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FootZine,
Volume 101 |
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Everyone knows that I love to
receive FootZine mail, and that has been
especially true this past week. Thanks for all
the good wishes and kind praise! Of course, FootZine
would not be what it is without the contributions
and efforts of those who write the articles and
columns, the FootZine Advisory Board, and
those of you who share your questions, ideas and
resources. ~ Gayle *_* "The greatest achievements are those that benefit others." - Lillian Gilcrest, author *_*
*_* Letters
*_*
From: Barry H. Block, DPM,
JDre: FootZine, Volume 100 Gayle, Congratulations on the publication of your centennial issue. I appreciate the tremendous amount of work that goes into preparing your newsletter. By disseminating topical information, you perform a valuable service to the podiatric profession and to the staff that we depend on. I am proud to be associated with FootZine. Here's to your next 100 issues! Barry H. Block, DPM, JD Editor, Podiatry Management Magazine & PM News. *_* *_* *_* From: Sabina Hammond re: Pricing DME Products Hi Gayle, Let me start by saying that FootZine has been an invaluable tool for me since I signed up. I am curious as to where to look for pricing on DME items such as the walking boots and diabetic shoes. We recently received our DME license and are unsure as to what to bill. Is this a figure we make up? It seems that every where I call, I am told that they can not tell me what to charge, yet I am sure there must be a pricing "guide" out there somewhere such as the "Ingenex" one that we use to find the percentage breakdowns on the different CPT's. I am still learning the wonderful world of Podiatric Office Management and would appreciate any help you can provide. Sabina Hammond Office Manager Sound Podiatry P.S. *_* *_* *_* From: Bill Armwood re: FootZine, Volume 100 Gayle, Congratulations on your 100th issue and Happy Valentine's Day! Bill Armwood SAS Shoemakers *_* *_* *_* From: Robin Schildmeyer re: My Networking Employment Ad Gayle, Could you please take my ad off the Networking - it was awesome. I had 3 actual interviews from podiatry offices - And have a great new job. Thanks again, Robin Schildmeyer *_* *_* *_* From: Phill Ward, DPM re: FootZine, Volume 100 Gayle, Congrats on the 100th issue. You are providing a service that is both needed and well received, a tough combination to master. Keep up the great work. Phill Ward, DPM APMA Trustee *_* *_* *_* From: Deb Latta, DPM re: FootZine, Volume 100 *_* Editor's note: This letter was edited for pertinence to this topic. *_* Gayle, ......By the way, Congrats on your 100 issue. You are doing a wonderful job. Very Classy. Deb *_* *_* *_* From: Sandra Lohrentz, PMAC re: FootZine, Volume 100 Gayle, The ASPMA congratulates you on your 100th issue of FootZine. I never miss reading an issue and find them all informative. I know it is a labor of love and what goes into its preparation. Good Work, this is something the assistants need. Sandra Lohrentz, PMAC Executive Director, ASPMA *_* *_* *_* From: Elvira Howard, PMAC re: FootZine, Volume 100 Dear Gayle, Congrats are certainly in order, and I would like to add mine to the many you will receive. What a help it has been to so many of us out there trying to practice our beloved profession "Podiatry". I truly know the hours of hard work you put in to accomplish all that you have. Please keep up the good work, all of us need you. Fondly, Elvira Howard, PMAC *_* *_* *_* From: Laura Roehrick, RN re: Diabetic Foot Global Conference Hi Gayle, I have a new email and need you to delete my old podrn one and send stuff to the new one. There is a great conference you may want to add to your list. It is Dr. David Armstrong's annual diabetic foot conference in Hollywood this March. http://www.dfcon.com/ Here is the site. I am going just for the first day. I am extremely interested in the international aspects of diabetic foot care prevention, and that is the day those topics will be discussed. Should be interesting. I will have flyers to give out with information on the Foot and Nail Nurse Certification process that is now available. Sort of a lobbyist. My organization, the WOCNCB, does not have enough funds to get me a table, so I will just do what I can. But the word needs to go out that there is a new field for nurses that can potentially really help with the epidemic of diabetic foot problems we have now and will have in increasing numbers in the future. Take it easy and keep up the good works. Laura *_* *_* *_* From: The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (Press Release) re: CMS to Address H&Ps in Late March For immediate release CMS to Address H&Ps in Late March Chicago, IL – February 17, 2005 – An official from the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has informed ACFAS staff that the publication of the proposed rule revising the Medicare Conditions of Participation (CoPs) for Hospitals to allow DPMs to perform admitting hospital history and physical (H&P) examinations is scheduled for late March. The proposed rule will include a 60-day comment period. Due to requirements under the Administrative Procedures Act, it is anticipated that the rule will not become final until eight to twelve months after the initial publication. Foot and ankle surgeons face significant difficulties within their hospital due to the fact that the CoPs do not conform to the same standard as JCAHO with regard to H&Ps. Dr. William Rogers, Director of the Physicians Regulatory Issues Team at CMS, will be speaking at the ACFAS 63rd Annual Scientific Conference in New Orleans to address this issue and other critical regulatory matters. Please forward questions and comments about the above information to Julie Letwat, Director of Health Policy and Practice Advocacy, at letwat@acfas.org. