News from the Literature | Practice Management | Research | Education & Meetings | Journals & Publications | Announcements
LEADING THE NEWS
Legislation Introduced to Stabilize ASC Payments
The Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act recently introduced in the House by Reps. Pete Sessions, R-TX, John Larson, D-CT, Shelley Berkley, D-NV, and Bill Cassidy, R-LA, seeks to stabilize payments and incentives for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and better align them with hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-OR, and Mike Crapo, R-ID, members of the Senate Finance Committee, and strong champions for ASCs.
The legislation would stabilize ASC payments by linking the inflationary update for payments to a hospital market basket update instead of the current consumer price index-urban, which does not accurately reflect health-care costs of ASCs. Additionally, it would create a value-based purchasing system for ASCs and a voluntary quality reporting program, similar to the physician quality reporting system, under which ASCs would have incentives to report on quality measures and also share in some of the savings for improving quality outcomes. The legislation would change the current same-day notification rule for ASCs by allowing patients “who wish to receive care sooner” to let their ASC physician “provide disclosure notifications on the same day that their procedure is to be performed” — the same notification standards that are applied to HOPDs.
The AGA supports many of the provisions in this legislation and is hopeful that the language will be incorporated into a larger piece of legislation during this session of Congress, such as addressing the impending cuts in the Medicare physician payment fee schedule. AGA recently met with CMS officials to highlight the role that the AGA Digestive Health Outcomes Registry™ can play in collecting and reporting outcome data on key GI conditions in ASCs.
The AGA will continue to monitor this legislation and other regulatory initiatives that impact ASCs. We thank our champions in Congress for their efforts to stabilize payments to ASCs and preserve patients’ choice to utilize ASCs for their care.
NEWS FROM THE LITERATURE
Coffee Consumption Associated with Peginterferon, Ribavirin Response
High-level coffee consumption has been associated with reduced progression of pre-existing liver diseases and lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its relationship with therapy for hepatitis C virus infection has not been evaluated. According to a study in Gastroenterology, high-level consumption of coffee (more than three cups per day) is an independent predictor of improved virologic response to peginterferon plus ribavirin in patients with hepatitis C.
Gastroenterology 2011; 140(7): 1961-1969
Bariatric Surgery Not Associated with Decreased Mortality
Existing evidence of the survival associated with bariatric surgery is based on cohort studies of predominantly younger women with a low inherent obesity-related mortality risk. The association of survival and bariatric surgery for older men is less clear. Study results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that in propensity score-adjusted analyses of older severely obese patients with high baseline mortality in Veterans Affairs medical centers, the use of bariatric surgery compared with usual care was not associated with decreased mortality during a mean seven years of follow-up.
Journal of the American Medical Association 2011; 305(23): 2419-2426
First Endoscopic Assessment: Important Determinant of Outcome
Large sessile colonic polyps are usually managed surgically, with significant morbidity and potential mortality. There have been few prospective, intention-to-treat, multicenter studies of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). According to data in Gastroenterology, large sessile colonic polyps can be managed safely and effectively by endoscopy. Endoscopic assessment identifies lesions at increased risk of containing submucosal cancer. The first EMR is an important determinant of patient outcome — a previous attempt is a significant risk factor for lack of efficacy.
Gastroenterology 2011; 140(7): 1909-1918
RV1 Associated with Short-Term Intussusception Risk
Post-licensure surveillance determined that a previous rotavirus vaccine, RotaShield, caused intussusception in one of every 10,000 recipients. In a study appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors found that the new monovalent rotavirus vaccine was associated with a short-term risk of intussusception in approximately one of every 51,000 to 68,000 vaccinated infants. The absolute number of deaths and hospitalizations averted because of vaccination far exceeded the number of intussusception cases that may have been associated with vaccination.
New England Journal of Medicine 2011; 364: 2283-2292
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Are You Ready for Conversion to EHRs?
