WHAT is it?

The nine members of K.C. Redheart will test their wits, endurance, and sanity as the core group of “Marathoners,” going without sleep while performing for the Marathon’s entire 30 hours. Additionally, each hour will mark the start of a new show, as the Marathoners welcome guests from around the city to improvise with them, including performers from Second City, ComedySportz, the Annoyance Theatre, iO, and K.C. Redheart’s home, the Playground Theater. Kids’ shows are scheduled for Saturday morning as well!

WHY should I go?

With the help of so many different performers, the Playground Improv Marathon will showcase the diversity and vitality of Chicago’s improv scene. There will be short-form games a la “Whose Line Is It Anyway?,” experimental and narrative long-form shows, family-friendly shows during the day, and anything-goes sets during the late-night hours. As an added bonus, the audience will witness the Marathoners’ transformation from well-adjusted adults to sleep-deprived comedy nutjobs by the end of it all. And most importantly, all of the proceeds go to a great cause.

WHEN is it?

The Playground Improv Marathon begins Friday evening, September 10, 2010 at 6pm and ends Saturday night, September 11, 2010 at midnight. Tickets are available at the door, and prices are as follows: $5 for matinee shows, $10 for prime-time shows, and $25 for passes to the entire Marathon. Tickets to the Marathon include entry in a raffle to win prizes donated by local businesses, with drawings held every hour. Extra raffle tickets will be available for purchase.

The Playground Theater, is the nation’s only not-for-profit co-op theater dedicated to the performance and instruction of improvised comedy. The Playground’s 140 affiliated actors work on a 100% volunteer basis to perform and operate the theater.

IN SUMMARY

When: 6pm Friday, September 10 until midnight Saturday, September 11, 2010

Where: The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL (near Halsted and Belmont)

Cost: $5-$10 per hour-long show, $25 for a full 30-hour pass — ALL tickets purchased at the door, contact Dave Maher for special group inquiries.

Questions? Contact: Dave Maher ( daphima@gmail.com, 773-706-5890)

THE SCHEDULE of TEAMS

Keep up-to-date on scheduled shows and events before and during the marathon at our website: facebook.com/playgroundimprovmarathon

Hope to see you there!!

________________________________________________________________

Illinois Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
1400 W. Hubbard, Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60642-8195
Voice 312/733-1026
Fax 312/733-1791
info@illinoisaap.com

Share/Bookmark

The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) is an organization of approximately 2,300 pediatricians in Illinois. Primary activities include advocacy on behalf of children, families, and health professionals in Illinois; the provision of continuing medical education and other resources for pediatricians, pediatric specialists, and other child health care providers; and collaboration with other state organizations and agencies on programs and projects that improve the health and well-being of children.

ICAAP Committee on School Health (COSH) serves as a forum for pediatricians, school nurses, and others to discuss issues related to the health of children while in school. It facilitates collaboration between health care providers, state administrators, and school personnel, keeps members informed of relevant legislation, and addresses important school health issues.

Information for Healthcare Providers on Commonly Used School Medications to be Shared with School Healthcare Providers

The following medications are commonly used by school healthcare providers.  These medication profiles inform school healthcare providers about aspects of each medication, including: usages, side effects, warnings, abuse/overdose, and more.

Acetaminophen (.pdf)

Uses: Fever reliever, Pain reliever [...more]

Ritalin (.pdf)

Uses: Paart of the treatment program for Attention Deficit Disorder and other behavioral syndromes involving cerebral dysfunction and impulsivity; Narcolepsy [...more]

Albuterol (.pdf)

Uses: Control of asthma attacks; Exercise induced asthma; Control of cough variant type asthma [...more]

Epinephrine Auto-injector (.pdf)

Uses: Emergency treatment for allergic reactions to insect bites, foods, drugs and other allergens; Emergency treatment of exercise-induced anaphylaxis [...more]

_________________________________________________________________

For questions or more information about ICAAP’s Committee on School Health, please contact:

Salaeha Shariff, MS
Director, Immunization Initiatives
1400 W. Hubbard, Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60642
Phone: 312/733-1026, ext 207
Fax: 312/733-1791
sshariff@illinoisaap.com

Share/Bookmark

As you help your kids get ready for school, make sure they’re fully vaccinated. Web tools from CDC can help parents and doctors keep children up-to-date with the vaccines they need and protected from serious diseases.

