The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 11,000 Podiatrists Daily

September 15, 2009 #3,649 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Congratulations to Keith Daniels , DPM of Flint, MI , winner of PictZar® Digital Planimetry Software - Wound Measurement on Digital Photographs (Value $850).

We encourage you to participate in this important survey at www.podiatrym.com/survey Completing this anonymous survey provides us with valuable data, which we will publish in the February 2010 issue of PM. It also makes you eligible to win thousands of dollars of valuable prizes. Enter by sending Question #43 (no answer necessary) to bblock@podiatrym.com along with your name and address.

This week's prize is registration to the 2010 Alaska Practice Management Cruise.  Learn about this once-in-a-lifetime adventure seminar by going to www.podiatrym.com/alaska (Value $495).

This is also your opportunity to vote for the next DPM and Non-DPM inductees into the PM Podiatry Hall of Fame. 

IL Podiatrist Discusses Sneakers for Neutral Foot Types

Many runners need sneakers categorized for stability or neutral foot types. These styles are designed to provide moderate arch support (the arches are generally less foam-filled than those in other shoe types) so runners don't overpronate, and they also provide some motion control for stability.

Dr. Stephen Weinberg

There's also a bit of cushioning, which benefits every foot type to some degree, says Stephen Weinberg, DPM, a podiatrist in Chicago: "After all, even 'normal' feet were made to walk and run on mud, not concrete."

By Karen Springen, Self [September 2009]

Practices Must Have Plans for Handling Health Data Breaches

Whether you are a solo physician in a small rural setting or an employed physician in a large urban hospital, starting September 23, if patients' personal data are leaked, you have to let them know.

This could mean sending a letter to the patient or patients affected or taking out a quarter-page ad in the local newspaper, depending on the type of breach. Additionally, even if a breach never occurs, the new rules require practices to have a plan in place -- just in case.

The new breach notification rules, sanctioned by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, were issued by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services in August. Unlike former HIPAA rules that did not specify a time frame for action to be taken post-breach, the new rules give very specific deadlines. The law says the practice should take action immediately, no later than within 60 days.

Source: Pamela Lewis Dolan, AMNews [9/14/09]

Editor's Note: PM News is proud to present excerpts from Meet the Masters. Full versions of these interviews will appear in Podiatry Management Magazine.
 
Bret Ribotsky: What has the Lepow Podiatry Group in Houston implemented over the past few years in order to increase patient volume via marketing strategies or new techniques?
 
Ronald Lepow:  Sending out newsletters is without a doubt, the most effective thing that we have done from the marketing standpoint. You probably have seen these, and I am sure that many people have probably thrown newsletters away, thinking that they are junk mail, but they are not. Newsletters tell people what we do. We are in a large medical center in Houston with hundreds of doctors.  We actually order enough of these newsletters. Our staff delivers these newsletters to every doctor in the medical center.  

Meet the Masters is broadcast each Tuesday Night at 9 PM (EST). This week's guest is  Ross Taubman, DPM, former president of the APMA and the architect of Vision 2015 . You can register for this event  by clicking here.

Query: Patient Reminder System

I’m looking for a patient reminder system that texts appointment reminders to the patient’s phone. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Cheryl Martinetti, PMAC, Howell, NJ

RE: Post-op Heel Pain (Philip E. Larkins, DPM)
From: Roody Samimi, DPM, Chris Browning, DPM

Consider an allergy to the Mitek anchor -- Is there lucency on new x-rays around the anchor? A seeping wound? Any metal allergy? I've seen them removed for this reason. But if you think it's a neuroma, a diagnostic block would help.

Sacramento, CA, roody.samimi@gmail.com

Pain after excision of retrocalcaneal exostosis is expected often times for months. The literature is very mixed in terms of results but some sources quote success rates as low as 60% and as high as over 90%. Several podiatry and orthopedic texts (Myerson) suggest a recovery period of up to two years. 

Did the doctor …
 
Chris Browning, DPM, Nederland, TX, chrisbrowning@att.net

Editor’s note: Dr. Browning’s complete extended-length note appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=28847&start=1

RE: Billing Services (Chris Browning, DPM)
From: Michael Brody, DPM

The system Dr. Browning describes has a very serious flaw, which is the method of sending patient information to the biller. E-mail is NOT secure, and sending the protected health information in an e-mail is a HIPAA violation. I suggest finding an alternate method of communicating with the biller.

Michael Brody, DPM, Commack, NY, mbrody@tldsystems.com

Editor’s note: Watch for an article by Dr. Brody on secure methods of communication in an upcoming issue of Podiatry Management.

