comes to toys and gifts, the excitement and desire to get your children their favorite toys may cause shoppers to forget about safety factors associated with them. Before you make these purchases, it is critical to remember to consider the safety and age range of the toys.

Prevent Blindness America has declared December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month.  The group encourages everyone to consider if the toys they wish to give suits the age and individual skills and abilities of the individual child who will receive it, especially for infants and children under age three.

This holiday season (and beyond), please consider the following guidelines for choosing safe toys for all ages:

• Inspect all toys before purchasing. Avoid those that shoot or include parts that fly off. The toy should have no sharp edges or points and should be sturdy enough to withstand impact without breaking, being crushed, or being pulled apart easily.
• When purchasing toys for children with special needs try to:  Choose toys that may appeal to different senses such as sound, movement, and texture; consider interactive toys to allow the child to play with others; and think about the size of the toy and the position a child would need to be in to play with it. Consult the “AblePlay” website at http://www.ableplay.org/ for more information.
• Be diligent about inspecting toys your child has received. Check them for age, skill level, and developmental appropriateness before allowing them to be played with.
• Look for labels that assure you the toys have passed a safety inspection – “ATSM” means the toy has met the American Society for Testing and Materials standards.
• Gifts of sports equipment should always be accompanied by protective gear (give a helmet with the skateboard)
• Keep kids safe from lead in toys by:  Educating yourself about lead exposure from toys, symptoms of lead poisoning, and what kinds of toys have been recalled; being aware that old toys may be more likely to contain lead in the paint; having your children wash their hands frequently and calling your doctor if you suspect your child has been exposed to lead. Consult the last two websites listed below for more information.
• Do NOT give toys with small parts (including magnets and “button” batteries which can cause serious injury or death if ingested) to young children as they tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking. If the piece can fit inside a toilet paper roll, it is not appropriate for kids under age three.
• Do NOT give toys with ropes and cords or heating elements
• Do NOT give crayons and markers unless they are labeled “nontoxic”.

After Opening Gifts:

Dispose of the wrapping paper! 

From the IAC:

Leading professional societies, CDC, and IAC unite to release national call-to-action emphasizing the importance of second dose of MCV4 vaccine

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College Health Association (ACHA), Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) have issued a joint “Dear Colleague” letter, urging health care professionals to strongly recommend and administer the second (booster) dose of meningococcal ACWY vaccine (MenACWY or MCV4) at age 16.
 
According to CDC, the meningococcal meningitis booster vaccination rate is an estimated 28.5% for eligible teens, compared to 79.3% for the primary dose. Despite CDC recommendations for a booster dose at age 16, after an initial vaccination at age 11 or 12, fewer than 30% of 17-year-olds have received the second vaccination needed to enhance protection against meningococcal meningitis caused by serogroups A, C, W, and Y. The “Dear Colleague” letter supports a national call-to-action for health care professionals to improve this alarming statistic.
 
CDC strongly recommends a booster dose at age 16 because protection wanes in most teens within five years after the primary vaccination. By vaccinating fewer than 1 in 3 eligible teens, we are leaving millions of young adults without the protection they need against potentially deadly and crippling meningococcal disease. Meningococcal meningitis has a 10–15% fatality rate and cases have occurred in which an otherwise healthy young person contracts the illness, becomes severely sick, and dies in as few as 24 hours after the first symptoms appear.
 
The “Dear Colleague” letter includes a statement from Anne Schuchat, MD, principal deputy director of CDC, who notes, “A clinician’s endorsement of immunization has long been recognized as a key factor in improving immunization rates.”  
 
To help health care professionals in their efforts to recommend meningococcal meningitis vaccine and improve immunization rates, IAC has developed several resources that are available on its website at www.immunize.org/meningococcal. In addition, health care professionals can visit www.Give2MCV4.org to download free educational materials and tools, including fact sheets, talking points, an overview of adolescent immunization recommendations, Q&As, and other useful resources.
 
The joint “Dear Colleague” letter serves as a rallying cry for all health care providers to assure your adolescent patients are adequately protected. Remember—You’re not done if you give just one! Give 2 doses to strengthen protection.

Related Links

“Dear Colleague” letter 

• “Dear Colleague” letter supporting improved rates for second dose of MCV4 vaccine
• Press Release announcing publication of  “Dear Colleague” letter (November 11, 2015)  

Meningococcal resources from Give2MCV4 project 

• www.give2mcv4.org website
• MCV4: You’re Not Done If You Give Just One; Give 2 Doses to Strengthen Protection—Fact sheet and call to action 
• Recommending MCV4: What to Say and How to Say It
• Vaccinate Adolescents: Think 1–2–3—Overview of adolescent immunization recommendations, including Tdap, MCV4, HPV, and annual influenza vaccines 
• Top 10 Ways to Improve Adolescent Immunization Rates

Meningococcal Resources from IAC 

• Meningococcal Disease—Collection of resources for teen patients and their parents, including websites, brochures, personal stories, videos, photos, and more 
• Meningococcal: Questions and Answers—Information about the Disease and Vaccines

Meningococcal Resources from CDC 

• Meningococcal Vaccine for Preteens and Teens—FAQs about meningococcal vaccination (for patients and their parents) 
• National, Regional, State, and Selected Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years—United States, 2014—2014 NIS-Teen data

From the IAC:

CDC launches #VaxWithMe selfie photo campaign to promote influenza vaccination 

CDC has launched the #VaxWithMe selfie campaign as an innovative way to capture and share influenza vaccination promotion across various digital platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube). This campaign encourages individuals to share photos and videos of themselves during or after getting vaccinated against influenza, using the hashtag #VaxWithMe.

View an interactive display of selfies posted for the campaign.