Clark County Medical Society

County Line

Newsletter XIII     February 2001

Contents

2001 Charity Gala

CCMS and UNSOM Alumni Assoc. Mixer

President’s Message – Does my patient speak English?

Industry News

Member News

Clark County Medical Society New Members January 2001

January 2001 Provisional Members

Clark County Medical Society Board of Trustees Minutes

February CMEs

Upcoming Events

Classified Advertising

 

2001 Charity Gala

The Clark County Medical Society’s 2001 Charity Gala, held on Saturday, January 27 at the Four Seasons, raised $15,000 for the CCMS Medical & Nursing Scholarship Fund.  Las Vegas and many cities across the country are facing a nursing and healthcare worker shortage. CCMS is committed to providing medical and nursing students with the resources they need to complete their education.

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CCMS and UNSOM Alumni Assoc. Mixer

The Clark County Medical Society and the University of Nevada School of Medicine Alumni Association will be holding their first joint mixer on Tuesday, February 27, 2001. The mixer will be at Anthem Country Club in Henderson beginning at 6:00 p.m. All CCMS members are invited and are encouraged to bring non-members to give them an opportunity to find out what membership in the Medical Society means for them.

This event is FREE and each guest will receive one raffle ticket and one drink ticket when they arrive. Hot hors d'oeuvres will be served. Please RSVP at 739-9989 for this fun evening.

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President’s Message – Does my patient speak English?

Raul T. Meoz, M.D., CCMS President 2000-2001

As per the 1990 census, an estimated 14 million US residents have limited knowledge of English. Although the concentration of non-English-speaking minorities is greater in cities such as L.A., Miami, and New York, a significant segment of the Las Vegas population falls in the same category. As of 1996, minorities represented approximately 28 percent of the Valley’s population, with some 18% consisting of individuals for whom English was not their native language. This is not to say that all of these individuals are not proficient in the English language, as many are, and are very successfully integrated into our community. Many, however, especially the elderly and newcomers, do show weakness in the language department. It follows then that any physician at some time will run across a patient in his or her practice with poor command of the English language. Often these patients will be seen in emergency situations, and frequently as new office visits. It is our responsibility as physicians to provide for all our patients, without discrimination. By not taking language barriers properly into account, we run the risk of leaving some of our patients out in the cold.

The process of health care delivery to this subset of the population has many nuances. It goes beyond merely being able to translate into the patient’s language word for word what the health care provider is trying to convey. We also need to be able to understand what our patient is trying to tell us.

The interpretation of the health message is not only complicated by language differences, but also by lack of knowledge of technical terms and, just as important, cultural barriers. An informed decision regarding health care can only be made when the patient and his/her relatives thoroughly understand the information given. Many times we delude ourselves into thinking that we have done a good job of getting the message across, when in reality we have a frightened individual on the other side of this language wall who is afraid to ask questions and thus unable to cooperate fully in his/her care. In addition, we should realize that some of our minority patients, while able to speak English well enough to get by in their daily life, might have lesser command of the written word. This may be of importance when asking them to fill past medical history questionnaires or, more critically, read and sign a consent form.

What can we do? While it may not be practical or cost effective to have an interpreter in our office for every circumstance, we can at least be prepared when we happen upon a situation where language may be a problem. Often there will be a relative that will provide the translation. In those situations, we must take into consideration that the interpreter may not be able to understand the medical terms and may not be able to pass on the information the way we would want it to be done. In addition, the patient may not be comfortable discussing certain details of his/her health history through the interpreter and the interpreting individual may have difficulty passing on certain delicate information.

Depending upon the volume of non-English speaking patients in our practice, we may want to provide translated written materials that describe the procedures we perform. Many are available through specialty societies or the NIH as well as from support groups. When disseminating information on preventive medicine, it may be very useful to provide such materials in languages other than English, depending upon the segment of the population we are trying to reach.

As health care providers, we must also be award of Title VI of the Civil Rights act of 1964 and of the existence of a policy guidance issued by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This guidance clarifies the responsibilities of providers of health and social services regarding access to translations and interpreters by those individuals with limited English proficiency. The OCR issued its guidance on August 30, 2000, entitled: “Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Policy Guidance on the Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination As It Affects Persons With Limited English Proficiency”.

