»

Emergency department physician-level and hospital-level variation in admission rates

jmiller — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 12:27:22 +0000

Concludes: “There was a 2.3-fold variatin in emergency physicain adjusted admission rates and 1.7-fold variation at the hospital level. In the new era of cost containment, wide variation in this common, costly decision requires further exploration.” (Ann Emerg Med, June) Click here to read full-text.

Quarterly Medical Staff Meeting

Medical Staff Office — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:49:21 +0000

The next Quarterly Medical Staff Meeting is Wednesday, July 10, 5pm networking/service meetings, 6pm business meeting, in the Doordan Institute, AAMC Health Sciences Pavilion, 7th Floor.… learn more

Proposed bylaws amendment

Kenneth S Gummerson MD PhD — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:46:03 +0000

A vote on this Bylaws amendment will be held at the quarterly Medical Staff Meeting on Wednesday, July 10, 5pm networking/service meeting, 6pm business meeting, in the Doordan Institute, Health Sciences Pavilion.

4.5 Emeritus Status

4.5-1 Status

Emeritus status shall be granted by the Board of Trustees upon recommendation of the Medical Executive Committee to practitioners of the Medical Staff by virtue of their outstanding reputation, noteworthy contributions and long standing service to the Medical Center, who continue to exemplify the highest standards of professional conduct. Emeritus status does not require periodic evaluation/reappointment.

4.5-2 Qualifications

Qualifications for Emeritus status are:

(a) An active member of the Medical Staff with outstanding Medical Staff service for at least twenty (20) continuous years;
(b) Recommendation by the Chairman of the Department he/she is credentialed by;
(c) Unqualified resignation from either the Active or Consulting Staff the Medical Staff, excluding the category of Associate Staff, with privileges in good favor;
(d) Professional licensure from the State of Maryland at the time of resignation from the Staff;
(e) An outstanding reputation;
(f) Noteworthy contributions to the Medical Staff;
(g) Long standing service to the Medical Center; and
(h) Exemplify the highest standards of professional conduct.

Short stature in childhood – challenges and choices

jmiller — Thu, 30 May 2013 12:08:26 +0000

This review article (NEJM, Mar 28) reviews the clinical problem; strategies and evidence; management; areas of uncertainty; and guidelines and consensus statement. Click here to read full-text.… learn more

Elective cesarean delivery on maternal request

jmiller — Thu, 30 May 2013 12:01:33 +0000

“The objective of this article is to review approaches for counseling women who ask for cesarean delivery without maternal or fetal indication (known as cesarean delivery on maternal request (CDMR).There is no immediate expectation for CDMR to reduce the health risks of morthers or infants. Accordingly, counseling and decisions regarding CDMR should be made after considering a woman’s full reproductive plans.” Review article (JAMA, May 8) Click here to read full-text

SPIRIT 2013 Statement: defining standard protocol items for clinical trials

jmiller — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:33:44 +0000

“The protocol of a clinical trial serves as the foundation for study planning, conduct, reporting, and appraisal. However, trial protocols and existing protocol guidelines vary greatly in content and quality. This article describes the systematic development and scope of SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) 2013, a guideline for the minimum content of a c linical trial protocol. The 33 item SPIRIT checklis applies to protocols for all clinical trials and focuses on content rather than format.” (Ann Intern Med, Feb 5) Click here to read full text.

Clinical strategies to address patients’ concerns in osteoporosis management with bisphosphonates

jmiller — Thu, 30 May 2013 11:22:47 +0000

“To assist primary care physicians in clinical decision making for women at risk for or with confirmed osteoporosis, this article presents a review of the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, recent long-term efficacy data for extended-interval bisphosphonates, recent safety concerns with bisphosphonates, and lastly, suggests strategies for improving bisphosphonate adherence and patient outcomes. (Postgrad Med, Mar 2011) Click here to read full-text.

Dr. Barry Meisenberg’s Editorial in “The Capital” May 26th: “Medical choices come down to you”

jmiller — Wed, 29 May 2013 13:56:12 +0000

Dr. Barry Meisenberg alerts the public to choose wisely when it comes to medical care and steers them to the “Choose Wisely” website www.choosingwisely.org/doctor-patient-lists/ Bottom line: “Got symptoms? Have a conversation, not a test” Click here to read editorial.… learn more

President of the Medical Staff: Meet and Greet

Kenneth S Gummerson MD PhD — Thu, 23 May 2013 19:09:22 +0000

Almost as soon as it was signed into law in 2010, the Affordable Health Care Act began changing the way health services are provided. This year many new changes will begin to ease in including an increase in Medicare taxes and an increase in primary care reimbursements in Medicaid to match those of Medicare. All leading up to January 1, 2014 when health insurance exchanges are implemented, and bundled payment demonstrations, accountable care organizations and consolidation will occur.

To keep our Medical Staff informed of the hospital’s strategies for meeting the challenges and risks of this massive transformation, Ken Gummerson, MD, and Mitch Schwartz, MD, will host a monthly information exchange. We invite you to be a part of the discussion as we address the issues and share the implications for infrastructure, technology, clinical integration, transition from fee-for-service payment models, and, how all of the change will affect you, your practice and the medical system.

Join us for the first in the monthly series:

Friday, May 24 from Noon to 2pm
Medical Staff Lounge
1^st Floor, Hsopital Pavilion South

For more information, call the Medical Staff Office at 443.481.4150.

Xenon 133 Shortage

Medical Staff Office — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:18:44 +0000

A message from Nuclear Medicine: Due to reactor production problems, there is a nationwide shortage of radioactive Xenon 133 gas. We expect to receive our next shipment of this isotope on Saturday, June 1. We currently have four vials on the shelf. Please be advised that the Nuclear Medicine department will not be able to perform the ventilation portion of the lung scan procedure when these vials are depleted until June 1. Questons? Contact Kathleen S. Shoul, manager, at x4942 or kshoul@AAHS.org.