Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Prescription Pain Meds Continue to Climb
The number of people dying from an overdose of prescription pain medication is growing in Washington. From 2003 to 2008, the state death rate increased 90 percent. And in 2007, 447 people died; in 2008 it was 505. read more (courtesy of the Washington State Department of Health, July 14, 2010)

Secretary Sebelius Announces Final Rules To Support ‘Meaningful Use’ of Electronic Health Records
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology released two long–awaited "meaningful use" final regulations this morning that will specify what physicians and hospitals will have to do to receive up to $27 billion in bonus Medicare payments for adoption of electronic health records. read more (courtesy of HHS.gov and HealthLeaders Media Online, July 13, 2010)

Documents on Accountable Care Organizations
The goal of ACOs is" to pay providers in a way that encourages them to work together, to pay providers in a way that does not encourage supplier induced demand, and to create an organization that is rewarded for providing high quality care."(Healthcare Economist, Jan 2010). Here are three helpful documents that will give you more information on this important topic:

• Miller, Harold D., How to Create Accountable Care Organizations. 2009 (White paper courtesy of the Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform)
• Medicare "Accountable Care Organizations" Shared Savings Program, Preliminary Questions & Answers (Courtesy of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services/Office of Legislation)

Update: President signs six-month Medicare Patch
The House passed H.R. 3962, which provides a 2.2 percent Medicare fee schedule update for physician services through November 2010.  The bill passed by a bipartisan vote of 417 to 1. Because an identical version of the bill passed the U.S. Senate last week, it was sent quickly to President Obama who signed it into law today, on June 25. The 2.2 percent update provided by H.R. 3962 would replace the 21 percent Medicare cut currently in effect, and be applied retroactively to claims for services provided on or after June 1.  Any details we receive on procedures the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will use to retroactively adjust June claims that have already been paid at the lower rate will be shared with the Federation.

AMA President Cecil B. Wilson, MD, issued a statement on June 24 emphasizing the need for a permanent fix—with a 23 percent Medicare physician payment cut to come in December, increasing to nearly 30 percent in January.In a statement of support issued by the White House after the bill passed, President Obama noted, "I believe we need to permanently reform the Medicare formula in a way that attacks our fiscal problem without punishing our hard-working doctors or endangering the benefits on which so many of our seniors rely. I look forward to working with Congress to achieve that goal…" (Courtesy of the American Medical Association. Read more about the bill at the American Academy of Family Physicians Website, June 25, 2010)

Washington Hospitals Implementing Statewide Credentialing Database. It's not revolutionary for states to roll out a universal credentialing application—they exist in a number of states from Georgia to Iowa. But the statewide credentialing (and some suggest privileging) database that Washington state is working on is new territory. And at some hospitals, the effects are already being felt. (read more, courtesy of Health Leaders Media,June 17, 2010).

Expansion of Medical Education in Spokane: The Tripp Umbach Economic Impact Report. In a recent, heavily-attended meeting sponsored by Greater Spokane Incorporated, Paul Umbach of the Pittsburgh-based consulting firm Tripp Umbach discussed the possible economic impact and benefits of expanding medical education in Spokane. The Tripp Umbach Economic Impact Report examined not only the impacts of adding a four-year medical school, dentistry, nursing, public health and allied health programs, but also noted benefits to the larger community in improvements to health care access and quality. For more information:

• 2010 Tripp Umbach Report: America's Next Great Academic Health Science Center: Regional Economic and Community Benefits of the Academic Health Science Center @ Riverpoint (PDF)
• 2009 feasibility study on medical education expansion (PDF)
• Click here to watch Paul Umbach on KHQ's "Invest Northwest." On the show, Umbach discusses the economic benefits of of a four-year WWAMI medical program expansion in Spokane
• You can also see Umbach speaking at Good Morning Greater Spokane here
  
  
  

Mining the most from EMRs -- Share your tips on our new Wiki, Brad Pope, MD): Since many of us are currently deploying EMRs in our practice,this is a convenient way to share our collective wisdom. (read more, April 8, 2010)

Welcome to the Spokane County Medical Society's Member Wiki: Implementing and Maximizing the Power of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Click here to review. If you are interested in contributing to the development or content of this new resource please contact George McAlister for an invitation to join.

Washington state files for federal health care reform aid: Washington state may be first in line for one aspect of the new federal health care reform law – submitting a request for some $180 million in federal money to help pay for the state’s Basic Health Plan. (read more, courtesy of The Spokesman-Review, March30, 2010).

Educate, Mentor and Inspire: Five articles on the state of medical education in Spokane. (read more, March 9, 2010)

Secretary Selecky receives Nathan R. Davis Award for career of service: Washington State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky will receive the American Medical Association’s 2010 Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service. (read more, courtesy of the Washington State Department of Health, March 2, 2010)

PUBLIC POLICY AND POLITICAL ADVOCACY FOR SCMS MEMBERS: A brief summary of recent SCMS efforts to advocate for your professional interests (February 1, 2010). We welcome your comments. read more>>

Establishing clear professional boundaries is an integral part of patient care. Professional boundaries help to maintain the foundation of the doctor-patient relationship – trust and respect. The Spokane County Medical Society has developed a brochure addressing this issue titled "Professional Boundaries in Medicine: Clarifying Physician – Patient Relationships".

For a print copy of this brochure please email or telephone Michelle Caird, Executive Assistant to CEO, 509-325-5010, ext. 25