Welcome Guest, if you have an account you may login

Medigram - April 30, 2009


TOP STORY

Swine flu resources available on Society Web site

In response to the swine influenza [A(H1N1) (S-OIV)] outbreak, the U.S. government has declared a public health emergency in the United States. Addtionally, Governor Jim Doyle today declared a public health emergency in Wisconsin in response to the presence of Swine Influenza A (H1N1) in the state. (Click here to read announcement.)

As of this morning, 109 cases of swine flu have been confirmed in 11 states along with one death. State officials report that there are three probable cases of in Wisconsin—two from Milwaukee County and one from Adams County.

The Society has posted several links on its Web site to information for physicians and patients from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the American Medical Association. Information will be updated as it becomes available.

NEWS BRIEFS

Society airs new radio spot statewide

The Wisconsin Medical Society Monday launched the third in a series of radio messages designed to help educate patients about key health care issues and increase awareness of the Society. (Click here to listen.) The ad, which features Society President Robert Jaeger, MD, is running on 74 radio stations statewide for five days.

In it, Dr. Jaeger reminds listeners that Wisconsin is known for excellent health care. “That level of quality is hard to achieve without a strong and trusting relationship between patients and their doctors. The 12,000 members of the Wisconsin Medical Society are dedicated to preserving this essential and unique relationship on behalf of their patients,” he says.

A series of public service announcements (PSAs) are also being finalized. During the Society’s Annual meeting a dozen physicians recorded messages encouraging patients to take care of their health. Topics include stress management, colon cancer screening, falls prevention and hand washing. Once complete, these PSAs will be distributed to the physicians’ local radio stations and will also be available on the Society’s Web site.

The campaign will continue throughout 2009 and will feature Society members with the key message, “I’m a member of the Wisconsin Medical Society because I’m a physician who cares for you and your family.”


Fund agrees to $17.3 million settlement

The Injured Patients and Families Compensation Fund has agreed to pay $17.3 million to settle a case involving an Iowa County girl injured during surgery. The settlement is the largest such payment ever awarded in Dane County and is one of the largest payments by the Fund.

The case, Shelbey N Bomkamp et al vs. Injured Patients and Families Comp Fund et al, involves an 8-year-old child who was injured during surgery to remove her spleen in June 2007, to correct a hereditary condition. As a result of the injuries, Bomkamp lost a significant amount of blood and suffered permanent brain damage. She is now confined to a wheelchair, requires a feeding tube and 24-hour care.

Under the settlement, $8.2 million of the $17.3 million will be put in a fund for Bomkamp’s future medical expenses. Lands’ End Inc., which employs Margaret Bomkamp, Shelbey’s mother, has paid some medical expenses and will receive about $650,000 from the settlement. Click here to read media coverage on this case.


Agendas for upcoming Council meetings available on-line

The Wisconsin Medical Society’s Council on Health Care Quality and Population Health will meet Thursday, May 7, and the Council on Legislation will meet Friday, May 8. Society members can access the agendas and draft meeting minutes in the members-only section of the Society Web site. Materials are currently available for the Council on Health Care Quality & Population Health here and for the Council on Legislation here. Member login is required, so if you do not remember your login information, click here for instructions. If you have questions or would like to participate in either of these meetings, please contact Merry Earll.


Measuring hand hygiene adherence: New monograph available

Effective hand hygiene practices have long been recognized as the most important way to reduce the transmission of potentially deadly germs in health care settings—a fact that can’t be overstated during the current swine flu outbreak. To help health care organizations target their efforts in measuring hygiene performance, the Joint Commission and its partners recently released “Measuring Hand Hygiene Adherence: Overcoming the Challenges.” For more information, click here to read a press release.

The monograph is the result of a two-year collaboration with major infection control leadership organizations in the United States and abroad to identify effective approaches for measuring adherence to hand hygiene guidelines in health care organizations. Participating organizations include the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (APIC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the World Health Organization (WHO) World Alliance for Patient Safety, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).

Electronic copies of the monograph are available on The Joint Commission’s Web site. A free printed copy is available by calling The Joint Commission’s Department of Customer Service Center at 630.790.5800, option 5, or e-mailing customerservice@jointcommission.org.


Feedback sought about health literacy

Wisconsin Literacy, Inc., through the work of its Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Health Literacy Committee, would greatly appreciate your time in completing this short survey on health literacy. The purpose of the survey is to:
  1. Gather information regarding the level of health literacy awareness in your practice.
  2. Determine the impact low or limited health literacy has on your practice.
  3. Determine possible strategies that may help you address patients with limited or low health literacy.
  4. Determine what other resources may be helpful to you in addressing health literacy.
To complete the survey, click here.

