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The rate of emergency departments (ED) visits for bicycle-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions decreased by almost half (49%) among children, but only by 6% among adults between 2009 and 2018 according to a new report in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Key findings from the report, “Emergency Department Visits Due to Bicycle-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Children and Adults — United States, 2009-2018,” also show that:

  • There were more than half a million estimated ED visits for bicycle-related TBI in the U.S. during the study period.
  • The rate of ED visits for bicycle-related TBI decreased by almost half (49%) among children age 17 and under, and by only 6% among adults during the study period.
  • Among all age groups examined, ED visits for bicycle-related TBIs were highest for children ages 10-14 years.
  • The rate of bicycle-related TBI ED visits among males of all ages was three times greater than among females.

Bicycling is a great physical activity and is growing in popularity among Americans. Findings in this report highlight the need to expand effective bicycle safety interventions such as improving compliance to traffic laws, helmet use and bicycling infrastructure. These can help children and adults enjoy the benefits of bicycling and stay safe from injury, including TBIs.

Additional Information:

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Letter from ODP Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens:

May 17, 2021
Dear Providers:

One of Pennsylvania’s greatest resources in supporting the vision of an everyday life is its workforce, more specifically our dedicated Direct Service Professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for so many people; impacting all facets of our society. The intellectual disability and autism community has been no exception, including the additional erosion of our workforce.

In the past many weeks, I have heard directly from you about the incredible strain that staffing shortages have placed on agencies. I want providers to know that we hear you and are actively working to alleviate pressure where we can without further compromising individual health and safety.

We recognize that it is not just your direct support workforce that is experiencing unprecedented strain but your entire organizations. To that end, several actions are being taken by the Office that may provide a measure of relief on your program management and clinical staff. These actions include:

  • Postponing full implementation of the updated Incident Management process that requires a Department-certified investigator to complete investigations for reported abuse to an individual by another individual and incidents of injuries requiring treatment beyond first aid as a result of an accidental injury.
  • Agencies unable to complete the Health Risk Screening Tool (HSRT) for all individuals receiving residential habilitation by the June 30, 2021 deadline will be asked to provide a plan for completion with the anticipated benchmark and completion timelines for their agency.
  • ODP is extending the period in which the Modified Medication Administration Course can be used until December 31, 2021. ODP is also indefinitely extending the timeframe for those staff to be subsequently trained with the Standard Medication Administration Training Course.

Communications detailing the above changes will be issued over the next few weeks.

During this difficult time, I ask that you please remain in contact with ODP Regional Office staff and Administrative Entities for any concerns or questions regarding your agency’s level of staffing. We have asked Administrative Entities to facilitate discussions with providers to review all of the flexibilities available through Appendix K and regulatory suspensions to ensure that providers are able to maximize these flexibilities to address staffing shortages.

In the face of this challenge I remain optimistic; for I have seen the creativity, resiliency, and dedication demonstrated by the ID/A provider network during this pandemic.

Sincerely,
Kristin Ahrens
Deputy Secretary

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The RCPA Finance and Reimbursement Committee met last week. The recording of the meeting is available to RCPA members here. Rick Smith from the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) fiscal office reported that 20% of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) providers had not yet submitted the expense report accounting for the use of CARES Act 24 funds that were paid to providers due to COVID-related expenses. Providers who do not submit the necessary documentation will be required to repay the funds and will be receiving a recoupment letter from the Department of Human Services.

We strongly encourage any provider who has received these funds to submit the necessary documentation in order to retain the funding. ODP is open to still accepting the documentation, so there is time to avoid repayment if action is taken quickly.

If you have any questions regarding this process or need assistance to complete the documentation, please contact Carol Ferenz, RCPA Director of IDD Division.

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Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

RecoveryIsCommunityNWPA, UPMC Western Behavioral Health at Safe Harbor, and Mercyhurst University are presenting a free Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) Awareness 2021 Virtual Conference Series. The goal of the series is to increase awareness of NAS to help prevent it.

Free CEU/CME credits are available through Mercyhurst University and UPMC. Attendees may attend any of the sessions.

More information is available here.

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The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published an interim final rule with comment period (IFC) in the May 13, 2021 Federal Register that revises the infection control requirements that long-term care (LTC) facilities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The goal of this IFC is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by requiring education about COVID-19 vaccines for LTC facility residents, ICF-IID clients, and staff serving both populations, and by requiring that such vaccines, when available, be offered to all residents, clients, and staff. It also requires LTC facilities to report COVID-19 vaccination status of residents and staff to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These requirements are necessary to help protect the health and safety of ICF-IID clients and LTC facility residents. In addition, the rule solicits public comments on the potential application of these or other requirements to other congregate living settings over which CMS has regulatory or other oversight authority. The regulations are effective on May 21, 2021; however, comments will be accepted but must be submitted by 5:00 pm on July 12, 2021 to be assured for consideration.

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