Don't forget ...
       to get the second dose of Flu vaccine on Saturday, December 15th or schedule your first dose, if you have not been able to get in previously. Please call now for an appointment.

Who needs two flu shots?

If your child is less than 9 years old and this is her first flu shot, she must have a second shot at least one month later, so please make both appointments. This now includes any child less than 9-years old, who did not receive two shots the first year they got the vaccine.

Bring a separate Consent form with you for each person getting the vaccine.

Where is the Flu Vaccine Consent Form? You can download the flu consent form here: http://www.thebestkids.com/d/flu_consent_form.pdf

The form is also available online at our web site, www.thebestkids.com/ Look for the button on the Home Page labeled "Flu Vaccine Consent Form."

Public Health Advisory

This advisory from the FDA can answer questions you have about cold medicines.

Nonprescription Cough and Cold Medicine Use in Children August 15, 2007
Public Health Advisory: Nonprescription Cough and Cold Medicine Use in Children
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/cough_cold.htm

Federal Register Meeting Notice

FDA announced today that, in October, the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee will discuss the safety and effectiveness of cough and cold drug product use in children. Questions have been raised about the safety of these products and whether the benefits justify any potential risks from the use of these products in children, especially in children under 2 years of age. In preparation for the meeting, FDA is reviewing safety and efficacy data for the ingredients of these products.

Some reports of serious adverse events associated with the use of these products appear to be the result of giving too much of these medicines to children. An over-the-counter cough and cold medicine can be harmful if more than the recommended amount is used, if it is given too often or if more than one cough and cold medicine containing the same active ingredient are being used. To avoid giving a child too much medicine, parents must carefully follow the directions for use of the product in the "Drug Facts" box on the package label.

What should parents know about using cough and cold products in children?

Sincerely,
Harold J. Livera, MD, FAAP
Jennifer L. Segeleon, MD, FAAP
Dr. Brian Posnansky, MD, FAAP
THE BEST KIDS
217 Breckenridge Lane,
Louisville, KY 40207-3858
502-895-9421
FAX (502) 899-5762
office@thebestkids.com/

Hello to all y'all,

Individual e-mail addresses for the doctors have been combined. Doctors@thebestkids.com will now be used.

Please remember that diagnosing conditions by e-mail is not good medicine. We provide this new e-mail address for personal follow up and simple office questions only. We will NOT provide any medical advice via e-mail. Your child deserves the highest quality of care, and we can only do that by seeing the patient and speaking with you personally.

General e-mail can be sent to office@thebestkids.com/
Billing issues can be sent to billing@thebestkids.com/

Prescription refills can still be requested thru the web site. Click the Prescription Refill button or paste this link into your favorites. https://www.win.net/bestkids/preform.html

FLU SHOTS

Our next flu shot days are:
Saturday November 17th 12:00-4:00
Saturday December 15th 12:00-2:00

Appointments are required.

Please bring a separate Consent Form with you for each person getting the vaccine.

You can download the flu consent form here: http://www.thebestkids.com/d/flu_consent_form.pdf

If your child is less than 9 years old and received less than two flu shots in previous years, a second flu vaccine is required. We recommend you get them at the earlier date if possible.

(Please see newsletter below, regarding who is eligible for flu shots.)

The staff did a fabulous job with flu shots! They got lots of compliments. First-time patients were amamzed to get in and out in less than two minutes. Having the consent form downloaded and filled out made a huge diffference. Thank you for cooperating with our scheduled flu days. For those of you who have received your flu shots through our speedy system, we hope you appreciate the ease of the day for both staff and patient families. For those of you scheduled for November and December....you are in for a treat! We have really worked hard to perfect this experience for our families.

A special thanks to Adam Burckle of the Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen for providing ice cream discount coupons for the kids. It made a difference for our kids.

Thank you! Adam Burckle and family!

Sincerely,
Harold J. Livera, MD, FAAP
Jennifer L. Segeleon, MD, FAAP
Dr. Brian Posnansky, MD, FAAP
THE BEST KIDS
217 Breckenridge Lane,
Louisville, KY 40207-3858
502-895-9421
FAX (502) 899-5762
office@thebestkids.com/

Flu Vaccine Days 2007- 2008

Flu shots will be given only on certain days. Appointments are required.

Please bring a separate Consent Form with you for each person getting the vaccine.

Also, please put your child's first and last name and their age on the contest entry.

Who needs two flu shots?
If your child is less than 9 years old and this is her first flu shot, she must have a second shot at least one month later, so please make both appointments. This now includes children less than 9 years old, who did not receive two shots the first year they got the flu vaccine.

When are we giving flu shots?

