Practice Management

Physician offices lead the pack in job creation

Physicians are doing their part to improve the lackluster economy. Healthcare employment grew by 12,000 jobs in October, with 8,000 of those jobs in doctors’ offices, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This after September saw the highest growth in healthcare employment in 9 years. Find out how that rate compares with growth in other industry sectors and how long you can expect the healthcare job boom to last. » More

Practice Finance

In an innovative practice? You might qualify for government funds

A new government initiative will begin awarding $1 billion in funds next March to physician offices and other healthcare sites exploring creative ways to deliver high-quality medical care and reduce costs for people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Projects that can be up and running in 6 months or less and demonstrate a model for sustainability after the 3-year award period will have priority. Find out why it might be worth a look to see if your practice can qualify. » More

The way YOU see it

We want to hear from you about your opinions or experiences. Something bothering you? Vent. Have a best practice for a current issue in practice management? Say it!  We invite you to submit a solutions-oriented column of 600 to 1,200 words for publication in Medical Economics’ “The Way I See It” section. You get it off your chest, and–even better—we’ll pay you if we publish it. Submit your column for consideration to Managing Editor Lois Bowers at lbowers@advanstar.com.

Technology

ICD-10 deadline sparks battle of titans: AMA vs. CMS

The American Medical Association House of Delegates has voted to “work vigorously to stop implementation of ICD-10” by an October 2013 deadline. But don’t get your hopes up. The smart money is probably on the government. Find out what the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said about changing the deadline, and why the agency is so anxious to start using the new coding system. » More

Ask the EHR: Using data for real-time treatment decisions

Here’s a novel use of electronic health records: Using the technology to provide an “electronic cohort” that allows you to evaluate a course of treatment on a real-time basis. Usually, physicians rely on randomized, controlled trials, when possible, and turn to expert opinion when necessary. But what if experts aren’t available or testing is inconclusive? Find out how a medical team used a quick analysis of an EHR database to determine treatment of a pediatric patient with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by nephritic-range proteinuria, antiphospholipid antibodies, and pancreatitis. » More

Expert: Forget HIT safety risks; “paper-based system kills”

Responding to a new report that says growing pains for health information technology are creating some short-term safety issues, technology experts say physicians should remember one immutable fact: The new systems are far less dangerous than the old paper-based systems still used by many practices. The Institute of Medicine said there have been reported cases of patient injury related to medication dosing errors, failure to detect fatal illnesses, and treatment delays due to poor human-computer interactions or loss of data. Read on to learn how you can you avoid these errors when using technology in your practice. » More

Health Law & Policy

Supreme Court to decide if healthcare reform law is constitutional

Have you and your colleagues expended significant time and money to understand and meet the requirements of a law that may be declared unconstitutional? The answer is not clear at this point, but at least the issue is headed toward resolution. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rule on the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, with oral arguments likely this spring and a decision later next year. Find out what issues before the court could have the biggest effect on your practice. » More

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