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May 16, 2008 #3,247 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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TX Podiatrist Testing New Treatment for Foot Ulcers

Amputation is one of the most feared complications of diabetes. Now, a local doctor is testing a new treatment for foot ulcers that may help cut down on the need for amputations. Excellerate is a new treatment that uses viruses to insert growth genes into skin cells. “This product allows us to potentially heal ulcers quicker by increasing the vascular growth around the ulcer site and by increasing the formation of skin or epidermal cells,” said Dr. Bhavesh Shah, a podiatrist at the South Texas Foot Institute.

The DNA-based gel is applied to the bottom of the foot where it solidifies, and then the area is wrapped up and left for a week. Early studies have shown ulcers can heal in a matter of weeks instead of months which allows patients to get back on their feet sooner. About 25 medical centers around the country are testing the healing gel on more than 200 patients, and doctors are hoping to find a more effective way to help diabetics save their limbs and ultimately, their lives.

Source: Wendy Rigby, KENS 5 Eyewitness News [5/12/08]

TUSPM Podiatrist is Sweet on Honey as a Wound Dressing

Medicinal uses for honey go back 5-thousand years, to the Egyptians and the Greeks. Still-edible honey was found in King Tut's tomb! But honey is generating new "buzz" these days, as the science on its healing powers catches up to its folk legend. DermaSciences, Inc., of West Windsor, NJ, is having success with the first honey-based medical dressings.

Dr. James McGuire

Dr. James McGuire, of Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine says he's been pleased with the results from his use of MediHoney dressings. "This is hard science. There's something in there that really works. It is a very good dressing, and has its place, and you’re going to see a lot more about it in the future."

That "something" may be the half-dozen vitamins, copper, iodine, zinc, and a host of enzymes that are found in the honey. Those make the honey antiseptic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory. Says McGuire of MediHoney, "It just sucks the moisture out of bacteria, and they can't function."

Source: Lisa Thomas-Laury, 6-WABC.com [5/13/08]

Senate Revises Physician Gift Bill

The Senate has revised a bill that would require drug and medical device manufacturers to publicly report payments and gifts to physicians, Reuters/New York Times reports. The previous bill required all gifts valued at $25 or more to be disclosed, but that amount has been increased to $500 under the revised legislation. The revised bill also requires all drug and medical device makers to report gifts, rather than only companies with more than $100 million in annual revenue, the AP/Chicago Tribune reports.

Eli Lilly on Tuesday endorsed the bill because of the payment and gift amount revisions (Freking, AP/Chicago Tribune, 5/13). The legislation would require the companies to begin disclosing payments on March 31, 2011, and it would pre-empt several state laws that require drug makers to (publically) disclose payments to physicians (CongressDaily, 5/14).

Source: Via American Health Line [5/14/08]

RE: Billing Programs

We are currently looking for billing programs for our office. We are not interested in programs that require a monthly fee for eternity. Are there any good programs that provide updates and technical support as needed without the long-term fees?

Mark Williams, DPM, Olympic, WA

RE: Homeopathic Remedies
From: Elliot Udell, DPM, Bob Kornfeld, DPM

Dr. Kornfeld states that Dr. Elias authored an article where he uses Arnica to assist in post-operative pain and inflammation. I have used Arnica Montana preparations for years in my practice and so have other physicians long before Dr. Kornfeld and I were born. Arnica Montana has anti-inflammatory properties. The problem is that Dr. Kornfeld is referring to homeopathy, where a substance is diluted to the point of where it no longer exists, with a recognized and accepted herbal product which has proven medicinal value. There are hundreds if not thousands of botanical products that are medically efficacious. Some such as digitalis require a prescription.

One product that is extremely effective in the treatment of poison ivy is jewel weed. I can personally attest that it cured my severe case of poison ivy last summer when steroids failed. I also tried homeopathic preparations years ago for my seasonal allergies and got no relief. Had I known then what I know now about homeopathy, I would not have wasted my money. Let’s not confuse effective botanical medications with homeopathy. They are not in the same league.

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

Dr. Udell confuses the issue when he states that those doctors that "prescribe a homeopathic remedy for a serious infection may be even found criminally negligent". It is the duty of every physician to utilize ALL of his training and apply it to each unique patient interaction. Anyone with a medical degree (and a conscience) that has studied and utilizes homeopathic medicine in practice would not be foolish enough to treat a "serious" infection with a homeopathic remedy. This is an unjust assumption on his part. Additionally, when I speak of anything in the realm of "natural" medicine, it is integrated into all of my training.

I hope it doesn't surprise Dr. Udell that I still prescribe drugs and perform plenty of surgery. The beauty in this paradigm of medicine is that in every case, we apply the most appropriate protocol with the patient's best interest at heart. This is not an issue of holistic vs. traditional medicine. This is an issue of using all principles of healing in an integrated way to foster the best possible outcome for our patients. I think it would also be important to note that the far greater majority of medical negligence cases (in actual numbers and percentage of practitioners) involve the traditional allopathic paradigm, not the integrative one.

