Newsletter 75 April 06
Malpractice Filings Against Health Care Providers, Jan 2001 – Feb 2006
Clark County Health District
Report
Clark County Health District
Disease Statistics – February 2006
By Ron Kline, MD,
2005-2006
Increasing electronic prescribing among physicians in
The Clark County Medical Society, in cooperation with
Allscripts Inc, and Sierra Health, has recently agreed to a cooperative venture
to increase electronic prescribing among physicians in southern
Clearly medicine will have to move towards electronic medical records (EMR) over the next several years. Quality experts, as well as the Federal government and private payers, all see EMR as a way to improve the efficiency and safety of a fragmented health care system. Physicians also recognize the advantages of an EMR, but adoption has been slow because of concerns about cost, compatibility, and the lack of a clear standard. EMR is still in the steep part of the learning curve, and there has been great variability in quality and functionality of these systems. Entry cost for physicians have been high, and as with any new technology, there are concerns about picking the wrong system and winding up with a discontinued program that is not compatible with newer systems. Nevertheless, more and more of our colleagues are moving in the direction of EMR. The advantages (once it is installed and working) are just too great.
The partnership between
The system is currently in use at Sierra Health facilities, and seems to work well. It maintains a database of all prescriptions written for a particular patient, and has the ability to electronically link with most pharmacies. It also has fax capabilities for those pharmacies without this capability. Prescriptions can therefore be easily refilled "at the touch of a button." The system can alert physicians to drug interactions, maintains formularies for different insurance companies within its database, and also has the relative cost of different choices within a drug class marked with red, yellow, and green symbols. A physician can also generate a "favorites" list for prescriptions he writes often.
While our board thought this was a good opportunity for physicians to dip their toes into the EMR world with little risk, we are not naïve, and realize that Allscripts gains an advantage by creating an installed base of users who can then be approached with upgrades and expansions over the next several years. Sierra Health has told us that they are supportive of this system because of the cost savings it will generate by reducing their prescription drug costs. Nevertheless, our board thought that it was a win-win-win, and elected to go forward.
For those electing to use this system, the waiver of the maintenance fees will save our members $240 per year for the first two years, a significant benefit of membership.
2001 2002 2003
2004 2005 2006
Jan 39 33 108 61 41 50
Feb 20 14 98 72 63 61
Mar 35 30 169 123 64
Apr 37 34 111 81 70
May 37 35 126 65 14
Jun 27 24 103 90 65
Aug 54 51 76 67 33
Oct 37 83 110 59 26
Nov 38 184 59 78 68
Sum
372 823
1246 867 581
Congratulations
and Welcome to the
February
2006
·
Charlie C
Huynh, MD, Physical Med/Rehab,
·
Curtis C
Huynh, MD, Physical Med/Rehab,
·
Michael L
Lee, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2800 E Desert Inn Rd 100, Las Vegas, NV 89121
· Archie C Perry, MD, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2800 E Desert Inn Rd 100, Las Vegas, NV 89121
Reinstated
Members:
Congratulations
and Welcome to the
Applicants to Go Before Credentialing Committee
If you have any pertinent information about the following membership candidates, please contact:
For information on becoming a member of the
***New Member Special*** $390 New members
can join for half price their first year.
The following referrals were provided to
Specialty Referrals
Addiction Medicine 0
Allergy 2
Anesthesiology 0
Cardiology 4
Cardiovascular Surgery 0
Dermatology 6
Diagnostic Radiology 0
Endocrinology 4
Family Practice 23
Gastroenterology 4
General Surgery 6
Geriatrics 4
Gynecologic Oncology 0
Hematology 2
Infectious Medicine 1
Internal Medicine 23
Nephrology 0
Neurology 6
Neurosurgery 0
Ob-Gyn 7
Occupational Med 1
Oncology 4
Ophthalmology 5
Oral/Maxillofacial Surg. 0
Orthopaedic Surgery 9
Otolaryngology 4
Pain Mgmt/Medicine 6
Pathology 0
Pediatrics 2
Ped. Surgery 0
Physical Med/Rehab 0
Plastic Surgery 22
Psychiatry 5
Pulmonology 5
Radiology 0
Rheumatology 2
Thoracic Surgery 1
Toxicology 0
Urology 12
Vascular Surgery 2
Website Referrals 45
Totals 217
By Weldon (Don) Havins, M.D., Esq., CEO, Special Counsel
TWO NEW PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY INSURERS IN
In
2001, seventeen professional liability insurance companies sold insurance to
physicians in
Recently,
two additional PLI insurers have entered the market in southern
The other
PLI Company's creator is Jim Marx, MD, an anesthesiologist/pain medicine
specialist in
Both
companies believe they can offer insurance at lower basic premiums than are
currently available in
One
complicating consideration overlying the current relatively high premiums in
NDSA-Sponsored Risk
Retention Group Commences Insurance Operations
The Nevada
Docs Support Association-sponsored risk retention group has begun issuing
medical malpractice liability policies. NDSA was granted a provisional
Certificate of Authority
Doing
business as Nevada Docs Medical Risk Retention Group, Inc. (NDMRRG), this
professional liability insurance company is providing malpractice coverage to
nonsurgical physicians practicing in
Membership
in the Association is open to all qualified doctors in all specialties. In
addition to the insurance programs, Nevada Docs offers a variety of other
services heretofore not available in
Premier Physicians
Insurance Co. Enters
Premier
Physicians Insurance Company (PPIC) announced the issuance of its first medical
malpractice policy on
PPIC
anticipates that premiums charged for their policies will be very competitive
(i.e., lower) than currently available premiums in
In
Dear
The Community Relations Committee of the Clark County Medical Society invites you to participate in our upcoming Mini-Internship Program, scheduled for May 22nd thru May 25th. This annual event is held to give non-physicians a chance to observe the practice of medicine for a day in the company of a practicing doctor in his/her daily medical routine.
