I recently received a copy of a very
helpful and timely poster from Mary Wasell, which she received from a local
hospital. When I called the hospital to inquire about it, they faxed me a
copy of a brochure that I thought was worth sharing. The subject is
"Cover Your Cough", and it asks the public to cover coughs and
sneezes, and says that if they are coughing or sneezing in your facility, they
may be asked to wear a mask. The brochure goes on to talk about
handwashing and other infection control measures. An internet search shows
that almost every public health agency is using the same poster and brochure,
which can be viewed at the CDC web site (below) among many others. From
that page you can download and print these for use in your own office.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm
Thanks, Mary!
~ Gayle
*_* Letters
*_*
From: Stacy Davis
re: "Footprint" Scrubs
Does anyone know where I can purchase a scrub top or jacket with feet on it?
Thanks,
S. Davis
*_* Editor's Note *_*
It's been a long time since I have seen the footprint design that used to be so
available, but we were able to find some fun designs, including one called
"Flip Flops" at this web site:
http://scrubskeywest.com/prints.html
~ Gayle
*_* *_* *_*
From: Phillip Ward, DPM
re: Cast Protector
Gayle:
Gotta tell your readers about the only cast protector I have found that actually
works. It is called xerosox and is available at www.xerosox.com.
Doctors can order directly and resell in the office (that is what we do) or
have patients order directly from the company.
Phill Ward
*_* *_* *_*
From: Mary Wasell
re: Honoring Doctor's Notes
Dear Gayle,
Recently my husband’s work denied honoring a doctor’s note. When I
asked the doctor I work for what recourse did my husband have or is there a law
governing this, he replied that he was having an increasing amount of his
doctor’s notes disregarded by employers and he would like to know the answer
to this question also. So… are there laws governing the compliance to
doctor’s notes for time off work, work limitations, etc.? If there are,
what steps does an employee take to have the doctor’s note enforced? Are
there certain words to be included in the note such as “must” rather
than “needs” to be off work that make a difference to an employer? Any
light that your readers can shed on this increasing problem would be
appreciated.
Thank you so much for your hard work on the “FootZine”. Our office
reads and saves every issue for future reference.
Mary Wasell
Dr Mark Kuzel
Edmonds, WA
*_* *_* *_*
From: Lynn Homisak, PRT
Re: New Free Assistant Teleconferences
The American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management is pleased to announce
that our first ASSISTANT educational conference call will be held Wednesday
night, February 11, 2004 from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm EST. The topics
discussed will be Staff Efficiency and Keeping the Office on Time and we will
have expert moderators on the calls to answer your questions and share some of
their pearls of experience. This free benefit is exclusively for AAPPM
assistant members. (Note: if any non-member assistants reading this
announcement would like to participate in this and/or future calls, please go to
the AAPPM website - www.aappm.com and download, complete and return a membership
application. It's only $99.00 to join.) Once your application has
been received, a registration form for the conference calls will be faxed to
you. If you are among the first 24 assistants to sign up for this
month's calls, you will receive a confirmation and dialing instructions within a
few days of signing up. Our special thanks to Moore Medical, one of our
Corporate Partners, for their generous sponsorship of this exciting interactive
endeavor.
These new Teleconference Round Tables, modeled after our very successful meeting
round tables, will be held on the second Wednesday of each month. We will
start promptly at 9:00 pm EST and wrap up at 10:30 pm. Registrations will
be accepted on a first come, first serve basis....so hurry....because we are
filling up FAST!
This is a great opportunity for you to talk with other assistants and share and
learn some of the most effective management skills in the country. Some
topics to be covered in the next several months include dealing with difficult
patients and personalities, conserving time and materials, teamwork, office
morale/job satisfaction, training staff, telephone etiquette and organizing your
work space.
Don't miss out! Please consider joining us! If you have any
questions, please feel free to email me at lhomisak@aappm.com.
Lynn Homisak, PRT
AAPPM Trustee
*_* Crystal-Clear
Coding Q & A *_*
by Phillip E. Ward, DPM
The Question: (see Volume 62)
I'm needing some help on getting a CPT code for a surgery? Do you know
anyone who can help on my search for: Evans Calcaneal navicular bar!!
Please Help or help me in the right direction.
Thank you for your help in my search :-)
Krissy
Hillsboro, OR
The Answer:
Evans-calcaneal bar is a diagnosis. It is describing a tarsal
coalition (755.67).
The surgical procedure to repair this would be resection of tarsal coalition
28116 (ostectomy, resection of tarsal coalition - RVU 17.66).
If an additional osteotomy were performed it would be coded as 28300 (osteotomy
calcaneous - RVU 25.89); 28302 (osteotomy talus - RVU 23.18);
28304 (osteotomy tarsal bone - RVU 20.47); or 28305 (osteotomy
tarsal bone with autograft - RVU 25.81), whichever code is most
specific for what was actually performed.
Crystal-Clear Coding tips by Dr. Ward are posted on the FootZine web site
on this page:
http://www.footzine.com/FZ_C.htm
*_* Calendar
*_*
CALENDAR OF MEETINGS AMERICAN ACADEMY OF
PODIATRIC PRACTICE MANAGEMENT (AAPPM) 2004
February 27-29, 2004
Midwinter Practice Management Workshop; and Optional Friday Morning DME/Dispensing
and Coding Seminars. DPMs, podiatric assistants and office staff invited.
Featuring nationally known practice management speakers Neil Baum, MD and John
Guiliana, DPM, MS.
Wyndham Pittsburgh Airport Hotel. Call 800-328-9297 or 412-788-8800 x6663 for
hotel reservations. Contact AAPPM at 978-686-6185; e-mail info@aappm.com;
or visit www.aappm.com.
May 14-16, 2004
Spring Practice Management Workshop “DME From A to Z”, the most
comprehensive meeting on DME/AFOs and In-office Dispensing we have ever offered.
DPMs, podiatric assistants and office staff invited.
* Hands-On Workshops including:
* Casting for AFOs
* Diagnostic Ultrasound
* Digital X-rays
* Use of Technology in Your Office
* Therapeutic Shoe Fitting and Measuring…the Tricks of the Trade to Reduce
Errors
Adams Mark Hotel, St. Louis, MO. Call 800-444-2326 for hotel reservations.
Contact AAPPM at 978-686-6185; e-mail info@aappm.com; or visit www.aappm.com.
October 22-24, 2004
Fall Practice Management Workshop; and Optional Friday Morning DME/Dispensing
and Coding Seminars. A great practice management workshop at a great
Florida beach resort! Featuring podiatry’s leading practice management
experts and the Academy’s unique, highly interactive small group roundtables
and workshop formats; and some time off to enjoy the beach and Ft. Lauderdale
too! DPMs, podiatric assistants and office staff invited.
Lago Mar Beach Resort, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Call 800-524-6627 for hotel
reservations. Contact AAPPM at 978-686-6185; e-mail info@aappm.com or
visit www.aappm.com.
*_* *_*
*_*
Mary's letter brought to mind another
recent discussion about employers. When we are telling employers of the
need for limited or restricted activity, how much are they entitled to know
about the employee's condition? Does that vary with the nature and
cause of the condition (work-related or some other etiology)? If the
health care provider has already addressed limitations and anticipated duration,
at what point does the questioning of a person about their illness/injury go
from "need to know" to prying?
I suppose that there may be some differences from one state to the next, and
wonder if federal or state employers follow different rules than private
employers. It's a good thing we have so many great minds to draw on!
Please do write!
~ Gayle
*_* *_* *_*
