Dec. 19, 2005: Table of Contents

American Medical News   vol. 48 no. 47
Top stories - Government - Profession - Business - Opinion - Health - 2005 index

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"Any drug dealer worth his salt could get around that very easily by just going to different pharmacies," says Peter Rogers, MD, MPH, an Ohio adolescent medicine and addiction medicine specialist, questioning the effectiveness of laws limiting purchases of pseudoephedrine.

Tailoring a dress code You might think your staff knows what to wear to work. You might be wrong. Experts suggest doctors spell out appropriate dress. But there are legal issues to consider. In Business The positive side of negative news Developments from the American Heart Assn. scientific meeting underscored the importance of getting to the bottom of clinical questions. In Health

Top stories

IOM: New agency needed to simplify pay-for-performance measures
The Institute of Medicine says consolidation of quality benchmarks under one roof will be necessary for value-based purchasing and would be easier on doctors.

Boards get tougher on physician sex offenses
Washington state forbids doctors from dating patients, and the Federation of State Medical Boards is revising its policies on sexual boundaries.

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Government & Medicine

Congress takes on growing meth problem
Lawmakers appear likely to put federal restrictions on consumers' access to medicines containing pseudoephedrine -- a step many states already have taken.

Disabled patients will get bariatric surgery coverage
The bariatric surgery society calls for Medicare to rethink excluding seniors from coverage.

Florida doctors, patients sue over Medicaid rates
Pediatric groups are seeking higher payment levels and monitoring of managed care plans.

Government news briefs:

• Urging tort reform for the District
• Wis. governor vetoes noneconomic damages caps in liability cases
• Alabama to boost Medicaid pay

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Professional Issues

Utah doctors could face more liability lawsuits
The state Supreme Court clarifies a reading of a prior ruling that the lower courts relied on to dismiss professional liability claims against physicians.

Korean stem cell lie stirs up ethical debate
The flap highlights a dilemma: Is it wrong to pay women to donate eggs?

Medical school expands teaching of palliative care
A program at the University of Pittsburgh targets third-year medical students, weaving end-of-life skills into clinical rotations.

Best-seller owner's manual illustrates body care
A surgeon and an anesthesiologist use fun and facts in an understand-yourself guide to better health.

Professional Issues news briefs:

• Pa. sees tort reforms working
• Web site has resources for doctors seeking flexible work options
• French transplant nose, lips and chin to dog-bite victim
• JCAHO backs off plan to sell patient-level data
• N.Y. doctor new NMA board chair
• Medical college group has new leader

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Business

Tailoring a dress code: How to write the rules
Everybody knows what they're supposed to wear to the office, right? Well, no. That's why experts recommend that physicians write down what is permissible. But there's a lot to consider.

Some county societies offer staffing services
Several are developing affiliated firms to help practices fill staff vacancies.

Leasing market growing for health care equipment
Obsolescence and capital wherewithal are some reasons that physicians might consider leasing their machines instead of buying.

Practice Pointers: Simple steps for staff retirement plans

Quick View: Employers look to shift health insurance costs

Business news briefs:

• Hospitals: Uncompensated care up
• Cigna posts prices online
• Judge drops some Scrushy charges
• Small can be better at ASCs

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Opinion

Expert witnesses need scrutiny: The Tennessee approach
Improper medicolegal testimony contributes to rising medical liability costs and mistrust in the legal system. It must be kept out of the courtroom.

AMA Leader Commentary: Moral compass guides soul of medicine

Letters:

• The biggest issue in the complex health care equation: Diminishing time spent with patients

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Health & Science

The positive side of negative news (AHA Scientific Sessions 2005)
Developments from this meeting underscored the importance of getting to the bottom of clinical questions.

Doctors seek new tools to aid in depression treatment
Researchers are hunting new ways that primary care physicians can monitor a patient's progress.

Continuity of care means better health outcome
A racial tie between physician and patient might not be the only way to eliminate health disparities, according to new research.

Health news briefs:

• Bird flu fears lead to rise in related spam e-mail
• Sinusitis guidelines recommend against quick antibiotic prescribing
• Alzheimer's disease and insulin
• Stress and healing in marriage

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