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Birmingham Surgeon Performs New Disc Implant
For a number of years, the standard treatment for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine has been spinal fusion. However, a new procedure was introduced in July 2007, when Medtronic received FDA approval for the Prestige® cervical disc, which is a surgical steel implant designed to better replicate the motion of a naturally functioning cervical spine.
LORI K. DITORO |
Financial Risk Assessment Necessary for Medical Practice
The old adage that all medical practices are different and all medical practices are the same continues to apply in today's healthcare environment. To ensure your practice's economic viability, a financial assessment needs to be done to minimize the impact of problems. "The field of medicine has changed tremendously in the last 15 years," says David Sorrells, administrator for Urology Centers of Alabama.
CATHY DELOZIER |
New Stark Regulation Will Eliminate Most Under Arrangements Joint Ventures
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently adopted a regulation that will eliminate most hospital-physician "under arrangements" joint ventures effective October 1, 2009. In a final rule released on August 1, CMS enacted changes to the Stark regulations that will prohibit physician ownership in under arrangements joint ventures with hospitals, other than those that meet the Stark law "rural provider" exception.
DANIEL MURPHY |
Physical Therapy Works For Cervicogenic Headaches And Occipital Neuralgia
In March, Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) eliminated thirteen procedures for cervicogenic headache and occipital neuralgia that physicians may have been depending on to offer relief to patients. But physical therapists say not to worry.
"We see these headache patients all the time. We have a high degree of success treating them. We resolve the symptoms and get the pain to where it's manageable and no longer requires medical intervention, including physical therapy," said Emmett Parker PT, ATC, with Accelerated Physical Therapy.
JANE EHRHARDT |
A Physician Shortage – What About Universal Health Care?
With the political season in full swing, we have heard discussion of a variety of issues, including implementation a universal health care plan. While more than half of U.S. doctors are in favor of switching to a national health care plan, according to a recent report in the Annals of Internal Medicine, many are also concerned about placing even greater demands on primary care physicians.
ANN B. DEBELLIS |
Understanding and Interpreting Your Financial Statement
Privately owned health care companies usually have monthly financial statements prepared by in-house bookkeepers or external accountants. Financial statements are prepared in two parts.
The Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Owners' Equity provides the reader with a snapshot of what is owned and what is owed by the practice on the cash basis of accounting. It is important to understand that there are usually no patient accounts receivable or accounts payable to vendors included on the cash basis financial statement.
GERARD J. KASSOUF |
Wii Games Now Prescribed for PT Patients
Calling a video game cutting-edge medicine seems absurd, yet nationwide, physical therapists are becoming avid users of the Wii gaming system. Most commonly, therapists use games like cooking and boxing to help neurological rehab patients. But Josh Lenox, a physical therapist at Encore Rehabilitation at Hartselle Medical Center, saw a new way to incorporate the Wii in his practice.
JANE EHRHARDT |
X-Stop Process An Option for Treating Spinal Stenosis
Surgeons now have another option for treating patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Before the recently approved X-Stop Interspinous Process Decompression (IPD®), the surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis was a lumbar laminectomy, during which bone and ligamentous material are removed from the spinal canal to reduce narrowing. The X-Stop IPD is a titanium implant placed between the spinous processes of the symptomatic discs during a minimally invasive surgical procedure that can usually be performed on an outpatient basis.
LORI K. DITORO |
Healing From The Heart
In the charming old city of Grenada, Nicaragua, a little girl smiled and ran across the square, raising her arms to greet the people who saved her life.
"This is why we come," said Birmingham endocrinologist Rudolfo Vargas, M.D., better known to his friends and colleagues at Brookwood and the Eye Foundation Hospital as Rudy. "Seeing her alive and able to run, and helping others like her--that's what brings us here."
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Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Means Faster Recovery
The vast majority of surgeons use the posterior approach for hip replacement, entering at the butt and cutting through the large gluteus maximus muscle, then detaching the deep muscles, as well as the small muscles controlling hip rotation, to reach the hip joint. It's major surgery, with muscle cut from the bone and an extensive recovery period, but it's been the preferred method, in large part, because the hip joint is well exposed.
STEVE SPENCER |
Proposed Rule Would Limit Physician Office Diagnostic Testing
On July 7, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") published its 2009 Proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. Along with a planned 5.4% decrease in Medicare payment, the Proposed Fee Schedule includes a controversial proposal to require physician offices that provide diagnostic testing to enroll in the Medicare program as an Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility ("IDTF").
HOWARD E. BOGARD |
Never Events Are Here to Stay
Starting October 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will cease paying hospitals for certain never events, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama will follow suit. Their list of 11 never events — or more suitably termed, serious preventable events — goes into effect the same day.
JANE EHRHARDT |
Grand Rounds September
Uab Grant To Speed Benefits Of Research To Community, Alabama
Roth Named Chair Of Pathology
Pencer Named Ruby F. Meredith Endowed Chair In Radiation Oncology
Woodworth Named Hicks Chair In Otolaryngology
Children's Hospital Cancer Specialist Presented Life Inspiration Award From American Cancer Society
UAB Study Shows Modified Technique Further Reduces Lung Surgery Pain
Markert Named Galbraith Chair Of Neurosurgery At UAB
UAB Receives Most APDA Grants For 2008
Trinity Medical Center Names Assistant Chief Executive Officer
Mendelsohn Named National Coordinator for TAMARIS Study
Children's Health System Adds Two New Specialists To Medical Staff
Therapy South Names Marketing Coordinator
Allison Named BHS Director of Business Development and Planning
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