The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,000 Podiatrists Daily

August 09, 2010 #3,926 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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We’ve just posted the August 2010 CME titled:

By James McGuire, DPM

You can Earn 30 CPME-Approved CME Contact Hours Online

 Earn 15 Contact Hours for only $139

PA Podiatrist Suffers Because Banks Decrease Loans to Small Businesses. 

Companies with fewer than 500 workers employ about half of Americans and account for about 60 percent of gross job creation, Bernanke told a recent forum on banking. One measure of banks’ loans to small businesses fell to $670 billion from $710 billion during the past two years, he said, while reserves banks hold above Fed requirements have topped $1 trillion since November.

Dr. William Dunleavy

William Dunleavy, 55, a podiatrist in Easton, Pennsylvania, laid off one of two employees this year and is considering shutting his practice, which serves 70 to 100 patients a week. Banks revoked credit lines totaling $60,000, and attempts to get other loans failed, forcing him to borrow on personal credit cards to stay afloat. “This is the most difficult time I’ve ever seen,” Dunleavy said in a telephone interview.

Source: Bloomberg News

Most Docs Have Been Sued: Survey

There are about 95 medical liability claims filed for every 100 physicians—or almost one per doctor—and nearly 61% of physicians age 55 and older have been sued, according to a report released by the American Medical Association and based on a survey of 5,825 “non-federal patient care physicians” conducted in 2007 and 2008. The survey, which included doctors practicing across 42 specialties, found that 42.2% of the respondents had a claim filed against them at some point, with more than 20% of physicians sued at least twice.

As physicians age, it is more likely they will get sued, according to the survey, which found that only 15.3% of doctors under age 40 had been sued and only 4.2% had been sued twice; 45.3% doctors between 40 and 54 had been sued, with 22.3% having been sued twice; and 60.5% of doctors 55 and older had been sued, with 39.2% having been sued at least twice. The study also found that 47.5% of male physicians had been sued, with 26.3% having been sued twice; and that 23.9% of female doctors had been sued and only 9.4% had been sued twice. 

Source: Andis Robeznieks, Modern Healthcare [8/4/10]

Reward Your Team With Time

With little money in the budget for rewarding staffers, many leaders are looking for creative low-cost ways to show appreciation. Here are a few options involving another commodity: time.

• Allow flexible scheduling. If you can, eliminate your practices’ 9-5 mentality and offer staffers the option of putting in their eight hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
•  Distribute “free day” certificates. Allow deserving staffers to take a day off without using vacation or sick leave.
•  Hand out “lazy Monday” coupons. Hardworking employees will appreciate the occasional opportunity to extend their weekend by just a few hours. Increase the reward’s power by committing to perform their job functions until they come in.

Source: Adapted from “Rewarding Your Team,” James Manktelow, Mind Tools Newsletter via Communication Briefings

RE: Plantar Fasciitis and Ultrasound Guidance (John Jurcisin, DPM)
From: Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH
 
I read with interest Dr. Jurcisin's comments on using ultrasound for a standard heel spur injection. I would like to get some discussion on this topic to determine what is the standard of practice and ethics concerning this issue.

It seems to me that if a practitioner needs to utilize ultrasound  in giving a standard injection for heel pain that would be the doctor's call, with no extra charges being billed to the patient or the insurance. Utilizing ultrasound helps the doctor to provide the injection, as there is no added benefit to the patient i.e., an injection is an injection for heel spurs.

Certainly, this is an infiltrative injection where pinpoint accuracy is not required. Having said that, I have spoken to doctors who claim that they needed to use ultrasound because if they injected into the fascia, it would cause undue risk for a potential rupture! Is this true?

Also I would like to know if a Dr. charges for an ultrasound study to look at the plantar fascia and states that the fascia is thickened, etc., must he keep a photographic copy as proof in the records, documenting and showing the problem area. My understanding is this would be much like taking an x-ray and making a medical decision; you must have the x-ray to show documentation, right?

Ivar E. Roth, DPM, MPH, Newport Beach, CA, ifabs@earthlink.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY - JERSEY SHORE REGION

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MARYLAND

Fredericks premier group practice is located only 45 minutes from both DC and Baltimore. Immediate opening for a minimum PSR 36 Podiatrist for full time position. We have it all: EMR, digital x-ray, ultrasound, ASC, etc. Excellent salary with bonus structure and benefits. Please email resume to docsbnb@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - DALLAS, TX

Prestigious North Dallas location; 24 year old practice; excellent mix of hospital surgery, office surgery, orthotics, general podiatry, web site, electronic claim submission. Retiring owner will stay for transition. Owner financing available. dallasfootdr@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SW FLORIDA

Golf, Boating and Beaches - Great opportunity to join a well established Podiatry Practice. Excellent mix office/surgery, motivated experienced staff. Seeking full time Associate PSR 12-36. Excellent salary & benefits, early buy-in for the right hard-working, personable candidate. Email resume to capecoralpodiatry@live.com or fax to 239-573-9201

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SUBURBAN PHILADELPHIA AREA

Full-time associate with opportunity for partnership with group practice. Candidate must be trained in all phases of podiatry including wound care, surgery, and routine podiatric care. Candidate must have a positive and energetic attitude with a desire to grow in our practice. If interested please email your CV to BergD@readinghospital.org

PRACTICE FOR SALE – MASSACHUSETTS

Solo Practice Grossing over $700K yearly 4 days a week. Mostly surgical with heavy emphasis on peripheral nerve patients and pediatrics. General bread and butter podiatry as well. No Medicaid very little Medicare. Very modern office. 30 minutes north of Boston. Modern new equipment (digital x-ray, ultrasound, computer network, etc.). Great referral network. Website included. Option to buy the condo 3500sq ft. Have PICA practice evaluation to show you. Call 978-944-7789  for details.

