North Texas Medical Societies Launch Coalition to Help Fight COVID-19

The Collin-Fannin, Dallas, Denton, Grayson, and Tarrant Medical Societies have partnered to form the North Texas Medical Society Coalition (NTMSC), one of the largest physician-led COVID-19 alliances in the southern United States. With over 11,500 members, the NTMSC will collectively advise and inform North Texas communities with scientifically based information. 

Knowledge of COVID-19 and the optimal treatment approach is constantly evolving. The goal of this coalition is to provide a united voice for physicians in the North Texas region at this critical time. Doctors throughout North Texas are working on getting scientifically-based recommendations to the community on safe practices and managing healthcare. By banding together, NTMSC hopes to augment their reach to patients and to serve as a voice of clarity at a time when medical information is coming at an overwhelming pace, often leading to confusion.

North Texas infection rates have increased to more than 9,000 COVID-19 cases, while to date, Texas has 33,369 confirmed cases statewide.

“It is becoming increasingly difficult for the public to wade through a large amount of information coming rapidly from different sources and to determine what is accurate, what is important, and what is applicable to North Texas and individual families and businesses.  Physicians are best positioned to use our knowledge and experience to provide recommendations that the public can trust,” states Dallas County Medical Society President-elect, Beth Kassanoff, MD.

As their first recommendation, NTMSC proposes a continuation of physical distancing practices. Texas leaders moved quickly to implement social distancing early on in the pandemic. Because of this, Texas avoided the catastrophic surge of COVID-19 as experienced in other states. NTMSC believes it is imperative that civic and business leaders, and the community as a whole, continue to practice physical distancing to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19. Failing to do so may result in COVID-19 infections at rates that require hospitalization, intensive care, and medical equipment that exceed our resources.

North Texas physicians understand that citizens live, work, and play throughout a large region and are working together with area healthcare partners, including hospitals, public health departments, and business leaders, advising on medical recommendations related to reopening business and social activities. Our physicians are following medical science, tracking public health data, and adhering to CDC guidelines for population testing, contact tracing, and treatment recommendations for COVID-19 and non-COVID patients.

About North Texas Medical Society Coalition: 

The NTMSC represents more than 11,500 physicians in the communities of Collin-Fannin, Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Grayson counties. Founded in 2020, The NTMSC works with community healthcare partners including  public health departments, hospitals, and business leaders, to advise on medical recommendations to serve the health care needs of the residents of North Texas. 

Physician Coaching Available from TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine

The TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine Physician Development Coaches (PDC) are offering TCMS physicians free coaching services.  Many of you are on the front lines of the DFW warzone – facing resource challenges, complex decision-making, anxiety, fatigue, exhaustion and potential COVID-19 infection.  Coaching can be a valuable, strengthening resource during many life phases, but especially in times of crisis, uncertainty, and complex decision-making. The PDCs are available during this pandemic and offer pro bono coaching services. Coaches who are available for you include: Debra AtkissonTom DeasCandice Gamble, Raj GandhiKen HopperSamir NangiaThuthuy Nguyen and Tony Zepeda. For more information or to schedule a coaching tele-appointment email your request to MDCOVIDCoaches@tcu.edu.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 5/6/20


COVID-19 Positive cases: 2813*

COVID-19 related deaths: 88

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 654

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 5/4/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 2624*

COVID-19 related deaths: 77

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 651

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Monday, May 4, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 5/2/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 2503*

COVID-19 related deaths: 71

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 583

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Saturday, May 2, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 5/1/20

COVID-19 Positive cases: 2388*

COVID-19 related deaths: 69

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 551

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Friday, May 1, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Texas Medical Board Announces New Emergeny Rules

The Texas Medical Board has announced new emergency rules that went into effect today, May 1st, at 12:00am. Among the provisions was this requirement:

All physicians providing patient care or engaging in an in-person patient encounter in medical and healthcare practices, offices, and facilities, other than hospitals as defined under Chapter 241 of the Texas Health & Safety Code, shall post a COVID-19 Minimum Standards of Safe Practice Notice (COVID-19 Notice), delineating the minimum standards of safe practice described in this subsection, in each public area and treatment room or area of the office, practice, or facility. (bold face added)

Earlier today, TMB posted on its website a copy of the notice that physicians can print and place in their offices as required. It is available here.

N95 Decontamination Process with Battelle CCDS

Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System (CCDS). Hosted by the City of Fort Worth on behalf of the region.

Battelle CCDS has arrived in Fort Worth with the goal of decontaminating designated N95 masks in the North Texas region. This is provided by a joint governmental partnership and is a free service provided to healthcare facilities and first responders. Read the below information to find out if this service can benefit you and your healthcare team.