RE: PSR-24 Discrimination (Bryan Markinson, DPM)
From: Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM

Kudos to Dr. Markinson for saying it like it is! Not only the PSR-24s are being discriminated by the PSR-36ers, but what about both of these groups also discriminating against the RPRs with a PSR-12 or PPMRs with a PSR-12?

Such blatant discrimination is also being done by the ABPS, who does not let anyone with less than a PSR-24 become Rearfoot Certified, no matter the experience, available surgical logs, or evidence of further post-graduate training (outside of a residency program).

With roughly six years remaining to Vision 2015, will the podiatry leadership address this issue and the obtaining of equal scopes of practice in all of the States of the Union? Only then can we be a lobby for obtaining parity with our MD and DO colleagues.
 
Narmo L. Ortiz, Jr., DPM, Cape Coral, FL, nlortizdpm@embarqmail.com

RE: Remembering 9/11
From: Barry Mullen, DPM

Editor's note: Dr. Mullen's extended-length note appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=28844&start=1

ASSOCIATE POSITION -  WASHINGTON, DC 

Interested in working in Washington D.C.? Our group is looking to add a highly motivated, hard working, well trained podiatrist to our practice. Must have surgical training. We have a very busy multi-office practice. We practice state of the art podiatry with EMR and digital radiography. Associate to partner on a fast track for the right person. E-mail CV and cover letter to Washingtonpod@aol.com

OFFICE SPACE/ MRI RENTAL – NYC, LI

Turn-key space available, daily, monthly; East 60th off Park Ave, East 22nd St. off 3rd Ave, Hicksville and/or Plainview Long Island. JACHO-certified operating rooms available, as well as all surgical equipment and anesthesia. Extremity MRI Rental. Stark compliant. All exams read by board certified radiologist. Call for details. 516 476-1815

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for a full-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to fmassuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NYC 
 
Expanding Joint Commission Accredited Surgical and state of art medical podiatry practice seeks part-time ABPS Qualified/Certified podiatric surgeon on two weekdays in Flushing, Queens and on Saturday's in Midtown, Manhattan. Email CV and cover letter  to   EcksteinDPM@AOL.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION (SURGICAL) – CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Surgical Group is seeking a Board-Certified podiatrist to add to our Surgical Podiatry division based in Central Connecticut. This podiatrist will provide all aspects of Podiatric care with a focus on wound and surgical care to a well-established patient base. We require PSR-36 training and board certification or eligibility, excellent surgical and wound care skills, a strong focus on providing compassionate care to our patients, and the ability to work as part of a team in a group practice setting. To apply please visit our website . EOE

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NY (MID-TOWN MANHATTAN & WESTCHESTER COUNTY)

Multi-office, well-established medical/surgical practice with on premises OR, digital x-rays, vascular testing, sonogram, F-scan, bone density testing, fluoroscopy & NCV. Additionally, EMR with voice recognition charting coming soon, and many other perks are available. We are looking for personable, well-trained & well-motivated individual. Patient base available for immediate in-office productivity. If you are new or ready to change locations, contact us ASAP to discuss opportunities. Send resume and cover letter to terri.bobson@verizon.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - FREDERICK, MD

Well-established and growing 2 office state-of-the-art practice located in medical/professional buildings. EMR, Digital X-ray, Ultrasound, DME provider, etc. Competitive Base Salary plus bonus, malpractice, health insurance, etc. PSR 24 minimum/Board Qualified or Certified with ability and desire to take ER call. If interested, forward CV to DOCSBNB@aol.com

LOCUM TENENS POSITION – PHOENIX, AZ

Locum Tenens position available in West Valley Phoenix office beginning September 15th. Salary negotiable. One to two days a week in a friendly and casual office. Please direct all inquiries to drlaurel@cox.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE/ASSOCIATE POSITION-COLORADO
 
Established practice in Denver area. Turn-key for immediate possession or associate position. Office located on hospital campus with referral sources in building. Practice evaluation at 275K. Contact Jenifer Davies at 303-947-1869.

PRACTICE FOR SALE - FLORIDA—CENTRAL/SOUTH

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Chas.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Well-established, state of the art medical-surgical podiatry practice seeking well-trained motivated individual to work full-time with future partnership possible. Will start with full schedule. PSR-24 a minimum. Email resume to Howard4624@gmail.com

NEEDED CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC PODIATRISTS

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION – CENTRAL FLORIDA

Growing practice east coast of central Florida looking for full or part-time associate willing to buy into practice. PSR 24/36 Please contact: pfk4@yahoo.com.

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