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PM News

The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 13,500 Podiatrists Daily

November 25, 2011 #4,315 Publisher-Barry Block, DPM, JD

A service of Podiatry Management http://www.podiatrym.com
E-mail us by hitting the reply key.
COPYRIGHT 2011- No part of PM News can be reproduced without the
express written permission of Kane Communications, Inc.

PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS

TX Podiatrist's Pain-Relieving Device Attracts Worldwide Attention

People from around the world suffering from a variety of hard-to-treat pain conditions are flocking to Corpus Christi for a one-of-a-kind therapy developed by a local doctor. The treatment device, called Vecttor, sends electrical currents into patients' hands and feet, allowing for better circulation which, in many cases, decreases their pain. Designed by podiatrist Dr. Donald Rhodes in 1992, the machine has since received seven patents, with others pending in Europe.

Dr. Donald Rhodes

Patients usually respond to treatment quickly, Rhodes said. After one therapy session, Diego was able to jump and stand on one foot, something he was unable to do before receiving treatment. Rhodes has treated several international patients who have come to his Corpus Christi office from places such as Great Britain and Spain.

Source: Mike Manzoni, KRIS-TV [11/22/11]

AT THE COLLEGES

CLEAR Obtains Subcontract to Explore and Improve Patient Adherence to Prescribed Footwear

Scholl College’s CLEAR researchers, in collaboration with Biosensics, LLC, recently obtained a SBIR-Shift grant from NIH. This project seeks to develop an unobtrusive monitor that will identify patients’ use of their prescribed footwear during their daily physical activity. “The suggested technology is to extend our initial efforts to estimate spontaneous daily physical activities in real-time using body worn sensor technology,” said Dr Bijan Najafi, Associate Professor of Applied Biomechanics and site-principle investigator at CLEAR, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

Dr. Bijan Najafi

This device may be used to provide clinicians valuable information regarding patient compliance and also may be used as a tool to directly improve compliance by providing a warning alert to patients when they are active while not wearing their footwear. The initial focus of the technology is improving diabetic foot care management and enabling clinicians to better treat diabetic wounds, however, several other applications are predicted by the study team.

CODINGLINE CORNER

CURRENT TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED ON CODINGLINE'S LISTSERV INCLUDE:

o Evacuating the Sinus Tarsi
o Coding EHL Lengthening in the Foot
o ICD-10 Implementation Handbooks
o 2012 MPFS Final Rule
o Ulcer Code Denial

Codingline subscription information can be found here
APMA Members: Click here for your free Codingline Silver subscription

APMA COMPONENT NEWS

OCPM Student Receives AAPPM's Dr. Harvey Lederman Leadership Scholarship

Craig Frey, a fourth-year student at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM), received The Dr. Harvey Lederman Leadership Scholarship from the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM). The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a third- or fourth-year student at OCPM who has demonstrated leadership in podiatric medicine and/or the community.

(L-R) Hal Ornstein, DPM and chairman of the AAPPM, Craig Frey, OCPM AAPPM student and OCPM AAPPM Chapter president, Dustin Hubbard.

Frey was selected based on his 500-word essay on what constitutes a good leader and how he has personally fulfilled this trait. He also maintained a 3.0+ GPA and received a stellar letter of recommendation from a faculty member/community member impressed with his leadership skills.

OUTSIDE INTERESTS

OH Podiatrist's Hospital Band Debuts Holiday CD

The jazz group The Ultra Sounds has put its own spin on some classic holiday tunes. The band, comprised of Licking Memorial Health Systems employees and supporters, recently completed its first album, "An Ultra Sonic Christmas." The band celebrated the CD's debut Tuesday at a CD release party and concert at Licking Memorial Hospital. More than 50 people, including some of the hospital staff, stopped by to listen.

Dr. Ralph Napolitano Jr. (Left Rear) with Jazz Band

"Everyone likes a new twist on the holiday tunes," said Dr. Ralph Napolitano Jr., a podiatrist who plays trumpet and flugelhorn in the group. The band came together in 2010 after Napolitano sent an e-mail, inviting staff and volunteers to form a musical group. Napolitano said he is pleased by how the CD turned out. "We are really happy," he said. "It's very professional sounding and technically, it's excellently done."

Source: Newark Advocate [11/23/11]

PODIATRISTS AND THE LAW

MI Podiatrist Pleads Guilty to Medicare Fraud

A Detroit-area foot doctor pleaded guilty today for his participation in a Medicare fraud scheme, announced the Department of Justice, FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Dr. Errol Sherman pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Gerald E. Rosen in the Eastern District of Michigan to one count of healthcare fraud. At sentencing, Sherman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. According to the plea documents, between January 2003 and December 2006, Sherman billed Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan hundreds of times for procedures known as an “avulsion of the nail plate” or “nail avulsion” that were never rendered.

