Newsletter 106 November
2008
Contents
President’s Message – November
DO MEMBERS OF CCMS AND NSMA HAVE A
VOICE, AND DOES ANYONE CARE?
MedPac’s
Endorsed Candidates List
Malpractice
Filings Against Health Care Providers, Jan 2001 – September
Are you aware of these NSMA/CCMS
Membership Benefits?
BOT Meeting Minutes Synopsis September
2008
2008-09 CCMS Annual Pictorial
Directories to arrive in your mailboxes soon!
2008-09 Alliance Co-Presidents
Message - November
Southern
Nevada Health Officer Report
President’s Message – November
By Jerry Jones, MD
2008-09 CCMS
President
The
Evolution of Homelessness
My friend D. whom I first met at my neighborhood
Starbucks disappeared for a few months.
I saw him a week ago and then again yesterday. D. lost his job doing
heavy construction and hasn’t been working.
D. was angry but seemed much more like his old self yesterday.
D. is the type of person who would sneak to the register
to pay for your coffee before you could object. D. is a Korean War veteran who
receives care at the VA clinic. A proud man who always earned his own way,
gracious to a fault, kind to strangers and friends alike.
D.’s car was repossessed. He discovered it was gone when
he walked to the parking garage. His cell phone service was disconnected. He is
not driving his older vehicle because he did not pay the insurance. D. took the bus to Starbucks on Friday; he
also took the bus home, I’m sure.
In only 2 months time, D. went from being a
self-sufficient supporting, independent, and confident person (loaning his car
to a friend because he had to take the bus to work @4:30am.) to being just a
few months away from becoming homeless for the first time in his life.
Watching people as they first come on the street, I see
them rolling luggage, perhaps with their clothing packed like they’re going on
a trip. Over time the luggage is broken or stolen, the clothes become soiled or
lost. Eventually everything gets replaced with items the rest of us discard.
Aluminum cans, garbage bags and tarps to make a tent, used plastic bottles and
rags.
The national news this past four weeks make us all worry
about home mortgage payments and how fragile our economy has become.
As I’ve written before, we physicians are so fortunate to
practice the things we love. This month,
CCMS Community Relations Committee will interview (again) the
The CCMS Community Relations Committee will also
interview Shade Tree Shelter for women and children to see how we might help
them. Please refer to the CCMS web site: www.clarkcountymedical.com for
community relation opportunities.
I’m sure the upcoming months will have many of us feeling
concerned about the state of our national economy, probably making it more
difficult to keep the business stable. By helping others, we feel better
ourselves. “It is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help
create a better world” - the Dali Llama.
Membership
CCMS Board of Trustees would like to acknowledge
Physician Groups who have achieved or maintained 100% membership in CCMS and
NSMA. If your group has achieved or maintained 100% membership please call
Janice @
739-9989 so that we may thank
you.
DO MEMBERS OF CCMS AND NSMA HAVE A VOICE, AND DOES ANYONE CARE?
By Len Kreisler, MD
1. Nevada State Medical Board of Examiners (BME) got a new chief,
former general counsel for the Nevada Board of Pharmacy. Did you know the candidate choices? Would you
have liked to vote on the choices? Do you care who runs the BME?
2. The BME would like to
raise biennial relicensing fees to $1000, making
3. Honorable physicians
have been placed under a cloud by the hepatitis C revelation, J-1 physician
irregularities, medical specialists lying under oath in open court...and lack
of timely action by the BME.
REMEMBER: IF YOU DON 'T GET INVOLVED AND SPEAK UP LOUD AND CLEAR,
SOMEONE WILL DO IT FOR YOU.