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

Looking for podiatrists to join group to work in nursing facilities in: Texas (Ft. Worth, Dallas, Houston) Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Northwest Pennsylvania, Delaware, Upstate New York, Massachusetts (Brockton). Please respond to: doconcall02@aol.com

PRACTICE AVAILABLE - WESTERN WASHINGTON

General Podiatry practice in Port Townsend, WA. Nice community, 25+ year old practice, busy 3 days a week with growth potential. Owner leaving area, needs someone to take over the practice, lease and equipment. Contact Jessica at ptpod@yahoo.com or 925-519-0624.

FULL-TIME ASSOCIATE NEEDED FREDERICK/HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND

Reconstructive Foot & Ankle Institute, LLC needs full-time DPM at least PMS 36 to join premier group in Frederick/Hagerstown, MD. ASC, EMR, DR-digital radiography and ultrasound, Vascular/nerve testing, DME, retail store, strong hospital affiliations, salary, bonus and benefits. Respond to drmichaels@rfainstitute.com

 IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE- ASSOCIATE POSITION -CT (FAIRFIELD AND NORTH HAVEN) 
 
Great opportunity. Join one of the largest podiatric groups in Connecticut. Well-established and progressive offices. Electronic medical records, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet vascular studies, nerve conduction studies, pinpoint and CO2 lasers, electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapies. Seeking a well-trained, personable, and highly motivated individual. Please send resume and current photo to dr.kassaris@yahoo.com

PODIATRY EQUIPMENT FOR SALE 

Several items taken from working office. Whitehall whirlpool in great condition $750, Podo-spray Sa5 nail grinder $500, Quick seal autoclave bag sealer $70, Dermo-jet/Mada-jet skin anesthesia injector $200, Allpro 2010 Film Processor in great condition $2000, 12 x-ray film cassettes (several different brands) $20 each, X-ray orthoposer $100, x-ray lead body (2)shield $30, 4 Wolf x-ray view boxes $75 each, Star x-ray duplicator $200, star safe light x-ray spotlight $50, several lead shield x-ray covers $25. Actual shipping will be charged or pick in mid-Michigan available, email for more details and pictures. fentonfootcarefd@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – KENTUCKY 
 
Very well established podiatry practice in Louisville, KY seeks a motivated, ethical practitioner trained in all phases of podiatry including routine care, surgery and wound care to join 2 other podiatrists. By joining our practice you will receive a competitive salary with a bonus structure and benefits. Our practice is equipped with DME, PadNet, Gait Scanner and on site retail store. There is a huge potential to grow your practice with our ideally located facility that has strong affiliation with leading area hospitals as well as 2 local residency programs. For immediate consideration, please forward CV to Samuel10530@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – LONG ISLAND, NY

Associate full-time. Well-established, busy, well-rounded podiatry practice looking for a motivated podiatrist. Suffolk Co. LI NY. Board eligible, Board certified PSR-24/36 trained. Fax resume to 631-581-0857.

PRACTICE & STATE LICENSED ASC FOR SALE (MARYLAND, DC SUBURB)

38 yr old general podiatry practice grossing over $550K. Fully equipped with digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, 2 orthotic scanners, computer network and well-equipped surgical suite. Retiring owner will stay on as needed. Email - dpmpracticeforsale@yahoo.com

PART-TIME/FULL-TIME POSITION – MASSACHUSETTS

Looking for extremely energetic physician for nursing home and assisted living facility. Very generous compensation package. Great opportunity for extra cash. Future potential for part-time work in our practice and/or in house call practice as well. Please call immediately (978) 794-8406 and ask for Blanca for an interview.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

Beautiful weather year round & near the Coast. Opportunity for Early Buy-in. Seeking associate or new residency graduate to join practice. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facilities. E-mail cover letter & CV to melissafoot@pol.net

TN PRACTICE FOR SALE (LAWRENCE COUNTY)

Active, established practice includes office building and property ( appraised at 110k) with all equipment and shelf stock included. Great referral network with an excellent scope of practice. Patients on schedule 1 day/ week grossed over 250k last year. 125k OBO Call 931-446-5724 or email mchad500@gmail.com for more information.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BROOKLYN, NY

Full or part-time position available for a busy well-established podiatry practice in Brooklyn with possible buy in opportunity.  Modern  office with a networked EMR, diagnostic ultrasound, digital x- ray, orthotic scanner, in office surgical suite, and with a great  support staff. Must be Experienced, highly motivated with good clinical skills. Must be participant with Medicare, Advantage Medicare plans (managed Medicare), and managed Medicaid plans in Kings County. please email resume to tkd@gishpuppy.com

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