The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

March 16, 2009 #3,494 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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CA Podiatrist Recommends Toe Exercises

Corralled piglets squealing? Feed them oxygen-rich blood. "When your toes are confined in shoes all day, the nerves and blood supply get compressed," says Colleen Schwartz, D.P.M., a podiatrist in the San Francisco Bay area.

Dr. Colleen Schwartz

To silence the pain: Stand barefoot with your feet together; raise your toes off the floor and spread them wide. Then, starting with the little ones, lower your toes two at a time (one per foot). Work inward, lowering the big toes last. Repeat 10 times.

Source: Lauren Russell Griffin, ABC News [3/12/09]

CA Podiatrist Runs “Barbershop” to Diagnose Diabetes for Black Men

In recent years, the barbershop has continued to be a place of fellowship, where African-American men meet, gossip and dissect sports and politics across generational and socioeconomic lines. Barbershops across South Los Angeles have been targeted as the site of lifesaving efforts, thanks to Dr. Bill Releford and a squadron of other volunteers.

Dr. Bill Releford

Releford, a podiatrist with a Miracle Mile-based private practice, was getting a bald fade at Inglewood's Finest Barbershop one Sunday, when the solution to a long-pondered dilemma came to him: African-Americans have the highest rates of diabetes and heart disease of any group, yet black men are among the least likely to see a doctor regularly. So if the men wouldn't come to a doctor, he would bring a cadre of volunteer doctors and nurses to the barbershop.

Dr. Pamela Blakely

"It's taboo to go to the doctor, so he comes to them," said Dr. Pamela Blakely, a podiatrist and program volunteer. "The one place he can find them on a weekly basis is the barbershop." Many men balk at going to the doctor, and various studies have tried to get at why. They see being sick as a sign of weakness. They don't like waiting in doctors' offices. They're scared of what they may find out.

Source: Mary Engle, Los Angeles Times, [3/12/09]

MO Podiatrist Pleads Guilty to Healthcare Fraud

A St. Louis County podiatrist pleaded guilty to a healthcare fraud charge this morning in federal court in St. Louis and admitted over-billing Medicare and Medicaid for unnecessary treatment, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Denise Hardy, 45, lied on treatment notes between 2000 and 2005 so that Medicare and Medicaid would pay for foot care that would not otherwise have been reimbursed, prosecutors said.

Hardy worked for South St. Louis Orthopedic Group from 1998 to 2005 and provided services at their office as well as nursing homes, Lafayette Habilitation and at senior service centers at St. Alexius Hospital and St. Anthony’s Medical Center. She was paid a $55,000 salary plus 50 to 60 percent of the revenue she billed each month over $12,000.

Robert Patrick, St. Louis Post-Dispatch [03/13/09]
 

Pressure Mounts to Manage Medical Device Vendor Reps in Operating Room

It seems to be viewed almost as a necessary evil: Medical-device vendor representatives sometimes must be in the operating room (OR) to provide surgeons with technical support when the vendor's product or service is being used (e.g., knee or hip implant). But the presence of vendor reps raises all kinds of concerns, and hospitals are struggling to manage vendor reps' access, thoroughly screen them, ensure patient safety and privacy, and prevent conflicts of interest and kickbacks. It's a formidable task against the backdrop of the larger challenge of crowd control in the OR, a popular place for everyone from residents and med students to the surgeon's children.

"There are merits to having vendors in the OR guiding physician in terms of a device the physician might not be that familiar with," Julie Chicoine, compliance director for Ohio State University Medical Center says. "For example, a device may need some kind of baseline assessment and initial checking, so it can be beneficial to have the vendor rep there. But you need safeguards to show the public you are really vetting the vendor rep - that there is some kind of process to control access and ensure patient safety."

Source: Nina Youngstrom, Report on Medicare Compliance [3/6/09]

RE: MA Bans Gifts to Providers; Disclosure Required
From: Paul Bishop, DPM

I wonder if other readers of this article will feel the same way I do, in that again, outside regulators are making physicians out to be untrusted, greedy, gift whores at the whim and fancy of the drug makers.  Why is it that everyone else outside of medicine feels the need to police us more than we police ourselves. 
 
When looking at our profession as a whole in terms of integrity, I feel that medicine, much more than the legal profession.....

Editor's note: To read the full-text of this extended-length letter see: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=25161&start=1
 
Paul Bishop, DPM, Yorkville, IL, Feetpeople@aol.com

RE: Wal-mart to Sell EMR to Doctors
From: David E. Gurvis, DPM

Wal-Mart has announced it will sell low cost EMR turnkey systems (Dell laptop and software) to small physician groups via its Sam’s Club division. Cost to the first physician in the group is expected to be $25,000 and $10,000 for each additional physician. The software will be from the eClinicalworks company.
 
I always knew Wal-Mart was engaging in a conspiracy to take over the entire country. Now I know it. I wonder if Wal-Mart has secret plans to take over the entire healthcare industry and make us all greet our patients in the infamous blue Wal-Mart greeter's jacket?
 
