The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 10,000 Podiatrists Daily

November 15, 2007 #3,093 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Harkless To Receive 2008 Distinguished Achievement Award From Georgetown Diabetic Limb Salvage Conference

Lawrence B. Harkless, DPM, mentor to many hundreds of podiatric residents and interns, pioneer in integrating podiatric medicine into mainstream medicine, dedicated diabetes educator and diabetic foot researcher, and now Dean of a new college of podiatric medicine in Southern California, has been named the 2008 recipient of the Georgetown Distinguished Achievement Award in Diabetic Limb Salvage by the Georgetown University Hospital Conference on the Team Approach to Diabetic Limb Salvage.

Dr. Lawrence B. Harkless

“Legions of young residents and interns developed their skills under Dr. Harkless’ tutelage, but more than that, for many of us, Dr. Harkless was instrumental in our developing a lifelong interest in medical education,” said John S. Steinberg, DPM, co-chairman of the Georgetown DLS conference and chief of podiatry and co-director of the limb salvage team at Georgetown University Hospital. “In my own case, I owe my passion for education to Larry Harkless,” Dr. Steinberg said. Dr. Steinberg was a fellow at UTHSCSA during Dr. Harkless’ tenure and later served on the faculty there.

The award will be presented at the second annual Georgetown Diabetic Limb Salvage conference, set for September 18-20, 2008, at the JW Marriott Pennsylvania Avenue Hotel in Washington, DC. The first conference, held September 27-29, 2007, attracted more than 1,000 delegates from 44 U.S. states and 23 foreign countries.

John Fawcett Sworn in as New PPMA President

John Fawcett, DPM of Drexel Hill, PA, took the oath as the 2008 Pennsylvania Podiatric Medical Association President at the House of Delegates Inaugural Banquet on Friday, November 2, 2007 in Valley Forge, PA. Dr. Fawcett made his pledge standing before outgoing PPMA President Dr. Edwin Hart, III, from Bethlehem, PA, Officers, Board Members, family, friends, associates, and colleagues during a night of honoring the leaders of the podiatric profession.

Dr. John Fawcett

Dr. Fawcett received his DPM degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM), Cleveland, Ohio, in 1973, also doing his surgical residency at the OCPM. He has served the Delaware County Podiatry Society (a division of PPMA) for 15 years in many different capacities, including president from 1996 – 1999. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine.

HIPAA Issues Seen as Hindering Epidemiology Work

A survey of 1,527 epidemiology practitioners published in this week’s Journal of the American Medical Association finds that variability in the interpretation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has slowed scientific research by making it more costly and time-consuming—to the point that some academic institutional review boards are closing down research efforts.

HIPAA measures were designed to restrict access to medical records while allowing researchers to still legitimately use data; however, because review boards are allowed to define HIPAA measures, there is a wide range in how procedures for studies are governed, said Roberta Ness, chair of the department of epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, in the JAMA report.

In addition, the privacy rule has increased research costs by a “large degree,” according to 40% of those surveyed, and almost 50% of respondents said “significant” time was added to complete projects, Ness said in the report. Only 25% of the respondents believed HIPAA had improved patient information confidentiality, according to the report.

Source: Jean DerGurahian, Modern Healthcare [11/13/07]

Query: Accutane and Post-Op Complications

The mother of a 16 year-old patient expressed concern that the Accutane that her daughter was recently prescribed may interfere with healing of a proposed resection of a dorsal exostosis. In reviewing the PI, the only warning I came across involved possible delayed healing of bone fractures. I suspect this would cause me more concern if I were performing an osteotomy. Since the standard course of treatment is 15-20 weeks, should elective surgery be delayed in patients using Accutane?

Greg Caringi, DPM, Lansdale, PA

Query: CE in Documentation and Recordkeeping

Recently a doctor in our group was advised to obtain continuing education in medical record documentation and office recordkeeping. Where does one find such a class?

Name Withheld

RE: Post-Alcohol Injection Rash (Ivar E. Roth DPM,MPH)
From: Multiple Respondents

It is important to remember that Bacitracin, Neosporin, lactic acid and uric acid preparations are topicals that frequently cause local skin allergic reactions.

Simon Young, New York, NY, Simonyoung@juno.com

Have you ever thought the rash might be from the cold spray used for the injection?

G.B. Calia, DPM, gcalia2@comcast.net

Being that Dr. Roth tried a different batch after the patient recovered, infection is pretty much ruled out. It’s most likely allergy and here is where you have to be a good detective. In all likelihood the allergy is not alcohol but in all of the injectibles there are other ingredients such as preservatives or the local anesthetic which might induce an allergic response. What would be most helpful here is for you to have a conversation with one of the allergists in your area. See if he or she would be willing to do allergy testing on the specific ingredients in not only the alcohol vials but in the local anesthetic that you are mixing with the alcohol.

Determining if the patient is allergic to cains is important not only for what you are treating right now but for the future. If it is determined that the patient is allergic to all cains or a common preservative added to vials of local anesthetics, the patient may have to wear a wrist band with that danger printed on it or have desensitization injections. In the event of a serious injury these medications may be injected. A good allergist may also be able to determine whether the allergy poses a risk of anaphylaxis or just a local histamine response.

Elliot Udell, DPM, Hicksville, NY, Elliotu@aol.com

RE: Title XIX
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM

I opened my mail today and received an APMA Alert. I will share the Alert with all non-APMA members. later this month, the newsletter states Congress will meet and we would like to get passage on title XIX this is the bill to help ensure access to podiatric physicians for Medicaid beneficiaries.

I would have to think if everyone in their own district makes a single phone call to their rep this can be accomplished. One of the problems is that many podiatrists are not APMA members and so they may not know about this. The other problem is that many who are APMA members are passive members who feel the work will get done on its own.

Reality check!! It doesn't work this way. For all those who are not APMA members - feel free to email me, I will let you know if your Rep has not signed on to sponsor the bill. If they haven't, I will give you their number so that you can call them. Fair enough?

Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY, Jeffckass@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - WEST COAST, FL

Outstanding opportunity for PSR-36 graduate to join highly successful group podiatry practice in Summer 2008. Seeking a sociable, articulate graduate who is confident in rearfoot and ankle reconstructive cases but also enjoys all phases of podiatry. Long-term opportunity for the right candidate with generous pay and benefits. Reply to jwicks@ips-med.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- NORTH LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Full scope of podiatry. Requires usual skills in surgery, medicine and biomechanics. Must be self-starter and highly motivated. Two full days per week. May soon increase to three days per week. All billing and administrative aspects handled by staff. Can practice autonomously. footguy1@pacbell.net

PRACTICE FOR SALE - MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST

Near Casino's and beaches. Busy Practice with no HMO's and good insurance coverage. Hospital and Surgical Center privileges available. Call (228) 762-9531 or email me at jwbenus@yahoo.com

PART-TIME LONG-TERM CARE OPPORTUNITIES- Chicago, Peoria, & East St Louis areas

We specialize in providing conservative care to residents in long-term care settings. Immediate part-time positions available. Very flexible scheduling. Competitive compensation and expenses. Contact Dr. Brian Aronson. Phone-773-775-0300, or Fax resume to 773-775-0883

DPM-PT POSITION AVAILABLE - NEW JERSEY

Podiatrist/Physical Therapist dual-degree (DPM-PT) needed to join expanding 2 DPM practice and develop an internal Physical Therapy department with strong emphasis to all phases of Podiatric PT; including foot/ankle surgery, sports medicine, peripheral neuropathy and advanced wound care. Will hold position for right candidate. CV/Questions: pat_caputo@alumni.rutgers.edu

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