Vaccine Conversation Strategies, Childhood Lead Screening, POP Webinars

Washington State Department of Health sent this bulletin at 11/01/2023 08:36 AM PDT

Dear POP members,

POP Provider Spotlight

Our member spotlight this month features Ike Ekeya, Pharm.D., BCPS. Dr. Ekeya is the owner of an independent pharmacy in Vancouver and shares some valuable strategies for talking to patients about vaccines.

“The strategy that really works for me is promoting vaccines and, at the same time, addressing patient concerns with empathy and understanding. We need to make a great effort to engage in open conversations, continuously educate patients, and highlight the positive impact of vaccines.

It’s crucial to emphasize the benefit of immunization by sharing scientifically proven information, and we need to share this information in understandable terms. It’s so easy for us as providers to rattle off scientific information without recognizing that not everybody understands it at the same level that we do.

Being able to simplify things in an easy, understandable way and at the same time actively and consistently listen to patient concerns goes a long way in helping patients open up and talk to you.

Consistently updating our knowledge with the latest research and guidelines is also essential because things change frequently. We must be on top of it and make sure that we have the best information to care for our patients.”

We’re so grateful to Dr. Ekeya for taking time to share his helpful wisdom with us.

Here are some resources to support your conversations with patients about getting up to date on immunizations this season:

FDA Approval Communication Toolkit (PHCC)
Vaccine Development Process (FDA)
Understanding How COVID-19 Vaccines Work (CDC)
Building Confidence in COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines (PDF)

Building Confidence in COVID-19 Vaccines for Immigrants and Refugees (PDF)
Building Trust in Vaccination (Johns Hopkins)
Motivational Interviewing Tips: How to Listen (Boost Oregon)
#HowIRecommend Vaccination Video Series (CDC)

Together, We Can Prevent Lead Exposure!

The WA State Department of Health (DOH) recognizes the very important role health care providers play in protecting children from the damaging effects of lead exposure. Children with elevated blood lead levels can be asymptomatic and lead can damage their intellectual and physical development. This is why blood lead testing is vital for all children who may be at risk.

Federal regulations require that all children covered by Medicaid receive a blood lead test at 12 and 24 months of age (or at 24 to 72 months of age if no record of a previous test exists). DOH recommends screening all children not covered by Medicaid at 12 and 24 months of age using this clinical algorithm.

Both non-elevated and elevated blood lead test results are required to be reported to DOH. If you analyze blood samples for lead using LeadCare or another method and don’t report your data, please contact the Childhood Lead Prevention Program at lead@doh.wa.gov. Additional resources, including patient education materials, are available on DOH’s Lead Publications page.

POP Evaluation Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback about POP through our evaluation survey last summer! Check out what you and your health care peers said about your experience with POP in this summary report.

Peer-to-Peer Learning Webinars

All POP webinars are from noon to 1p.m. PT.

November 3: Vaccine Fatigue- Addressing the Elephant in the Room with Gretchen LaSalle, MD FAAFP.

Behavioral Health Series with Kira Mauseth, PhD a clinical psychologist, senior instructor, and consultant.

November 17: Beyond Burnout & Resilience: Purpose and Adaptability for Health Care Providers
December 8: Beyond Burnout & Resilience: Connection and Hope for Health Care Providers

The recording and slides from Dr. Mauseth’s October 18 webinar COVID-19 Disaster Cascade Recovery Updates are now available on our webinar page.

Continuing education credits are available for nurses and medical assistants for all webinars listed. We are pursuing CME credits for physicians as well and will provide information on how to apply for credit prior to each event.

We are so grateful to partner with each of you to do the important work of ensuring Washingtonians are protected and supported. Thank you for all that you do each day!

Power of Providers (POP) Team 

Prevention and Community Health Division 

Washington State Department of Health 

360-236-2662 | powerofproviders@doh.wa.gov 

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