Source: 7th Space Interactive [11/23/11]

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY

Empower Your Front Desk

Did you know that at least 50% of elective service patient callers are lost at the front desk. How do these numbers relate on a macro level? Let’s assume that each patient is worth about $500 or more to your practice. If your office loses two patients per day and you work 250 business days per year, the loss would be $250,000.

Solutions - Set your front desk up to win.

1. Nothing is more important than asking questions.

2. Nominate your best phone person to work the front office.

3. Hire personnel with sales experience.

4. Consider production incentives to motivate employees.

5. Have your front desk employees educate patients when they come in.

6. Provide prepared scripts for the front desk staff.

Source: David Helfman, DPM, Atlanta, GA

QUERIES (MEDICAL-LEGAL)

Query: Service Dogs

I recently had one of those "mental health" days with more than my share of "needy" patients. One in particular brought her Labrador retriever into the waiting room without notice or permission. When notified by my staff that pets are not allowed in the office for safety and hygiene reasons, she replied that it was a "service" dog. When further questioned whether it was her service dog, she replied that it was not for herself.

My staff than asked her to put her dog in her car or re-appoint her for another day without the dog. What are our obligations regarding "service" dogs? My concern is patient safety and treatment room cleanliness.

John Moglia, DPM, Berkeley Hts, NJ

Editor's note: PM News does not provide legal advice. Under the ADA, podiatrists are required to make "reasonable accommodations" to patients with disabilities. If a patient without a disability requiring a service dog brings in an animal, there is an inadequate rationale for allowing this dog in the office.

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (CLINICAL)

RE: Wavelengths for Laser Treatment of Onychomycosis (Jeff Kass, DPM)

From: Bryan C. Markinson, DPM

Dr. Kass states that “claims of 75%–85%” have been made regarding efficacy for laser treatments, and wants to know if any particular wavelength or combination works better than another. Unfortunately, if you dig deep, the claims that we have been told are very ill-defined. Does anyone think that 75-85% of toenails treated actually clear with any laser? The FDA has been presented no evidence even approaching that. What has been submitted are studies that demonstrate a 75-85% RESPONSE. That could actually be as little as one or two millimeters of clear new nail.

You really have to ask each individual company for specifics, as I have tried. Even their speakers have a hard time defining what their efficacy claims actually mean. Only one company...

Editor's note: Dr. Markinson's extended-length letter can be read here.

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1

RE: Dropbox
From: Hal Ornstein, DPM

In the past, there have been issues that I have dealt with both personally and professionally that I am happy to say have been resolved with the use of Dropbox (dropbox.com). The concept is simple; it stores files securely that you can access anywhere, whether online or off-line. You can store up to 2GB free or up to 100 GB with a reasonably-priced subscription.

This application allows us to access our files from any type of computer via the Internet. Through adding the Dropbox program to any of your other computers, you can access locally, even if off-line. And the beauty is that...

Editor's note: Dr. Ornstein's extended-length letter can be read here.

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 2

RE: The Blood Pressure Discussion (Leonard A. Levy, DPM, MPH)

From: Sloan Gordon, DPM

I could not agree more with the comments made by Dr. Levy, albeit, it was hard to believe anyone would even raise this question. Thanks to people like Dr. Levy, who have mainstreamed podiatry into the allopathic world and shown our strengths, we should rise to that standard. This is a wake-up call to all of us DPMs who see Wal-Mart, Walgreens, and CVS opening nurse practitioner clinics (trust me, they will all treat ingrown toenails) to threaten our extinction. Let's stick to being physicians and surgeons who practice according to our scope and education.

In Texas, which certainly has its issues, at least many institutions allow us to perform our own H&Ps and admissions. If we are going to do that, we must...

Editor's note: Dr. Gordon's extended-length can be read here.

MEETING NOTICES - PART 1

$Infracare$

RESPONSES / COMMENTS (NEWS STORIES)

RE: Sinus Tarsi Implant Surgery (Dennis Shavelson, DPM)

From: Michael E. Graham, DPM

We understand that each individual physician will need to make a personal decision as to whether or not to use these codes while the issue is still open for debate. After all, smart is knowing facts, wisdom is knowing what to do with them. However, I can promise you that I and my company will continue to pursue this matter until a final decision has been made, whatever that decision may be. We will stand by our product, the codes recommended and the surgeons who use them.

