Recent News
December 17, 2012: Talking With Kids After Traumatic Events -- The tragic events in Newtown, CT this past week have affected us all, and many parents may be wondering how to talk with their kids and help them deal with the aftermath. Below are several resources for parents and teachers to help understand how kids of different ages may react to traumatic events such as these, and some strategies to engage and talk with them about it.
AAP Healthy Children: Talking to Children About Disasters
A National Tragedy: Helping Children Cope
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/terror_general.aspx
Talking to Children about Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/crisis_safety/talkingviolence.pdf
October 2, 2012 - Arsenic and Rice
Update 10/25/12 - Consumer Reports recently came out with a study that demonstrated that there are concerning levels of arsenic in the rice and rice products produced in the United States. Please note that arsenic poses no acute or immediate threat to anyone eating these products in routine amounts. But there are no federal standards for safe levels of arsenic in our food. Research is still ongoing. However, since inorganic arsenic is a carcinogen, Northampton Area Pediatrics makes the following recommendations concerning rice intake:
--Avoid all baby rice cereals for children under 1 year old. When introducing solids to your 4-6 month old baby, offer pureed fruits, vegetables, and/or barley or oatmeal based baby cereals.
--Avoid rice milk
--Consider cutting back on rice and rice products overall. Consume no more than one serving of rice or rice product (rice cakes, rice crackers, rice-based cereal) per day.
We will be keeping up to date on the current research and present consensus guidelines as they become available.
September 7, 2012 - Flu Vaccine information: Northampton Area Pediatrics is now offering seasonal flu vaccine to patients with existing appointments. If you have a physical or recheck scheduled, you will be offered the vaccine. We are also scheduling appointments for our seasonal flu clinics for active patients. The flu clinic dates are Thursday 9/20, Tuesday 9/25, Tuesday 10/2 and Saturday 10/13. These will all be held in our Northampton office from 9 am to 5 pm. There will be signs directing you to the back entrance of the office where the flu clinic is held. We plan to schedule flu clinics in the Amherst office in early November. We will update you once those are available. Please call to schedule your seasonal flu vaccine appointment today at 413-584-8700!!
August 16, 2012 - Baby Seats Recalled for Repair by Bumbo International Due to Fall Hazard: Consumers should order free repair kit. Click on this link for the full article - http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12247.html
August 14, 2012 - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Members Issued New "XXS" ID Number - BCBS of Massachusetts is upgrading their computer system during 2012 and 2013. Because of this upgrade, approximately 40,000 members recently received or will receive updated ID cards with a new prefix of XXS. To ensure timely and accurate claims processing, please remember to present your most current insurance card at every visit. Claims submitted with an outdated alpha-prefix will be denied by Blue Cross Blue Shield and may result in patient balances.
August 1, 2012 - The federal government issued guidelines that all medical practices must begin to follow in the next year or two. NAP is striving to meet these guidelines in 2012.
Some of the changes we implemented already:
· Our new patient portal allowing you online access to portions of your child’s medical record.
· Most patients age 12 years and younger will receive a summary of today’s visit.
· Increase in vital signs taken, specifically height, weight and blood pressure.
· Discussing smoking with patients age 13 years and older.
· Most medications are prescribed electronically.
June 18, 2012 - NAP Welcomes Peter J. Everett, MD! Peter Everett, MD will be joining Northampton Area Pediatrics on June 25, 2012. Dr. Everett comes to us with eleven years experience as a pediatrician in the Washinton D.C. area. He earned his B.A. at Williams College and his medical degree at New York University School of Medicine. Dr. Everett is accepting new patients in both our Northampton and Amherst offices. Welcome Dr Everett!!
June 4, 2012 - Northampton Area Pediatrics would like to recognize staff for their service and dedication to the practice. This month Michelle Zima, the clinical supervisor of our Northampton office, celebrates her 25 year anniversary with the practice. Michelle’s dedication and service was recognized with a gift from the physician partners at a recent staff meeting. A plaque recognizing all staff members who have been with NAP for 15 years or more was also presented and is now hanging in our Northampton office. We congratulate Michelle for her 25 years at NAP!!
April 12, 2012 - Our patient portal is now open!! Northampton Area Pediatrics offers secure viewing and communication as a service to patients who wish to view parts of their medical record and communicate with our staff. Simply ask one of our front desk receptionists to activate you or your child's account for patient portal access next time you are in one of our offices and you will receive an email with instructions to log into the patient portal. It's that easy!!
