The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 12,500 Podiatrists Daily

August 11, 2011 #4,230 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2011- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

Diabetics Need Annual Foot Exam: NJ Podiatrist

Diabetics can develop many different foot problems. "Even ordinary problems can get worse and lead to serious complications," says podiatrist Dr. Ujjwal Datta of Raritan Bay Medical Center. But most can avoid serious issues by having their feet checked by a podiatrist annually and by following some simple tips. 

Dr. Ujjwal Datta

"Most importantly, diabetics should work with their physician to manage their blood glucose levels; check their feet every day for red spots, cuts, swelling and blisters; and seek medical attention if injuries are found. Foot problems most often happen when there is nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. Although it can cause pain, neuropathy also can lessen the ability to feel pain, heat, and cold. This can lead to injuries going unnoticed, says Datta.

Source: Mycentraljersey.com [8/8/11]

NJ Podiatrist to be Honored as Outstanding Volunteer Physician

At VIM’s 5th Annual Gala - Broadway By The Bay - local podiatrist Dr. Martin J. Carey will be honored as the 2011 Outstanding Volunteer Physician, and the Wildwood Women’s Golf Association will be honored as the 2011 Caring Neighbors. The event will be held at The Yacht Club of Stone Harbor on September 23rd. 

Dr. Martin Carey

The primary mission of VIM is to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of the medically uninsured or under-served population living or working in Cape May County. Since opening in 2002, VIM, located on Route 9 in Cape May Court House, has cared for over 4,000 patients with more than 18,000 patient visits.    

Source: Cape May County Herald [8/6/11]

IFAF Riverboat Seminar Tours Europe in Grand Style

The International Foot & Ankle Foundation for Education and Research hosted a fantastic 3-day seminar in Prague, Czech Republic, followed by a 7-day Riverboat Cruise Seminar on the Danube River with stops in Vilshofen, Regensburg and Passau, Germany; Linz, Melk, Krems, Salzburg and Vienna, Austria; and Bratislava, Slovakia; and Budapest, Hungary. More that 60 registrants attended meetings held at the InterContinental Hotel and the President Hotel in Prague and aboard the MS AmaDolce Riverboat as it toured the beautiful Danube River.

IFAF Faculty included Drs. Rex Nilson, Sean Grambart, Harry Burke, Mary Crawford, Stephen Silvani, Keith Kashuk, David Novicki, Stephen Mariash, Dock Dockery, and Ed Glaser.

The all-inclusive trip included many sightseeing bus, bike, and walking tours of the different cities and historical sites along the journey. Highlights of the program included a trip to Cafe Sacher at the Hotel Sacher, for a famous Vienna chocolate torte, a tour of the Museum of Fine Arts (Wein Kunsthistorisches Museum), and a Mozart and Strauss concert performed by the Royal Vienna Residence Orchestra held at the historical Borsensale Hall built in 1877.

CMS Relies on Biased AMA Data, Docs Allege

A primary-care physician practice in Augusta, GA has filed federal litigation alleging that, for decades, the CMS has illegally relied on biased advice from the American Medical Association in setting its payment formulas for general and specialty doctors. As a result, the litigating doctors say, the CMS has consistently overpaid specialty doctors relative to primary-care physicians, which has made it more difficult for much-needed general medical clinics to stay in business. The lawsuit was filed by five physicians and a dentist who all work at the Center for Primary Care in Augusta.

The doctors' lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore says that since 1992 the CMS has relied on an obscure committee of the AMA known as the Relative Value Scale Update Committee to advise it on how to set Medicare reimbursement rates for various medical specialties based on changes in the cost of providing services.

Source: Joe Carlson, Modern Healthcare [8/9/11]

Physicians Delaying Retirement Because of Recent Recession

Many physicians who had planned to retire and see more of their grandkids are still seeing patients, according to a survey released last week by the healthcare recruiting firm Jackson & Coker. The number one reason why physicians are delaying retirement is the recession of 2008-2009, which wreaked havoc on their investment portfolios and net worth, the survey states.

Of 522 physicians who completed the online survey, 52% said their retirement plans had changed since the onset of the recession. Of this group, which included physicians of all ages, 70% said they planned to work longer so they could make up for the downturn's pernicious effects on their investments.

Source: Robert Lowes, Medscape Family Medicine [8/8/11]

Change Choices

When  your  staff  faces  a  difficult transition, such as the implementation of electronic medical records, acknowledge that. But emphasize  that  while  the  change  is not optional, how they handle it is.

During changes, people fall into four categories: innovators, early adopters,  late adopters, and resisters. Cliff  Lange,  CFO  of  Boston  Mutual Life  Insurance,  tells  his  employees that they can choose which to be. Lange  tells  them  that  innovators and  early  adopters  will  have  many opportunities,  but  the  late adopters and resisters will damage their careers along with the practice.

