The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,500 Podiatrists Daily

July 12, 2007 #2,984 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Tennis Shoes Better For Kids Than Sandals/Flip-Flops: ND Podiatrist

Doctor Tracy Hjelmstad, a Trinity Health podiatrist, says, "you use your feet everyday and you don`t necessarily think about them until you`re having problems or having pain." Doctor Hjelmstad would know, he sees everything from puncture wounds to bunions in his office every week. His biggest piece of advice to avoid problems isn`t what most people want to hear during the summer. "I generally discourage wearing sandals or flip-flops," encourages Doctor Hjelmstad.

Dr. Tracy Hjelmstad

From Doctor Hjelmstad`s viewpoint, wearing good tennis shoes provides a much needed protection for little feet. "Kids are generally running in the summer and riding their bikes and they shouldn`t be riding bikes with a flip-flop or a sandal on," says Doctor Hjelmstad.

Taking care of your feet isn`t only for the young, the older generation often have problems with heel pain, foot deformities or corns. Problems that Doctor Hjelmstad says can be slowed down or prevented by washing your feet daily, inspecting them for blisters often and not being afraid to go to a doctor for help.

Source: KYYR-TV, ND [7/10/07]

OCPM’s Hetherington Publishes 2nd Edition of Principles and Practice of Podiatric Medicine

Dr. Vincent J. Hetherington, along with Dr. Leonard A. Levy have just finished the 2nd Edition of Principles and Practice of Podiatric Medicine. The book includes major topics like foot and ankle disorders and injuries, surgical procedures, behavioral medicine and alternative therapies.

Dr. Vincent Hetherington

Contributors to the book include OCPM faculty members Marie Blazer, DPM, Myron Bodman, DPM, Bryan Caldwell, DPM, Matthew DeMore, DPM, Joseph Favazzo, DPM, Jill Kawalec Carroll, PhD, Lawrence Lembach, DPM, James Lichniak, DPM, Brian Novack, DPM, Lawrence Osher, DPM and Scott Spencer, DPM.

In addition, the following OCPM alumni contributed to the book: Donald Adamov, DPM, Gary Bauer, DPM, Harry Burke, DPM, MT, Aaron Chokan, DPM, Lawrence DiDomenico, DPM, Marc Dolce, DPM, David Garchar, DPM, Kyle Elliott Hoogendoorn, DPM, Mark Landry, DPM, MS, Daniel McCarthy, DPM, PhD, Stephen Mielech, DPM and Victoria Penfield, DPM. Also, both Joani Lannoch and Donna Perzeski, OCPM staff members, contributed to the publication. The text is meant to be a resource for practitioners, residents and students.

Physician Groups Improve Quality And Generate Savings Under Medicare Pay For Performance Demonstration

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced today that all participating physician groups improved the clinical management of diabetes patients in the first year of the three-year Medicare Physician Group Practice (PGP) Demonstration. This demonstration rewards providers for coordinating and managing the overall health care needs of Medicare patients with chronic conditions.

“With healthcare costs continuing to grow and the Medicare population expanding, it is critical that we find ways to control costs while also improving the quality of care,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. “This demonstration project provides new evidence that paying for quality of care instead of volume of services helps the program, physicians and patients.”

Under the demonstration, which began April 1, 2005, physician groups continue to be paid on a fee-for-service basis and have the opportunity to share in savings generated from enhancements in care management.

Source: CMS [7/11/07]

Query: Foot Numbness After Plantar Fascia Rupture

Yesterday, I saw a patient that popped his plantar fascia from the plantar medial heel while running the bases in softball game. The heel is better; however, three days after the injury, he noticed numbness and pins/needles sensations along the course of the plantar lateral nerve. It was a textbook case - from the lateral half of the foot down to the 5th toe and half the fourth toe.

Has anyone else has encountered neuropraxia or nerve entrapment following plantar fascia rupture? What was the outcome?

Philbert Kuo, DPM, Chesapeake, VA

RE: OIG and NPWT (Lloyd S. Smith, DPM, 7/11/07)
From: Bryan C. Markinson, DPM

The OIG report on VAC use was 41 pages long. It will take me a few days to get through it and understand it. I recommend any of us using this modality read it thoroughly. All hospital based podiatrists should make sure all involved nurse managers are aware of it as well. I am sure Dr. Smith's breadth of experience in dealing with government entities is extraordinarily greater than most of ours. He states in his post of yesterday that the OIG reports "carry weight" and continues "but the agency being reviewed can reject the findings."

At our level, and at the healthcare institution (hospitals, clinics, medical schools)level, anything coming out from the OIG does a lot more than carry weight. The opinions of the OIG can and do cause the spending of millions of dollars and other resources by institutions to protect themselves from allegations of fraud, whether or not any is actually committed. This is why the electronic medical record industry, to name one, is booming. Three $45,000.00 a year investigators can bring a billion dollar institution to its figurative knees. The power of the OIG, like that of any governmental prosecutorial entity, is infinite. Any less respect of that power is dangerous.

To be fair, the OIG will offer an opinion to anyone who requests it on whether or not a certain act or practice performed or yet to be performed might run afoul of existing regulations. If yes, the provider will have the opportunity to make corrective actions, return payments, or both, but avoid prosecution of fraud charges and hefty fines.

Bryan C. Markinson, DPM, NY, NY, bryan.markinson@mountsinai.org

PRACTICE FOR SALE - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Great opportunity to own a well-established turn-key podiatry practice located in modern medical office building in East Bay; Electronic billing, good payor base, no HMO contracts; Biomechanics, general podiatry with great potential for surgery. Please send CV and letter of interest to: norcalpod@hotmail.com

POSITION AVAILABLE - SOUTHEAST TENNESSEE/ NORTH GEORGIA

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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

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO - BALTIMORE -NW IN

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists. We are located in Chicago, Baltimore and Northwest Indiana. Full and part time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-292-4800. Fax 773-486-3548 ---------------------E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com -- www.homephysicians.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – BOSTON, MA

20 year old, well established, modern practice with 2 locations just out of Boston, looking for associate, P/T or F/T, motivated 24/36 trained or ABPS-Certified or eligible to start immediately. Strong surgically-based practice. Looking for motivated individual, able to practice all facets of podiatry practiced. Electronic scanning for orthotics and voice activated EMR already in office. Fax CV to (617) 567-0822

ASSOCIATE POSITION FLORIDA - NORTHEAST REGION

Busy, well established, full scope podiatry practice seeking highly motivated, hard-working, reliable, responsible and especially likeable to the average human, Associate. Surgical training a plus. Prefer PPMR or RPR. This is an Associate position with lots of potential. Team players only. Email CV to: healthparkmgr@bellsouth.net or fax CV to: 904-826-1586

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE-CENTRAL NJ

Boyd chairs(3), x-ray processor, view boxes, densitometer and much more all in working order. smaller items can be shipped chairs to be picked up please call me at 908-730-8881 or contact me at larrydpm2002@yahoo.com

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ASSOCIATE POSITION - MIAMI BEACH, FL

Seeking well trained PMS 36 / PSR 24+ for Full-Time associate position. Leading to partnership for the person. practice is 50% hospital based. Must have strong Sx skills, including Limb Salvage & Trauma. Competitive Salary & benefits Package. Fax 305-652-6672 or Call 305-785-2559 Email: doctorsole@aol.com

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