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State Associations Focus on Goals, Challenges for 2007
The Tennessee Medical Association (TMA), Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) and Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA) have set their collective sights on the challenges and goals of the coming year.
Working independently on issues specific to their membership and collaboratively on agenda items that impact the broader healthcare industry, the state's provider organizations hope to be an instrument for change as they work with key government staff and legislative leadership on a state and federal basis.
BY CINDY SANDERS |
Dr. Thomas Devlin
When neurologist Dr. Thomas Devlin moved to Chattanooga 11 years ago, he knew the area had the highest incident of stroke in the country — a mortality rate estimated at 300 percent above the national average.
"It can affect anybody at any age," Devlin said. Chattanooga held "extreme opportunity to do important research with new drugs and devices related to stroke."
BY KRISTIN M. KEIPER |
Dr. Robert C. Patton
Dr. Robert C. Patton is both a trailblazer and traditionalist.
When he went into practice 25 years ago, he was the first gastroenterologist in Kingsport, following in the footsteps of his great-great-grandfather, who was the first physician in the city. His ancestor, Dr. Robert Patton (1799-1860), set up the first medical practice in Kingsport in 1820.
BY KELLY PRICE |
Dr. Paul L. Jett
Dr. Paul L. Jett is happy with the path he's chosen as a physician.
"This line of work is a good fit for me," he reflected. "Continuity with patients, really being able to help people, going off the beaten path — that's what I wanted as a doctor."
BY JOHN M. HAYS |
Dr. Paul L. Jett
Dr. Paul L. Jett is happy with the path he's chosen as a physician.
"This line of work is a good fit for me," he reflected. "Continuity with patients, really being able to help people, going off the beaten path — that's what I wanted as a doctor."
BY JOHN M. HAYS |
NICU Celebrates 20 Years of Helping Babies Thrive
The Holston Valley Regional Children's Hospital and Center's neonatal intensive care unit had lots of birthdays to celebrate in October. The NICU celebrated its 20th birthday and the birthdays of 7,000 "graduates" at a special birthday party in Kingsport.
Of all the dignitaries who attended the carnival-themed event, none were more special than the NICU graduates who ranged in age from 3 months to 20 years.
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The OIG's 2007 Work Plan Impact on Medicare Providers
Each year, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services outlines its 12-month plan of action to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal healthcare programs. The Work Plan, which covers a range of federal health programming, targets items that are considered vulnerable to fraud and abuse, thus signaling potential areas of investigation.
BY CINDY SANDERS |
Insurance Companies Seize Opportunity Created by Fee Schedule Loophole
Since the state mandated workers' comp fee schedule went into effect, what was intended to make the process more efficient has left a loophole that insurance companies have been quick to take advantage of, and the outcry is being heard across the state.
The Tennessee workers' comp fee schedule mandate was a process that took several years of study and planning from members of the state Department of Labor and the Tennessee Medical Association (TMA).
BY HOLLI W. HAYNIE |
Out-of-State Plaintiff Firms Increasingly File Nursing Home Lawsuits
In the current push toward medical liability reform, advocates could use the current influx of out-of-state law firms involved in local malpractice litigation as an example of how the state is a target for malpractice suits. Attorneys in Knoxville have noticed an increased presence of law firms from other states in local nursing home malpractice and negligence cases, and the trend is not unique to Tennessee.
BY HOLLI W. HAYNIE |
The Bottom Line: Cash is King — Again
Keep Your (i)'s On The Prize
Retirement plans organized under the IRS Tax Code section 412(i) are making a strong comeback. These are defined benefit (DB) plans that have been called "physician's retirement plans" or an "insured retirement plans" and they are very appealing to baby boomers who have underfunded their personal retirement plans. Benefit limits for 2006 are set at $175,000 per year.
Bill Morris |
Oak Ridge National Laboratories Year End Review
For Oak Ridge National Laboratories (ORNL), 2006 has been a busy one, as new buildings have been completed that enhance cutting-edge research.