Saturday, October 6th

Saturday, October 13th

Saturday, November 17th - for patients requiring a second round.

Where is the Flu Vaccine Consent Form?
The form is an attachment to your email, and it is also available online at our web site, http://www.thebestkids.com/

Look for the button on the Home Page labeled "Important Info & Consent Forms ." Or, you can find it by clicking here: http://www.thebestkids.com/d/flu_consent_form.pdf

Who is eligible to get the Flu Vaccine?
Everyone over 6 months of age is eligible for the flu shot. We are urging those patients with asthma and others who are considered high-risk to schedule their appointments for October 6th.

• All children 6 to 23 months of age;
• People 6 months and older with chronic disease, heart or lung conditions, including asthma; metabolic disorders such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease or immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with HIV;
• Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are on long-term aspirin therapy. (Note: Children given aspirin while they have influenza are at risk of Reye syndrome.)

Also considered at high risk are:

• Pregnant women;
• Health-care personnel who provide direct patient care;
• Household contacts and out-of-home caregivers
of children less than 6 months of age.

Payment for flu shots
We will submit this charge to your insurance company for your children.

We are also offering the shots to parents for $30. If you intend to submit your charge to your insurance company, you cannot receive the vaccine here. You are not our patient. We provide this service to adults as a courtesy to you.

Sincerely,
Harold J. Livera, MD, FAAP
Jennifer L. Segeleon, MD, FAAP
Dr. Brian Posnansky, MD, FAAP
THE BEST KIDS
217 Breckenridge Lane,
Louisville, KY 40207-3858
502-895-9421
FAX (502) 899-5762
office@thebestkids.com

School and Sport Physicals
Our schedule is full beyond the start of school. Do not panic! Schools will not refuse school entry for your child. We can provide documentation for your child to start school. We will get you in ASAP. A cancellation list is in use.

Immunizations
In accordance with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services, the Kentucky Immunization Certificate, (an original, not a copy) is to be on file within two weeks of enrollment.

School Physical
A completed Preventative Health Care Examination form for Kentucky school children is required within two (2) months after the first day of attendance in a Kentucky School.

Eye Examinations
This requirement is only for students, between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, by January 1 of the first year that the child is enrolled in a public school, public preschool or Head Start. The examination must be completed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Children with Disabilities
If your child has a disability, services are available prior to kindergarten. To learn more about Jefferson County Public Schools Early Childhood Programs, please phone (502) 485-3919.

Further info can be found on the Jefferson County Public School web site: http://www.jefferson.k12.ky.us

Breastfeeding Update
Tina Martin has joined us as a second lactation consultant. Tina is a Licensed Practical Registered Nurse and a graduate of Spencerian College. She is certified by the International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants. The training and time involved to have this certification provides the highest level of care for our nursing Mom’s. Tina is married for twenty-five years and has two sons and a stepson. She breastfed her sons.

Sincerely,

Harold J. Livera, MD, FAAP
Jennifer L. Segeleon, MD, FAAP
Dr. Brian Posnansky, MD, FAAP
THE BEST KIDS
217 Breckenridge Lane,
Louisville, KY 40207-3858
502-895-9421
FAX (502) 899-5762
office@thebestkids.com

Office Survey
Thanks to all our families who filled out the office survey either by mail or through our Web site. Your comments and suggestions were greatly appreciated, and we will continue to strive to be "the best" pediatric office in town! We wanted to share our results with you and share the changes and improvements we have in progress.

Results
Our results were just super. Our highest scores were on "the overall quality of care you received" and "the doctor overall." The two questions about the availability of the doctor or nurse to talk on the phone were not statistically valid, so they couldn't be tabulated. This was due to the large number of "not applicable" responses. The lowest scores concerned the waiting time to see the doctor and the comfort of the waiting rooms.

We want to continue providing great care for our families!

1.  90% of our families reported a wait time of less than 30 minutes. 54% waited 15 minutes or less! Dr. Livera continues to work on his timeliness. He said, "I talk too much which is good when it's in your room otherwise... The addition of Dr Posnansky will also improve our scheduling."

2.  Sunscreens will be added to the well waiting room. and heaters will be added to the sick waiting room. The fan switches have been labeled. If you are not comfortable let us know right away, so we can fix it.

