Communications to Physicians

Periodically, communications regarding important and timely public health information are sent directly to physicians by the Centers for Disease Control, the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Pima County Health Department. As not all contact lists remain current and all inclusive, we will be posting these communications at this site so that physicians who may not be receiving them can view them.

You may also find information on our “Health Data and Statistics” page, including our quarterly Epidemiology and monthly Consumer Health & Food Safety reports. We hope that you will find this Physician's portion of our web site informative and useful in your practices.

Sincerely,
Michelle McDonald, MD
Chief Medical Officer

Measles Resources and Current Information

Below find some documents that may assist you in evaluation of suspected cases of measles:

• General Instructions for Clinicians
• Stop Sign English
• Stop Sign Spanish
• Measles: Q and A
• Lab testing best times
• Outpatient algorithm
• ER algorithm
• Instructions for suspect cases
• Instructions for contact cases
• CDC measles, physician page
  

Pima County Health Department STD/HIV Program Dear Doctor/Practitioner, As you are aware, the successful treatment of Gonorrhea has had to continually evolve as the infection becomes progressively resistant to more and more of the available antibiotics.In recent reports from clinicians who have treated Gonorrhea and reported it, the Pima County Health Department has noted a number of medication regimens utilized that are not in line with current recommendations of the CDC. As a result, we have had to contact a number of persons to travel to our clinic in order to re-treat them. Read more... Open Letter to Physicians regarding the Medical Marijuana Act from Will Humble, ADHS Director and Dr. Nelson, ADHS Chief Medical Officer (Uploaded 4/7/11) Read more... CDC Guidance on the Use of Influenza Antiviral Agents and Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests During the 2010-2011 Influenza Season As influenza activity increases in the United States, clinicians are urged to consult CDC guidance on the use of influenza antiviral agents and rapid influenza diagnostic tests this season. Updated recommendations on the use of antiviral medications will be published in an upcoming Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), but an interim version of the recommendations is currently available on CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/index.htm. The updated guidance for health care professionals on the use of rapid influenza diagnostic tests is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/diagnosis/clinician_guidance_ridt.htm. For the most recent summary of influenza activity in the United States, consult the CDC influenza surveillance report FluView at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivitysurv.htm. STD - Syphilis Letter To Clinicians (Updated 2/17/10) I am writing today to highlight an ongoing and increasing problem of great public health significance, and that is, our rates of both infectious and congenital syphilis. Arizona has been in a syphilis outbreak since 2001, and it has not shown signs of abating. Unfortunately, we have had a corresponding increase in congenital syphilis cases. Read more... STD - Syphilis Letter to Obstetrical Providers (Updated 2/17/10) I am writing to highlight an ongoing and increasing problem of great public health significance, and that is, our rate of congenital syphilis cases. Arizona was #1 for rates of congenital syphilis in the nation from 2003-2005, and we remain one of the most highly impacted states in the nation. Read more...