New fronts in research likely leading to medical and biotechnology applications are expected to arise from within the walls of new ORNL facilities.
BY RITA LEE, PHD |
Gifts for Doctors Range from Fun to Luxury
This year, luxury retailer Neiman Marcus has the perfect solution for the doctor who wants to get away from it all: a trip to outer space.
The journey, which includes pre-flight medical assessments, training, a ride on the Virgin Galactic spaceship roughly 63 miles above sea level and a four-night, after-flight soiree at the private Caribbean island home of Virgin CEO Richard Branson for six, includes an astonishing view of earth and an opportunity to experience weightlessness. Price tag: $1.76 million.
BY LYNNE JETER |
Rhea County Medical Center Receives TIPS Award
Located near Chattanooga, the Rhea County Medical Center (RCMC) received a 2006 Tennessee Improving Patient Safety (TIPS) Award in October. The award was presented at the Tennessee Department of Health's Third Annual Patient Safety Symposium.
"We've developed an awards program that goes along with the symposium," said Judy Eads, assistant commissioner for Tennessee's Bureau of Health Licensure and Regulation.
BY JOHN SEWELL |
Legal Matters: What the 12 are Told
"All right, ladies and gentlemen. It is now my duty to instruct you on the law that applies to this case and it is your duty as jurors to follow these instructions of law and apply them to the facts that you find to be established by the evidence."
You are sitting with your defense counsel and your worst nightmare as a doctor is coming to an end, perhaps.
Gary G. Spangler |
E.coli Outbreak Prompts Renewed Focus on Disease Surveillance and Reporting Procedures
With the recent outbreak of E.coli, physicians are reminded once again about the importance of disease surveillance and reporting. Without it, the outbreak would never have been uncovered and more sickness and possible death might have resulted.
As soon as E.coli was suspected, Dr. Tim Jones, deputy state epidemiologist with the Tennessee Department of Health, immediately issued a warning to Tennesseans not to eat fresh spinach or fresh spinach products.
BY GLORIA BUTLER BALDWIN |
Local Healthcare Execs Collaborate to Establish LPC
Local healthcare executives have collaborated to establish a local program council (LPC) of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), an international professional society of 30,000 healthcare executives who lead our nation's hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations.
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St. Mary's Surgeon Wins THA Award
Richard M. Briggs, MD, a surgeon at St. Mary's Medical Center, won the Tennessee Hospital Association's 2006 Healthcare Hero Award, which was presented at the THA's annual meeting in Nashville recently.
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Fort Sanders Regional Welcomes New VP
Chad J. Brown joins Fort Sanders Medical Center as Vice President of Operations. He comes to Fort Sanders from Hendersonville Medical Center where he was Chief Operating Officer.
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Erlanger Auxiliary Makes $100,000 Donation to TCTCH Foundation
The Erlanger Auxiliary recently made a generous donation of $100,000 to T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital at Erlanger, with the sizeable gift going a long way toward the upcoming purchase of a new fluoroscope for the Pediatric Radiology Department.
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MSHA's Heart Program Head Wins THA Award
For her efforts in building one of the nation's top 100 heart programs while bringing together numerous competing cardiovascular practices, the Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) has named Mountain States Health Alliance's (MSHA) Cindy Salyer the winner of the 2006 Meritorious Service Award for a Department Head.
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Japanese Hospital Officials Visit JCMC
Japanese officials with one of the largest hospitals in Tokyo took a tour of Johnson City Medical Center (JCMC) recently to learn more about the hospital's electronic medical records system and medication administration check practices as well as its Patient-Centered Care philosophy.
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Life Force 3 Flight Nurses Ready for Duty
A new force is headed to North Georgia. Erlanger, the region's Level III trauma center, is adding LIFE FORCE 3 to its air ambulance fleet. The new critical-care-in-the-air ambulance will soon be headed to its Calhoun, Georgia base.
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