The Voice of Podiatrists

October 06, 2006 #2,607 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Ultrasonic Debridement Less painful: Armstrong

Gary Bennett is lucky to be back on his bike after spending almost a year in severe pain. A rare disease called vasculitis caused painful wounds on Gary's legs -- 22 of them! But the treatment was even more painful. Doctors used a scalpel to scrape away dead and infected skin.

Dr. David Armstrong

Then, Dr. David Armstrong told Gary about a less painful way to clean out just about any type of wound. "It's not what you put on these wounds that heals them. It's what you take off," says Dr. Armstrong, a podiatrist at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. The ultrasonic scalpel uses ultrasound waves to clear skin of bacteria and remove infected tissue -- all without touching the wound! it lets more antibiotics reach the problem spot, so there's quicker healing.

"It's dramatically reduced pain and reduced the risk for infection," says Dr. Armstrong.

Source: WQAD, IL [10/5/06]

Digital X-Ray Bill Co-Sponsored by CPMA and COA is Now Law

A bill allowing X-ray technicians to operate digital imaging equipment is now law. Past law had not let qualified technicians use the new computerized and digital X-ray systems in doctors or dentists’ offices. The imaging systems are among the cutting-edge technology being used in the medical industry.

“My legislation ensures that X-ray technicians will get the proper training and oversight they need so they can use the newer and more effective digital equipment,” said Sen. Sam Aanestad, (R-Grass Valley).

Aanestad’s legislation was sponsored by the California Orthopaedic Association and the California Podiatric Association. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed it into law.

Source: The Union [10/4//06]

UK Podiatrist "Levels" the Playing Field For Soccer Player

An Ipswich podiatrist has helped Blues striker Alan Lee revive his international career after it was discovered he has one leg an inch shorter than the other.

Suvanne Harding works with Lee one morning a week to ensure the Republic of Ireland international is suitably balanced and that, he hopes, will end the catalogue of injuries he has suffered during his career.

Lee now has a special insert in his right boot to level him out and since getting back to fitness has had no recurrence of any injury problems. He has banged in three goals in the last three Town games and is back in the international fold.

Source: Derek Davis, East Anglian Daily Times, UK [10/5/06]

Query: Obligation to Hold Position for Maternity Leave

In May, I hired a part-time employee hired, who at the time did not know she was pregnant (it turns out she was 5 mos pregnant at the time). She will not be able to work for obvious reasons. Am I obligated to hold her position until such time as she feels she is able to return?

Name Withheld in New York

Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), entitles most workers to up to 12 weeks of job-protected medical leave for birth or adoption. However, the FMLA doesn't cover those who work for employers with less than 50 employees and guarantees only unpaid leaves. The employee must have worked a total of 1,250 hours in the 12 months.

State Laws vary considerably.

Based on the information provided, your part-time employee would not qualify for maternity leave. We suggest you consult a healthcare attorney, as other issues may be relevant, such as whether your employee is entitled to disability pay under Workers' Compensation.

RE: Billing Patients Via E-Mail (Daniel Shanahan, DPM)
From: Ira Weiner, DPM , Steven N. Solomon, DPM, JD

For the past six months we have been using a web-based billing program which does have the ability to send appointment reminders via email (www.webedoctor.com).
I think the ability to generate a statement via e-mail does make good sense, but the problem that I see is eventually if the bill remains unpaid, a hard copy
statement will have to be generated. E-mail based balance bills were never something that I brought up with them, but I agree it is a nice idea.

Unfortunately a large percentage of the senior population that we all see do not use computers, and hospital based consultations, etc, would have no e-mail
access on their intake forms either.

Ira Weiner, DPM, Las Vegas, NV, vegasfootdoc2005@yahoo.com

You are correct that sending paper bills in today's electronic age is a bit ridiculous. I would be concerned though with what information you would be including in the bills that you would be sending since e-mail is inherently insecure. This could lead to the inadvertent disclosure of PHI and a violation of HIPAA. You could try password encryption, using the patient's birthday or something else that is unique for that individual patient as the password. You just have to make sure that the patient knows what the password is.