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MedPac’s Endorsed Candidates List
Clark County District Court Medical Malpractice Filings
Member News
Applicants to go
before the Credentialing Committee
Robert
Wesley, Jr, MD -
Internal Medicine
If you have any pertinent information about the membership
candidates listed above, please send written information to:
For
information on becoming a member, call Janiceanne Poblete, CCMS’ Membership
Coordinator at 739-9989 or download an application from the CCMS website: www.clarkcountymedical.org
CCMS expresses its appreciation for those
specialty groups who have maintained or achieved 100% membership in the CCMS
and NSMA:
1. Desert Perinatal Center
2. Center for Maternal/Fetal Medicine
Congratulations and Welcome to the
Alan Bolnick, MD
Maternal/Fetal
Medicine
9280 W Sunset Rd
Internal
Medicine
Matthew Galsky, MD
Oncology
3730 S Eastern Ave
Joseph Khoury, MD
Anatomic
& Clincal Pathology
Nicole Moss, MD
OB-Gyn
Radiology
Frederick Tanenggee, MD
Internal
Medicine
Welcome to the
Tali Arik, MD - Cardiology
Cres Miranda, MD - Cardiology
Stephan Savran, MD - Cardiology
Nicholas Tselikis, MD - Cardiology
For information on becoming a member of the
Are you aware of these NSMA/CCMS Membership Benefits?
1.
5% Discount on Malpractice Insurance
with Nevada Mutual Insurance Company, PIC
2.
Group Health PPO for members and
their families, and office employees and their families at very competitive
rates
3.
VISA credit card through Community
Bank with no interest for 60 days
4.
iTransact credit card processing
service at special rates
5.
MedPac, your CCMS political action
committees, and NemPac, the NSMA political action committee, both supporting
physician friendly candidates
6.
Notary services at the CCMS office,
free to CCMS members
7.
Through NSMA, representation in
State Legislature via paid lobbyist
8.
Fax updates on breaking news
important to local physicians
9.
Free classified advertising (up to
40 words) in our monthly newsletter (limit of 3 per year)
10.
Complimentary copy of our Membership
Directory annually
11.
Publication of members name,
address, phone number, and specialty on the CCMS website
12.
Our informative monthly newsletter,
the
13.
ePrescribing through Allscripts –
electronic new prescriptions and refills with formulary information
14.
15.
Approximately 1,600 referrals per
year are provided to the public
Listed above are some of the benefits of membership. To find out more check out our website at
www.clarkcountymedical.com or contact Janiceanne Poblete, CCMS Membership
Coordinator at 739-9989.
How does
your Office Manage Patient Complaints?
By Antoinette
Pretto-Sparkuhl, RN, BSN, MHA
Although acts of malpractice can lead to a claim, more often than
not a claim is filed due to other causal factors such as patient
dissatisfaction with customer service related issues. In addition to expecting
quality care, patients also expect quality customer service. Therefore, a
formalized, patient oriented grievance process should be implemented in the
office setting in order to effectively manage patient complaints appropriately
and consistently leading to patient satisfaction.
The following aspects
need to be addressed in establishing a formalized grievance process to manage
patient complaints: how the complaint
is channeled; what type of complaints require provider input; who determines
the action plan to resolve the complaint; and who is responsible for
communicating the proposed resolution to the patient. Follow-through is the most critical piece in
successfully managing patient complaints.
Whatever you said you were going to do should be performed and the
follow-up must be communicated back to the patient as this shows that the
complaint was taken seriously. Failure
to follow-through causes a loss of credibility in the eyes of the patient and
can also cause patients to become angry or may even escalate their anger.
Consider the
development of an office “grievance form” or “incident form” which can be used
to document the issue; who you spoke to; dates/times you talked with the
patient; any discussions with the provider; action plan development and
follow-up discussion/correspondence with the patient. Documentation should be objective and
factual. Tracking and trending this data
will help to identify the number, type and outcome of complaints the practice
receives. This activity will assist the
practice with the implementation of necessary quality improvements. Larger practices should consider developing a
“Grievance Committee” in which all providers review and discuss the number,
type and outcome of complaints so that efforts are maximized in making the
necessary quality improvements.
The grievance process
should also allow for timely management of patient complaints. Therefore, when possible, address the issue
when it is raised. However, if more research is necessary, then let the patient
know the issue requires further investigation and that follow-up will be within
an appropriate time-frame. A time-frame
for follow-up provides the patient with a clear understanding as to when to
expect to hear from your office. Also, this decreases unnecessary patient phone
calls about the investigation before it is completed.