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons is the professional organization for foot and ankle surgeons, doctors of podiatric medicine (DPM) who are graduates of four-year podiatric medical colleges and have completed surgical residencies. The organization is dedicated to developing surgical standards for the care of the foot and ankle, sponsoring research, and providing continuing education for its members. Contact: Julie Letwat (773) 693-9300 letwat@acfas.org *_* *_* *_* From: Brenda Reed re: Documentation and Coding Hey Gayle, You are doing a great job for our profession, and I for one enjoy and look forward to the e-mails from you. The info is very helpful. Lately in our office we have the discussion regarding ROS when doing our charting. We are split, does the ROS have to pertain with why the patient is at the office? If so how do we ever get the 10 ROS, as needed for some OV? ( I doubt if you can get all for a podiatrist visit.) If no, do the ROS need to be listed as why? Such as HEET- positive for contacts? Also we are looking into staff members getting more education with the coding in our office. Can you recommend any place to get educated in that area? I am in the Chicago suburbs. Many thanks for your help. Sincerely, Brenda *_* *_* *_* From: Nancy Ferguson re: Mismated Shoes *_* Editor's note: This letter was edited for pertinence to this topic. *_* Dear Ms Johnson, ..... I have been wearing mismated shoes since I was very young. There are many pairs of athletic shoes in my attic, along with some sandals and clogs. Maybe some of your patients would be interested. I have sizes 8M and 8W(D) for left foot and sizes 9M and 9W(D) for right foot ....... If you have a patient that is a match I have many NuBalance Shoes. Sincerely, Nancy Ferguson Glocester, Rhode Island
*_* Crystal-Clear
Coding Q & A *_*
The Question:by Rick Horsman, DPM, and Scott Schroeder, DPM Can you please give me the ICD-9 code for peripheral neuropathy with evidence of callus formation? Thank you, Cindy The Answer: ICD 700 for the callous ICD 356.9 for the peripheral neuropathy Rick Horsman, DPM Olympia, WA Crystal-Clear Coding tips are posted on the FootZine web site on this page: http://www.footzine.com/FZ_C.htm
*_* FootZine
Feeture Article
*_*
Introduction: In
Volume 93 of FootZine I asked for your
procedures and protocols for instrument disinfection
and sterilization. One response was from Laura
Roehrick, RN, who described her procedure for her
own routine-care instruments and also sent along the
Canadian Infection Control Guidelines. Since
that time, Laura has sent three related documents
from her Administrative Manual. This issue's
Facet reproduces her protocol for Cleaning of
Instruments. Future issues will feature
Laura's Infection Control Guidelines and her
Sterilization Procedures. ~ GayleFacets "Infection Control - Cleaning of Instruments" by Laura Roehrick, RN
Infection
Control - Cleaning of Instruments
Purpose: To provide a
method of cleaning instruments to remove any debris,
prior to sterilizing them.Procedure: * Protective eyewear, face mask and gloves are to be worn while cleaning instruments * Mix 5ml. Of Miltex Instrument Cleaner in 2 litres of warm tap water * Soak instruments for 20 minutes Use a soft brush to scrub instruments to remove debris * Rinse instruments under running water * Place instruments on towel to allow to dry thoroughly * Rinse empty container thoroughly * Read and be familiar with MSDS Miltex is specially formulated to clean and condition stainless steel instruments. Miltex contains powerful detergents, wetting agents, rust and metal inhibitors, chelating agents (to remove mineral deposits) and a lubricant. Miltex is biodegradable. Risks: * May cause eye and skin irritation * May cause throat, mouth and stomach irritation if ingested * Repeated inhalation may result in sensitization and allergic reaction in hypersensitive individuals Precautionary Measures: * Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents (bleach) * Long exposure of product to heat and/or humidity may reduce product's activity * Store in cool place First aid Measures: * Eyes: Flush immediately with water for 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. * Skin: Wash with soap and water. * Inhalation: Seek fresh air. Consult physician if allergic response exhibited. * Ingestion: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING. Contact local Poison Control Centre. Laura Roehrick, RN The Foot Care Nurse Santa Rosa, CA You can download a printable version (MS Word) of this document from the "Facets" page of the FootZine web site. "Facets" can be found on their own pages of FootZine.com, at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_F.htm and http://www.footzine.com/FZ_F1.htm *_* "We make our world significant by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers." - CARL SAGAN *_* Thanks again for writing! ~ Gayle
*_*
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Copyright
2005 Gayle S. Johnson. All Rights Reserved.
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