We recognize we are challenging many physicians to rethink the way they have typically thought on these matters. The more surgeons, such as yourself and others who have responded in the forum, and those who are willing to take a stand on this issue, the better our chances that this message will be heard and understood. This support could be in the public forum, or privately, one colleague to another.

This cannot and should not be about one man and his company. As physicians, our primary purpose is to effectively and efficiently rid patients of what ails them, and we need to provide our patients with treatment options that make the most sense to them. When a procedure is not covered due to incorrect coding issues, our patients are less likely to choose that option, even when it has the best overall outcomes.

It’s also important to recognize that EOTTS is different than arthroereisis for more than just coding. This is a revolutionary procedure with proven, better outcomes. The evidence supports us.

Michael E. Graham, DPM, Macomb, MI, megdpm@gmail.com

MEETING NOTICES - PART 2

PODIATRY GOES TO SCOTLAND 2012

HAS 1 CANCELLATION!

CALL NOW FOR LAST COTTAGE! 10 CME HRS.

May 5-11, 2012 www.gtef.org krista.richter@yahoo.com

Codingline & PM News
In conjunction with AAPPM Present
The Greenbrier Coding & Practice Management Workshop
(Following the 2012 APMA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC) August 20-22, 2012

The Greenbrier

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT ENDS 12/1/11

Click Here for information or to Register

CLASSIFIED ADS

PRACTICE FOR SALE – NANAIMO, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Have you ever dreamed of owning a practice where...you can see 0-50 patients daily * average 100 new patients monthly * have zero accounts receivable * gross $480K per year * live in a beautiful community with skiing, hiking, fishing, and boating on your doorstep. This could be yours! If interested contact pistone@telus.net or call 250-754-4192.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - EAST TENNESSEE

30 year old practice with 5 offices in greater Knoxville area seeking ethical, personable, hardworking, team player. $160,000 base salary with bonus incentives and benefits. Post-residency experience a plus. Please send resume to ddavidphawk@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TEXAS

Well established, expanding podiatric medical and surgical practice with multiple locations Northeast of Dallas, Texas. Modern offices with EHR, digital radiography, Padnet vascular studies and laser. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package for a motivated, ethical, personable and well trained PSR/36 or board equivalent. This individual will also assist managing the residency program. Send resume (CV)to northtexaspodiatry@yahoo.com along with a letter of intent

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Multi-office group seeks highly trained surgical associate to join us. Prefer person with frame and trauma experience. Our practice is state-of-the-art and has all modalities: EMR, PadNnet, on-site billing, diagnostic US, PRP, digital x-ray, etc. Excellent salary, bonus structure and benefits with partnership available. Please forward CV and letter of intent to docsbnb@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - TAMPA BAY AREA

Excellent opportunity to join a well-established multi-office group practice in the beautiful Tampa Bay area starting July 1, 2012. We are seeking a highly motivated, ethical and personable physician with a Florida license. Competitive salary, excellent benefits and partnership track. Please email or fax CV to thesykeshome@aol.com (813) 254-8262

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL VALLEY/SOUTHERN CA

Seeking associate with partnership availability. Must be highly motivated and have good patient skills and personality. Salary excellent with all paid benefits/incentives including malpractice/401k and profit sharing. Compassionate and well-trained for immediate position. Surgery Center and hospital-based with no HMOs/no rest homes. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Offering a permanent position/partnership in a multi-million dollar hi-tech practice with Partnership also in Surgery center. Please e-mail CV and short bio to: Tonya@wetreatyourfeet.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NORTHERN CALIFORNIA / BAY AREA

We’re looking for someone entrepreneurial who can help grow our practice. Must have great people skills, clinical/surgical skills, and positive demeanor. California license required. Send your CV and cover letter to cvpodiatrist@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHWEST IOWA

A well-established, midwest multi-physician practice with strong hospital affiliations seeking FT podiatrist. Applicant should be well trained surgical physician, completed a 24-36 month residency, & board eligible. Practice offers high surgical volume, advanced wound care and good mix of general podiatry. Competitive salary, excellent benefits. Fax resume: 712-258-9977 Diane Coulter, Office Manager.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – NEW YORK CITY/ LONG ISLAND

Seeking an ethical, competent, and responsible associate with a minimum of board qualification, who is proficient in all facets of podiatric medicine, surgery, and biomechanics for a multi-doctor and interdisciplinary medical practice in NYC with suburban NJ/NY satellite offices. Must be able to practice independently with excellent management skills. PT/FT with potential for partnership. ambulatewell@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHEAST GEORGIA - SAVANNAH