As to how to go about sending an electronic bill, if you are able to print a hard copy of the bill, you can generate a pdf (adobe) file using software (some of which is free). How this works, is that instead of sending the bill to the printer, just change the print destination to pdf. This will create a pdf file that you can then e-mail as an attachment.

Before you implement any of this, make sure that your patients agree to receive their bills by e-mail. Also make sure that they have your e-mail address on their "white list" or in their e-mail address book so that your e-mails are not considered spam.

Steven N. Solomon, DPM, JD, Brooklyn, NY, legalfoot@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION-INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR – FLORIDA

High Income position for ethical hard working podiatrist, great for semi-retired or to supplement office practice, part time. Must have Florida license and active Medicare/Medicaid numbers. FAX CV or Resume to 727-785-4697

WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established podiatry practice in Mt. Airy, North Carolina that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to come on board to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away in January 2006, leaving approximately 3,500 patients without a podiatrist to care for them. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in an extremely busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Merging practice and I have an office full of equipment for sale. No reasonable offer refused. Great for new practitioner or second office.Two older PDM treatment chairs. One surgical table, also great for orthotic casting. Variety of hand surgical tools, waiting room chairs, cast cutter, etc. Call and ask! Need to clear out office by Nov 1, so I'm motivated...Paul Busman DPM Troy, NY 518-272-6881, 518-229-6668 Cell.

NURSING HOME ASSOCIATE NEEDED- PHILA AREA

Extremely high volume nursing home and home care practice. Well-established and respected Suburban Philadelphia practice seeking an associate who is hardworking. Full-time or part-time available. Very busy practice which can be worked every day and be very lucrative for a hard-working individual. No nursing home further than ½ hour away from office. Email CV and contact info to: mrgpod@hotmail.com or fax CV to 610-668-5175

PRACTICE FOR SALE/ASSOCIATE/PARTNERSHIP - WASHINGTON, DC

Established busy practice for sale in hospital's medical building. Fully equipped. All aspects of podiatric medicine/surgery. Large diabetic practice with wound care clinic. Large referral base. Hospital to be renovated and expanded. Charcot, forefoot, rearfoot, orthopedics. Residency required for privileges. Moving - will stay for transition. Associateship until purchase. Unbelievable potential to expand. Will finance sale with adequate down-payment. Serious inquires only. Contact scottr0666@yahoo.com

IMMEDIATE ASSOCIATE NEEDED - PHILLY SUBURBS

High volume office-based practice suburban Philadelphia. Very diverse, all ages seen. Sports medicine, trauma, forefoot and rearfoot surgery. Full-time office, near hospitals for surgery, consults, and in-house pt. care. Candidate must be hard-working dedicated to pt. care and well-trained. Needs to be personable. PSR12/24/36 Board Certified/Eligible required for a fast-paced, fun atmosphere to work. Email CV and contact info to: mrgpod@hotmail.com or fax CV to 610-668-5175

POSITION WANTED - SOUTHEAST

Seeking position as associate, partner or to purchase practice. Licensed in FL, GA, AL, and TN. 35+ years of active practice in all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery. Available immediately (770) 403-2874 or handor@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - TEXAS

Practice for sale in fast growing suburb of Dallas, TX. Fully furnished office in medical building on busy street. General Podiatry, including routine care, orthotics, surgery, etc. Currently part-time office, can be full-time. Hospital privileges available. Excellent Opportunity. Must sell fast. Please respond to: P.O. Box 796757, Dallas, TX 75379 or fax contact info to: (972)267-1815.

ASSOCIATE POSITON - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA

Immediate position available or will wait for the right individual. Unique practice opportunity in growing multi-physician/multi-office practice. Well established/cutting edge within the medical community. Close proximity to hospitals as well as opportunity to become involved with a free standing podiatric surgical center. Must be BQ/BC. Minimum PSR/24. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. E-mail CV to afcjen@hotmail.com

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