Bob Kornfeld, DPM, Lake Success, NY, Holfoot153@aol.com

RE: Faxing Consultations (Jeffrey Kass, DPM)
From: Robert Wunderlich, DPM, Ira Weiner, DPM

I've been faxing literally all written communication to other physicians for the past 10 years, and probably half of the written communication I receive from other physicians is sent to me via fax. There are a couple of things that HIPAA dictates we should do when faxing patient information, such as verifying the recipient's fax number and using a cover sheet that contains no patient information. Click here for more info:

Robert Wunderlich, DPM, San Antonio, TX, rwunder@gmail.com

I have been doing this for about 2 years now, and in fact receive nearly all of my consultations and reports by fax as well. The benefit is the doctors have the report immediately, and if they are paperless, depending on what type of system they have, it can be placed in the patient file immediately.

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

Seeking a well-rounded resident for associateship in Houston. Candidate must be motivated, personable and goal oriented. Practice is well equipped with excellent support staff. Opportunity for buy-in following attainment of performance goals. Part-time position also available. Please send CV and letter of interest to drvargas@drvargas.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED - KNOXVILLE, TN AREA

Busy multi-doctor, multi office practice heavily weighted in surgery. PSR-24 + experience preferred. Part-time also available. Area consistently ranked in top five areas of country to live, work or retire. Ranked third in country 2008 Boaters magazine for boating destination. First year guarantee $150,000 plus bonuses and benefits. Send cover letter an c.v. to davidphawk@adelphia.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NW INDIANA (1 HR FROM CHICAGO)

Great opportunity for financial and personal success. Start at $150K plus incentive compensation, good benefits, and ownership potential. Must be highly motivated, have a great bedside manner and excellent surgical skills (forefoot and rearfoot). E-mail resume to friendlyfootcare@comcast.net or fax resume to (219)662-7290. Learn about us here

ASSOCIATE POSITION- SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI

Busy office seeking associate interested in future partnership. Must be ethical, well trained in all areas of podiatry, strong surgical background, board eligible or board certified. Office includes Doppler, ultrasound and digital x-ray, EMR. Competitive salary and benefits. Email CV to stlfootdoc@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA

Well-known practice in Coral Gables,FL for over 20 years. Excellent location on Coral Way with heavy traffic, great visibility and plenty of parking. Busy, fully equipped, full-time office with established patients. Grossing over 300K with tremendous growth potential. Office is currently open and ready to take over immediately. For additional information contact QVAN@aol.com or 305-975-5516.

SEEKING RESIDENT FOR PSR-24 - BALTIMORE, MD (MERCY MC)

Position for a highly motivated individual with completed non-surgical residency or one desiring additional surgical training in well-established Podiatric Residency Program. Busy metropolitan hospital with high surgical numbers and inpatient care. Resident is integral member of multidisciplinary team. Begins mid June 2008. Includes competitive salary/benefits. Send inquiries to rsher18@yahoo.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CORAL GABLES, MIAMI AREA (FLORIDA)

Beautiful location in the heart of Miracle Mile. Excellent opportunity for a starting practitioner. Most insurances accepted. Good mixture of surgical and general podiatry. Fully equipped with low overhead. Located in a professional building, with referrals from other doctors in the same building. Contact zoesar@aol.com or call 786-877-5149.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

Seeking a quality-oriented, patient-focused RPR-trained associate for a fast paced, established group practice in Southeast Michigan. This is a secure, long-term position, emphasis on diabetic foot and wound care. Gain surgical experience while earning an excellent living. Our outstanding staff allows you to concentrate on optimal patient care without the responsibilities of practice management. Partnership possibility for the right individual. If you are highly motivated, ethical and have good communication and clinical skills, please fax your CV with a letter of intent to 734-981-0487.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Seeking three-year trained resident for associateship, hopefully leading to partnership. Competent in all phases of podiatry particularly reconstructive rearfoot surgery. Outstanding opportunity for the right individual. Reply to Richard Pollak at 210-692-0279, or fax resume to 210-692-0028 or e-mail drpllk@hotmail.com

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

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO --NORTHWEST INDIANA

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. 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

SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA-PM&S 36 ASSOCIATE WANTED

Large, busy podiatry group looking for associate interested in future partnership. Practice facilities and technologies include: Surgical Center, Physical Therapy Department, 6 appointment locations, EMR, MRI, Clinical Trials and Digital X-ray. Full compensation and benefit package offered. Mail CV to Martin Foot and Ankle, 1203 S. Queen St. York, PA 17403 or email johnreitzelmfa@aol.com

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