The Voice of Podiatrists

October 12, 2006 #2,712 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.

FL Podiatrist Offers Women’s Shoe-Buying Tips

Dr. Elizabeth Scheiber, a podiatrist practicing at both the Cleveland Clinic Florida and at her Boca Raton office, suggests shopper try on shoes in the afternoon or evening.

Dr. Elizabeth Scheiber

Another idea from Scheiber is to trace each foot, then put the outline to the bottom of the shoes to make sure the shoes aren’t too narrow or short. That’s not just for New Shoes. Since Women’s feet get larger when they are pregnant, closets may hold older shoes that haven’t fit properly for years.

Source: Robin Londer Rothberg, South Florida Business Journal [10/6/06]

18 Mo Probation for FL Podiatrist for Fraudulent Rx’s

A podiatrist has pleaded guilty to a drug charge and will be on probation for 18 months. Ronald Paul Belin, 39, was accused of trying to get the highly addictive drug oxycodone using fraudulent prescriptions. The prescriptions each called for 60 OxyContin tablets and were written in Belin's name and the name of a Texas woman.

Source: Deborah Cearnal, Clay County Line [10/11/06]

EHR Use at About 10%, Report Finds

Almost one-fourth of physicians use some sort of electronic health record, but only about 10% use more sophisticated systems -- so-called "fully operational" systems that are capable of multiple functions such as order- and prescription-entry and decision support, according to a new report. Hospitals are no further along, with roughly 10% tracking a patient's course of care through computerized order-entry, the report said.

Financial, legal and technical barriers continue to slow EHR adoption, officials said at today's news conference on the report. Karen Bell, a director in HHS' office of health information technology adoption, said the federal government and the health IT community are working to overcome those barriers in order to meet President Bush's goal of having EHRs for most Americans by 2014. The report was prepared by researchers at the Institute for Health Policy at Massachusetts General Hospital and the School of Public Health and Health Services at George Washington University.

Source: Matthew DoBias, Modern Healthcare [10/11/06]

Codingline-NYSPMA "Strictly Coding*" Seminar

January 18, 2006 ("The day before the NY Clinical Conference") - Marriott Marquis

Topics: Medicare & CPT 2007 - DME Update - Audits - Routine Foot Care - Surgical Coding - Forms in Practice - Modifiers - Audits - Q&As
Speakers (tentative): Barry Block, DPM, JD; Harry Goldsmith, DPM; Mark Schilansky, DPM; Ken Malkin, DPM, and Paul Kesselman, DPM.

Go to or click on www.codingline.com/events-ny.htm for details and registration information.

For a list of all meetings go to: www.podiatrym.com/meetings.pdf

Query: Selling A/R

Has anyone sold their accounts receivable to a third party? I would appreciate any information regarding this process.

Kyle Hoogendoorn, DPM, Westerfield, OH, kyle_dpm@yahoo.com

RE: Sterilizing Non-Surgical Instruments (Robert Spalding, DPM)
From: Eric J. Lullove, DPM

Cidex manufactures a specialized cold sterile solution that is currently available for purchase through Moore Medical. CIDEX OPA is currently used as an endoscopic and rapid-turnover sterilizing solution that when instruments/hoses/etc, are submerged for a minimum of 12 minutes, they are completely sterile (per the manufacturer). I have been using this solution in my cold-sterile trays for over 1 year.

It has overall, saved money long-term because I haven't had the need to autoclave my instruments constantly. I full steam-sterilize my instruments weekly, but I also do not have to worry about cross-contamination between patients due to the 12-minute soak window between patients for the solution, sterilize and clean my instruments. Also the solution is stain-free and odor-free.

I believe the cost of the product is around $65.00 per gallon, but I feel the cost out-ways a lawsuit over contaminated instruments. Also, the products' website only refers to recycling processing for endoscopy, not cold-sterile, but I have noticed a difference.

Eric J. Lullove, DPM, Boca Raton, FL, ericsops@yahoo.com

A diabetic patient of mine said her callus was especially painful. She reports she did not wear her inserts and therapeutic shoes and instead wore sandals and visited a pedicurist that cut her. I asked her if she was try to commit PEDALCIDE....I thought it was funny anyway.

I Googled it and got no matches, so I guess I just coined a word

Ken Malkin, DPM Caldwell, NJ

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
WELL ESTABLISHED PODIATRY PRACTICE IN MT. AIRY, NC

Dr. John H. Hodges had a well established podiatry practice in Mt. Airy, North Carolina that is either for sale or in need of an associate/partner to come on board to take over patient care. Dr. Hodges unexpectedly passed away in January 2006, leaving approximately 3,500 patients without a podiatrist to care for them. This is a unique opportunity to be able to begin work in an extremely busy podiatric practice. If interested, contact Carolyn McMackin at (336)577-2886 or cmcmackin@triad.rr.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

PRACTICE FOR SALE – TEXAS

Practice for sale in fast growing suburb of Dallas, TX. Fully furnished office in medical building on busy street. General Podiatry, including routine care, orthotics, surgery, etc. Currently part-time office, can be full-time. Hospital privileges available. Excellent Opportunity. Must sell fast. Please respond to: cdinbigd@aol.com P.O. Box 796757, Dallas, TX 75379 or fax contact info to: (972)267-1815.

ASSOCIATE POSITON - FLORIDA

Well established, growing, multi-physician practice in central Florida seeks hard working, ethical individual with good interpersonal skills to replace retiring physician. Experienced support staff, generous salary, malpractice coverage and health insurance. Excellent start on a promising future, this position will provide for the possibility of partnership in the near future. Send CV to: jrdpm@bellsouth.com.

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.

PRACTICE FOR SALE – 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 POSITION-INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR – FLORIDA

High Income position for ethical hard working podiatrist, great for semi-retired or to supplement office practice, part time. Must have Florida license and active Medicare/Medicaid numbers. FAX CV or Resume to 727-785-4697

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.