Weekly Quick Hits recaps announcements and events from The Daily Brief email. Check your email inbox for more.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bot Protection Available
Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute’s data collection and storage tool, REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), now offers an option to protect against the malicious software known as bots from completing fraudulent surveys. When completing a survey, users will complete a Completely Automated Public Turing Test (CAPTCHA), which uses images or audio that require human interaction. Without this feature, bots can complete a large number of surveys automatically. To learn how to enable CAPTCHA, visit here. To learn more about REDCap, visit here.
Electronic Prescriptions Required
The Pennsylvania Department of Health will require practitioners to issue electronic prescriptions for controlled substances starting Thursday, Oct. 24. Act 96 of 2018 eliminates paper prescriptions for all Schedule II through V drugs, which includes morphine, Adderall, Ritalin, oxycodone and many others. Officials hope the new requirement will not only be more efficient and improve the quality of patient care but also reduce fraud and help combat the opioid epidemic. Read more.
Holiday Decoration Guidelines
As the holiday season approaches, Penn State Health employees are reminded to decorate their workspaces in ways that are both safe and respectful of the system’s diverse cultures. Charles Ulinfun, director of safety, and Lynette Chappell-Williams, chief diversity officer and associate dean for diversity and inclusion, offer suggestions on how to decorate safely and sensitively.
PEOPLE
Legro named to National Academy of Medicine
The National Academy of Medicine elected 100 new members on Oct. 21 — including Dr. Richard Legro, University Chair and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Penn State College of Medicine. Election to the National Academy of Medicine is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service. Read more.
UPCOMING EVENTS
“Caring for Individuals with Disabilities”
The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host “Caring for Individuals with Disabilities,” an interactive session with Nancy Lokey of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation on best practices for providing care to people with disabilities. The event is Friday, Oct. 25, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the College of Medicine, C4618. Zoom ID: 427832605. Register here.
Prescription Drug Take-Back
Penn State Health will host three community Prescription Drug Take-Back events on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:
- Academic Support Building, 90 Hope Dr., Hershey
- Penn State Medical Group — Nyes Road
- Penn State Health Medical Group — Palmyra
People may drop off their unwanted, unneeded or expired medication for safe disposal. Needles and syringes will be accepted. No items will be accepted prior to 10 a.m. Twenty-four-hour drop-off boxes are also available at police stations. Find out more.
“Living with AFib”
Health care professionals from Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute will present “Living with AFib,” a discussion about atrial fibrillation symptoms, monitoring and the latest treatments, on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 6 to 7:30 pm. at the University Fitness Center in Hershey. Register by calling 717-531-3907 or emailing your name(s), address, phone number and the number of people attending to rgage@pennstatehealth.psu.edu.
Community Mammogram Night
Penn State Health Breast Center will host a Community Mammogram Night Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 4:40 to 8 p.m. at 30 Hope Drive, Hershey. Women age 40 or older are invited to register at 1-800-243-1455.
Social Determinants Panel Discussion
Penn State Health will join Better Care America, the educational arm of the Association of Health Insurance Plans, and Highmark in hosting a panel discussion on the social determinants of health Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University Conference Center, Room 302 A. Speakers are Dr. Eugene Lengerich, Penn State, associate director, health disparities and engagement; Barbara Gray, Highmark Health senior vice president, social determinants of health; and Nora Carreras, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, special advisor to the secretary. Lunch is provided.
Repke Lecture
Dr. Errol Norwitz, the Louis E. Phaneuf Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, will present “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Endometrium: The Answers to Life, the Universe, and Everything” on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 4 to 5 p.m. at Penn State College of Medicine Lecture Room C. The lecture is the Inaugural Dr. John T. Repke Lectureship in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Read more.
Plant-based Cooking Demonstration
Join Compass Sous Chef Marisa Katkocin and PRO Wellness Dietitian Kara Bowers for a cooking demonstration about plant-based eating. The event is Monday, Nov. 11 from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the College of Mediciine, C7619. Register here.
Biostatistics Lecture
Heather Stuckey-Peyrot, associate professor of medicine, public health sciences and humanities, will present “Qualitative Analysis” at the next Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design Research Methods Seminar Series. This seminar will be on Tuesday, Nov. 12 from 4 to 5 p.m. at H4504 (Clinical Research Center) at Penn State College of Medicine. It will also be streamed to 116 Henderson, University Park and stream online. Register here by 5 p.m. on Nov. 11.