Our goal is to offer insight into the professional life of
physicians. We hope to facilitate lines of communication and expand
perspectives on health care issues between the medical community and community
leaders. The people we have invited over the years as interns include elected
government officials, judges, educators, media representatives, and consumer
advocacy groups - all designed to provide an exchange leading to better
understanding of medical care in
Interns will accompany a doctor on his/her rounds, office care, surgery, emergency care, in fact anything in the daily routine of the doctor. Nothing will be set up and the intern will be encouraged to ask questions and discuss concerns throughout your mini-internship day. You will participate in our dinner, held the evening of Thursday, May 25th at a local restaurant to discuss the experience and share perspectives on health care delivery between physicians and our mini-interns.
Interns will be given a choice of specialties of the
physicians whom they wish to observe. We make every effort to accommodate all
interested physicians, but please be advised that not all volunteers may be
assigned interns during this session. By indicating your interest in the
Former participants are available to further discuss the program with you and answer any questions you may have. We eagerly anticipate your participation in this program.
Please respond at your earliest convenience to Dot Freel at the Medical Society to sign up for this program, 739-9989, and indicate if there are days when you routinely schedule surgery or surgical procedures.
Sincerely yours,
President-Elect,
By Donald Kwalick,
MD, MPH, Chief Health Officer
The Southern Nevada Health
District celebrates National Public Health Week
NOTE: At the
The 2006 observance of National Public Health Week
encourages
The country as a whole has a strong tradition of engineering feats that contribute to our national sense of pride. Yet, the modern built environment - buildings, roads, sidewalks and neighborhood design - has an enormous impact on the health and safety of our children.
Levels of obesity, asthma and diabetes are just a few of the chronic diseases on the rise in children. These serious problems are directly linked to fewer opportunities to exercise, increased air pollution and unhealthy eating. A number of factors contribute, but simple things like more cars on the road and a lack of sidewalks, safe play spaces and healthy food choices all play a critical role.
The good news is that since we created our built environments, we are empowered to make them healthier for children. Each day of National Public Health Week 2006 offers a different focus area:
In an effort to focus attention on these issues, the health
district is planning an informational campaign using print advertisements and a
special section of our website devoted to these topics. Additionally, we are
partnering with
In addition to these activities we will once again present Public Health Hero Awards to honor individuals and organizations whose contributions help to promote public health in our community. This year's hero awards will be presented to:
Joe and Lonnie Noble
After losing a young child to drowning, Joe and Lonnie Noble graciously shared their personal tragedy in an effort to raise awareness and reduce the incidence of drowning in the community.
Nevadans for
Antibiotic Awareness
Nevadans for Antibiotic Awareness, a statewide taskforce of over 50 state and local public and private agencies, is committed to reducing the spread of antibiotic resistance. The organization has raised awareness of inappropriate antibiotic use and improved infection control practices.
The Community Multi-Agency Response Team (CMART) is a unique
partnership of local and state governmental agencies that work together to
identify dilapidated properties within unincorporated
For more information on National Public Heath Week and tips on healthy living, visit the health district web sites at www.cchd.org and www.gethealthyclarkcounty.org.
Honoring
And presentation of the "Harold Lee Feikes Memorial Physician of the Year" Award
Cocktail Attire
Invitations to Arrive in May
For more information, please call 739-9989
Tuesday,
Financial Report
Revenue was $311,050.14. Expenses were $173,872.43. The bank account balance at the end of the last month was $410,974.81, which was about $106,000 more than this time last year.
Membership Report
Dr. Doubrava reported there were 657 dues paid members, a decrease from the 699 paid members last year at this time. Currently, there are a total of 787 members, which includes the dues exempt members and student members.
Credentials Report
4 applicants were approved for active membership: Charlie C
Huynh, MD - Physical Med/Rehab; Curtis C Huynh, MD - Physical Med/Rehab;
Michael L Lee, MD - Orthopaedic Surgery; and Archie C Perry, Jr, MD -
Orthopaedic Surgery. There were 14 reinstatements: Muriel A. Desimone, MD - Pediatrics; David D.