3.  All the staff and doctors now have name tags as requested.

4.  The appointment phone line will open earlier. The check-in and room setup processes have been improved.

5.  The registration and practice demographics form is available online.

6.  In the fall, the flu vaccine form will be available online just prior to the first Saturday in October.

7.  We will add an updated routine visit and immunization schedule, as well as a family history form.

8.  Check out our website for some new improvements also.

Sincerely and respectfully,

Harold J. Livera, MD, FAAP
Jennifer L. Segeleon, MD, FAAP
Dr. Brian Posnansky, MD, FAAP
THE BEST KIDS
217 Breckenridge Lane,
Louisville, KY 40207-3858
502-895-9421
FAX (502) 899-5762
office@thebestkids.com

School Physicals
Summer is here!......as you head to the pool, camp and the beach, don’t forget to make your school physical appointments before you go!!!! The summer schedule fills up fast, so call today, so we can get your school physical completed before its too late.

The AAP vaccine schedule and requirements have changed dramatically in the past few years, therefore most school age children will need vaccines at each checkup. Don’t let them be surprised or make promises you can’t keep. If you do have special camp, school or sports forms that need to be filled out, please please help us out and highlight the parts we are responsible for. And fill out what you can before you bring your children in. The kindergarten physical must be within 6 months prior to the start of school in order to be valid. Children will also require a vision exam by either an optometrist or an opthomologist. The schools will not accept our vision screen.

The doctors and staff would greatly appreciate your help.

A Reminder
If you haven’t filled out a 2007 Patient Registration form this year, you can now download it by clicking on this link, http://www.thebestkids.com/d/2007_pt_info_form.pdf  Bring it in on your next visit. We know it’s a tedious task, but it is very important for our records; and we are trying to make it as easy as possible for you.

Our New Doctor!
The Best Kids is thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Brian Posnansky to our staff. He is currently the chief resident at Kosair Children’s Hospital. He will be joining us this July and we hope you all have a chance to welcome him to the office. He went to medical school at The University of Louisville and completed his pediatric residency at Kosair in 2006. He went on to serve as chief resident for the past year. We are very fortunate to have him join our team.

Sun Screen
Tis the season for sun screen. Please protect your kids from the damaging sun rays by reapplying your sun screen every 2 hours and make sure whatever you use has UVA and UVB protection, with an spf of at least 30. No children under 6 months can use sun screen. They need to be in the shade or wear loose long clothing. We recommend sunglasses for all ages.

Locks of Love
Dr. Segeleon just cut off nearly 10 inches of her hair to donate to Locks of Love! It is a nonprofit organization that makes wigs for children with medical conditions and cancer treatments that cause them to lose their hair. Nearly 80% of donations come from other kids wanting to help kids in need. Talk to you girls about this opportunity and visit the website, http://www.Locksoflove.com/ if you are interested.

Coming Soon
We will be sending out a new office survey in the near future. This is vital for our practice to improve and make changes to meet the needs of our patients. We are always striving to be the "best" we can be, but we rely on your input. We urge you to take the time to fill out the survey when the time comes, and we appreciate your honesty and commitment in advance.

Sincerely,
Harold J. Livera, MD FAAP
Jennifer L. Segeleon, MD FAAP
The Best Kids
217 Breckenridge Lane,
Louisville, KY 40207-3858
502-895-9421
FAX (502) 899-5762
office@thebestkids.com

New Year, New Look
The office has been painted throughout in soft new colors. Our chairs have been replaced with larger softer ones. Best of all, the rooms and hall have murals painted by Lauren Meena. All this should make your child’s visits nicer and more comfortable.

New Year, New Vaccine
A new vaccine called Rotateq has been added to the immunization schedule. It will be given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. This vaccine is designed to prevent Rotavirus from causing a non-bloody diarrhea associated with fever and vomiting. It can last about a week.

New Year, New Cards
Be prepared! You will be asked for your insurance card each time your child is seen. Our new system will scan it and help your insurance claims be processed quickly.

A photo ID of each person who brings your child into the office will be put into the chart. You will also be asked to sign a consent form for your child to be treated if you are not with her.

New Year, New Forms
You will be expected to fill out a 2007 Patient Information Form. You will not need to fill out a new Family History Form. We will ask you to update the existing form, initial and date it. As we learn more about the genetic influences on disease, this form becomes increasingly valuable. We understand that nobody likes filling out forms; but they are required, so please cooperate. Click Here for the 2007 form. FAX it to: (502) 899-5762

New Year, New Parts
Please consider organ donation as the last good thing you can do with your life. One person’s donation can help so many people. In Kentucky, you can make your wishes known through the Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates. KODA is the federally designated organ procurement organization that serves most of the state of Kentucky.

This link takes you directly to them. http://www.kyorgandonor.org/

Their last button allows you to register. http://www.donatelifeky.org/default.aspx

Sincerely,
Harold J. Livera, MD FAAP
Jennifer L. Segeleon, MD FAAP
The Best Kids
217 Breckenridge Lane,
Louisville, KY 40207-3858
502-895-9421
FAX (502) 899-5762
office@thebestkids.com