Vaccination Clinics Outside the City of Chicago

Skokie Health Department Immunization Clinics:
Immunizations are provided to any child living in Skokie or attending a Skokie school for a $5 clinic fee. Certain vaccinations are available to adults also. Consultation on what immunizations are needed is provided by the nursing staff. An appointment is necessary. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Skokie Health Department at 847/933-8252.

DuPage County Health Department Immunization Clinic:
Immunization clinics are by appointment only. Please call 630-682-7400 for an appointment at one of our Public Health Center locations listed below:

Cook County Department of Public Health Immunization Program:
Cook County Department of Public Health immunization clinics provide free shots for children living in suburban Cook County who meet specific eligibility requirements.Immunization Clinics: Clinics are by appointment only.

Lake County Health Department Immunization Clinics:
The Health Department and Community Health Center offers immunization clinics for Lake County residents throughout the year. For a detailed list of times, dates and closings click here. For more information on immunizations, please call 847.377.8470

**For all other Immunization Clinics outside of Chicago that are not listed, contact your local health department**

Chicago Department of Public Health Fast Track Immunization Clinics

Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Fast Track immunization clinics provide vaccinations at no charge for children 0 through 18 years of age.
They also provide H1N1 flu vaccinations at no charge for adults of all ages and all children over age six months.
No appointment is necessary; vaccinations are given on a first come, first served basis.

Share/Bookmark

On Friday, September 10, 2010 at 12pm Bright Smiles from Birth (BSFB) will be holding an online webinar training. BSFB is focused on improving the oral health of infants and young children. This one hour webinar will train providers and office staff how to incorporate oral health screenings into their well-child exams.The training will also assist providers in taking appropriate steps once high-risk patients are identified, which may include patient education, referral to dental homes, and application of fluoride varnish.  There is no cost for the program and participating practices can request a printed resource kit containing professional and patient education materials. Providers who complete the training will be eligible for reimbursement through Medicaid for fluoride varnish application.

To register for the Bright Smiles from Birth webinar, click here https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/846558121 Please contact Paula Zajac at pzajac@illinoisaap.com or 312/733-1026 ext. 212 with any questions.

Share/Bookmark

To ensure that its vaccine continues to meet potency standards, Sanofi Pasteur Inc. (the manufacturer) is shortening the expiration period of all its influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine in multi-dose vials manufactured in 2009 that were distributed in the United States. Sanofi Pasteur Inc., performs routine, ongoing testing of influenza vaccines after the vaccine has been distributed to health care providers as part of its quality assurance program in order to ensure that the vaccine continues to meet required specifications.

In recent testing of its influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine, sanofi pasteur found that the lots of the vaccine in multi-dose vials may fall below pre-specified limits before the original expiration dates (March 2011 through June 2011). These are the last lots of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine remaining to expire.

All lots of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine in multi-dose vials manufactured by sanofi pasteur and distributed in the United States should now be administered by September 15, 2010 regardless of the expiration imprinted on the package. The original expiration dates were from March 2011 through June 2011.

There are no safety concerns with these lots of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine. People who were immunized with vaccine from the lots with shortened shelf life do not need to take any action. The vaccine currently meets all potency and safety specifications.

This shortened expiration period does not affect any 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine. It applies only to influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine distributed in the U.S. from CDC via McKesson.

Approximately 16 million doses in these lots have not been administered. Sanofi has sent notification detailing the change in dating to health care providers who received shipments from the affected lots.  As in Phase one of the Central Vaccine Recovery program, providers will receive a mailing label for return of the product.  Labels will be mailed in September.  The contractor will be working from the same list that was used for distribution of labels  in Phase one.  H1N1 vaccine MUST be returned by December 1, 2010. Providers who wish to free up storage space do not need to keep their H1N1 vaccine refrigerated until they can return it.

Sanofi Short-Dated H1N1 Vaccine/ H1N1 Vaccine Recovery.pdf (8.17.10)

If you have questions, please contact the Illinois Department of Public Health, Immunization Section at 217/785-1455.

