The Voice of Podiatrists

August 31, 2006 #2,677 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2006- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

NY Podiatrist Offers Tips for Avoiding Foot Fungus in Communal Bathrooms

In the next few weeks, many college students will leave the comforts of home to live in a dorm with hundreds of their peers. Getting away from mom and dad may be great, but dorm life also has its downfalls, including the foot fungus and wart-causing virus that can be picked up in communal bathrooms/showers.

Dr. Oliver Zong

"Shared showers are one of the easier places to contract fungus and bacteria because the wet, steamy atmosphere is a great place for them to breed," explains Oliver Zong, D.P.M., New York City podiatrist and foot surgeon. He offers these five tips for keeping feet fungus-free:

1) Cover Up: Never go barefoot!
2) Scrub Your Feet
3) Wear the Right Socks
4) Give 'Em Some Air
5) Know Your Feet: Check your feet and toenails regularly for any abnormalities and have any skin growths checked by a podiatrist.

Source: Health News Digest [8/28/06]

IL Podiatrist Office Featured in Museum Exhibit

The newest exhibit at the Western Illinois Museum opened last week and grand opening welcomed visitors on Saturday. "Ills, Drills and Pills: A Look Back at Our Health Professions" recaptures the medical and pharmaceutical world of the 20th century in west-central Illinois.

Included is an office recreation for podiatrist Dr. C.J. Meyer Jr. Many of the instruments and tools used in the various professions also are on display.

Recreation of Dr. C.J. Meyer's Office

Dr. Meyer began his practice in 1937 after graduating from the Illinois College of Chiropody and Foot Surgery in Chicago. His office re-creation includes his original patient chair, along with medical books and equipment.

Source: Macomb Daily Journal, IL [8/29/06]

Surgeon Experience Counts As Much as Age: Study

A surgeon's experience is more relevant to patient outcomes than the surgeon's age, according to a study in the September Annals of Surgery. University of Michigan researchers examined outcomes based on surgeons' ages for 461,000 Medicare patients receiving one of eight common cardiovascular or cancer surgeries between 1998 and 1999.

Surgeon age was not associated with higher mortality for most procedures, the exceptions being carotid endarterectomies, coronary artery bypass grafts and pancreatectomies. Overall, the volume of procedures performed by a surgeon was a better indicator of patient mortality. The researchers said they undertook the study because recent research indicated older physicians may provide worse primary care, but the effect of age on surgeons' performance had not been studied. They advised patients to look at risk-adjusted outcomes and hospital and surgical volume statistics rather than age when choosing a surgeon.

Source: Andis Robeznieks, Modern Healthcare [8/29/06]

Query: Source For Surgical Loupes

Are there any podiatrists using "loupes" in surgery? If so what brand? Where can I buy them?

Judy Hodgins, DPM, Dunn, NC, jfootdoc@bellsouth.net

Query: Pet-Friendly Policy?

Many people believe a dog-friendly workplace is an important employee benefit. Has anyone allowed employees to bring their dogs (or cats) to the office -- and if so, how has that worked out?

Bob Levoy, Great Neck, NY, b.levoy@att.net

Query: Heel Debridement - Calcanectomy Coding

Four weeks ago I took a patient to the operating room for debridement of soft tissue and a superficial portion of the calcaneus. The patient was billed using CPT 11044 (debridement, skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and bone).

Two weeks later, the patient was brought back to the OR and a partial calcanectomy was performed. The wound was closed at that time. What CPT code would I use for the second procedure?

Michael Fein, DPM, Bethel, CT

Response: I would recommend using CPT 28120 (partial excision of bone [craterization, saucerization bone], talus or calcaneus) for the second surgery.

The previous debridement code, CPT 11044, has a 10 day follow-up period (Medicare) so two weeks afterward you would not be in its surgical global period.