This is applicable to the recipients of Medicaid or other Federal financial assistance. Copies of the policy can be downloaded from the Health Care Financing Administration’s web site at www.hcfa.gov/medicaid/smd83100.htm.  By being aware of the barriers to effective communication, we will be able to provide better for all our patients. We will also find that this directed care should be more cost-effective, as our better-informed patients will have an easier time finding their way in the road to recovery.

The CCMS database contains information on physicians who speak, collectively, almost all foreign languages. You can call CCMS at 739-9989 to locate a physician specialist with specific language skills.

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Industry News

·        KNUU radio (KNEWS AM 970) is featuring a new half-hour radio show focusing on compassionate care for terminally ill patients and end-of-lifecare issues. The 13-week series, airing Saturday mornings at 8:05, offers information designed to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support and to make weighty issues surrounding end-of-life care less daunting. Hosted by Nathan Adelson Hospice Public Relations Director Michael Delaney, the program features guest interviews on topics ranging from eligibility for hospice care to volunteer services and grief counseling. Listeners are encouraged to e-mail suggested topics and questions to Delaney at www.nah.org.

·        Lake Mead Hospital, in partnership with WebFamilies, now offers patients QuickWeb, a wireless system that allows parents of newborns to post baby photos on the Internet in a secure, password-protected environment without ever leaving their hospital room. The patented WebFamilies QuickWeb system puts a digital camera and laptop computer at the patient’s bedside to let parents photograph their newborn and personally build their own Web site from the privacy of their hospital room. The system, as well as the actual web communities created by parents, are available in both English and Spanish.

·        University Medical Center Children’s Center encourages parents to use accurate measuring devices when dispensing medicine to children. Because there is no standard teaspoon size, using one to dispense over-the-counter or prescription medicine may result in a child receiving the wrong dose. A recent study in the Journal of Family Practice found that almost three-fourths of the 130 adults interviewed still used teaspoons to measure doses of medicine. UMC Pediatricians and Pharmacists are prepared to demonstrate how these dosage errors can occur by relying on a teaspoon and can discuss how to properly measure medicine.

·        Nursing students at Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN), selected Beth Regal to be the keynote speaker at their recent graduation ceremony.  A registered nurse and Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center’s childbirth education coordinator for the past 12 years, Regal also has several amateur comedy performances under her belt. Regal’s comedic nature kept the students engaged during a childbirth class while they learned an essential aspect of their maternal/child training. Regal’s keynote address centered on the nursing motto, “Educated minds, trained hands and caring hearts.”

·        The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society have two new support groups for patients with Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma and Hodgkin’s disease and their families. For more information or details contact Deann Cline or Heather Holly-Freitag at 436-4220.

·        Lake Mead Hospital has promoted Kim Forbes-Daniels to chief financial officer (CFO). As CFO, Forbes-Daniels will be responsible for the financial administration of the hospital. Forbes-Daniels joined Lake Mead Hospital in 1997 as its controller. She has several years of experience handling accounting for companies in the health care industry.

·        Desert Radiologists has hired a contracts director to manage all functions related to provider contracts. As Contracts Director, Jene Pellettieri will ensure that existing and future relations remain profitable for Desert Radiologists. Pellettieri has an extensive background in healthcare contract management and systems analysis.

·        Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center has expanded its management team, naming Mary Jo Solon director of Adult Inpatient Services. In this position, Solon is responsible for managing all aspects of adult critical care, medical/surgical and telemetry services. Solon began her career as a pediatric intensive care nurse.

·        Heart disease is the number one killer in developed western countries. A majority of heart attacks can be prevented if the conditions that lead to their occurrences are diagnosed early enough. The Cardiac Scoring test enables the detection and quantification of calcified lesions in the coronary arteries. The presence of these lesions are a sign that the patient is developing atherosclerotic coronary artery disease and the the patient’s risk of heart attack may be increasing. For more information on the assessment, call Desert Vascular Institute at 794-4DVI.

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Member News

·        DR. MICHAEL RESNICK will be hosting Inside Health on NEWS 13 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:00 p.m. Dr. Resnick is looking topics or guests for the show. Please send your ideas to 3040 W. Charleston, Las Vegas, NV 89102.

