"Sending you congratulations on your Saturday scheduled COVID injections for your patients. My husband and I were totally pleased and amazed with how the entire process was handled. Your staff was completely professional and organized. Our entire time from start to finish was 20 minutes, including our 15 minute observation time. Y'all rocked it!"

-Sandi

Just wanted to thank you for getting me my COVID vaccine shot today!  Also, I don't know who was responsible for organizing the MARC today for all of us getting our shots but he/she/they are to be congratulated!  It was a super good job of organizing EVERYTHING!  No waiting, nurses helping all along the way, everything going so smoothly.  A great job!"

-UT Health patient 

"Kathy and I were able to get our first COVID vaccines today. Just wanted to commend the organization and well-planned procedure. It could not have gone better."

-Bob

"Jan and I received our COVID shots yesterday, and I will report that it was the best run operation I have ever experienced. We arrived a half hour early because we thought the garage would be a disaster, the lines would be long and wait times would be frustrating. I could not have been more wrong. The staff was efficient, friendly, courteous and kind--though their feet HAD to hurt and the scope of the effort seemed overwhelming. I am beyond impressed. Kudos to the planning, staffing and execution of this daunting task. The MARC needs to explain to the feds how to run a perfect campaign."

-David

"I had my first COVID vaccine Saturday and I have to commend your team for an amazingly efficient operation. I walked in and out in less than 5 minutes, then just had to wait 15 minutes to monitor for side effects. For a task the scope of this endeavor, it’s a comfort to know the professionalism behind the planning and execution of this vital community undertaking. Congratulations to all involved."

-UT Health patient

"We have been absolutely enthralled with the unbelievable experience(s) we have encountered at the Shavano Clinic. First was our PCR test scheduling back in Oct./Nov. with super special handling and then when we returned from the Maldives just a few days ago and had another PCR test with results that evening and a vaccination the next day! The customer service, attention to detail and follow up (she called to see how we were feeling after the shot and how my foot—small problem—was doing) is over the top! Please, please, please give Maria a great big pat on the back and recognition for being simply the best!! You have an outstanding team and should be very proud of them."

-Peter & Susanne

Didn't get a chance to attend the awards ceremony? Watch the recorded ceremony here.

The following individuals received Silver Star Awards for providing excellent service to their patients and colleagues.

• Ruben Mesa, M.D., Executive Director, Mays Cancer Center
• Maria Stewart-Leal, Practice Manager, Primary Care
• Maria Paz, Surgery Scheduler, Neurosurgery
• Sandra Bocanegra, LVN, Neurology
• Victor Koretsky, Clinic Information systems Analyst-Associate, Epic Care Team
• Amber Gonzalez, Medical Assistant Psychiatry
• Indy Arredondo, Radiation Therapist, Mays Cancer Center - Radiation Oncology
• Ann Vela, Ophthalmic Assistant, Ophthalmology 
• Bonnie Valdez, Ophthalmic Assistant, Ophthalmology 
• Sandy Martinez, Benefit Coordinator, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
• Linda Alonzo, Scheduler, Radiology

The following practices received Patient Experience High Five Practice Champion Awards. Scores are based on the likelihood that patients would recommend practices as a provider's office. 

• Orthopaedics at UT Health Hill Country, 95.74
• Primary Care at UT Health Hill Country, 95.74
• Cardiology at the Medical Arts & Research Center, 95.83
• General Surgery at the Medical Arts & Research Center, 95.83
• Allergy Clinic at Westgate, 96.05
• Surgical Oncology at the Mays Cancer Center, 96.33
• Primary Care at UT Health Shavano Park, 96.64
• Vascular Surgery at the Medical Arts & Research Center, 96.7
• Otolaryngology at the Medical Arts & Research Center, 97.36

The Diabetes Practice at the Medical Arts & Research Center was named the Patient Experience Practice Champion with a score of 97.69.

To learn more about the UT Health Stars and Shield Awards or submit an award nomination, click here. 

In a positive development for San Antonio’s COVID vaccine efforts, the state has designated UT Health San Antonio’s clinical practice a vaccine hub. This unique designation targets a population of over 120,000 of San Antonio’s most medically complex and vulnerable patients (e.g., older patients with cancer and dementia as well as those with complex lung, heart and kidney disease) in Tier 1B who reside in all areas of the city, including every zip code in Bexar County. UT Health San Antonio’s clinical practice is the largest physician practice in the region and cares for more of the sickest patients in the city given its specialty in complex disease management.

This is good news for San Antonians as early supply of the vaccine has been unpredictable and inconsistent. Through this effort, we can vaccinate more of the sickest, most vulnerable population in our community.