It is essential for the
designated staff member, who handles patient complaints, to be both an
effective communicator and listener as patients need to tell their entire
story. Additionally, a designated person
ensures consistency and prevents frustration among patients in being
transferred multiple times when they call the office.
Some of the service
excellence skills that should be used when communicating with the patient
and/or family include, but are not limited to:
• Sit down in person with the individual,
avoid negative body language, and maintain eye contact in a non-threatening
manner.
• When over the telephone, modulate your
voice, use a calm tone and select your words carefully.
• Express your regret that patient/family is
dissatisfied with the situation.
• Reflect back and validate the patient’s
feelings.
• Apologize without blaming or admitting
liability. For example, “I’m sorry you
had a negative experience” or “I’m sorry your visit did not meet your
expectations.”
• Avoid medical jargon.
• Express gratitude for the patient bringing
the matter to your attention.
• Summarize the patient’s concerns.
• Do not become angry or judgmental.
Follow-up with the
patient should include the following: an explanation of what happened; what
your solution is for the situation and any systems which have been put in place
to prevent re-occurrence. Many patients
are concerned that the “same thing” can happen to someone else in the future,
and they want to ensure that this possibility is prevented. For many patients this is one of their
primary motivators for filing a complaint.
Unfortunately, even
after much effort, there will be some patient complaints that may not be
successfully resolved. Developing a
formal grievance process ensures that there is accurate and thorough
documentation of the complaint so that the facts can be explained, along with
your efforts to resolve the complaint, if and when the complaint is forwarded
to another entity such as the Nevada State Medical Board, or an attorney. Being proactive and developing a formal
patient focused grievance process to address patient complaints gives you the
best chance at successful management and patient satisfaction thereby
decreasing your risk of future malpractice claims.
Antoinette
Pretto-Sparkuhl can be contacted at
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Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes Synopsis - September 16, 2008
CALL TO ORDER - The
meeting was called to order by Dr. Jones at 6:03 pm.
SPECIAL GUESTS
Dr. Mauricio Trevisan, Executive
Vice Chancelor, CEO of the Health Sciences System for the
Thalia Dondero, Board of Regents -
Ms. Dondero stated that she is keenly aware of the economic struggle within the
medical community and the budget cuts effect on the medical school. The medical school is really important to
Dr. John Fildes, President of the
2007-08 COMPILATION
REPORT – by Martha Ford/PBTK - The compilation was presented by Martha
Ford. The accounting methods were
explained and two insignificant errors were noted. A prior year adjustement was made to account
for prepaid and deferred expenses that overlap fiscal years. The overall report was very positive, with
acknowledgement noted for the process improvements implemented that reduced the
hours required to complete the compilation.
ACTION ITEMS
Minutes – by Dr. Jones:
The Minutes from the August 19, 2008
meetings were unanimously approved with a minor correction to the Bylaws report
(Item #3 c.).
Financial Report – by Dr. Alexander:
General Revenue – Actual income for 2 months of Fiscal Year 2008-09 is
$44,482.98 compared to $50,623.19 in Fiscal Year 2007-08, representing
$6,140.21 less in revenues over last year at this time.
Operating Expenses – Actual expenses
for 2 months of Fiscal Year 2008-09 is $55,316.45 compared to $60,783.94,
representing $5,467.49 less in expenses over last year at this time.
Overall, for 2 months of our fiscal
year, expenses exceeded our revenues by $10,833.47. The bank balance for the end of August was
$535,035.54 compared to $473,156.44 last year at this time. The financial
statement was unanimously approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS Membership Count – by Dr. Adashek: As of August 30, 2008, total
dues-paid membership is 152, compared to 143 last year at this time. This is a net increase of 9 members.
Total CCMS membership is 420,
including 182 dues exempt members. There are 38 new members, 86 student members
and 20 reinstatements in the Fiscal Year 2008-09. There are 42 member applicants pending.
Dr. Jones stated that Janice sent a
letter to the recently resigned members to encourage them to rejoin.