On June 30, 2011, at 6 p.m. ET, AmericanEHR Partners will be hosting a webinar on the topic of converting paper medical records to electronic health records (EHRs). AmericanEHR Partners is an online community providing physicians, state and federal agencies, vendors, and funding organizations across the U.S. with the necessary tools to identify, implement and effectively use EHRs and other health-care technologies.
One of the biggest road blocks practices face with EHR adoption is the conversion of their existing paper charts to their new EHR system. During this webinar, Jacqueline Fincher, MD, and Pam Shivers of McDuffie Medical Associates, a four-physician practice in rural Georgia, will give an overview of how they successfully managed the conversion from both a clinical and administrative viewpoint. Their presentation will touch on some of the unexpected challenges they encountered, how they overcame these challenges and their hindsight advice to practices preparing for chart conversion.
AGA members, particularly those in small practices, may benefit from the information and perspectives presented in this session.
Panelists include:
- Moderator: Alan Brookstone, MD, CEO of Cientis Technologies and cofounder of AmericanEHR Partners.
- Jacqueline Fincher, MD, MACP, managing partner of McDuffie Medical Associates, Thomson, GA; governor of the American College of Physicians — Georgia chapter; member of the AmericanEHR Partners Clinical Advisory Group; and member of the AMA Health Information Technology Advisory Committee.
- Pam Shivers, CPC, administrator of McDuffie Medical Associates.
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The AGA Digestive Health Outcomes Registry™ integrates with electronic health record systems to help participating providers improve patient care and demonstrate quality with no interruption in workflow. |
RESEARCH
Your AGA Research Foundation Gifts Support ...
... Saurabh Mehandru, MD, who received the Elsevier Pilot Research Award in 2010.
"I am very grateful to the AGA Research Foundation for awarding me with this pilot research award. Our goal is to induce intestinal immunity against HIV using a novel dendritic cell (DC) targeted vaccine approach. Despite overwhelming evidence demonstrating the importance of inducing GI immune responses to HIV, such studies have been limited due to significant challenges in the induction and detection of antigen-specific mucosal immunity. We are using a novel strategy to harness the immunizing properties of DCs to induce GI mucosal immune responses. We wish to optimize the delivery of this vaccine and to explore the mechanisms and sites of induction of mucosal immunity in this pilot proposal. Notably, this grant will provide crucial funding to help me generate data in support of future proposals. In that, it will be a critical resource as I transition from a GI fellow to an independent investigator studying GI mucosal immunity with a novel HIV vaccine."
To make a donation, visit http://www.gastro.org/contribute.
EDUCATION & MEETINGS
AGA Course Delivers Valuable Information for NPs, PAs
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) are key care providers in the GI practice, delivering services that complement or extend those provided by physicians. In order to maintain a quality-driven clinical team, it is imperative for NPs and PAs to understand a wide range of digestive diseases and associated treatment and management options.
From August 15 to 17 at the Avenue Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chicago, IL, the AGA will hold its annual course, Principles of Gastroenterology for the Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant. The course is committed to enhancing the skill set and professional knowledge of the NP and PA, and will expound upon routine and complex disorders encountered in the GI practice. A nationally renowned faculty will discuss topics such as viral hepatitis, including information on how to incorporate the newly FDA-approved hepatitis C drugs, Incivek™ (telaprevir) and Victrelis™ (boceprevir), in patient treatment options. Participants will also receive valuable information on the diagnosis and treatment of liver failure, gastroparesis and small bowel dysmotility, GERD, eosinophilic esophagitis, screening for colorectal cancer, managing nutritional issues, and more.
Further adding to the course experience, on day one, Salix Pharmaceuticals will host a special luncheon and session titled, A Practical Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of IBS. Day two’s luncheon on accountable care organizations will provide an overview of what role NPs and PAs may play under this new care model and how this may affect reimbursement for services rendered.
Ample time will be given for networking among GI colleagues. Course participants will find that the program promotes connecting with colleagues and faculty. Several companies will also be exhibiting to provide you with the latest industry developments and advances.