UT Health San Antonio was selected by the state to care specifically for this population of patients, in part, because of its demonstrated effectiveness in vaccine distribution having already administered more than 16,000 doses efficiently and safely. Too, with its health care infrastructure, it is able to accept, store, administer and track the Pfizer vaccine, which fewer sites are able to handle given the storage and processing of that particular vaccine.  

Through its most advanced electronic medical record system, UT Health San Antonio can also better manage health information that is accessible to patients securely 27/7 allowing for real-time communication and access to over 120,000 high-risk patients who reside in all communities in Bexar County.

Given UT Health San Antonio’s state mandate to prioritize and rapidly administer vaccination of this highly vulnerable population and with the supply it anticipates receiving, open scheduling for general public vaccination is not available at this time. UT Health San Antonio has given thousands of doses to other agencies and local health care organizations to ensure front line healthcare workers and others in Tier 1A are vaccinated.

There is a proactive community coalition that has been formed led by the City of San Antonio and Bexar County that is working diligently and tirelessly to address the vaccination needs of Tier 1B and more of our city’s population as supply becomes increasingly available over the next several months. UT Health San Antonio has joined this community consortium that includes the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, University Health and the South Texas Regional Advisory Council (STRAC) to continually develop the plan and logistics for mass vaccination of Bexar County residents following the tiered guidelines from the CDC and the state. UT Health San Antonio will continue to share a portion of its vaccine to support the efforts of this coalition to support the needs of our city.

Important takeaways

• While limited, our community is receiving what is to be expected as a continuous supply of Pfizer vaccine to administer to the sickest and most vulnerable patients across the community.
• Through its efficiency and effectiveness in accepting, storing, and administering vaccine, UT Health San Antonio has been designated a vaccine hub with the mandate to administer to its patients, San Antonio’s most vulnerable population, in Tier 1B.
• In an environment where supply is scarce and unpredictable, this state mandated effort is helpful and supportive in ensuring some significant portion of San Antonio’s sickest and most vulnerable have access to the vaccine. UT Health San Antonio, with its unique ability to handle the intricate requirements of the Pfizer vaccination, is but one good solution to help administer vaccine to this vulnerable population.
• City and County officials are partnering effectively with health providers, community partners and other industries to work through and best manage the scarcity of supply. Communities across Texas and across the country are experiencing this same issue. There is the willingness to partner and distribute the vaccine as U.S. supply arrives, which as today varies and is inconsistent.
• Like other health care partners in the city, UT Health San Antonio will continue to work collaboratively with the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District to give any available supply it may have to support the robust vaccination efforts of Bexar County’s general population and as Tiers expand over the coming months.

UT Health San Antonio doctors and providers are invited to join the San Antonio Pediatric Society Monthly Meeting on Jan. 21, 2021 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. This month's meeting topic is Pediatric COVID-19 Updates and Physician Wellness, hosted by UT Health San Antonio Department of Pediatrics and University Health. The meeting will take place virtually through WebEx, CME offered.

If you are a doctor or provider and have questions or would like to attend the webinar, please contact Holly Wayment at: 210-450-3393, wayment@uthscsa.edu or Nicholas Guevara at: 210-644-4111, Nicholas.guevara2@uhs-sa.com

The agenda is as follows:

• Announcements
• Pediatric COVID-19 Updates, presented by J.B. Cantey, MD, MPH-Neonatologist/Pediatric Infectious Disease Specialist
• UT Health San Antonio-Physician Wellness, presented by Jon Courand, MD, Professor and Vice Chair for Pediatrics, Assistant Dean for Wellness in GME
• UT Health San Antonio-Physician Wellness Co-speaker, presented by Holly Wayment, MSJ, Physician Relations Specialist-Senior and Author

The Patient-Centered Medical Home is the best current model of primary care, where a team of medical assistants, nurses, behavioral health specialists, and physicians collaborate to address the specific needs of each patient. Everyone stays informed sharing an electronic health records system. That model is not good enough, says Carlos Roberto Jaén, M.D., Ph.D., one of the initial... Read the full article.

The 2020 issue of Future magazine is now available online.
Future is the official magazine of the Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Read and share inspiring stories highlighting our medical alumni, faculty and students who are revolutionizing education, research, patient care and critical services in the communities they serve. Read the 2020 issue >

With permission from your medical director, UT Health Physicians staff are invited to have some fun with fashion every Friday this October.

Friday, Oct. 16: Spirit & Scrubs

Show your UT Health San Antonio spirit on Orange Out Friday. Wear a spirit week t-shirt with your blue scrub bottoms. Post your pride on social using #UTHealthSAPerformance.

