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March 23, 2009
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IN
THIS ISSUE
Editor's Column:
Where Convention Cracks
'Cover The Uninsured Week' Draws Big Names,
Sizable Crowd
WSUSOM Selects New Physiology Chief
Med Students Celebrate Match Day At
WSU
Van Elslander Gives St. John Neuroscience
Center A Boost
Physicians Must Comply With Identity
Theft 'Red Flags Rule'
Energy Drinks May Worsen Hypertension
Docs Might Not Be Ready
For HIT Change
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Editor's
Column: Where Convention Cracks
By
JOSEPH WEISS, MD
The conventional consensus is wrong. The greatest threat to an equitable
health care system in this country is not from the flaws in the present
system, but from the needs of our aging citizens.
Readers
of the Detroit Medical News do not need graphs and statistics
to grasp the enormous health care cost the nation incurs
because of the success of technology and innovative therapies
that allow Americans the opportunity for longevity.
None
of us will get out of here alive. However, the effort to
hold on by taking another drug, inserting a more sophisticated
pacemaker, or undergoing a robot-related repair, has created
a new life cycle. This process of hanging on takes up a
huge amount of physician time and health care dollars.
The flow of technology and the ingenuity of the medical
community mean the potential exists to nearly create a
world without end for the elderly.
However,
no reasonable way exists for American Society to make rules
for who should get medical care and for how long. That
decision, now and for the foreseeable future, will remain
an individual choice.
What
the public needs is not yet another article about costs,
quality and access, but editorials and commentary on the
importance of the elderly to decide how far they want to
health care to go on their behalf. The courts and legislatures
need to work further to end areas of confusion on end-of-life
directives, such as better restraint of emotional relatives
and acknowledgment of other cultures and beliefs. The public
needs more information on the place of palliative care
and end-of-life assistance.
A
call for reason is what should shape our health care goals,
not the voices of righteous health care critics calling
for one more roundup of the usual suspects.
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'Cover
The Uninsured Week' Draws Big Names, Sizable Crowd
By
PAUL NATINSKY
By 9 a.m. March 23 there were 700 guests signed in to the sprawling
health fair at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The event kicked off the seventh
annual Cover The Uninsured Week, a nationally franchised weeklong
event that features health screenings, enrollment activities for
government health programs and media events.
Attendees
at Cobo could have their body mass index (BMI) checked
and then proceed to the other end of the hall and receive
a free massage, possibly to alleviate some of the stress
revealed by the index reading.
The
event officially kicked off with a 10:30 a.m. press conference,
featuring U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Wayne County Executive
Robert Ficano, representatives for Gov. Jennifer Granholm
and Detroit Mayor Ken Cockrell, Jr. Hospital executives,
health care and hospital association representatives and
community representatives filled the stage.
Ficano
called for a national health care system and bemoaned the
fact that he could see Canada, with its nationalized system,
across the river while he spoke.
Stabenow
gave some details on the recently passed economic recovery
bill, including $2.6 million in new money to fund community
health centers and a “very substantial subsidy to help
continue benefits” for those who have lost jobs during
the current economic downturn. She also applauded the recent
expansion of State Children’s Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP) that covers one in three children in Michigan.
“It’s
not enough to do stop-gap efforts – we need comprehensive
national health care reform,” she added, stopping short
of calling for a national health system.
“This
event…reminds us of why we come to work every day and why
we must address this issue,” said Michigan Department of
Community Health Director Janet Olszewski, speaking for
Granholm. She said Michigan’s Medicaid program serves about
1.6 million people and is adding 15,000 to the program
per month.
For
more information, visit www.mctun.org
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WSUSOM
Selects New Physiology Chief
Wayne
State University School of Medicine Dean Robert M. Mentzer
Jr., MD, has offered the position of Chair of the Department
of Physiology to Jian-Ping Jin, MD, PhD. Dr. Jin will be
named professor and chairman of the department effective
June 1, pending WSU Board of Governors approval.
Dr. Jin comes to the School of Medicine from the Northwestern University
Feinberg School of Medicine, where he served as chief of Molecular
Cardiology and professor of Medicine.
“Dr. Jin’s experience in teaching, research and multidisciplinary collaboration,
as well as his work as a section chief in molecular cardiology, will serve the
School of Medicine and the department well as we continue building cross-disciplinary
research platforms,” said Dean Mentzer, who also serves as senior advisor to
the president for Medical Affairs.
Dr. Jin completed his undergraduate studies and received his medical
degree from the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi’an, China.
He received his doctorate degree in molecular biology from the University
of Iowa.
At Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Jin directed and taught for
six years a comprehensive graduate-upper undergraduate level course
in Molecular Biology. He also taught a hands-on lab course of Recombinant
DNA Technology.