Source: Adapted  from  “The  Four ‘I’s’ of Talent Management,” David McCann, CFO via Communication Briefings

Query: Clinical Summaries

How are my colleagues providing patients with clinical summaries? Are you printing them for patients on their way out? Are you offering it to every patient? Are you using a patient portal and pushing it for every patient? My EMR has a decent clinical summary tab, and the ability to export them in the required CCD/CCR formats. I understand we need to provide them for 50% of patients who have an E&M visit code.

Michael J. Hodos, DPM, Wake Forest, NC

Query: Medical Missions

I am interested in medical mission trips and have previously participated in them through my former church, but want to be primarily, if not completely, on the medical side, not the religious side of them. What programs are currently available?
 
Andrea Mills, Student, OCPM, Cleveland, OH

RE: Recalcitrant Wound  (Samuel Rosenwald, DCh)
From: Tip Sullivan, DPM

First make sure that there is no metabolic or compliance reason for wound healing delay. Culture bone and look for zebras,--i.e. AFBs and/or fungus. Go to the OR and change an old wound to a new wound. Send tissue for path and stain for organisms. Consider primary closure with a flap or directly over antibiotic-impregnated beads (Wright medical).
 
Tip Sullivan, DPM, Jackson, MS, tsdefeet@msfootcenter.net

RE: NY Podiatrist Develops New Cosmetic Approach to Bunion Procedure
From: Mathew M. John, DPM
 
With all due respect to Dr. Emanuel Sergi, the medial approach to bunion surgery has been around for years. I have used a medial approach to provide my patients (especially female patients) with a cosmetically appealing scar post-bunionectomy and have taught residents this approach just as my attendings taught me. The only thing new about the medial approach is that there is now yet another marketing label attached to it.
 
Mathew M. John, DPM, Marietta, GA, footdoc@afcenters.com

RE: How are Podiatrists as Compared to MDs Treated in the Military? (Brad Wenstrup, DPM)
From: Joel Lang, DPM

I was so pleased to hear about the current increased equitable treatment of podiatrists in the military. I would like to think that I had something to do with that.

I was ‘drafted’ into the U.S. Army in 1960 immediately after graduation from NYCPM. At that time there were only six slots for podiatry-commissioned officers in the Army, and I did not get one. At that time, podiatrists were commissioned as second lieutenants in the Medical Service Corps, while MDs were commissioned as captains in the Medical Corps.

After ten weeks of standard boot camp training,...  

Editor's Note: Dr. Lang's extended-length letter can be read here.

RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITY - MASSACHUSETTS

SUB LEASING TIME on MRI (NYC)

.31 tesla extremity MRI in state-of-the-art midtown Manhattan office location. Lease time on magnet in compliance with the Stark laws. This magnet is the only one that will be accepted by Medicare and all other insurance as of 2012. Why not bill out for your own MRI's???  Email today dri@myfcny.com.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - ARTERIAL DOPPLER

Revo arterial Doppler with all accessories, bought in August 2009.  Great revenue and practice builder. E mail advancedfoot1@aol.com for details.

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CLASS FOUR LASER

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS – MARYLAND
 
Are you motivated, personable and enjoy working with the elderly? We are offering full or part-time positions in Maryland. Our group, Podiatry Management Services, provides care to the elderly in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living, Senior Homes, Adult Daycare and other similar facilities. Please e-mail your c.v. to drhprosen@verizon.net or fax to 410-486-2049 or call Dr. Herbert Rosen at 410-580-0255

ASSOCIATE POSITION -CENTRAL VALLEY/SOUTHERN CA

Seeking associate with partnership availability. Must be highly motivated and have good patient skills and personality. Salary excellent with all paid benefits/incentives including malpractice/401k and profit sharing. Compassionate and well-trained for immediate position. Surgery Center and hospital based with no HMOs/no rest homes. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Offering a permanent position/partnership in a multi-million dollar hi-tech practice with Partnership also in Surgery center. Please e-mail CV and short bio to: Tonya@wetreatyourfeet.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CANADA

Beautiful Victoria, B.C. Canada on the ocean, fast growing area. Associate for multi-office full scope practice. $10,000 advance incentive to help move & immigration and work contract. Reply to dr.cole@shaw.ca

ASSOCIATE POSITIONS - NW INDIANA

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 12,500 DPM's and Students

• To Post a message, send it to:    bblock@podiatrym.com
• Notes should be original and may not be submitted to other publications or listservs without our express written permission.
• Notes must be in the following form:
  RE: (Topic)
  From: (your name, DPM)
  Body of letter. Be concise. Limit to 250 words or less). Use Spellchecker
  Your name, DPM City/State
• Subscribers are reminded that they have an ethical obligation to disclose any potential conflicts of interest when commenting on any product, procedure, or service.