Credentials Committee Report – by
Janice Poblete:
Candidates for
membership listed below were unanimously approved: Alan Bolnick, MD - Maternal / Fetal Medicine
Benito Calderon, MD
- Internal Medicine, Matthew Galsky, MD - Oncology, Joseph Khoury, MD - Anatomic & Clinical Pathology, Nicole
Moss, MD - Ob-Gyn, Mitesh Patel, MD - Radiology, Frederick Tanenggee, MD -
Internal Medicine.
Reinstated Members: Tali Arik, MD -
Cardiology, Holvanhalli Keshava-Prasad, MD - Internal Medicine, Cres Miranda,
MD - Cardiology, Wiiliam Resh, MD -
Cardiology, Stephan Savran, MD -
Cardiology, Nicholas Tselikis, MD - Cardiology.
Dr. Jones requested Janice to
confirm with Dr. Adashek that his entire group has joined CCMS. Upon confirmation, we will announce same in
the
Community Health/Community Relations
Committee – Dr. Forman stated the groups first meeting was September 9th. The major focus of the group was meeting with
representatives of the Brain Institute.
Dr. Forman shared a document with the BOT that broadly outlines the
mission/purpose of the institute. In
They would like, through our membership,
a commitment to this program. This is a
national project in terms of collaboration.
It is critical we make this work for the benefit of
The Brain Institute is developing an
article for publication in the
Remodeling Committee - Dr. Fathie
displayed the magazine (HD Design) that CCMS will be featured in with a
before and after layout. Bobbie Jo
Kinsey is working diligently to finalize the proposal utilizing the $50,000
earmarked for the project. She has
received a commitment from a couple of local suppliers to donate the labor and
materials for the complete rennovation of both restrooms and the kitchen. A story board depicting the different
materials to be used for the project was passed around for all the BOT members
to view.
The “Mercedes” co-sponsored
legislative mixer will be held September 25.
Several members of the BOT volunteered to telephone new member
applicants to invite them to the mixer.
The holiday card project is
underway, with $6,000 collected to date.
The BOT voted to put another insert in the October County Line promoting
the project. All proceeds go to nursing
scholarships.
SNHD CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER REPORT –
by Dr. Sands - The Nevada State Health Division announced it would be transitioning
from a Universal-Select program to a Vaccine for Children (VFC) program only,
effective January 1, 2009.
SNHD will host a provider
information meeting September 17, 2008 at 5:30 at the
This month, SNHD will launch the
Nurse Family Partnership Program. The
evidence based nurse home visitation program follows pregnant women from
pre-natal to the 2nd year of life of the child.
The program will provide data that will improve children’s readiness to
learn, identifying learning problems in school, reducing dependency on other institutions,
i.e., Juvenile Justice System.
Change
of leadership in the Dean’s staff. The
new Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs is Peggy Dupey, Ph.D.
Two more ACGME accreditation site
visits within the next month; one in family medicine, the other is surgical
critical care.
Collaborating with Touro and UNSOM
to move GME forward. Dr. Bar-on
requested an update from the Veterans Administration on their 5 year plan to
utilize as a resource for education.
Nursing Education Capacity Project –
On October 2 – 3, 2008, a national consultant will be here to conduct a summit
on nursing education capacity, leveraging off of the recent Robert Woods
Johnson education capacity that was conducted in June. Leaders of the nursing schools in the state
including
Working on an initiative with Dr.
Trevisan titled the “Inter Institution Biomedical Research Activities Fund”
(IIBRAF). This initiative is available
to the north and south members within the Nevada System Of Higher Education Health
Sciences and there are pilot research monies of up to $50,000 each for
inter-institutional multi-disciplinary scholarly projects.
A faculty practice plan has just
opened, and is in the process of installing the electronic medical record
program.
A plan is on the table to build a
20,000 square foot clinic over the next 18 months. A total of 160,000 square feet of interior
space is slated for improvement.
Touro submitted a pro-forma for a
school of veterinary medicine. There are
only 28 schools of veterinary medicine in the country.
Touro is in the process of starting
a neurology residency, pulmonary critical care residency and a cardiology
fellowship.
SCHOLARSHIP FUND REPORT – by Nancy
Sommer - Only two of the disbursements from the 2008 scholarship awards were
cashed. Dr. Ellerton has contacted
Morgan Stanley and issued a stop payment order and requested the reissue of the
checks which will be picked up by Dr. Ellerton for personal delivery.
