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To all of our friends and followers, please enjoy a
safe and happy Thanksgiving!
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WKAR, MSUCOM and MOA Team up for Screening event
Michigan State University's Public Broadcasting Station (PBS), WKAR, will present a screening and Q&A of The Feminine Touch, an original documentary by WEDU and PBS. The film showcases the valiant women who rose above adversity to become osteopathic physicians in the early years of the field, and those who carry on that legacy today. The event is a joint effort with WKAR, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) and the Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA).
An Evening with WKAR featuring The Feminine Touch takes place Wednesday, November 29 at 7 pm.
The evening begins with a screening of the film and continues with conversation as panelists comment on the film from personal experiences and expertise.
Panelists will include: Shirley A Harding, D.O. and MSUCOM student Stephanie Chavez-Yenter, along with MOA "Women of Excellence" members Emily K. Hurst, D.O., FACOI and Rachel Young, D.O. The moderator will be Dr. Kirsten Waarala, as assistant dean at the MSUCOM Macomb University Center campus.
The event is free, but registration is required.
The "Evening with WKAR" takes place in the Communication Arts & Sciences Building, WKAR Multimedia Room 145, 404 Wilson Road on the campus of Michigan State University. Parking is free after 6 p.m. in the adjacent Trowbridge Road parking ramp.
The Feminine Touch will air Monday, December 4 at 11pm on WKAR World and Sunday, December 10 at 5pm on WKAR HD.
Links:
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MOA Launches Physician Organization:
Healthcare Partners of Michigan
The Michigan Osteopathic Association (MOA) has announced the formation of the first Physician Organization (PO), in Michigan to be started by an osteopathic organization. The MOA has partnered with MedNetOne Health Solutions (MNOHS) to create Healthcare Partners of Michigan (HCPM).
HCPM will deliver services and education to healthcare providers, helping them to address the demands of the changing world of healthcare head-on. With HCPM, providers will be able to transform their practices to manage complex government requirements and, in the process, improve the quality of care and patient outcomes.
"This is an exciting initiative that will deliver support and information to healthcare providers at a time when there is a huge need. We have already seen interest- not just from our members- but also from providers outside of our membership who are looking for a resource who can help them navigate the complexities of healthcare," said Kris Nicholoff, Executive Director of the MOA.
Michigan faces a shortage of physicians, from primary care providers to many specialists. These shortages affect urban as well as rural areas. HCPM will combat that issue by providing a support network that will aid practices in areas that are threatened by a lack of access to quality healthcare.
HCPM will work to promote Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) to help deliver access and quality care to their patients. This partnership expands on the concept of a Physician Organization. It will provide educational opportunities in both in-person events and with a series of webinars addressing the issues affecting healthcare providers.
Links:
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Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
by Supporting the AMOA Tree of Peace
The Advocates for the Michigan Osteopathic Association (AMOA) are, once again, presenting the Tree of Peace to remember that special person while supporting the programs of the Advocates. The tree will be displayed in the lobby of our beautiful MOA building for the month of December.
With your support, it will glow brilliantly throughout the holidays.
All proceeds of this fundraiser will benefit their ongoing projects in support of the Osteopathic Profession. One such project, the Distracted Driving Simulator, continues to gain attention, as the AMOA reaches out across the state to interested hospitals, service organizations and schools.
Thanks to the AMOA for all you DO!!
Link:
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Outstanding Resident of the Year Award
Do you know an outstanding resident to nominate for the 2018 Resident of the Year? We need to hear from you! The MOA is looking to recognize and honor outstanding osteopathic residents from Michigan who go above and beyond to bring a sense of pride to the profession by exhibiting the exemplary characteristics of an osteopathic physician.
One recipient will be presented with the $1,000 award during the MOA's House of Delegates, which will be held during the 119th Annual Spring Scientific Convention, May 17-20, 2018. The recipient will be notified by April 1, 2018.
Nominations will be accepted until February 1, 2018.
www.domoa.org/roy for more details!
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Doctors Examine Injury Risks with Malpractice Closed Claims
Robin Diamond, senior vice president of patient safety and risk management, The Doctors Company
Physicians are always seeking ways to enhance patient safety. Taking a close look at research into real-life malpractice claims and incorporating some of the findings into their practices is one way physicians are reducing risks of adverse events. Studies provided by The Doctors Company provide insight into thousands of closed claims and shine a light on preventive actions. The following are examples of doctors who learned from these malpractice closed claims studies and, as a result, took patient safety in their practices and hospitals to the next level.