·        DR. LARRY YU became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in November at the 86th annual Clinical Congress in Chicago. Dr. Yu is an Ear, Nose & Throat specialist.

·        Past CCMS member DR. CARLOS C. GARIBAY died December 31.Dr. Garibay was a ten year resident of Henderson and a member of the NSMA.

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Clark County Medical Society New Members January 2001

Jonathan Bernstein, MD, Pediatric Hematology, 3006 S. Maryland Pkwy. #660, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Cheryl Jayne, MD, Diagnostic Radiology, 2020 Palomino Lane #100, Las Vegas, NV 89106

Stephen H. Miller, MD, Internal Medicine, 2020 Goldring Ave. #206, Las Vegas, NV 89106

Kimberly Walton, MD, Ob/Gyn, 8480 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson, NV 89123

Noel Yumiaco, MD, Pathology, 3196 S. Maryland Pkwy. #402, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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January 2001 Provisional Members

If you have any pertinent information about the following candidates, please contact:  CCMS, 2590 E. Russell Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89120.

Tali Arik, MD – Cardiology

James Balodimas, MD – Diagnostic Radiology

Daniel Batlan, MD – Pain Management

Hossein Shafiee Beheshti, MD – Diagnostic Radiology

Khoi Minh Dao, MD – Orthopedic Surgery

Farzaneh Farzin, MD – Radiation Oncology 

Hector L. Gomez, MD – Internal Medicine

Robert Kleinman, MD Diagnostic Radiology

Gary R. Lee, MD – Family Practice

Kevin Miller, MD – Ophthalmology

Arthur A. Montes, MD – Diagnostic Radiology

Edward M. Nathan, MD – General Surgery

Michael L. Resnick, MD – Ob/Gyn

John J. Rush, MD – Emergency Medicine

Luis M. Sanchez, MD – Internal Medicine

Harold A. Tate, MD – Diagnostic Radiology

Peter L. Weidenfeld, MD – Diagnostic Radiology

J. Werner Ziegler, MD – Diagnostic Radiology

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Clark County Medical Society Board of Trustees Minutes

January 16, 2001

Dr. Meoz called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

Action Items

Minutes:

Dr. Evins moved to approve the November Minutes

Dr. Ellerton second the Motion, which passed unanimously

Financial Report

Dr. Wax read the financial report as of 12/31/00       :

Revenue:  $ 292,903.52 which is 59% of projected revenue for the fiscal year to date.

Expenses: $186,460.81 which is 39% of projected expenses for the fiscal year to date.

Cash Balance:  $ 272,918.44, an increase of 13% over this time last year.  As this is the report for the end of the SIXTH month of the fiscal year, the budget should reflect 50%

Dr. Wax moved to approve the December Financial Report

Dr. Ellerton seconded the Motion which passed unanimously.

Administrative Report

Lisa reported

1) Membership is at 707 as compared to 611 this time last year;

2) Based upon current membership, we are entitled to 35 delegates, what we budgeted for;

3) Marisol was introduced as PR Assistant, who is helping with the Charity Gala and the 2001 Directory.  She will take over any committees Tricia was previously assigned;

4)  The first delegate meeting for CCMS Southern Delegation was scheduled for tonight, and we will meet. Dr. Garry rescheduled it for Tuesday, January 23 at 6:00 PM;

5)  Protection One provided a quote for $57/month for service, which is about $5 more than ADT.  A quote for a one time charge for the video camera of $950 and installation charge of $1900 for the magnetic lock release necessary for video.

Dr. Evins moved to change to Protection One

Dr. Wax seconded the motion which passed unanimously

Building Committee Report

Dr. Teijiero reported she would be working with Marisol on the Building Committee

Community Relations Committee

Dr. Kingsley reported

1) The Charity Gala is on January 27 at the Four Seasons.  Sponsors are needed, so please take donations forms to drug reps and vendors.

2) New ads have been placed in LV Family Magazine and Welcome Home Magazine.

3) A mixer with the School of Medicine will be held February 27 at Anthem Country Club at 6:00 p.m. 

4) A PSA was done for Glaucoma Month (January). 6)Website proposals have been given to the committee and will be reviewed.

