News in brief - March 27, 2006

New tool kit can help physicians improve patient safety - New Jersey cardiologists reach deal with insurer on overpayments - Michigan doctors predict statewide physician shortage - Tenn. doctor ends romance reality show - National Quality Forum names new CEO - New Orleans pathologist to receive patient care award - Medical board has new leaders

New tool kit can help physicians improve patient safety

The AMA marked National Patient Safety Awareness Week March 5-11 by releasing a tool kit to help physicians implement interventions recommended as part of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 100,000 Lives Campaign. The tool kit is available to the public in pdf on the Association's Web site (www.ama-assn.org/ama1/pub/upload/mm/370/doctortodoctortools.pdf). It features firsthand advice from physicians in hospitals participating in the 100,000 Lives Campaign on developing heart attack protocols, reducing adverse drug events and creating rapid response emergency teams.

The annual weeklong event started in 2002 and is sponsored by the National Patient Safety Foundation.

It is intended to help local physicians and health care organizations build awareness in communities about patient-safety improvement projects and solicit patients' help with ongoing efforts.

New Jersey cardiologists reach deal with insurer on overpayments

A settlement agreement will allow Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey to recover an undisclosed portion of the $15 million the insurer says it overpaid several hundred New Jersey cardiologists.

The amount was "mutually agreed upon," according to a joint statement Horizon, the Medical Society of New Jersey and the New Jersey chapter of the American College of Cardiology released in March.

The doctor groups sued Horizon in November 2004 to block the plan from collecting the money from more than 900 cardiologists.

Horizon claimed it mistakenly overpaid the doctors for cardiac catheterizations performed between 2003 and 2004.

After detecting the error caused by computer problems, Horizon sent letters to the physicians seeking repayment. Horizon argued that not recouping the funds would be a financial burden for the company.

The terms of the settlement remain confidential, and all three parties involved declined to comment beyond the statement.

Michigan doctors predict statewide physician shortage

Two more organizations predict a statewide shortage of physicians in Michigan.

A Michigan Dept. of Community Health survey and a Blue Ribbon Physician Workforce Commission study conducted by Michigan's four medical schools confirm a statewide shortage projected by the Michigan State Medical Society in 2005. The Dept. of Community Health survey and the MSMS study concluded the state will be short 4,000 to 6,000 physicians by 2020. The Blue Ribbon group found the greatest shortages would be for family physicians, followed by general surgeons, cardiologists, internists, psychiatrists and radiologists, in that order.

Aging baby boomers, the anticipated retirement of older doctors, and the changing demographics and practice patterns of physicians in Michigan and across the nation are among the factors that have led experts to predict a physician shortage. More than 57% of practicing Michigan physicians report they plan to retire by 2020, according to the MSMS.

Even if medical school enrollments are expanded, MSMS President Alan M. Mindlin, MD, said the larger medical classes will not solve this problem unless the graduate medical education cap under Medicare is lifted.

Tenn. doctor ends romance reality show

Emergency physician Travis Stork, MD, selected Nashville, Tenn., kindergarten teacher Sarah Stone, 26, in the season finale of "The Bachelor: Paris," ABC's romance reality series set in Paris. Dr. Stork picked the teacher last month from a field of 25 single women. But The Tennessean reported in early March the two were no longer a couple.

Dr. Stork, 33, earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine and is a third-year resident at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. A casting director spotted him in Nashville as he went to a restaurant with friends.

The medical center allowed Dr. Stork to take time off from his residency to tape the show. After taping ended, Dr. Stork said he wasn't planning to make a career of being on the screen.

National Quality Forum names new CEO

The National Quality Forum last month named a CEO, Janet Corrigan, PhD. Dr. Corrigan comes to the performance measurement standards-setting group from the National Committee for Quality Health Care, which will become part of NQF.

Dr. Corrigan helped develop the widely used Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set during her tenure at a different group, the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Dr. Corrigan said she was committed to working with other groups to meet the demands for quality measurement and improvement coming from employers, patients and politicians.

"With costs continuing to skyrocket, strong evidence that quality is woefully deficient and growing access problems for the uninsured and underinsured, we need to work collectively to reverse these daunting trends," she said.

Dr. Corrigan replaces outgoing President and CEO Kenneth W. Kizer, MD, MPH.

New Orleans pathologist to receive patient care award

In recognition of his care to New Orleans patients after Hurricane Katrina, the College of American Pathologists will honor Gregory S. Henderson, MD, PhD, with its first "Distinguished Patient Care Award." The college will present the award at its annual meeting in September in San Diego.

After the hurricane, Dr. Henderson, a pathologist at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, helped set up a clinic in the bar at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and then at the Sheraton Hotel when the Ritz was evacuated. He also tended to patients at the New Orleans Convention Center for several days.

"This is a deeply moving honor," Dr. Henderson said. "Having been 'on the ground' during the entire Katrina crisis and aftermath, and having witnessed such amazing acts of courage and heroism from so many people, I am honored to be 'singled out,' but I am merely one of many, many people."

Medical board has new leaders

Robert P. Goldfarb, MD, was named chair of the Arizona Medical Board when the 12-member, governor-appointed board elected its 2006 officers at its meeting last month.

Dr. Goldfarb, who specializes in neurological surgery and practices in the Tucson area, succeeds Timothy B. Hunter, MD, who did not seek re-election. Phoenix orthopedic surgeon William R. Martin III, MD, was elected vice chair. Flagstaff anesthesiologist Douglas D. Lee, MD, will continue as board secretary.

Officers will serve at least until the February 2007 board meeting, when elections are held again. Board members can serve up to two five-year terms.