Read article by clicking here. 
 
David E. Gurvis, DPM, Avon, IN, deg1@comcast.net

RE: Your Fees are Too High
From: Bob Levoy, Dennis Shavelson, DPM

My suggestion is to first clarify what the patient is saying. “Your fees are too high” for example, could mean any of the following: It’s not worth it. It’s more than my neighbor paid for the same thing. It's more than my insurance will allow. It’s more than I can afford. It’s more than I thought it would be.
 
Each of these interpretations requires an entirely different response. All that may be needed to clarify the situation is a simple question such as: “What makes you say that? or “Why do you say that?”

Bob Levoy, Roslyn, NY, b.levoy@att.net

Editor’s Note: Dr. Shavelson’s extended-length note can be read at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=25156&start=1

RE: Voice Recognition Software (Tom DeBenedictis, DPM)
From: Carl Solomon DPM
 
I found a great on-line forum for users of speech recognition dictation software. Go to speechcomputing.com. To get full access and be able to ask and answer questions, you'll have to create an account and log in. But you can get a lot of useful information by reading other users' questions and answers. One of the contributors to the forum has a great list of tips specific to Dragon that you can get directly at knowbrainer.com/downloads/NatPro_Quick_Tips.pdf
 
Carl Solomon, DPM, Dallas TX, cdsol@baylorhealth.edu

RE: Indigent Medical Care Program (Will Alexander, DPM)
From: Sam Bell, DPM

Contact your local Shriners (the guys with the red fez). You can find them in the phone book. They provide care, transportation, etc. for free.

Sam Bell, DPM, Schenectady, NY, dpmbell@aol.com
 

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CENTRAL FL

Practice sale, in beautiful, high quality of life, growing area; 2000 sf bldg. fully equipped/ designed for podiatry; excellent location, features & exposure; near hospital, wound and HBO center. Great opportunity for expansion; good insurance climate. 352-357-7499 / E-mail: windnwave@earthlink.net

NEEDED CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC PODIATRISTS

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. Full and part-time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

CASE CONSULTING

Dennis Shavelson, DPM is now accepting referrals of difficult cases involving biomechanics, surgical complications, non-healing wounds diagnostic and treatment dilemma’s and subtalar stenting from DPM’S. Full reporting with second opinion only, rapid return after care and assumption of care options. Medicare and Out-of-Network Only. (212) 288-3668 or drsha@lifestylepodiatry.com 

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN ASSOCIATE WITH PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY 
 
Seeking quality-oriented, associate for a fast-paced, established group practice in Southeast Michigan. This is a long term position for the right person; with a partnership opportunity. Emphasis on diabetic foot care, foot surgery and wound care. Our outstanding staff allows you to concentrate on optimal patient care without the responsibilities of practice management. If you are highly motivated, ethical, and have good communication and clinical skills, please forward your letter of intent and your C.V. to fax# 734 981-0487 or e-mail cfsdr@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE or ASSOCIATE WANTED – SOUTHEAST OHIO 

Well-established, two-office practice in Southeast Ohio for sale. Seller currently works 3.5 days per week. Gross >$300K, Net ~$140K.  Excellent locations and growth potential. All equipment and furniture included. Seller is willing to help with transition, Ohio Licensure. Contact seller at bjadpm@hotmail.com for more information.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NAPLES, FL

Great opportunity for PSR- 24/36 BE/BC podiatrist with strong surgical skills to join multi-office practice. Hospital privileges available at 648 bed hospital system, 200 bed hospital system and multiple surgical centers. Florida has a great scope of practice law and we rotate for ER call at all 4 hospitals. Candidate needs to be ethical and motivated. Established practitioner or new practitioner OK. Base salary, percentage, benefits including 401K. Fax CV to (239)566-8778 or Email CV to Drgordon@gulfcoastfootcare.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE OR ASSOCIATE-SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN-BRIGHTON

Outstanding opportunity. Eleven year established-earn 200K. Excellent location in mid to high income growth area. Turn-key, all equipment and furniture included. High quality 1,350 sf build-out. Large illuminated sign on busy main road, convenient parking. Must sacrifice due to illness. Will stay for transition or partner if wanted. Priced to sell. Call (248) 565-5266. Docpod@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – CALIFORNIA

Three podiatrists needed for busy North Hollywood office. Full-time Monday-Friday 8am-2:30pm.  No weekends and no call. Pay negotiable. New podiatrists are encouraged to apply. Please email resume and salary request to Coasttocoastpodiatry@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for a full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to f-massuda@footexperts.com

OFFICE SPACE/ MRI RENTAL – NYC, LI   
 
Turn-key space available, daily, monthly; East 60th off Park Ave, East 22nd St. off 3rd Ave, and Plainview Long Island. JACHO-certified operating rooms available, as well as all surgical equipment and anesthesia. Extremity MRI Rental. Stark compliant. All exams read by board certified radiologist. Call for details. 516 476-1815

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