Friday, Oct. 23: Fashion for a Cause

October is breast cancer awareness month. Wear a pink top or breast cancer support shirt with your blue scrub bottoms.

Friday, Oct. 30: Halloween Eve

Wear a pink/breast cancer awareness shirt. Or, wear your work-ready Halloween costume.

Keep these rules in mind:

- Employee ID must be worn

- Employee must be easily identifiable

- Wear approved masks only. Patient-facing staff must wear surgical masks.

- No scary or inappropriate costumes. It must be young-child friendly.

If you have any questions, please speak to your manager. Or, contact Casey Peterson.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

It’s been a little while since my last update.  That’s good news for it means we’ve had no new crises.  Let me start with a big THANK YOU as we continue to work shoulder-to-shoulder on the challenges imposed by this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  It’s certainly not over, yet we are beginning to see glimmers of hope on the horizon.  This is all due to your continued dedication to the mission of caring for our patients during these most trying times.  So again, thank you.

As we prepare for this next phase of this pandemic, school/university re-openings and high-volume rapid turnaround COVID tests are taking center stage.  Here are a few important updates:

A Note on Predicting the Next COVID Surge

Sg2 was quite helpful in predicting the last surge.  However, there are two new variables which impact this model (or any model for that matter) – uncertainties related to seroprevalence and the impact of school openings.

Nevertheless, Sg2 predicts if current mitigation levels of masking, distancing, and testing are maintained we can anticipate a steady rate of COVID hospitalizations during and after schools reopen this Fall.  However, during this time frame the citywide COVID census is not predicted to pose high stress levels on our health care system compared to the last surge.  This projection will be closely monitored and modified as more information becomes available.

What About the Flu?

The impact of influenza this winter is not clear, so we will be watching it closely.  We do anticipate some individuals will get co-infected with both COVID and influenza, in which case they will be at high risk for poor outcomes including death.  We strongly encourage everyone get a flu shot this Fall.  Information on vaccine administration at UTHP sites and Wellness 360 will be made available soon.  In the event you become ill, you should immediately contact your supervisor, stay home, call your PCP, and promptly obtain flu and COVID testing.  Again, we encourage everyone to maintain masking, distancing, and handwashing since these measures also reduce the likelihood of getting the flu (although they are not a substitute for getting the flu shot).

A Few Important Notes on COVID Testing

1. Reporting of Ambulatory Results

a. For tests ordered from UT Epic.  In order to improve turnaround times, COVID test results are now auto-released through MyChart at 24 hours (rather than manual release).  Likewise, UT lab personal are no longer calling positive results to ordering providers.  This will give the lab more time to focus on test throughput and turnaround times.

b. For tests ordered from UHS Epic or through the Standing Delegated Nursing Order at the Pavilion.  Results are routed to your UHS Epic in-basket.  Pre-procedure + COVID results will continue to be called to the ordering proceduralists.  If you are experiencing something different, please let me know.

2. If you work in the PCC, Geriatrics Clinic, or Mays Cancer Center (locations where frequent COVID testing is performed), COVID tests not only populate the ordering provider’s in-basket, but now also a clinic-specific COVID in-basket.  This gives on-call providers easy access to results afterhours.

3. Repeat COVID Testing is not indicated for Follow Up of Positive Pre-Procedure Tests.  Instead, we endorse a symptom-based strategy for moving forward with rescheduling the procedure (see first attachment for updated UT Health guidance).  This is consistent with the CDC guidelines and UHS Policy (see attachments two and three which have also recently been updated, OR click this link to access UHS COVID Clearinghouse).  Also, if a patient had a + COVID test done at an outside facility, it would be helpful for the patient to bring the official copy of the result so it can be uploaded into our EMR.  If we have such documentation, we will not require re-testing which the patient will appreciate.  One can only stand having a swab stuck up his or her nose so many times.

A Note on Clinic Costs and Scanning Notes 

Remember, clinics are charged a few cents for every page sent for scanning.  One way to keep clinic costs down is by minimizing scans.  Instead of sending the full hospitalization record for scanning (which may include blank pages, demographics, etc), consider just scanning the most relevant reports.  That’s not just good for business during these hard times, but it also prevents chart bloat which thereby allows important information to be found more readily.  Another option is for the clinic to do its own scanning.  Please speak to your Practice Manager for more details.  Sorry to end with something so mundane.

Please contact me for any questions.

Thank you for all you do.

B

Bob Leverence, MD, FACP

Chief Medical Officer