NSMA REPORT – by Larry Matheis - NSMA is on the National Steering
Committee for a national project on injection safety procedures, a re-education
campaign for health professionals and facilities.
Work continues with the national
hepatitis patient advocacy group at the CDC Foundation to develop materials for
educational programs for all health professions.
NSMA is working hard to ensure that
we are part of resolving these issues.
On this group are FDA and CDC
advisors and have found that in medical schools and nursing schools, improper
injection practices are being taught today.
Vaccine availability for children –
the State of
Government Affairs meets Thursday
September 18, 2008 to start looking at all the legislative issues. The NEMPAC Board met last Thursday, and have
taken positions on all 10 senate races, 42 assembly races, the contested regent
races, 2 supreme court races, and all but one district court races.
MEDPAC REPORT – by Dr. Evins -
Several MedPAC members are working on the handouts for the Legislative
Mixer. There will be enough stock to
give to physician practices.
MedPAC will conduct an interview at
4:00 pm Wednesday, September 17 at the CCMS facility.
There have been two MedPAC interview
meetings (August 28 and September 11) since the last Executive Council
Meeting. At the August 28 meeting 14
interviewers were present.
Dr. Kline is sponsoring an event for
Dr. Joe Heck Saturday, September 20 at his home. He will send out an e-invitation to the
BOT. Dr. Kline also encouraged the BOT
to become MedPAC members.
Invitations will be mailed soon for
a fundraiser for Bob Beers to be held at Karla Perez’s home.
AMA REPORT – by Dr. Kline and Dr.
Nelson - Dr. Nelson distributed a handout titled “Reference Committee
Highlights” from the recent AMA meeting.
The main way in which the AMA acts is, to support ideas about going to
legislators and regulatory agencies to educate them and persuade them of
things, to provide funds for studies, and to encourage others to provide funds
for studies that we vote to support, as well as to educate members and the
public.
One of the main focuses of the AMA
is membership. Only about 1/3 of the
licensed physicians belong to the AMA.
Unlike the NSMA and CCMS, only 20% of the revenue to the AMA comes from
membership dues. The AMA is considering
lowering the dues to try and entice membership.
Dr. Kline and Dr. Nelson highlighted
several of the AMA resolutions. A large
concern is that some of the “Never Happen Events” will create a new avenue for
malpractice suits. Another concern is
the increase in patients traveling to other countries to receive medical care
and the post treatment care in the
NBME REPORT – by Dr. Rodriguez - The
NBME is very busy with the transition of Executive Directors.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Dr. Jones
announced that Dr. Havins was hired as the new Executive Director for the
Nevada State Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Jones read the letter of release of Dr. Havins dated September 12,
2008. The BOT gave Dr. Havins a standing
ovation in gratitude for his 7-1/2 years of excellent service to CCMS. Dr. Jones suggested that Dr. Havins continue
on, after his year as Past President ends, as an ex-officio member and liaison
to the Board of CCMS on behalf of the Board of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. Jones announced the recent
passing of long time member Dr. Bruce Robbins.
The BOT honored Dr. Robbins with a moment of silence.
Dr. Kline mentioned that Dr. Tom
Scully passed away this week. Dr. Scully
was President & Secretary for many years for the Nevada Board of Medical
Examiners, authored a text book, and wrote a very interesting report on patient
treatment during his own illness.
Dr. Jones announced that a copy of
the first meeting of the Board of Directors for CCMS (November 15, 1955) is in
the meeting packets for everyone’s perusal/amusement.
Dr. Jones announced that an email
was sent to the BOT with revised job descriptions for the Staff. This is to assist in the search for a new
Executive Director. The Office Manager
now assumes several of the responsibilities and one responsibility was assumed
by the Membership Coordinator. A motion
was made and unanimously passed to approve the revised descriptions.
The job search for the new Executive
Director will start with developing a short list of about 5 past officers who
have shown their devotion to CCMS and who can work well with the staff. The Selection Committee is considering several
different work and compensation models, including having the position term be
for one year with a monthly stipend. The
hours would be limited so as to not interfere with their current careers. More information will be discussed at the
next BOT meeting.
