Breath of Fresh Air: Essential Reminders for Providers During Respiratory Viral Illness Season

Date: October 30, 2024

Attention: All Providers

Background information: The respiratory viral illness season has begun, and infections like influenza (flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 are circulating in our communities.

This communication aims to equip you with comprehensive and up-to-date provider resources to support your practices during this critical time.

Provider Resources

• HEDIS Toolkit on Respiratory Conditions and Antibiotic Stewardship: Offers valuable insights and guidelines. 
• Respiratory Viral Illness Season Resource Kit: Comprehensive materials for patient education.
• At the Texas Children’s Health Plan (TCHP) Provider Advisory Group Meeting in September 2024, Audrey Voss, Clinical Practice Consultant, presented important educational material regarding Respiratory Viral Illness Season: What You Need to Know to Educate and Protect Your Patients. To view this presentation, click here.

Key Takeaways

• Vaccination is Vital
  As appropriate, please encourage your patients to best protect themselves against respiratory viral illnesses by receiving vaccinations for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID-19 infections.
  Information about the flu season and vaccination can be found in the 2024-2025 Flu Season: Encourage Members to Protect Themselves Provider Alert
• RSV Information
  Crucial information about RSV season and vaccination can be found in the 2024-2025 RSV Season and Synagis Prior Authorization Provider Alert
  • Reiterate to patients that antibiotic medication does not effectively treat viral illnesses. Reassure patients about their plan of care for respiratory viral illnesses. 
• Right Care, Right Place, and Right Time
  Educate patients on when and where to seek medical care. Help them recognize true emergencies that require immediate attention versus non-emergency situations.
• Patient Resources
  Please review and share this helpful link to Stay healthy this Cold and Flu Season! with your patients: https://www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/flu
  • Additionally, see a flu information flyer that can be shared with patients.

Symptom Differentiation

Thank you for your commitment to caring for and protecting our TCHP members. Your efforts make a significant difference! 

If you have any questions, please email Provider Relations at: providerrelations@texaschildrens.org. 

For access to all provider alerts,log into: 
www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/provideralerts.