03/08/2010 18:01 FAX 14142594011 Boo2/003
Julie A. Griffith, M.D.
Northem California Center for
Leaming & Behavioral Disorders
Pediatric & Adult Neurology
120 Ross Valley Drive
San Rafael, Ca 94901
Phono (415) 925-1616
Facsimile (415) 259-4011
Neurology
PATIENT: — Hannah Harrison
Date: 3 610
This lefter is written on behalf of Hannah Harrison, # 10 year old girl who
has life-threatening epilepsy. Please have Hawaii Medicaid authorize payment
‘for nonstop fights, round trip, from Kauai, Hawaii to Denver, Colorado for
Hannah (the patient), her mother Summer Harrison, and her nurse, Erlinda
Simpliciano, It is necessary for Hannah to have a nurse in fight and during the
whole of the Denver trip, since Hannah will need a nurse for both flights and for
the days in which Hannah wil be receiving outpatient care (attending specialist
appointments). Hannah needs a nurse for observation for, and medication
intervention of, seizures. Hannah's nurse also will be rasponsible for providing
the ketogenic diet, administering G tube feeds, and administer her complicated
medication and supplement regimen.
‘She is scheduled to havo a comprehensive epilepsy consultation along
with the ketogenic diet follow up appointment, consultation with the dietician,
admission to the hospital for video telemetry, and consultation for muttiple
medical specialists, including dermatology, dental, audiology, neurology,
‘ophthalmology, occupational therapy and physical therapy consultations.
‘The nonstop flight from Kauai to Denver is necessary to have the shortest
flying time possible, in case Hannah develops status @pileticus, and to limit her
‘exposure to infections. Should Hannah develop an infection, she may develop a
fever, which could lower her seizure threshold, There is already a risk of
lowering her seizure threshold when flying, since there is a change in time zones,
there may be sleep deprivation, there may be sensory overload, and there is an
increased risk of infection. Certainly Hannah should not have the Increased risk
associated with the extra time and extra exposures by transferring planes.
‘Again, please have Hawaii Medicaid authorize round trip tickets from Kauai to
Denver for Hannah, her nurse Erlinda Simpliciano, and her mother, Summer
Harrison. Summer Harrison must attend the appointments to make medical
decisions for her daughter and is legal guardian of her daughter.03/08/2010 18:01 FAK 14182594011 Boosyo0s
CC: Summer Harrison
Dr. Terry Carolan
MasterGare
Hawaii Medicaid