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FootZine,
Volume 5 |
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| It has been just over a month now since the
first issue of FootZine. I do want to thank everyone who has
written - to subscribe, to say hello, to ask or answer a
question. I especially want to thank those who have been
regular contributors: Hal Ornstein, DPM, and Lynn Homisak, PRT,
PMAC, and Raymond Posa, MBA. I hope that we will continue
adding to that roster, with articles not only about rules,
regulations and practice management, but also about more clinical
subjects. Here's an important reminder (to me, anyway!) The email address that I had at ASPMA's web site is not valid for me anymore, and unfortunately, email forwarding doesn't work like snail-mail forwarding. Please be sure to use one of these from now on: gaylejohnson@footzine.com or gaylepmac@attbi.com That way I'll be sure to get your message. Thanks, ~ Gayle *_* Letters
*_* From: Gail Bennett, PMACre: Bugbear Worm Virus If you go to Mcafee it will give you a list of current correct viruses and this bear virus is a hoax. You actually need this software on your computer. I have the info at work so if you'd like I could fax it to you. The Volkswalk sounded fabulous. And you are correct Bill Armwood and SAS have been extremely supportive of podiatry. Thanks, Gail Bennett *_* Editor's Reply *_* Hello Gail, Thanks for writing. I did get some letters that said "You need to delete" and then got the "Ooops!" messages that these people had made a mistake. I don't believe either McAfee or the Symantec/Norton people would provide false information about such serious things. While some malicious attempts have been made to get computer users to alter (and corrupt the registry in) their system using the guise of removing the very real W32/BugBear, the virus is real as this link that goes to McAffee will attest: http://www.mcafee.com/anti-virus/viruses/bugbear/ Symantec has a specific page as well: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.bugbear@mm.html Maybe it would be appropriate to warn folks to not be taken in by the suggestion that you alter your registry by deleting those important files. However, by using the repair tools at either McAfee or Symantec, one avoids the danger of possible corrupting the system registry themselves. Thanks again for pointing out this misconception. ~ Gayle *_* *_*
*_* *_* *_* From: Sue Peterson-Ruppre: Recertification Hi Gayle... I was a PMAC up until 2001 when we were transferred across country and I took a job outside of podiatry...I am contemplating moving back home and taking up where I left off with Dr. Jeffrey Marks in Mechanicsburg PA with whom I worked for 9 years!! Is there any type of retest for people like me who did not keep up with their CME's, or am I back to square 1??? Thanks... Sue Peterson-Rupp *_* Editor's Reply *_* Hi Sue, Thanks for writing. Since I am no longer on the ASPMA Board of Directors, they would frown on me making any official statements of policy regarding certification and recertification. My recollection is that a PMAC would have the opportunity to "make up" if the lapse is less than two years, and if your dues are brought current. However, many things about the Certification and Recertification Committees have changed in the last year, and you should not regard this as definite. Instead, I recommend you contact the appropriate ASPMA Board members: Mary Tufarelli, PMAC, Recertification Chair MaryTPMAC@aol.com Joan Gordon, PMAC, Q & E Chair jgordon@cub.kcnet.org Karen Keathley, PMAC, Membership Chair KarenPMAC@aol.com Thanks again for writing, and Welcome Back to the world of feet! ~ Gayle *_* *_*
*_* *_* *_* From: Kathy Miskiel, PMACre: Ordering SAS Shoes Dear Gayle, My name is Kathy Miskiel and I work for Dr. Glenn Hartman is Hanover, PA. I have a question that maybe you could help me with. We have a patient, non diabetic that wants to order a pair of SAS shoes, is there any place that I might get information for him, so that I might order them for him to be shipped to our office. Thank you , Kathy Miskiel, PMAC *_* Editor's Reply *_* Hi Kathy, Thanks for writing. I think the best help I can provide is to put you in touch with Bill Armwood at SAS headquarters in San Antonio. He can either provide you with information about nearby SAS retailers, or tell you about the company's mail-order policies. I'm sure he can also send you some brochures to share with interested patients. Bill Armwood SAS Shoemakers 1717 SAS Drive San Antonio, TX 78224 (210) 921-7455 Thanks again for writing, and let me know if I can help you further. ~ Gayle *_* Networking
