The Voice of Podiatrists

Serving Over 9,000 Podiatrists Daily

November 27, 2006 #2,750 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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Daily Foot Inspections Key: TX Podiatrist

Dr. Joseph Caporusso, a podiatrist in McAllen, Texas, and a trustee of the American Podiatric Medical Association, said that reducing amputations is the goal of an awareness campaign called "Knock Your Socks Off," supported by the podiatric group and other medical organizations.

Dr. Joseph Caporusso

The podiatric group says patients with diabetes should inspect their feet daily, wash and dry them (including between the toes), cut toenails straight across, keep feet warm and dry, use moisturizer to keep feet from cracking and wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes.

Source: Judy Foreman, Baltimore Sun, [11/24/06]

DE Podiatrists are Partners and Spouses

It wasn't exactly "When Harry Met Sally," but the story line of "When Harold Met Sandra" comes close. Harold Gruber and Sandra Hudak, a Wilmington surgical team who recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary, almost didn't make it to the altar. The couple met as young doctors in a rural Virginia podiatric practice. Harold, an ambitious senior associate, was taken aback when the founder of the practice decided to bring in a third doctor and was not interested in sharing the workload no matter how pretty the new doc was.

Drs.Harold Gruber and Sandra Hudak

Sandra, 39, who grew up near Pittsburgh and spent four years in Chicago after her residency, wasn't looking for love either and certainly didn't think she'd find it with Harold. "A podiatrist was the last person I wanted to meet," she recalled. And yet, as so often happens in the movies, dislike turned to like and like turned to ... well, you've seen it a million times.

"Patients like knowing they're husband and wife," she said. "They know that if he's not here that she'll back him up. But Harold's always making a joke of it. He says he married the competition." The couple said they bond working so closely together and often discuss cases and surgeries, which can last five hours or more, at night. "It makes for some pretty funky dinner conversations," Harold said.

Source: Stephen R. Levine, Wilmington News Journal (Delaware Online) [11/23/06]

Pay-for-Performance Benefits are Unproven, Panel says

Those who trumpet the future of pay-for-performance as a way to improve care while lowering costs don't yet have the evidence to prove their case, according to a new report commissioned by Congress.

The Congressional Research Service, an arm of the Library of Congress that conducts studies for lawmakers, recently looked into the concept of paying physicians and other healthcare professionals based on how well they meet quality standards, rather than just on how much care they provide.

Scores of pay-for-performance initiatives, also known as "value-based purchasing" programs, exist in the public and private healthcare sectors, and their numbers are growing. But whether they are working as intended remains unclear, CRS said. The reason is that few objective studies have looked into whether the incentives to doctors and other health professionals result in better care for patients and lower costs for those paying the bills.

Source: David Glendinning, AMNews [11/27/06]

Query: Benfotiamine

Has anyone tried Benfotiamine on their patients? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY

Query: Archiving Records via a Scanner

We have a new copy machine in the office that is also a high-speed scanner. Is there any problem with archiving my old charts digitally using a scanner?

The printer also can scan 8 sheets of paper and print them 4 to a side on a single sheet of paper, albeit each chart page is 1/4 scale. When my current charts get too fat, instead of creating a second or third chart, could I just scan the old data and print them 8 to a page in
1/4 size format and place them back in the chart?

Michael Zapf, DPM, Agoura Hills, CA

Editor’s comment: PM News does not provide legal advice. Archiving records to save space is a very good idea. Your only concerns should be 1) that the old charts are properly shredded 2) That if your copy machine has a memory cache, the information stored on it should be treated with the same privacy considerations that you use on your computer. That means your copy machine should either be password protected or the memory cache should cleared.

RE: Charity Begins at the Office
From: David Tarr, DPM

Most people tend to become charitable around the holiday seasons. Unfortunately, illnesses and diseases don't always coincide with this timing. In this time of world chaos and terrorism, I believe that we should be most appreciative of the fact that others are volunteering to risk their lives so that we can sit here, enjoy freedom, liberty, practice and life. For years, I have been regularly advertising that I treat veterans (and others) for free. Not only has it been good spiritually for me, but many veterans who would go without care due to inability to get to V.A.'s, lack of transportation, cutback at VA's, etc. now come in for treatment. Also, I have had an amazing increase in patients who are veterans or family members of veterans with insurance, who patronize me due to my advertised charity. I believe that most of us could afford to do the same. Also, it would help our profession to promote this.

David Tarr, DPM, Lowell, MA, Tarrdpm1@aol.com

RE: Diabetic Educators
From: Neil A Burrell, DPM, nburrell@gt.rr.com

I read with interest the article about a diabetic educator being a member of the wound care team (November PM). People are not diabetics, but rather have a disease called diabetes. Patients should be referred top as "people with diabetes" or a "patient with diabetes. Additionally, anyone can call themselves a "diabetes educator." There is a national recognized certification. The certifying board is the National Certifying Board of Diabetes Educators. They are located in Arlington Heights, IL. Healthcare professionals that successfully pass a comprehensive exam become "certified diabetes educators", aka CDE.. I do recommend podiatrists get involved with their local CDE's. As a group, they are always interested in foot care and working with a DPM.

Neil A Burrell, DPM, Beaumont, TX, nburrell@gt.rr.com

Editor’s comment: The term “diabetic” is a common usage term and not used in a pejorative sense. Technically, orthotics should be called “orthoses” or “orthotic devices.” Common usage often determines actual usage.

RE: Post-op DVT after HRT (Michael Chin, DPM)
From: Allen Jacobs, DPM

The issue of DVT following bunion surgery, and the issue of HRT and surgery are clearly defined in the medical/podiatric literature. Bunion surgery DOES NOT require DVT prophylaxis. It has been suggested that HRT be discontinued prior to GENERAL surgery. There is no literary support for the discontinuance of HRT prior to foot surgery.

Allen Jacobs, DPM, St. Louis, MO, allenthepod@sbcglobal.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION – VANCOUVER CANADA

Associate superb opportunity- beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada- multi office ,future buy-in. Full scope Podiatry Write Dr.Cole@shaw.ca.for further details. Exam given in June 2007.

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

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

Central California multilocation practice looking for PSR-36 associate leading to partnership. PSR-36 trained podiatrist with great opportunity for reconstructive surgical practice. Practice has Medicare-approved surgery center. Must have excellent interpersonal skills. Excellent salary and incentive. Respond to: westsidefoot@yahoo.com

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