Eligibility
Healthcare Personnel: All paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients or infectious materials, including body substances (e.g., blood, tissue, and specific body fluids); contaminated medical supplies, devices, and equipment; contaminated environmental surfaces; or contaminated air.
Also included, but not limited to emergency medical service personnel, nurses, nursing assistants, physicians, technicians, therapists, phlebotomists, pharmacists, dentists and dental hygienists, students and trainees, contractual staff not employed by the healthcare facility, and persons not directly involved in patient care, but who could be exposed to infectious agents that can be transmitted in the healthcare setting (e.g., clerical, dietary, environmental services, laundry, security, engineering and facilities management, administrative, billing, and volunteer personnel).
Emergency Response Personnel

Eligible Masks for Decontamination
• Any N95 respirator (healthcare and industrial) that are not cellulose based.
• Respirators must be certified by NIOSH as an N95. If NIOSH hasn’t certified it, Battelle does not recommend decontamination via our process.
• The N95 Guidance document should be referenced for identifying N95 respirators that we are able to decontaminate.

Turn-a-Round Time
• Usually within 72 hours of receipt
• Dependent on volume of incoming respirators

Location
• Provided after registration with Battelle has been confirmed
Paperwork MUST be completed and masks properly marked prior to dropping off or shipping N95 masks to the facility. Please reference the N95 Guidance document for allowable masks. No other items are being accepted for decontamination at this time.

Preparation & Collection Instructions
• For Individuals
• For Facilities
For Questions please contact Fort Worth Fire Assistant Chief Homer Robertson.

Battelle CCDS Registration Process:

  1. Sign up with Battelle
    Complete Enrollment Form
    • Battelle emails enrollee links to the enrollment contract, instructions, and the Battelle POC
  2. Contact Us to Get Your Code
    • Enrollee signs contract and contacts Battelle POC to receive their 3-digit codes for each facility
  3. Properly Label Respirators
    • Once the 3-digit codes are received from Battelle, enrollee collects N95 respirators
    • N95 respirators must be unsoiled (free of blood, mucus, make-up, lip balm, etc.) and labeled with a permanent marker
  4. Collect & Bag All N95 Respirators
    • Enrollee collects all N95 respirators into a single plastic bag
    • Once the plastic bag is filled, tie off the bag, and put it into another plastic bag
  5. Properly Package
    • Clean the outside bag with disinfectant
    • Shipping box must be labeled with the 3-digit code and a biohazard sticker
  6. Ship to Battelle CCDS Site
    • Enrollee contacts their chosen logistics provider to coordinate pick-up and delivery of their N95 respirators
    • Enrollee can either use a logistics provider or their choice or Battelle’s preferred logistics provider
    • The enrollee can drop off their N95 respirators rather than shipping if they prefer. If the respirators are dropped off then they will be required to pick up the respirators when the decontamination process is complete. Return shipping will not be provided in this instance.
  7. Decontaminated & Returned
    • Your shipments are barcoded to ensure chain of custody
    • Your N95 respirators are processed and then verified to ensure they are free of decontaminant
    • Your decontaminated N95 respirators are returned to your facility.
    • If the enrollee dropped off their respirators then they will be required to return and pick up.

Tarrant County COVID-19 Activity – 4/30/20


COVID-19 Positive cases: 2246*

COVID-19 related deaths: 68

Recovered COVID-19 cases: 485

Data from Tarrant County Public Heath’s (TCPH) report of COVID-19 activity in Tarrant County, updated Thursday, April 30, 2020. Find more COVID-19 information from TCPH here.

* These data are provisional and are subject to change at any time.

Deaths and recovered cases are included in total COVID-19 positive cases.

Help TMA Get PPE to Your Practice

As the Texas Medical Association told you Monday, personal protective equipment (PPE) will begin to move more quickly from state-managed warehouses to Texas county medical societies and on to private practice, community care physicians.

The movement of PPE, including N95 masks, is possible through an extensive collaboration among TMA, county medical societies, and a host of other associations and state agencies.

But we need your help.

Check your email today for a personalized link to the new TMA PPE Portal, which will include a needs assessment form for your practice. The form asks you to report your daily use of N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, gowns, face shields, booties, and sanitizer. Only one email was sent to each practice.

Find more information, including who can request PPE through the portal, how much it will cost (spoiler alert: it’s free), quality control, and how to identify your Regional Advisory Council (RAC), in TMA’s latest PPE frequently asked questions (FAQ) document.

Remember that the portal is not a PPE order form. The Hospital Preparedness Programs (HPPs) and RACs will use the data to allocate a share of available PPE to county medical societies. The county societies will use the data and guidelines developed by a TMA work group to distribute PPE to community physicians.

“The RACs and HPPs are all independent organizations, and all operate differently. Thanks to the strong support of Chief Nim Kidd of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, everyone is working much better to meet the PPE needs of community physicians,” TMA President David C. Fleeger, MD, said. “We very much appreciate the assistance of Chief Kidd and the RACs.”

You can also find the latest news, resources, and government guidance on the coronavirus outbreak by visiting TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center regularly.

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