*_* From: Larry Huppin, DPMReceptionist needed. Full time. For busy, fun 3 doctor podiatric practice in Seattle on First Hill. Excellent pay and benefits. Fax resume to (206) 860-0907. Notices of Positions wanted or positions available, as well as other "classified" information are welcome. They will be posted at the FootZine web site's Networking page. Have a look at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_6.htm *_* FootZine Feeture Article *_* HIPAA Policies and Procedures Manual Raymond F. Posa, MBA Most practices have in place an employee handbook. The handbooks tend to spell out to employees their rights and responsibilities. The policy and procedure manual will describe the plan for day-to-day operations with an eye on HIPAA compliance. By integrating compliance into all of your day-to-day functions you then make compliance a habit. Having done several HIPAA audits for practices, I have found that many practices already have good policies and procedures in place but just don’t have them written into a formal plan book. The best way to integrate your current methods of operations into a policy and procedures manual is to have your compliance officer (yes, you do need to appoint someone within your organization as the compliance officer and it must be on record) do a HIPAA compliance survey. The responses to the survey will be the foundation for your policy and procedure manual. Your HIPAA survey can be from one of the off-the-shelf handbooks being put out by many organizations or it can be from a HIPAA compliance software tool. Your policy and procedures manual can be organized by HIPAA categories, i.e. contingency plan, (section 380(a)(3) of the regulation). Some of the requirements under this section are: do your perform data back ups; do you test and verify your back-ups; do you store back-ups off-site. Most of you probably already do this, but just don’t have it in writing. The other thing to remember is that even though there are hundreds of items to comply with in the HIPAA regulations, one policy, i.e. on your data back and recovery procedures can address a dozen or so specific regulation items. In truth, if your policy and procedures manual is well written, it will serve to not only fulfill your obligation under HIPAA for this manual, but it will serve to make HIPAA simpler to understand for your employees and make compliance a less formidable task. By: Raymond F. Posa, MBA Technology Advisor to the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management President, R. Francis Associates Any questions or comments can be addressed to Mr. Posa by E-mail: Rposa@Rfrancis.com Or you can go to WWW.NJHIPAA.COM for detailed information on HIPAA You can review the previous installment from Mr. Posa at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_5.htm *_* Gems
of Practice Management *_* In-office dispensing is becoming more common
place in podiatric offices throughout the country. Benefits of
in-office dispensing include improved patient compliance and
satisfaction, time-savings for the patient and profitability for the
practice.It's All in the Presentation by Hal Ornstein DPM, FACFAS and Lynn Homisak, PRT, PMAC For years, Dermatologists, Optometrists and Dentists have successfully supplied products for their patients, which has become standard of care. Yet there is still significant apprehension by many in our profession who feel they will be viewed as unprofessional. We felt this same apprehension in our offices for years, based on theory and not fact. We made the critical mistake of thinking for the patients, resulting in false assumptions. However, after speaking with many successful and ethical practitioners about their successes with dispensing while speaking throughout the country, we tested the ground. Our decision was based on improving patient satisfaction with revenue as a secondary benefit. We have found that our patients have accepted the in-office dispensing with open arms. We learned a valuable pearl from Jason Kraus, Vice President for Langer, Inc., that ensures a professional perception relating to dispensing. He suggests that when presenting products to patients, simply say, “Your treatment includes use of a 'widget'. It is available in local stores (pharmacies) but we do have it here for your convenience.” We found with this approach the patient does not feel forced into purchasing the products from you and results in them buying the item in our office over 95% of the time. Our staff also shares in the profits from products dispensed in the office since they are the ones who typically present and discuss the products with our patients. With today’s completive environment it is more critical than ever for us to provide comprehensive care, deliver the best to our patients and develop profit centers in our office. Previous "Gems" can be found on their own pages of the FootZine.com web site, at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_90.htm *_* *_*
*_* Isn't it amazing how much difference one little
hour can make? Now it's really dark really early, so there's
more time, and good reason, to catch up on our reading -
and write! Remember, the new email address for me is:
gaylejohnson@footzine.com~ Gayle
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*_* Copyright 2002 Gayle S. Johnson, PMAC All
Rights Reserved.DISCLAIMER: Acceptance and publication of any letter, article, news item or advertisement does not necessarily constitute or imply approval or endorsement by myself of the product, idea, or content therein. I reserve the right to edit or to not publish any material received. Any health-related information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for the advice of a health care professional. Information pertaining to legal matters should not perceived as legal advice, nor should discussion about such issues as Medicare and billing be considered as definitive. All content is presented as being only the opinions of the contributors and is for educational purposes only. To Subscribe or Unsubscribe, simply send an email request to me at: gaylejohnson@footzine.com Gayle S. Johnson, PMAC |
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