A little bit ahead of the calendar, we are enjoying a taste of Spring-like weather, and the great show of blossoms and buds.  It's hard to stay indoors working on such days !

On a blustery Saturday last week, Richard Horsman, DPM, and Margie Vaught, CPC, whose names you may recognize from Codingline-L and Codingline-Print, spent the day de-coding the latest coding changes and Medicare rules for Washington podiatrists and their assistants.  An exhibitor who was listening remarked to me that she was amazed that the two speakers knew - and we are expected to know - "all those details!"  Luckily, they do know, and they managed to convey all those details with a great sense of humor as well as expertise.  Thanks to them both for a great job!

 ~ Gayle


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"All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking."   -  Friedrich Nietzsche

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From:  Tammy Hull
re: No-shows and late cancellations
 
Gayle,
 
We have a problem with no-shows and late cancellations.  I was wondering if anyone could give us some ideas as to how they handle this in their office.  The problem is really starting to get out of hand and we would really appreciate any input that other offices could share with us as to how they deal with this problem. 
 
Thanks,
Tammy Hull
Achilles Foot & Ankle Surgery, P.C.
Bruce G. Blank, DPM
Martins Ferry, OH

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From:  "Sscp"
re:      Kidde Tourniquet Refills    

Hi,

Do you know where there may be Kidde cuff refills?

Thanks

Looking for Podiatric Medical Assistants to work part-time representing a new company.  We are dedicated to increasing podiatrist's practice revenues by offering them products they can dispense from their office.  We work to try and find those products that the patients will want and that are not usually available at the drug store down the street.  All products are checked out personally so you will know they are reputable and effective.  No cash outlay, sign up fees, MLM or any of those gimmicks, that we all come across so often.  Opportunities exist throughout the United States.  If you are interested, please e-mail me at mzmetzger@comcast.net

Michael Z. Metzger, DPM, MBA


Notices of positions wanted or positions available, as well as other "classified" information, are welcome. They are posted at the FootZine web site's Networking page. Have a look at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_6.htm



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"I have two doctors, my left leg and my right."  -  G. M. Trevelyan

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Earlier this week we saw the announcement of a new campaign by the CDC and the National Institutes of Health to encourage more activity, especially walking, by Americans, as a means to fight obesity and related diseases.  APMA joined the Department of Health and Human Services and America on the Move to announce the official designation of Friday, April 2^nd, as National Walk to Work Day.  Representing the HHS, Rear Admiral Cristina Beato, MD, pointed out “it's not just about walking to work but walking at work too."

This coincides and dovetails with the joint APMA and Prevention magazine second annual announcement of the “Best Walking Cities in the United States”.  While being named to the top 12 is an honor for those cities, and might inspire a bit of competitive spirit, the real winners are the pedestrians, both locals and visitors.  I have enjoyed walking in many of the cities that were named, and hope to explore more of them in the future.  Seattle dropped in the rankings this time, but wait until next year, when Seattle will have opened its new link of the “Interurban Trail”.  Following the old Interurban streetcar route which was completed in 1907, it will ultimately extend all the way to Everett, some 30 miles north.  Unused except as a power line right-of-way for 65 years, this pedestrian and bicycle trail parallels a major arterial, but interfaces with residential areas, providing one more nice place to walk.  Far-sighted city and community planners and officials deserve to be commended for recognizing the need for such amenities even in the midst of budget shortfalls.

The CDC’s announcement emphasized that they have focused on encouraging compliance among their own employees, adding lights, music and new paint in stairwells with the goal to make them a more attractive alternative to elevators.  Some stairwells have a reputation for being boring, if not scary enough to make one feel insecure about using them.  So this is definitely a step in the right direction.

FootZine has attended the annual SAS Shoemakers event that showcases walking and looks forward to returning there this fall.  Organized events such as volksmarches add to walking a dimension of social interaction and sense of fun, as well as the incentive of a sense of accomplishment.  I personally try to get a walk in during lunch hours, doing errands on foot whenever possible.  I find not only a health-related benefit, but also a definite psychological refreshment as I enjoy the terrific yards and gardens in the surrounding neighborhood.

I remember that the hotels adjoining the Gallerias in Houston and Dallas had a rooftop track as part of the health club for guests to get in some cardiovascular exercise.  Who of us hasn’t experienced being passed up by fast-moving seniors on their daily walks through the malls?  We would love to hear from you about special walking experiences or routines, or favorite places.

Of course, our primary goal in podiatric offices is in maintaining good foot health, but we are also interested in promoting walking as an avenue to good general health.  If we are active walkers ourselves, we not only set a good example, but can truly empathize with our patients who are on the trails and pounding the pavement.  We also add more miles to our own lives.

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When you finish your walk and come back inside, drop us a note.

  ~ Gayle


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"Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. "  - Steven Wright

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Copyright 2004 Gayle S. Johnson.  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 letters published are the property of FootZine. Any health- or legal- and financial- related information is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, legal or financial advice, or a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional, attorney, financial advisor or any other consultant or professional. Information pertaining to legal matters should not perceived as legal advice, nor should discussion about such issues as Medicare, coding, and billing be considered as definitive. All content is presented as being only the opinions of the contributors and is for educational purposes only.

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