Cardiology
- Doctor spotlight: Sandeep S. Mangalmurti, MD, JD, cardiologist at the Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown, New York.
- Risk trend: The Cardiology Closed Claims Study outlines liability pitfalls of improper medication management. Cardiovascular medications have inherent risks even when used correctly.
- Solution: This risk led Dr. Mangalmurti to change his daily practice when managing certain high-risk medications such as anticoagulants. "Coumadin, in particular, is associated with high-liability risk because of the risk of bleeding and its narrow therapeutic window," said Dr. Mangalmurti. To avoid medication mishaps or breakdowns in communication, he makes a point to be very clear about whether the general practitioner or cardiologist will manage the anticoagulant medication.
Emergency Medicine
- Doctor spotlight: Roneet Lev, MD, FACEP, chief of the emergency medicine department at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California.
- Risk trend: The Emergency Medicine Closed Claims Study identified the need for rapid recognition of stroke patients and treatment for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).
- Solution: Across the entire hospital system, Scripps Mercy Hospital now initiates its emergency protocol for potential strokes when the call is placed to 911. The patient is taken straight to the CT scan without stopping at an emergency department bed. This expedites patient care as they activate the stroke team.
Hospital Medicine
- Doctor spotlight:John D. Nelson, MD, internal medicine hospitalist at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue, Washington.
- Risk trend: The Hospitalist Closed Claims Study reveals spinal epidural abscess-a disease relatively uncommon in the general population-is appearing in medical malpractice claims more frequently. A diagnosis-related error involving spinal epidural abscess can lead to dire consequences, including paralysis.
- Solution: "This study should serve as a strong reminder for hospitalists of the importance of maintaining a very high index of suspicion for spinal epidural abscess," said Dr. Nelson. Problems with back pain, leukocytosis, and fever are red flags, but Dr. Nelson states the literature isn't so simple. These symptoms alone do not equate with epidural abscess. It requires a great deal of judgment to decide which cases are deemed appropriate for this diagnosis. "If you think a patient could have it, and it's worth pursuing, you should pursue it now rather than later. So, for example, get an MRI tonight rather than tomorrow."
Internal Medicine
- Doctor spotlight: Howard Marcus, MD, internal medicine physician in Austin, Texas.
- Risk trend: The Internal Medicine Closed Claims Study found that 39 percent of claims resulted from a diagnosis-related allegation (failure, delay, or wrong).
- Solution: Dr. Marcus has conducted small group discussions with physicians in his multispecialty medical group of over 300 doctors to improve understanding of the underlying methodological reasons leading to cognitive error. "Diagnosis in medicine is often challenging. There are more than 8,000 diagnostic entities listed by the National Library of Medicine and every patient is unique. It is helpful to understand the effect that psychological biases such as 'overconfidence bias' or 'anchoring bias' may play in medical decision making," said Dr. Marcus.
Obstetrics
- Doctor spotlight: Marcus Tower, MD, obstetrician at the Cleveland Clinic's Hillcrest Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio.
- Risk trend:The most common patient allegation identified in the Obstetrics Closed Claims Study is delay in treatment of fetal distress-specifically, failure to act when presented with Category II or Category IIl fetal heart rate tracings.
- Solution: Upon learning of this trend, Hillcrest Hospital now offers physician and nurse classes, providing the opportunity to learn how to identify heart rate tracings in a wide spectrum of scenarios. "From [the classes] we had a standardization process. Everyone became a patient advocate. Everyone focused their attention on, for that moment, identifying something that could be ominous so that we could act in a very timely manner," said Dr. Tower.
Orthopedics
- Doctor spotlight: Ralph A. Gambardella, MD, orthopedic surgery and sports medicine specialist with the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles, California.
- Risk trend: The Orthopedics Closed Claims Study reveals patient factors contributed to injuries in 29 percent of claims. It found that patient nonadherence was more likely when there was inadequate communication between the patient or family members and the physician. The study also notes that determining whether a patient is an appropriate candidate for a procedure is an important part of providing good care.
- Solution: With communication being a prominent pitfall, the practice identified two areas where it could influence behavioral change:
- Incorporating a smartphone application to improve doctor-patient communication.
- Having the patient work directly with a financial advisor in-office and at the hospital to better understand financial responsibilities.
The hospital also adopted a preoperative screening assessment to identify comorbidities, thereby improving the surgery selection process and lowering risk.