Dr. Jones advised that Janice has been
keeping a log of calls on Fridays. The
volume is very low, i.e., three or less calls in the four hour period. After some discussion, a motion was
made/unanimously passed to give the Office Manager discretionary control over
when the office closes on Fridays, no sooner than 12:00 pm.
DMINISTRATIVE REPORT - by Nancy
Sommer - Protection One Alarm System Upgrade - Nancy Sommer requested the BOT
approve a proposal for $750.00 to upgrade the current alarm system to a
wireless system and remove the exposed wires.
This work is in conjunction with the remodeling project. The BOT made/unanimously passed a motion to
upgrade the system.
2008 Physicians Directory – Nancy
Sommer announced that the new directory is at the printers. Special acknowledgement was given to Dot Freel,
who was solely responsible for the project and created the best directory to
date.
FUTURE MEETINGS - Next meeting is
scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 6:00pm. This will be a regular meeting for full
attendance by the Board of Trustees.
ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned at
8:10 pm.
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2008-09 CCMS Annual Directories should have arrived in your mailboxes
All members should have received a copy of the annual directory
by now. We provide our members with a
complimentary copy every year and sell additional copies to members at the
reduced price of $25. We sell
directories to the public at the price of $50.
If you would like any additional copies, please mail a check to CCMS,
If your photo is not next to your information, please take the
time to email your headshot to ccms@lvcm.com so your photograph will be
in the next year's edition. We plan to
have RCL Photography out again next year to take photos of members for our
directory. You do not have to pay for
any photos unless you would like some and they will give us a photo of you for
the directory at no charge.
Please keep this in mind if we do not have a photo of you or if you
would like an updated or different picture in next year's directory. If we do not receive a new photo next year,
we will use the same photo as we used in this year's edition.
The purpose of the directory is to facilitate professional
familiarity with fellow physicians in
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Past President’s Message
By Joel Davidson, MD, FACS
CCMS Past President 1982-83
My term as President of
CCMS was the beginning of what would become a major shift in the practice of
medicine. Managed Care had been
discussed for some time but 1982/83 was a year of change and adaptation. Today all we hear is ways to improve quality
care. This was what I refer to as the
end of quality in medicine as physicians would soon have to do more for less in
a lesser period of time. The 20 to 30
minute appointment was soon to become a thing of the past. One memorable quote I remember was “Blaming
the doctor for high medical costs is like blaming the pilot for the cost of the
airplane ticket.” Boy, I wish I could
recall who came up with that one. Truer
words have not been spoken. The nurse in
the starched white uniform accompanying the physician on rounds is a thing of
the past. Cost of medical care has not
gone down. Management of health care is
where the dollars are. That doesn’t buy
quality!
A cloister was held at
Bill O’Gorman
spearheaded a committee for impaired physicians. CLAMPAC was reorganized. The medico-legal screening panel was soon
abolished by the lawyers thru the legislature.
However, that was a good thing as what the plaintiff lawyers had been
doing was using it as part of their discovery process. What good it did do was to give the supposed
plaintiff an opportunity to hear a possible explanation that had not been
provided or just a chance to vent. Many
of these sessions lasted in to the early morning hours. But, by now, the plaintiff lawyer was not
going to go away.
The
It was the year that
the largest, most well-attended meeting, at least up to that point in time (and
likely thru today), took place. It was a
debate between Dr. Anthony Marlin (HPN) and Mr. Ernest Libman (local Hospital
Administrator). Ernie had professionally
dealt with the HMO movement before he moved to
The public wanted quality care 24 hours a day. The twenty-four hour “
This was the beginning
of restraining costs at the expense of quality.
It was the year of the alphabet soup – PPO, HMO, MCO, CON, EOB and on
and on. Hospital administrators were
introduced to Medicare pay linked to diagnosis.
Medicare patients were going to be offered to join local HMO’s.