Share/Bookmark

Phase 1: a one-way data transfer of unsolicited vaccine record updates to the statewide registry that will allow immunization providers using their own EMR system to send data to I-CARE
Phase 2: a two-way data transfer of vaccine record queries and responses that will allow immunization providers using their own EMR system to query I-CARE for a patients immunization records (not found in their own EMR system) and I-CARE will send the patient’s immunization information back. (Phase 2 to be completed in spring 2011)

How can my practice take part in the I-CARE and EMR Compatibility process?

Step 1: Contact your EMR vendor to purchase the Immunization Module for your EMR system

Step 2: Supply your EMR vendor with I-CARE specifications for compatibility with your current EMR system.

EMR/I-CARE Specifications Document

Step 3: Collaborate with IDPH to ensure full compatibility.

*For HL7 technical questions, contact Igor Slobodyanyuk, IDPH Information Systems Analyst: 217/557-0029.

*For general HL7/EMR questions, contact Robin Holding, IDPH I-CARE Project Manager: 217/557-0021.

Share/Bookmark

Understand the Risks and Responsibilities.

If you choose to delay some vaccines or reject some vaccines entirely, there can be risks. Please follow these steps to protect your child, your family, and others.

Share/Bookmark

Parents are faced with many difficult decisions throughout their child’s life. Whether or not to vaccinate should not be one of them. Many reproducible studies have shown that vaccines are safe and ultimately one of the most beneficial advancements in medical history. Despite the facts, parent want the best for their children and often have questions about the medical care of their child. This fact sheet answers some of the most common questions parents ask their child’s provider about vaccines.

Share/Bookmark

Parents want to keep their children safe and healthy. This article will help empower parents to make an informed decision about vaccinating their kids. Questions about the recommended immunization schedule create an opportunity for providers  and parents to communicate about requests for “alternative schedules,” including the Dr. Bob Sears’ schedule.

Share/Bookmark

PARENT FRIENDLY IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE

Diphtheria (Can be prevented by DTaP vaccine)*
Diphtheria is a very contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory system, including the lungs. Diphtheria can be passed from person to person by direct contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. When people are infected, the diphtheria bacteria produce a toxin (poison) in the body that can cause weakness, sore throat, low-grade fever, and swollen glands in the neck. Effects from this toxin can also lead to swelling of the heart muscle and, in some cases, heart failure. In severe cases, the illness can cause coma, paralysis, and even death.

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Can be prevented byHib vaccine)
Hib disease is caused by bacteria called Haemophilus influenzae type b.
The disease is very serious for children younger than age 5, especially infants. Hib is spread from person to person by direct contact, or by contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. Hib is most commonly spread by people who have the bacteria in their noses and throats but who are not sick. Hib can cause meningitis—an infection around the brain and spinal cord—which can lead to life-long disability, mental retardation, or death. Hib can also cause epiglottis (infection in the throat) and pneumonia (infection in the lungs). All these infections can be life threatening.

Hepatitis A (Can be prevented by HepA vaccine)
Hepatitis A is an infection in the liver caused by a virus. The virus is spread primarily person-to-person through the fecal-oral route. In other words, the virus is taken in by mouth from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces (stool) of an infected person. Symptoms include fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). An infected person may have no symptoms, may have mild illness for a week or two, or may have severe illness for several months that requires hospitalization. In the U.S., about 100 people a year die from hepatitis A.

Hepatitis B (Can be prevented by HepB vaccine)
Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by a virus. It spreads through contact with blood or other body fluids, for example, from sharing personal items, such as toothbrushes or eating utensils. Hepatitis B causes a flu-like illness with loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, rashes, joint pain, and jaundice. The virus stays in the liver of some people for the rest of their lives and can result in severe liver diseases, including fatal cancer.

Influenza (Can be prevented by annual flu vaccine)
Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of the nose, throat, and lungs. It spreads easily through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can cause mild to severe illness. Typical symptoms include a sudden high fever, chills, a dry cough, headache, runny nose, sore throat, and muscle and joint pain. Extreme fatigue can last from several days to weeks. Influenza may lead to hospitalization or even death, even among previously healthy children.
Measles (Can be prevented by MMR vaccine)**
Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases. Measles is spread by direct contact with the airborne respiratory droplets of an infected person. Measles is so contagious that just being in the same room after a person who has measles has already left can result in infection. Symptoms usually include a rash, fever, cough, and watery eyes. Fever can persist, reaching 104˚F or higher, rash can last for up to a week, and coughing can last about 10 days. Measles can also cause pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, or death.