Beautiful weather year round & near the Coast. Opportunity for Early Buy-in. Seeking associate or new residency graduate to join practice. Must be PSR-24/36 trained. Multiple locations. Full range of services with new facilities. E-mail cover letter & CV to melissafoot@pol.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - BAKERSFIELD, CA

Busy surgically-oriented group in Bakersfield, CA searching for 4th doctor. Wound care center privileges. All 3 current surgeons have 3+ years post-graduate training. Send letter of interest with CV to: aghams2@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - UPSTATE NEW YORK

Outstanding Opportunity. Our medical surgical group is recruiting a well-trained licensed podiatric physician. Located in Beautiful upstate NY. Full hospital privileges, as well as working with two residency programs. Must be highly motivated and great with patients. Opportunity for growth. Competitive salary and benefit package. Please send CV to associateinfoot@yahoo.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTH/CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

PSR-24/36 trained individual for busy practice in family-friendly college town. Seeking personable, ethical, motivated individual to join our well established practice providing all aspects of podiatric care. Competitive salary and benefits package. Reply with letter, CV and photo to Jagerone@aol.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - DAYTON, OH

Join a well-established modern practice in Dayton, Ohio. Excellent reputation and referral base. Base salary $120,000, benefits and bonus structure. EMR, diagnostic ultrasound, Padnet vascular studies, CO2 lasers, all aspects of DME. We seek a surgeon that is well-trained and personable to join our group of 4 podiatric surgeons. Would like to have this individual buy in to the practice eventually. Please send CV and to Ohiodoctors@aol.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - MARYLAND

Looking for 3rd associate. Must be personable, well trained and highly motivated. Great locations in Southern Maryland, including an Ambulatory Surgical Center. We currently have EHR, digital radiography, dispensing center and PADNet. Looking for immediate hire! Please send CV to: myfeetfeet@aol.com

SPACE AVAILABLE - NYC & LI

Office to sublet and share - East 60th Manhattan, and Plainview, Long Island. access to an MRI, Joint Commission certified operating rooms, digital x-ray, diagnostic ultrasound, and access to a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center. Also availability E 22nd between 2nd and 3rd and E 70th off 3rd. Turn-key operation - no investment needed 516 476-1815 PODO2345@AOL.COM

PODIATRY OFFICE TO SHARE - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Fully equipped podiatry office in North Gate area of Seattle. Office located in medical professional building near I-5. Office has 3 treatment rooms, 3 physical therapy rooms, direct digital x-ray, PAD- net, NCV testing equipment, physical therapy equipment. Please contact us: website Tel. 425-643-8901 isbinc2006@gmail.com

CPME-CERTIFIED WOUND CARE FELLOWSHIP

Open position available Jan.31, 2012. St. John`s Episcopal Hospital, Far Rockaway New York. State-of-the-art wound care center. All aspects of wound care including hyperbaric oxygen & reconstructive surgery. One year, excellent salary & benefits. Must have completed approved residency and passed boards. Contact Mariann (718) 869-7256

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - CLASS FOUR LASER- USED K-LASERS

I have used K-laser for sale. Still in Warranty. Used for plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, neuroma, arthritic conditions and even fungus toe nails This laser is portable, re-chargeable and can be move from room to room or office to office. This isn't the cold laser that you see. It is a 10 watt laser. We have used this laser on NFL sports players. For those that understand a good laser. E-mail David Zuckerman, DPM for Details and pricing. footcare@comcast.net

EQUIPMENT FOR SALE - SUPERPULSE 45 WATT PEAK POWER LASER ( LUMIX2)

Superpulse 45 watt peak power Laser (lumix2) used once or twice. This is a real superpulse 910nw up to 100,000 HZ. Great Laser Used in the super bowl by the Green Bay Packer Why am I selling? I have too many lasers in my office now ( six) This is a great laser for plantar fasciitis. Achilles tendonitis. Lightweight portable. easy to use, fully programmable Sold to first person under $$12,000 You will NEVER get a laser like this at this price. Enjoy. it I just have too many lasers. David Zuckerman DPM footcare@comcast.net

PM News Classified Ads Reach over 13,500 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 13,500 DPM's. Write to bblock@podiatrym.com or call (718) 897-9700 for details. Weekly ad rates start as low as $109 for a 50-word ad THIS OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO BUSINESSES PROVIDING PRODUCTS OR SERVICES. Note: For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at (800) 284-5451.

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