The Women’s Auxiliary
put together the President’s Ball, a western dinner and dance at Old Las
Vegas. It was a memorable evening at $35
a person. The profits were donated by
the Auxiliary. It was a challenging year
supported by many, in addition to Bill Findorf, Bud Winne, Angela Clarke, Jeff
Brookman, Richard Relyea, Bob Clark, Harris Knudson, and Lovey Scully.
The challenges
continue.
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CME CALENDAR
Bechtel
NV Chapter AACE 702-434-8400
NV Cancer Institute
702-822-5290
Nov 14 - "Cancer
Surivors: Charting an Agenda..."
Pri-Med Institute 877-4PRI-MED
Sierra Health Services 702-242-7735
Southwest Medical Assoc 702-242-7735
www.sunrisecme.com
UMC 702-383-2604
www.umcsn.com/events/cme/asp
Nov 7 -
"Breastfeeding in Practice..."
Nov 14 -
"Osteoporosis: Reducing the Risk of ..."
Nov 15 -
"Gastroenterology & Hepatology Update"
Education Opportunities
for Practice Managers, Call the NV
Medical Group Management Association:
702-697-5471 ext 134.
Only CME Activities held at the Clark County Medical Society office
are specifically endorsed by CCMS.
2008-2009 CCMS Alliance
By
Beverly Daly Dix and Sheila Bazemore
Our CCMSA team of walkers and runners
crossed the finish line in victory early Saturday morning as we helped to raise
funds for the
The Annual
The executive board of the
CCMSA needs the help of physicians with
our member recruitment. We ask that
physicians encourage their spouses to join the
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SNHD Health Officer Report
Congenital syphilis on the rise in
Nevada
By
Over
the past few years there has been a steady reemergence of syphilis in our
community. In response to the rising rates health district staff has increased
efforts to identify and track cases and their vigilance has lead to an increase
in the number of congenital syphilis cases identified in
The integration of the
health district’s HIV and STD programs in 2005 increased surveillance reviews,
investigations and follow up of syphilis morbidity. Active surveillance of
laboratories, facilities and providers, along with extensive follow up of early
syphilis, accounts for the detection of increased case counts.
Staff investigations
have identified additional issues that factor into the increase in cases since
2005. These include lack of prenatal care; provider non-compliance with
Nevada Revised Statute
442.010 outlines the requirements for the examination of pregnant women for the
discovery of syphilis. Provisions of the statute include:
• Physician attending a pregnant woman during
gestation for conditions relating to her pregnancy shall make an examination,
including a standard serological test, for the discovery of syphilis. He shall
take or cause to be taken a sample of blood of the woman during the third
trimester and shall submit the sample to a qualified laboratory for a standard
serological test for syphilis.
• Person permitted by law to attend upon
pregnant women, but not permitted by law to make blood tests in
• If the serological or physical examination
test shows the pregnant woman is infected with syphilis, she immediately shall
commence treatment for syphilis and shall continue treatment until discharged
by a licensed physician.
• If the pregnant woman objects to the taking
of the sample of blood or the serological test because the test is contrary to
the tenets or practices of her religion, the sample must not be taken and the
test must not be performed.
Cases of congenital
syphilis present with a wide spectrum of severity and only the most severe
cases are clinically apparent at birth. Infants and children younger than 2
years of age may present with hepatosplenomegaly, rash, condyloma lata,
snuffles, jaundice, pseudoparalysis, anemia or edema. Older children may
experience interstitial keratitis, nerve deafness, anterior bowing of shins,
frontal bossing, mulberry molars,
One case of congenital
syphilis is a sentinel public health event indicating a break down in the
community’s prenatal care system. It has been estimated that approximately half
of women who have been infected with syphilis a few years before pregnancy will
experience a stillbirth (including miscarriages) and the other half in
perinatal death or congenital syphilis. Fortunately, these outcomes are easily
preventable through early detection and treatment of syphilis during pregnancy.
Successful prevention
of these serious neonatal infections requires health care providers to
routinely test all pregnant women for syphilis early in pregnancy and during
the third trimester and appropriately treat when indicated. Similarly, all
pregnant women presenting for delivery whose infection status is unknown should
be tested and treated appropriately if infected and their newborn evaluated and
treated if indicated. By reporting diagnosed or suspect cases to the health
district, public health and health care providers can work in unison to prevent
future infections from being transmitted from mother to child.