Plastic Surgery
- Doctor spotlight: Phillip Haeck, MD, a plastic surgeon at The Polyclinic in Seattle, Washington.
- Risk trend: The Plastic Surgery Closed Claims Study notes that 10 percent of claims against plastic surgeons involved miscommunication between the patient or family members and the doctor.
- Solution: Dr. Haeck presented the study to his six partners and 35 staff members where they reviewed communication practices. As a result, the practice administered changes to communication protocols among physicians, staff, and patients. It now has clear guidelines to identify each communication, when it took place, and what resulted. All communications-including social media exchanges between patient and staff-are now entered into the EHR to alert the surgeon of new communication.
By leveraging technology, implementing new protocols, and being better equipped to address scenarios that could negatively impact patient safety, these practices and hospitals are taking steps in advancing patient care. Further insights from doctors who are learning from malpractice claims are available in The Doctors Company's
Innovations in Patient Safety
video playlist.
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MOA, MSUCOM co-sponsor
MSU College of Law ATLAS Anti-Trafficking Panel Discussion
The Michigan State University College of Law (MSU Law) Anti-Trafficking Legal Advocacy Society (ATLAS) hosted a panel discussion on human trafficking in Michigan. "What's The Deal With Human Trafficking In Michigan?" offered a diverse panel of experts on the issue.
While the issue may seem a world away, the reality is human trafficking, and its victims, are in our communities. Each of the panelists shared heart-wrenching examples of human trafficking in Michigan. The stories carried a common thread of 'it is happening here.'
For ATLAS, one of the immediate goals is to raise awareness. But the discussion went further to illustrate the obstacles in providing aid to the victims, prosecuting the traffickers and how to stop the cycle that feeds the criminal enterprises. As each panelist offered their perspective from their respective positions, the most gut-wrenching comments came from human trafficking survivor, Leslie King. Her story vividly illustrated the horrible environment the victims have for an existence.
More about ATLAS
The purpose of the Anti-Trafficking Legal Advocacy Society is to empower legal professionals and the community to effectively combat human trafficking. In recognizing the need for a holistic approach in addressing modern slavery, ATLAS objectives are to:
* Raise general awareness about modern day slavery, with a particular emphasis on domestic and international human trafficking;
* Identify and respond to the legal questions and novel issues that arise when addressing trafficking in persons;
* Collaborate to increase awareness, identify victims and high-risk populations, and facilitate multi-sectoral involvement between the MSU College of Law community and local organizations such as the Michigan Human Trafficking Task Force; and
* Stimulate greater academic research by students, faculty, and alumni at MSU College of Law about human trafficking locally, nationally, and internationally.
Links:
ATLAS Facebook Group page
ATLAS MSU Law page
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Dr. David Best joins Legislators
Traverse City- David Best, DO, member of the MOA Safe Opioid Task Force, attended a breakfast meeting with State Sen. Wayne Schmidt and local leaders in Traverse City. Sen. Schmidt represents the 37th District, which stretches from the greater Traverse City area, north to the eastern third of the upper peninsula.
The panel discussion covered a variety of topics but central to the talk was the impact of opioids in northern Michigan. Dr. Best was able to convey the urgency of the opioid crisis and how the new Michigan Automated Prescription System (MAPS) is working well.
As the legislative year is coming to a close, some bills looking to add requirements to physicians prescribing controlled substances that are in the federal drug schedule II through V. As a member of the Safe Opioid Task Force, and a physician who provides Medically-assisted Treatment (MAT) Dr. Best provided valuable insight on the issues and regulations of the opioid crisis. "I was also able to discuss how overly harsh rules targeting physicians would not be helpful and the focus should be on improving access to standard of care addiction treatment," said Dr. Best.
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State Sen.'s Wayne Schmidt and Tonya Schuitmaker,
David Best, DO and State Rep. Larry Inman
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TRIAD Online Fall Issue
The Michigan Osteopathic Association
Fall TRIAD Online
theme is "Care is What We DO," featuring an article and photos focused on the MSUCOM Peru Global Outreach Project.
Also in this issue:
- Spartan Street Medicine
- MOA Autumn Convention Highlights
- Gov. Appoints DO's to commissions and boards
- National ID Card for Healthcare Professionals
Link:
TRIAD Fall Issue
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June 3, 2017, saw the passing of Charles Alan Slagle, DO
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To submit a story, event or issue, contact:
Todd Ross, Manager of Communications
[email protected] | 517.347.1555 ext. 120
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Visit the MOA on social media
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