Thanks and bouquets are in order for Jamie Ancich and Lisa Crouch, the Vice President and Secretary of the Washington State Podiatric Medical Assistants Association (WSPMAA), for putting together an enjoyable mini-seminar last Saturday.  Registration for the Fall seminar is free for WSPMAA members, and we were treated to insights and information from Drs. John McCord, Robert Hovancsek, Donald Hovancsek, and Richard Horsman, as well as Jamie's demonstration of how to correctly fit a patient for diabetic shoes.  WSPMAA members welcome this additional learning opportunity every year, and I believe most appreciate the change of pace with the low-key atmosphere that seems to be a part of this meeting.  Well done!

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This week I heard from a gentleman who could use some help, and maybe between us we can come up with some resources.   He is unable to wear any off-the-shelf shoes because of the width and volume of his feet.  He needs a 7-E width, and he had not been able to find any larger than 6-E.  Some years ago a school he was attending helped him get funding for some custom-made boots, and he can tolerate them for short periods.  The rest of the time he has to wear sandals with minimal straps which, while still narrower than his feet, at least have no upper to confine them. 

His dual dilemma now is that he lives in a place that is already experiencing temperatures in the '20s, and he needs orthotics.  His custom-made boots will not accommodate the additional bulk of orthotics.  He has called all the specialty stores he can think of, and none of them have his size, or have offered him any other suggestions.  The school he is currently attending (on grants) says their funding is not available for these circumstances, and they don't have any other ideas.  He called the only custom shoemaker in his town and was told that the fee for the custom last is $300, and the price for shoes in his size would be approximately $700. 

He contacted me to ask if I knew of any charitable organization that he could apply to for help in either paying for custom shoes, or in finding another resource.  I told him I'd do some research, and I can't think of a better place to start than with all of you.  Do you know of a way that this man can get shoes that will fit his feet - with orthotics - on his very limited resources?   I'll appreciate any suggestions you can send, as I'm sure he will.

 ~ Gayle

From:  Soozi Macdonald
re:      Infection Protocol Question

I have a question for anyone working with a Medicare Certified Ambulatory Surgery Center: to whom do I report incidents of infection?

I got a deficiency notice stating that "the ASC must establish a program for identifying and preventing infections, maintaining a sanitary environment, and reporting the results to appropriate authorities."

Now, I have all the preventative practices in place but they were not documented so I am doing that now.

EDMONDS ASC INFECTION PROTOCOL
re: 42 Code of Federal Regulation part 416.44 (a)(3)

I. MAINTAIN A SANITARY ENVIRONMENT
II. PREVENT THE SPREAD OF AN EXISTING INFECTION
III. VERIFICATION OF STERILIZATION PROCEDURE
IV. DOCUMENTATION/REPORTING OF INCIDENTS

What baffles me is item IV: to whom do I report incidents of infection? Not communicable disease, just pre- or post-op infections?
Anybody know? 

RSVP, Soozi
Edmonds (WA) Surgery Center
Dr. Mark A Kuzel
425-775-1505
or soozi@u.washington.edu

The FootZine web site's Calendar page has two seminars listed for the weekend of November 14th.  Details  of the AAPPM meeting in Ft. Lauderdale and the William Goldfarb Clinical Conference are available via their notices and links on the Calendar here:
http://www.footzine.com/FZ_4.htm

We often hear the importance of the doctor appreciating the hard work and productivity of their assistants.  Studies continue to show that one of the most important factors in job satisfaction for assistants is the feeling of being appreciated.  This message is delivered in many ways, but none as powerful as a simple “THANK YOU.”

Now let’s turn the table and look at the feelings of your doctor.  They work hard to provide quality patient care as well as to manage a business to be sure to pay all the bills.  They are responsible not just for themselves and their families, but also have fiscal responsibility for their assistant(s) and their families.  They labor to be sure there is enough money in the practice to be able to write your paycheck each week, provide benefits and when deserved give a raise, even though no insurance company has given them a raise for many years.  So they focus to work harder and smarter to keep the pie large enough to feed all in the practice.

Your doctor defends you when a patient abuses you verbally, builds you up for your shining attributes and is proud to say you’re a part of their winning team.  They deal with occasional personality conflicts in the office to maintain a tranquil environment.  By virtue of spending many of their waking hours with you, in a sense you become their extended family.

So all you assistants out there, let’s not forget to take a moment next week to say “thank you, Doctor” and maybe have a “Thank You Doctor” luncheon to recognize how much they care about their assistants in so many ways.


Previous "Gems" can be found on their own pages of the FootZine.com web site, at
http://www.footzine.com/FZ_90.htm


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 "Happiness is like jam. You can't spread even a little without getting some on yourself."
    - Mark Twain

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The Calendar at the FootZine web site has plenty of room for more upcoming meeting information.   If you are planning a program for podiatric assistants, or know of one that isn't listed on our Calendar, please send me a note with specifics, and feel free to include a link to related information.

I look forward to hearing from you!

~  Gayle