Dr. Jin’s research revolves around the gene regulation and structure
and function relationships of contractile and cytoskeleton proteins.
His work focuses on several actin thin filament related proteins:
troponin, calponin, nebulin and titin, and their gene regulation.
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Med
Students Celebrate Match Day At WSU
The
Wayne State University School of Medicine’s Class of 2009
tore open envelopes to discover where they are headed to
continue their medical training during annual Match Day.
The
cafeteria in Scott Hall was packed with the students, their
family members, faculty and administrators March 19 for
the ceremony. Camera flashes winked and celebratory flutes
of sparkling wine were raised in a toast before the revelation
of residencies.
“Match
Day is really what it’s all about,” Robert M. Mentzer Jr.,
MD, dean and senior advisor to the president, told the
assembly. “You will be taking the Wayne State University
School of Medicine reputation to the more than 65 institutions
you’ll be training at. Your training here will allow you
to go wherever you want to go in the United States.”
“Now
the real fun begins,” said Robert Frank, MD, executive
vice dean. “You’ll find that caring for people can be scary,
frustrating, burdensome and scary. Then it becomes challenging,
awe-inspiring and rewarding – and then you’re a doctor.”
The
Class of 2009 chalked up an 88 percent match rate, meaning
88 percent of the 253 students received residencies at
one of their chosen facilities across the country.
Sixty-two
percent of placements matched facilities in Michigan, important
for a number of reasons, said Kertia Black, MD, assistant
dean of Student Affairs, who served as mistress of ceremonies
for Match Day 2009. Those who practice residencies in Michigan
often remain in Michigan to practice medicine, a definite
boon to a state facing a projected physician shortage.
And, those who remain in Michigan, in many cases, also
stay close to family.
Andrea
Barbieri, 25 of Troy, burst into tears of joy when she
tore open her envelope to discover that she is headed for
her first pick, Yale-New Haven Hospitals, for a residency
in pathology. “I knew it was the perfect fit when I visited
there,” she said, grinning through the tears.
Itishree
Trivedi, 25, of Livonia, and her family celebrated her
first pick, a residency at University of Michigan Ann Arbor. “It’s
close to home so I can remain near family,” she explained
with a broad smile.
“I’m
excited because they (her residency facility) have a great
program, but Match Day is bittersweet for many of us because
we have to leave family,” said Katherine Gurchak. The 31-year-old
Northville resident, originally from Minnesota, secured
her first pick of an obstetric/gynecology residency at
the Medical College of South Carolina.
Class
President Ryan Kelly toasted the class. “We’ve gone from
a bunch of kids thrown together to a group that has grown
together.”
The
event was accompanied by scores of awards and presented
honors. For a full list, view the Wayne State University
School of Medicine website at http://home.med.wayne.edu/
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Van
Elslander Gives St. John Neuroscience A Boost
Providence’s
nationally recognized Neurosciences Center of Excellence
will move years ahead in expanding technology and quality
patient care with a substantial gift from Art Van Elslander,
a longtime supporter of St. John Health System.
The
major gift, the largest ever received by St. John Health
System, will focus primarily on capital technology purchases
which will bring state-of-the-art technology to the Midwest
and vastly benefit patient care. The lead gift will give
Mr. Van Elslander the naming opportunity for the Neurosciences
Center at Providence Park Hospital and will fund the planned
purchase of an Intraoperative MRI (iMRI), the first of
its kind in the Midwest. In addition, the donation will
fund advanced technology to support Providence’s stroke
network, epilepsy center, balance and falls clinic and
surgical skills lab.
“Our
dream of creating a hospital of the future at Providence
Park is further realized by our partnership with Mr. Van
Elslander,” said Dr. Patricia Maryland, president & CEO,
St. John Health. “His generous donation will allow St.
John Health to greatly enhance the Providence Neurosciences
program that already has been recognized as a premier center
of excellence.”
The
Van Elslander Family has been a long-time benefactor of
St. John Health System. Their donations resulted in the
realization of several projects at St. John Hospital & Medical
Center, including the Van Elslander Cancer Center, as well
as the September 2007 opening of the Van Elslander Pavilion,
a new patient tower with all private rooms, consolidated
diagnostic center and Emergency Center.
"Supporting
Michigan communities has been an important part of the
culture of Art Van Furniture for 50 years," said Mr.
Van Elslander. "Michigan is becoming a leader in the
health care industry, and St. John Health System is at
the forefront in terms of medical advances and state-of-the-art
treatments. To help make this level of care available to
our communities is both an honor and smart business. There
is no place we would rather invest than in Michigan's future."
Providence Park Hospital, the first new hospital to open in
Michigan in 20 years, opened in September 2008. The hospital’s
fifth floor Neurosciences Center opens this week.
