The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,000 Podiatrists Daily

October 23, 2007 #3,073 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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PM News Reaches 10,000 Subscribers

Over 13 years and 3,000 issues after its official launch, PM News has now topped the 10,000 subscriber mark. PM News began in 1991 when Barry Block, DPM, JD started circulating news items to approximately 50 podiatric pioneers using the Prodigy Service. By 1994, a few hundred podiatrists from other services such as AOL and Compuserve had been added.

Dr. Albert Musella

PM News has been growing rapidly ever since, reaching 5,000 subscribers in 2000. Much credit for the success of PM News goes to webmaster Albert Musella, DPM. He designed and created the current color and photo-capable format of this publication, as well many of the advanced features found on our website.

New Office Shouldn’t Be Opened to Rescue Mistakes: MO Entrepreneur

Clifford Holekamp, founder of Ladue-based Foot Healers, researches his customer base before he thinks about expanding his chain of podiatry centers that double as stores featuring foot-related health products. Other criteria include convenient buildings near major streets and offices with easy layouts for his patients, who have foot problems and can't walk long distances.

Clifford Holekamp

Holekamp launched his first branch in Marlborough in 2002 and has since opened three more offices — in St. Peters and Chesterfield in 2004 and Creve Coeur in August. Before adding new locations, Holekamp said, owners must make sure their existing locations are successful. For his company, this means examining the profitability of each branch. "A common mistake that entre¬preneurs make is they try to open a new location to rescue their mistakes," he said. "That's the wrong approach. A new office shouldn't be opened to rescue the other one."

Source: Angela Tablac, St. Louis Post-Dispatch [10/19/07]

Delay in Diagnosing Osteoporosis In 28-Year-Old Woman (New Jersey)

Facts: The female plaintiff in her late 20s had received overlapping treatment from the three defendants, including an internist, podiatrist and ob/gyn, with the ob/gyn seeing her last. The plaintiff contended that despite the weight of the 5 ft. 5 in. tall plaintiff, which dropped as low as 101 lbs., frequent rigorous exercise, the loss of her period and the suffering of two stress fractures to the feet, the defendants negligently failed to consider that the plaintiff might be suffering from an eating disorder.

The plaintiff further contended that the defendants negligently failed to send her for a bone density study and to institute other measures to correct the bone loss. The plaintiff maintained that after she ultimately suffered an ankle fracture, a non-party orthopedist sent her for a bone density study and that it was determined that the plaintiff suffered severe osteoporosis, which is particularly pronounced in the spine and hip, and that the condition of her bones was similar to that of a woman in her 70s. The defendants maintained that the care was reasonable.

The plaintiff contended that although the condition has stabilized, it will never improve and that she will permanently be very susceptible to compression fractures in the spine. The defendant podiatrist maintained that he had a right to rely on the physicians and the internist maintained that any fault primarily rest with the ob/gyn.

The ob/gyn contended that he acted appropriately, especially since he treated the plaintiff correctly with birth control pills and was able to achieve the return of her menstrual cycle.
The case settled prior to trial for $ 375,000, with the most significant portion paid by the defendant ob/gyn.

Result: $ 375,000 Recovery

Plaintiff Experts: Ob/Gyn: Richard Luciani from Millburn, NJ, Podiatrist: Myron Boxer from Woodmere, NY, Internist: Kevin Bell from Watchung, NJ, Bone Metabolism: Michelle Warren from Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

Source: National Jury Verdict Review & Analysis

Query: Tablets for EMR

I am interested in using a tablet for the EMR. I have found the Fujitsu tablets which have very high marks. Does anyone have experience with the slate-type tablet vs. the convertible laptop/tablet-type of computer?

Samuel Cox, DPM, Goodyear, AZ

RE: EMR System (Scot C Zindel, DPM)
From: Alan Kalker, DPM

There are many good systems available and some are better at some things than others. First, decide why you want an EMR and what you want it to do for you. As you demo many systems you will come to understand your preferences and what is important to you. Here are just a few of the questions you will need to answer in no special order of importance:

What kind of dictating and templating system will you be comfortable with? Can the templates be easily changed or must a programmer make the changes for you? Does it do documentation by exception or by positive findings - or both? Can it highlight the problems in the record that the patient came to you for or will your note be filled with useless noise that obscures the real problem? How readable is the note your EMR will generate? How good is their support? Do you want a podiatry dedicated EMR or one that was designed for physicians in general? How established is the software company and are they likely to still be doing business in 5 or 10 years?

Asking which is the best EMR is a bit like asking which is the "best" flavor ice cream. What works for you will be different than what works for others. We are using eMDs and like it a lot. But it might not work for you. There is an excellent informational site at: www.EMRupdate.com

Alan Kalker, DPM, Middleton, WI, ajkalker@facstaff.wisc.edu

Editor’s note: The full version of this extended length letter can be read at:
http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=16243&start=1

SALES REPS WANTED

Orthofeet is looking for independent sales reps to sell their line of shoes and orthotics. Orthofeet offers high end shoes and diabetic insoles that are covered by Medicare, along with competitive advantages and unique selling points. E-mail: mb@orthofeet.com

POSITION WANTED PHOENIX METRO AREA

Office getting too busy with winter visitors? Young practitioner available for part time help. Seasonal or temporary OK. Surgically trained. Flexible schedule. Direct inquiries to dlmeb5@yahoo.com

HOME FOR RENT- CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO

For rent: 2 bedroom-3 full bath fractional home on the Sea of Cortez at Grand Regina Westin, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Week of December 29, 2006 until Jan 5, 2008. Sleeps 8, full kitchen with washer and dryer. Outside balcony with hot tub overlooking the water. Ideal for family vacation. $5000. Photos available. Contact Amogreg@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Seeking a position in a warm, friendly, and productive environment? Well, look no further! A well established podiatry facility in North Hollywood, California has an immediate position available for a podiatrist. He/She must be motivated, reliable, and dedicated. Depending on performance, partnership is possible. If interested, email your resume to drnickoghosyan@yahoo.com

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