Georgia hospitals don’t do so well

The latest ratings from Leapfrog have only 25% of Georgia hospitals getting an ‘A’ grade — in the last survey (spring 2019) it was about 33 percent. That puts Georgia at #34 in the rankings nationwide.

Flu season is here: Be ready to immunize!

This flu season is probably gonna be a doozy. Australia (which gets it first) is calling it “particularly unusual,” “off the charts,” and a “horror season.”

Now is when you need your APhA immunization certificate. It means you’re giving your patients the best possible advice and treatment, and it helps you differentiate yourself.

GPhA is offering “APhA’s Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery: A Certificate Program for Pharmacists” on Sunday, December 8, from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the GPhA classroom (6065 Barfield Road, Sandy Springs [map]).

This is always one of our hottest courses, so get to GPhA.org/2019immunization fast before the class fills!

And don’t forget to check out all of GPhA’s CPEasy on-demand courses at GPhA.org/cpeasy!

Mysterious Vaping Illness update

The latest figures: 2,051 cases in 49 states, including 39 deaths (three in Georgia).

Now upgraded to “very strong culprit” is vitamin E acetate, which may be added to THC-based vaping products.

New HIV

Bad: A new subtype of HIV has been discovered. Good: It should respond to existing therapy.

“It’s just a new kind of HIV that’s out there and the good news is we have a test that can identify it, and we don’t expect there to be any differences in response to treatment.”

Vaping age change?

Donald Trump now says that the federal government will raise the legal age for buying vaping products to “21 or so.” He previously said that regulators planned to ban all flavored e-cigarettes. While that has not happened, e-cig leader Juul said it would stop selling its popular mint-flavored vaping pods, although it continues to sell its tobacco and menthol flavors.

Just yank ’em

If a patient comes to you asking for advice on nose hair, Medical News Today will help you be prepared.

Whatever doesn’t kill you

If you know a pufferfish that’s stressed, poison might be the right solution. Specifically tetrodotoxin, the fish’s neurotoxin that makes it so deadly. Turns out that it might not just be for killing “daredevil diners” — it seems to relieve stress as well.

ICYMI

Ten people in Oklahoma were hospitalized when they were given insulin instead of a flu shot.

“All these people are symptomatic, lying on the ground, needing help, but can’t communicate what they need.”