Detailed recommendations on syphilis testing and treatment can
be found at www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/hiv_aids/hcp.htm, or by
contacting the health district’s STD/HIV program office at 759-0702.
sss
Classifieds
for
Built out Medical – Reception
area, exam rooms with sinks, private doctor’s office, locations through out the
valley call the leasing Professionals at RE/MAX Commercial Professionals
(702)792-3440 ask for Ron Ventura or Jakke Cline-Hicks.
Looking to share space and
reduce overhead? Internal Medicine Doctor in GV near St Rose has more space
than he needs. Free Standing Visible Building, Lots of Parking. 7 Exam rooms,
great staff,Billing Service and more! Call 279-7056.
Available Immediately: 2 exam
rooms and an office available to lease in Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation Practice
located in the medical office building at Summerlin Hospital. Support staff welcome. Inquire by email to
dlangdon@lvcoxmail.com
locum tenens doctor needed to
monitor/be available for telephone consults for PA's in
FOR LEASE: 1750 sqft (+-) suite available in free
standing building in SW area (215 &
FOR RENT—VIP ROOM.
Join us for a review and analysis of the
years events in workplace drug testing.
AAMROs Annual Drug Testing Symposium, November 7-9, 2008. The Mirage
Hotel,
LEASING INCENTIVES, visit
Sahara Rancho, 2250 S. Rancho. Prime Location,
I-15/
Las Vegas Dermatology &
H.L. Greenberg,M.D. are accepting dermatology patients at their new Summerlin
hospital location:
SUBLEASE OFFICE SPACE: Behavioral
Medicine clinic has an office space to rent near Valley & UMC Hospitals.
Approx. 175 sq. ft. incl. utilities and use of waiting room, etc. $500/mo.
Billing, scheduling, telephone services also available. Call Eileen at
702-405-6644
FOR RENT—VIP ROOM.
for lease medical facility: Free
standing 6500 sqft (+/-) building on
Add another zip code to your letterhead
by sharing
office space near Summerlin. Westside
“timeshare space” for lease. New medical
office building (full or half days available) convenient to 215 near Flamingo
Hualapai. Call 458-4263 ext 209
seeking pediatrician:
Ernest Sussman, MD is
pleased to announce the opening of his solo practice specializing in Urology
with emphasis on sexual medicine, male infertility (vasectomy and reversals),
incontinence (female urology), and voiding disorders including BPH. For more information, please call
702-293-0176.
sss
County Line
Nevada Mutual Insurance Company ….. 798-6001 ….. www.nevadamutual.com
Medicus……..512-467-2800 ……. www.medicusinsurance.com
Consultants in Marketing for Hutchison & Steffen ……944-2464 www.wemarketo.com
The Firm for Comprehensive Cancer Centers ….702-739-9933
United Blood Services ……702-228-4483
SK+G for NV Cancer Institute … 478-4122 … www.skgadv.com
Ensemble Real Estate, LLC …. 562-7595
Premier Physicians Insurance Company…..860-6130 ... www.ppicmedmal.com
Status Group, LLC…. 702-252-7005 … www.statusgroupllc.com
Bozell & Jacobs for MX Secure, Inc …888-580-1010 … www.mxsecure.com
MassMedia for Territory ….702-433-4331 .. www.massmediacc.com
E & S Medical Billing … 362-9494
21st Century Oncology ……274-2000 … www.21stcenturyoncology.com
Purdue Marion and Associates for Colliers International ………..702-222-2362
Jacob Hafter, Esq … 702-405-6700 … www.hafterlaw.com
Joe Kaufman Physician Mgnt Co …..702-318-6517
BJC Investments, LLC ……228-7464 …. www.priorityonecommercial.com
Nevada Docs Support Association, Inc ….. 702-215-4894… www.nvdocs.com
Anne Aniello Insurance Agency ….702-259-0250 … www.anielloinsurance.com
Medical Group Management Association ….. 697-5471 ext. 134
Merrill Lynch Michael Libraty .. 702-227-7030