CAPITOL INSIDER

Legislature’s Finance Committee to vote on efforts to improve MEB

In a meeting late this afternoon, the legislature's Joint Committee on Finance (JCF) is expected to approve Governor Jim Doyle’s proposal—as part of the 2009-2011 biennial budget—to better dedicate fees physicians pay for initial or renewed medical licenses for the Medical Examining Board (MEB). Society membership and staff have worked closely with the Department of Regulation and Licensing and the MEB to improve DRL’s customer service, which in recent history has left applicants waiting months for licenses. The proposal would add staff to work solely on MEB licensing and discipline activities, rather than the current system of sharing time among more than 60 boards, councils and advisory committees.

Once JCF finishes its work on the budget, the bill—officially 2009 Assembly Bill 75—heads to the State Assembly and State Senate for further deliberations. For more information, contact Mark Grapentine, JD.


Senate leader wants action on smoking ban bill by mid-May

Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker (D-Schofield) told his Democratic colleagues in a closed-door caucus Tuesday that he would like to see a workplace smoke-free bill get a full Senate vote by mid-May. The bill, which should officially be introduced soon, is separate from the smoking ban contained in the 2009-2011 biennial state budget. Joint Committee on Finance co-chair Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the smoking ban provision will remain in the budget proposal even when a separate bill is introduced to ensure a better chance for eventual enactment into law.

Society Key Contacts will be notified when it is the best time to contact your state legislators—which could be as soon as early next week. For more information, contact Mark Grapentine, JD.


Legislators propose first beer tax increase in 40 years

Two Madison legislators are proposing legislation to raise the state’s tax on beer, which hasn’t seen an increase since 1969. Rep. Terese Berceau (D-Madison) and Sen. Fred Risser (D-Madison) want to raise the per-barrel tax from $2 to $10, with the additional revenue going to increased drunk driving enforcement and alcohol abuse treatment. Read about the proposal in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article here.

The Society is part of the AWARE (All-Wisconsin Alcohol Risk Education) coalition, which supports this effort. If you wish your legislators to cosponsor the Berceau/Risser bill, contact them. Verify your legislators’ contact information here. Contact Mark Grapentine, JD, for more information.

FOUNDATION FOCUS

2009 fundraising event a success

“How Medicine Solves Crime” was the theme of this year’s Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation fundraising event held April 16 in Madison The event grossed approximately $115,000, and featured Gary Telgenhoff, MD, a Las Vegas pathologist and consultant to the television series, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Thanks to all who sponsored or attended the event as well as those who contributed auction items or bought raffle tickets. Special thanks to WPS Health Insurance for contributing as the event’s presenting sponsor. Proceeds are vital to the Foundation’s scholarship and grant programs, which offer financial assistance and encouragement to students in medical and health care programs struggling with mounting school debt and help support community health education and projects throughout the state.

Thank you again to all who helped make this year’s event such a great success. Watch for details on next year’s program in the months ahead.



Attendees pose for a group photo.



Attendees survey the wide array of auction items.



Gary Telgenhoff, MD, featured speaker addressed the crowd.


It’s white coat time again!

The Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation’s annual White Coat Campaign is about to begin. The campaign provides a white coat and note of welcome and encouragement from a physician to every first year medical student at each of Wisconsin’s medical schools. If you have participated before, watch for information in the mail. If you would like more information, e-mail Mary Oleson or call 608.442.3756.

QUALITY CORNER

Task Force reaffirms recommended resources for tobacco cessation

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has reaffirmed its 2003 recommendation that clinicians ask all adults about tobacco use and provide tobacco cessation interventions for those who use tobacco product. The Task Force also recommends that clinicians ask all pregnant women about tobacco use and provide augmented, pregnancy-tailored counseling for those who smoke. The reaffirmation is based on information found in the updated U.S. Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline: Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update.

The recommendation reaffirmations are published in the April 21 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and are available on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Web site.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care. The Task Force, which is supported by AHRQ, conducts rigorous, impartial assessments of the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of a broad range of clinical preventive services, including screening, counseling, and preventive medications. Its recommendations are considered the gold standard for clinical preventive services.

FAQ

Question:
Are there limitations on the number of medical records the Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs) can request from physicians?

Answer:
Yes, and the number depends on the number of physicians corresponding to the Group National Provider Index (NPI) number on the claim, according the representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The medical record limit is established by group rather than individual NPI. Limits are subject to change each calendar year. For 2009 the medical record limits are as follows:

  • Solo Practitioner—10 medical records/45 days
  • Partnership of 2-5 individuals—20 medical records/45 days
  • Group of 6-15 individuals—30 medical records/45 days
  • Large Group (16+ individuals)—50 medical records/45 days

CMS made it clear during an April 14 RAC call for Medicare Part B Providers that they do not intend for the record requests to cause an administrative burden. If you receive a request that is unreasonable from an administrative perspective, physicians are encouraged to work with the RAC directly. For additional medical record limit information click here.