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Physicians
Must Comply With Identity Theft 'Red Flags Rule'
As
Federal Trade Commission Identity Theft Red Flags Rule
has been suspended until May 1, 2009, according to MSMS.
Despite objections raised by the AMA and 26 other medical
associations last fall, the FTC continues to assert that
physicians who regularly bill their patients for services
rendered (including copayments and coinsurance) are creditors
and must comply with the Rule. Organized medicine continues
to push for an exemption for physicians, but in the event
that no such exemption is given, MSMS legal counsel has
prepared a Legal Alert that provides members with specific
guidance on complying with the regulations. It will appear
Webcasts
on the issue are expected to be available April 8, 28
and 29 through MSMS. Further details will be reported
as they become available.
For
additional informatoin, contact Stacey Hettiger at 517-336-5766
or shettiger@msms.org
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Energy
Drinks May Worsen Hypertension
People
who have high blood pressure or heart disease should avoid
consuming energy drinks, according to a Henry Ford Hospital
study to be published online March 25 in The Annals of
Pharmacotherapy.
Researchers
found that healthy adults who drank two cans a day of a
popular energy drink experienced an increase in their blood
pressure and heart rate. No significant changes in EKG
measurements were reported.
The
increases in blood pressure and heart rate were insignificant
for healthy adults, but could prove harmful to people with
a heart-related condition, says James Kalus, Pharm.D.,
senior manager of Patient Care Services at Henry Ford Hospital
and lead author of the study.
"Based
on our findings, we recommend that people who have hypertension
or heart disease and are taking medication for them to
avoid consuming energy drinks because of a potential risk
to their health," Dr. Kalus says.
Researchers
believe the caffeine and taurine levels in energy drinks
could be responsible for increases in blood pressure and
heart rate. The brand of energy drink used in the study
is not being identified because most energy drinks on the
market boast similar levels of caffeine and taurine, a
non-essential amino acid derivative often found in meat
and fish. The caffeine levels in energy drinks are equivalent
to at least one to two cups of coffee.
Dr.
Kalus says energy drinks should not be confused with sports
drinks, which aim to replenish the carbohydrates and electrolytes
that a body needs.
"Both
caffeine and taurine have been shown to have a direct impact
on cardiac function," Dr. Kalus says.
Researchers
studied 15 healthy adult participants who abstained from
other forms of caffeine for two days prior to and throughout
the study. On the first day after a baseline measurement
of blood pressure, heart rate and EKG were taken, the adults
consumed two cans of the energy drink.
Researchers
then measured the participants' blood pressure, heart rate
and EKG again at 30 minutes and one, two, three and four
hours after consumption. For the next five days, the participants'
consumed two cans of the energy drink.
On
the study's seventh day, the protocol used on the first
day was repeated and the average baseline measurements
were compared to the measurements obtained after energy
drink consumption. Researchers found that the participants:
Heart
rate increased 7.8 percent the first day and 11 percent
the seventh day.
Blood
pressure increased at least 7 percent the first and seventh
days.
"Dr.
Kalus says the participants did not engage in any physical
activity during the study, suggesting that the increases
could have been higher.
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Docs
Might Not Be Ready For HIT Changes
Newspapers
Examine Economic Stimulus Package Funding for Health IT,
Safety Net Hospitals
[Mar 23, 2009]
Summaries of recent news about health care provisions
of the recently enacted economic
stimulus package appear below.
§ Health IT: The stimulus bill included $19 billion to encourage physicians
to adopt electronic health record systems, but many questions
about implementing the systems remain unanswered, the AP/Denver
Post reports. According to the AP/Post, "important details are missing from the
legislation," and "important officials" who
would oversee implementation of EHRs have not yet been
confirmed, including the HHS secretary.
Preliminary technology standards are due at the end of
the year, which "doesn't give doctors, hospitals or
technology companies much time to get systems up and running
by 2011," the AP/Post reports.
The Obama administration and congressional lawmakers say
they are aware of the challenges physicians face in adopting
the technology. Lawmakers say that the stimulus bill calls
for new standards to drive development of interoperable
systems and requires physicians and hospitals to show they
will put the systems to "meaningful use" (Werner, AP/Denver
Post, 3/23).
§ Hospitals: HHS on Friday announced the release of $268 million from
the economic stimulus package for hospitals that treat
a disproportionate number of low-income or uninsured patients, CQ
HealthBeat reports.
The stimulus bill increases funding for so-called DSH facilities
from $11.06 billion to $11.33 billion in 2009. To receive
the additional funds, states must show that they have spent
all of their existing DSH funds (CQ
HealthBeat, 3/20).
Reprinted from kaisernetwork.org.
You can view the entire Kaiser
Daily Health Policy Report, search the
archives, and sign up for email delivery at www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy
. The Kaiser Daily
Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org,
a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. © 2009
Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All
rights reserved."
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