Mumps (Can be prevented by MMR vaccine)**
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by the mumps virus, which is spread in the air by a cough or sneeze from an infected person. A child can also get infected with mumps by coming in contact with a contaminated object, like a toy. The mumps virus causes fever, headaches, painful swelling of the salivary glands under the jaw, fever, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Severe complications for children who get mumps are rare, but can include meningitis (infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), permanent hearing loss, or swelling of the testes, which can lead to sterility in men.

Pertussis (Whooping Cough) (Can be prevented by DTaP vaccine)*
Pertussis is caused by bacteria that spread through direct contact with respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. In the beginning, symptoms of pertussis are similar to the common cold, including runny nose, sneezing, low grade fever, and cough. After 1-2 weeks, pertussis can cause spells of violent coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe, drink, or eat. This cough can last for weeks. Pertussis is most serious for babies, who can get pneumonia, have seizures, become brain damaged, or even die. About two-thirds of children under 1 year of age who get pertussis must be hospitalized.

Pneumococcal Disease (Can be prevented by PCV vaccine)
Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that invades the lungs, causing the most common kind of bacterial pneumonia. The bacteria are commonly found in many people’s noses and throats and are spread by droplets when people who have the bacteria in their throats or noses cough or sneeze. People—especially children—often have the bacteria in their throats without being ill. In fact, the bacteria are present in about 25% of people. Why the bacteria suddenly invade the body and cause disease is unknown. The bacteria can invade both the bloodstream (bacteremia) and the brain (meningitis, that is infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord). Symptoms include high fever, cough with chest pain and mucus, shaking chills, breathlessness, and chest pain that increases with breathing. Pneumococcal disease can result in hospitalization and even death.

Polio (Can be prevented by IPV vaccine)
Polio is caused by a virus that lives in an infected person’s throat and intestines. It spreads through contact with the feces (stool) of an infected person and through droplets from a sneeze or cough. Symptoms typically include sudden fever, sore throat, headache, muscle weakness, and pain. In about 1% of cases, polio can cause paralysis. Among those who are paralyzed, up to 5% of children may die because they become unable to breathe.

Rotavirus (Can be prevented by RV vaccine)
Rotavirus is caused by a virus and is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children. Rotavirus is spread primarily person-to-person through the fecal-oral route. In other words, the virus is taken in by mouth from contact with objects, food, or drinks contaminated by the feces (stool) of an infected person. Common symptoms of rotavirus include vomiting, watery diarrhea that lasts for 3-8 days, fever and abdominal pain. Approximately 55,000 children are hospitalized each year in the United States from severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus.

Rubella (German Measles) (Can be prevented by MMRvaccine)** Rubella is caused by a virus that is spread through coughing and sneezing. In children rubella usually causes a mild illness with fever, swollen glands, and a rash that lasts about 3 days. Rubella rarely causes serious illness or complications in children, but can be very serious in preg nant women. If a pregnant woman is infected, the result to the baby can be devastating, including miscarriage, serious heart defects, mental retardation and loss of hearing and eye sight.

Tetanus (Lockjaw) (Can be prevented by DTaP vaccine)*Tetanus is caused by bacteria found in soil that enters the body through a wound, such as a deep cut. When people are infected, the bacteria produce a toxin (poison) in the body that causes serious, painful spasms and stiffness of all muscles in the body. This can lead to “locking” of the jaw so a person cannot open his or her mouth, swallow, or breathe. Complete recovery from tetanus can take months. Three of ten people who get tetanus die from the disease.

Varicella (Chickenpox) (Can be prevented by Varicella vaccine)
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster virus. Chickenpox is very contagious and spreads very easily from infected people. It can spread from either a cough, sneeze. It can also spread by contact with virus particles that come from the blisters on the skin, either by touching them or by breathing in these virus particles. Typical symptoms of chickenpox include an itchy rash with blisters, tiredness, headache and fever. Chickenpox is usually mild, but it can lead to severe skin infections, pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), or even death.

* DTaP is a combination vaccine that can prevent Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis
** MMR is a combination vaccine that can prevent Measles, Mumps, and Rubella. CS209813-B

Share/Bookmark