Update from the Chair

Hello all,

It’s unfortunate that we won’t be able to see each other in person at the section meeting this year. On September 17th and 18th, I participated in the Michigan chapter’s Observation Medicine Science and Solutions Conference – which was also a virtual affair this year. This featured a panel that discussed the impact of COVID on our observation units (OU).

Each group rose to the challenge by developing unique solutions. Some units closed entirely, and the OU providers were re-deployed in active patient care areas. Some units remained open but at reduced capacity. Some groups embraced telemedicine or “tele-obs” as a way to involve at-risk providers in virtual patient care. Either way, we have in important story to tell, and I hope our section has the opportunity to publish our collective experience. Perhaps this is something we can discuss at or after the section meeting.

Speaking of the section meeting, it will be held on October 28th from 1:00-3:00 PM EDT via Zoom. We will have Dr. David McKenzie, ACEP’s Reimbursement Director, talk about Obs billing and coding. Elections will occur prior to the meeting, but we will discuss the results. Finally, Dr. Chris Caspers will be taking over as section chair. It’s been an honor to serve in this position for the last two years, and I’m excited to see where the section can go under Dr. Caspers’ leadership.

Matthew Wheatley, MD, FACEP