Credentials Committee

Dr. Meoz presented the Provisional and Full Members (see page 8 for the full list): as well as the following physicians for Life Membership:

LIFE MEMBERS

Douglas F. Wong, MD – Mem. Since 1979

S. Joseph La Mancusa, MD – Mem. Since 1961

Bernard Feldman, MD, MPH – Mem. Since 1976

Dr. Ellerton moved the physicians presented be accepted as Provisional, Full and Life members

Dr. Kwalick seconded the motion, which passed unanimously

Membership Committee

Dr. Hyer reported

About 50 members are dropped for non-payment of dues and about 20 members rejoin during the same year.  Therefore, no reason to extend the time for dues to be paid.

NSMA Delegation

Lisa reported

Although the delegate meeting was cancelled, anyone present may still meet after the BOT meeting. The regular meeting was rescheduled for next week. 

New Business

1) Dr. Wax discussed a letter received from Dr. Havens in regards to the BME’s re-certification requirements for 2003.

2) Self-funding malpractice insurance was discussed.  Dr. Meoz appointed Dr. Steinberg and Dr. Wax to a self-funded malpractice sub committee.

3) Dean Miller stated he met with Mr. Tanaka from Clark High School to expose high school students to the health care profession.  Mr. Tanaka will be present for the next BOT on February 20.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. by Dr. Meoz

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February CMEs

UMC  For additional information please call 383-2604

February 20

NICU Journal Club  7:30 a.m. - Valley Hospital/NICU

February 22

Ortho Trauma Conf.  7:30 a.m.  - 4 North Conf. Room

Tumor Board  12:00 noon - E&F (North Auditorium)

Perinatal Neonatal Int. Rounds 12:30 p.m - UMC BCU

February 23

Medical Grand Rounds  7:30 a.m. - E&F (North Aud.)

February 28

OB/Gyn Grand Rounds  7:30 a.m. - 2040 Bldg. 6th floor

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Upcoming Events

MAY 5-8

Academy of Correctional Health Professionals. Clinical Updates in Correctional Health Care, 6th Annual Spring Educational Conference. Alexis Park Resort. Call  773-880-1460 or www.ncchc.org.

MARCH 10

Race For The Cure. Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation. Galleria at Sunset. Call 252-7223.

MARCH 14

Ethics & Managed Care. Presented by Southwest Medical Assoc. Held at Sierra Health Services Auditorium. RSVP by 3/9 at 877-8649, Kelly Paylor.

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Classified Advertising

·        WANTED: Part-time Nevada licensed Family Practice and/or Internal Medicine MD or DO. Flexible hours (mornings or afternoons), stress free work environment and competitive salary. Fax CV to 431-6195 or call 474-6300.

·        OFFICE SPACE: Beautifully furnished medical office in prime location off I-215 and Eastern attached to new St. Rose Siena Hospital. Leased on a half-day per week basis, 1,200 sq. ft office with 3 exam rooms and consultation office. Interested parties call Ellen at 454-6226.

·        OB/GYN established practice for sale. Call 384-7756.

·        BLDG. FOR LEASE/SALE up to 7,000 sq. ft. 2905 W. Charleston, close to UMC, Valley Hospital and Freeways. Can lease smaller space. Also available bldg. next door for right person. Excellent sign visibility, one story, ample parking. Call 804-4736 leave message or cell 232-3344.

·        OFFICE SPACE: Excellent space for medical office for sublease or part time use. XRay available. 2400 sqft. excellent incentives. 6380 W. Flamingo, call 896-1710.

·        ANTHEM/SEVEN HILLS - Space available by the hour, day, week, etc. We have patients to refer to you. Also, case by case consulting arraignment available. Call Dr. Gary Solomon 480-7702.

·        AVAILABLE: Exp. Internist seeks grp. Clark Co. Active NV lic., ACLS/ATLS, DABIM/PUD cert. Was Prof @ UNSOM, Reno & USAF med. proj. overseas. At hotel San Remo  (739-9000) for March 4 USC critcare symposium. Current phone (512) 442-2062.

·        OFFICE SPACE: New medical office space, Green Valley area on Sunset Road, 1450 & 1530 SF. Garden setting suites 5+ to 1000 SF parking ration. Covered/reserved parking available. Signage on Sunset. Generous tenant improvement allowance. Call Chuck Witters 739-6222 Lee & Associates.

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