Howard Zlotoff, DPM, Camp Hill, PA

Codingline subscription information can be found at http://www.codingline.com/subscribe.htm

RE: Onycholysis in a 2-year-old (Jay Kerner, DPM)
From: Palmer Branch, DPM

One often overlooked thing to check in this patient is tight shoes. The repetitive trauma to the toenails can cause loss of the nails. As the father of a rapidly growing 2-year-old myself, I can attest that the feet can outgrow shoes in just a couple of months. Most of us who have been in practice for a while have also seen repetitive nail loss in runners due to poor shoe fit as well. Of course, be sure to do X-rays to rule-out a subungual exostosis or other bony abnormality. Vitamin deficiency or systemic cause of nail loss would tend to be in multiple nails, but the lesser toenails in your clinical picture appear normal.

Palmer Branch, DPM, Chattanooga, TN, drcuboid@aol.com

RE: Competitive Bidding

In my answer to a query on competitive bidding yesterday, I inadvertently left out therapeutic shoes as one type of DME that would NOT be subjected to competitive bidding. Please accept my apologies for any confusion.

Paul Kesselman, DPM, Woodside, NY, pkesselman@pol.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION – UPSTATE NY

Podiatrist wanted for busy practice in growing community in mid-eastern New York State, near Saratoga Springs and Albany. Grow into and eventually own practice. New office building with 4 tx rooms, state-of-the-art surgery center available, privileges at three area hospitals and nursing homes. No limit to what you will earn percentage base. Call 518-692-9134 for more info.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR POSITION AVAILABLE- GREATER ST. LOUIS MISSOURI AREA

Immediate full-time position available in the long term care field. One of the largest providers of long term care servicein the midwest. Corporate support with 10+ years in the business. Competitive compensation and assistant provided. Fax resumes to (636)281-1808.

ASSOCIATE POSITION -ARIZONA

Seeking an experienced podiatrist versed in all aspects of podiatry with current AZ License. The right person will join as a salary associate leading to partial ownership in a group practice. Podiatry practice is well established over 25 years, successful and a large volume in the Phoenix metro area. Position available immediately. Email CV and inquiries to: pprac4sl@cox.net

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE FOR SALE – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

House Call practice for sale which includes approx. 400 patients and continued referrals. Perfect for solo practitioner. Extremely easy and profitable practice to run. Yearly gross of over $200K. Current DPM is retiring. Financials will also be provided. Please contact ccipinc@ccipinc.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW JERSEY

Seeking associate for practice in Ocean County area. Seeking a hardworking, ethical, energetic and well trained (PSR 24/36) individual. MUST be willing to do all aspects of podiatry! Competitive salary and benefits package. E-mail CV to NJFEET@aol.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE – SOUTH FLORIDA

Miami-Dade and SW Ft. Lauderdale, well established surgical practice for sale. This one has everything. Surgery, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Trauma, ER, General Podiatry. Participates in all local and national managed care plans. $850,000 but will discount depending on amount up front. Mature, serious inquires with business experience preferred. Email response to podfootdocs@aol.com

ASSOCIATE WANTED – SOUTH FLORIDA

Miami-Dade and SW Ft. Lauderdale, well established surgical practice needs part-time podiatrists to assist in surgical cases and patient volume. Email response to podfootdocs@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NEW ENGLAND

Terrific Opportunity Now Available in growing New England practice. Well established and respected practice with new, large office space, latest technology, very helpful staff, loyal patients and solid referral base. Close proximity to hospitals with modern surgical suites. Opportunity for shared ownership. Prefer 24 month PSR with clinical practice experience or an experienced doctor looking to improve their situation. E-mail CV and particulars to NEAFC3@aol.com

HOUSE CALL PRACTICE OPPORTUNITY- CHICAGO / NORTHWEST INDIANA

Chicago-Home Physicians specializes in house calls to the elderly homebound. Full and part-time positions available in Chicago/Northwest IN. 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 – TUCSON, AZ

Associate needed for practice in Tucson and Southern Arizona, seeking a hardworking, ethical, and well trained individual. MUST be willing to do all aspects of podiatric medicine and surgery, competitive salary is negotiable. E-mail CV to drd@premiersurgeons.com

WEEKLY SPECIAL - One week of ads (6x) for only $75

PM Classified Ads Reach over 8,500 DPM's and Students

Whether you have used equipment to sell or our offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most- effective way of reaching over 8,000 DPM's. Write bblock@podiatrym.com for details. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451 dekagan@aol.com

• 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.