Dorway, MD - Pediatrics; Blair K. Duddy, MD - Pediatrics; Alfred M. Dushman, MD
- Pediatrics; Lisa I. Glasser, MD - Pediatrics; John S. Kelley, MD - OB-Gyn;
Dr. Kingsley stated that Dr. Kline had hosted a meeting at his house with regents, legislators, and some physicians to exchange ideas on creating a Nevada AMC. Dr. Kingsley has been appointed to the Governor's Medical Education Research and Training Commission. They are to have a roadmap on making an AMC come to fruition to the Governor by September.
UNSOM Report
Dr. Lenhart reported that significant dollars were earmarked towards the planning of an AMC. UNSOM hired Greg Hart from Larson Allen as their consultant. Mr. Hart wants to work with all of the stake holders and was trying to arrange meetings with each of them. Dr. Lenhart reported their emergency medicine residency program was just accredited.
Allscripts Report
Dr. John Ellerton reported that his Allscripts program was still not up and running. Dr. Ellerton had a telephone conference with Allscripts recently, and they were planning on sending someone to help him get his system working. Dr. Ellerton stated he would let the Board know how things progress.
Community Health Committee
Dr. Jameson said the Dear Doctor project has not run in the R-J publications, but she hopes it will soon. She will keep the Board updated. Dr. Jameson reported the Committee set deadlines for creating web pages for both Access Health and Huntridge Teen Clinic regarding their service opportunities information.
Delegation to the Annual Meeting
Dr. Nelson reminded the Board members that one of the obligations to being a Board member was to serve as a Delegate at the Annual Meeting. Dr. Nelson nominated Dr. Don Havins for the NSMA Community Service Award and Dr. Evins nominated Dr. John Fildes for the Distinguished Physician Award. Dr. Kwalick suggested Dr. Joel Bower for future nominations. The Board decided to pay for one medical student's expenses to attend the NSMA Annual Meeting this year.
MedPac
There were 86 MedPac contributors. MedPac has received contributions totaling $25,212 with expenses of $4,663, and the bank balance of $25,355. Dr. Evins reported MedPac members interviewed Judge Michael Cherry and decided to endorse him and contribute $2,500 to his campaign for the Supreme Court Justice open seat.
Health District Report
Dr. Kwalick provided a written report to the Board on current Health District concerns. In addition, he reported Dr. Kline gave the Health District a support letter on behalf of the Society for a grant application for a lead poisoning prevention program.
Dr. Forman reported they are partnering with groups in the
community doing research.
Scholarship Report
Dr. Ellerton stated he would like to schedule a meeting of the committee next month to discuss how to deal with the contracts from the University system.
Nominating Committee
Dr. Evins reported the Committee nominated Dr. Weldon (Don) Havins for President-Elect; Dr. Jerry Jones for Secretary; Dr. Annette Teijeiro for Delegate Chair; Dr. Howard Baron, Dr. Keith Brill, Dr. Mark Doubrava, and Dr. J Parker Kurlinski, Dr. Donald Mohs for the 5 Trustee positions; Dr. Frank Nemec, Dr. Ron Slaughter, Dr. Carol Vanderharten and Dr. Michael Verni were nominated for the 4 Nominating Committee positions.
NSMA Report
Dr. Evins stated they are very busy with many meetings. He stated the NBME has approached them to adopt a code of ethics in lieu of the NBME adopting a code of ethics by regulation. Larry Matheis stated this issue would be considered by the Delegates at the Annual Meeting in April.
AMA Report
Dr. Horne reported the next AMA meeting will be June 10. Any AMA member wishing to submit a resolution should contact Dr. Horne. The November meeting will be targeting patient advocacy issues.
NBME Report
Dr. Rodriguez stated the NBME is still considering the issue of adopting a code of ethics.
President's Report
Dr. Jameson reported the passing of member Dr. Clifford Lee.
Old Business
Regarding St. Paul Insurance Co., Larry Matheis explained
the difference between those states that had premium rate issues which were not
addressed and, therefore, are filing suits.
Future Meetings
The next BOT meeting will be on
The physicians take care of the patients...
We take care of the Physicians...
physician licensed in
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NV Chapter AACE 434-8400
Pri-Med Institute
(877) 4PRI-MED
Sierra Health Services 242-7735
6-8-2006 -
“Evaluation and Management of Anemia”
Southwest Medical Associates 242-7735
Sunrise Hospital
731-8210
4-14-06 - Cultural
Diversity Ethics 1 Credit
4-21-06 - New
Directions in Pain Ethics 1 Credit
UMC 383-2604
Valley Hospital
388-4847
Only CME Activities held at the Clark County Medical
Society office are specifically endorsed by
CLARK
COUNTY HEALTH DISTRICT
DISEASE
STATISTICS* - Feb 2006
DISEASE
CASES REPORTED YEAR TO DATE
Feb
05 Feb 06 2005 2006
VACCINE
PREVENTABLE DISEASES
DIPTHERIA 0 0 0 0
HAEMOPHILUS
INFLUENZA 3 3 4 6
HEPATITIS A 1 1 1 3
HEPATITIS B 1 52 3 7
INFLUENZA 62 17 84 101
MEASLES 0 0 0 0
MUMPS 0 0 0 0
PERTUSSIS 1 1 3 6
POLIOMYELITIS 0 0 0 0
RUBELLA 0 0