Conference organizers plan to request 18.25 hours of American Academy of Physician Assistants Category I CME credit from the Physician Assistant Review Panel. Total number of credits has yet to be determined. This program is pending approval for continuing education by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.
The AGA Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing education for physicians.
| Enhance Your Core Knowledge of Gastroenterology |
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Looking for a comprehensive review of the latest advancements in GI patient care? Look no further than the AGA’s popular self-assessment program, Digestive Diseases Self-Education Program® 6. |
JOURNALS & PUBLICATIONS
AGA Journal Covers Get New Look
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Don't be surprised next month when your issues of Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology look different. Starting in July, the covers of the AGA’s journals will have a new and fresh design. You can expect the same expert content within the pages of the journals, but the covers now closely mirror the association’s other products and publications, ensuring that readers across the world instantly recognize the journals as publications from the AGA. In addition, the covers will prominently feature imagery from select articles published within each issue — these striking images will test your knowledge and peak your interest. In keeping with the journals’ current practice, the covers will also include brief highlights of the top articles published in each issue. Keep your eye out for these exciting new covers arriving soon in your mailbox. |
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
GICareerSearch.com Offers Resources for Job Seekers
Whether you are actively searching for a job or just curious about the opportunities available, GICareerSearch.com, AGA Institute’s online career center, offers you the ultimate tool for maximizing your professional options. Opportunities are updated regularly and targeted specifically to the field of gastroenterology.
Features of the site include:
- The ability to search the online database by specialty, keyword, location or company name.
- Job alerts sent to your inbox as soon as new opportunities are posted that match your qualifications and interests.
- E-newsletters that offer career advice, employment best practices and job tips.
- A Conference Connection™ tool that allows you to see who will be attending meetings in the field and plan a time to network with potential employers.
- Free tools to manage online resumes, jobs and application histories.
For employers, GICareerSearch.com gives you direct access to a highly targeted, qualified pool of candidates, allowing you to find the right talent for your practice’s unique culture. You will gain access to a posted resume database on which you can search the online resumes of each candidate and receive e-mail notifications when new candidates post their resumes. In addition to posting your open positions, the service offers an option to place an online banner ad, allowing potential employees to see your organization throughout the career center.
Find out more by visiting www.GICareerSearch.com, calling 888-884-8242 or e-mailing info@healthecareers.com.
GICareerSearch is a member of the HEALTHeCAREERS network of association career programs.
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Place GI Position Listings and Activity Announcements
For as little as $82.50, you can place a classified ad of 100 words or less in AGA's weekly e-mail newsletter, AGA eDigest, or AGA's bi-monthly magazine, AGA Perspectives. If you place ads in both AGA Perspectives and AGA eDigest, you will receive a 10 percent discount. Advertising in either includes a free online classified listing. Learn more.
Central Pennsylvania
Excellent opportunity for BC/BE gastroenterologist. Well-established, seven-physician practice with state-of-the-art ASC, fully operational EMR and soon-to-open new office with growth potential. Outstanding salary, benefits and incentive compensation plan. Learn more about our practice at www.gicare.com. Fax curriculum vitae to 717-761-0465, attention: Lisa Scicchitano or e-mail lscicchitano@gicare.com.
Pennsylvania
Medical Director of GI Services — Good Samaritan Gastroenterology Associates, a hospital-employed physician group, is seeking a progressive GI physician for this exciting opportunity to “jump start” an existing program. Pioneer the expansion of this program by introducing new GI procedures and techniques, and growing the program through community outreach.
The hospital collaborates with medical directors, ensuring that improvements and investments in technology are ongoing.
Lebanon, PA, offers access to culture and activities of metropolitan centers as well as numerous historic attractions, beautiful scenery, friendly faces and a relaxed way of life.
For details, contact Jennifer Westford: 412-364-8200 or jwestford@corazoninc.com.
Kentucky
BC/BE GI wanted to join a growing, well-respected five-person group providing the full range of GI services, including ERCP. Endoscopy suite located next door to office. Join the St. Elizabeth Physicians GI team and enjoy it all — a competitive compensation and benefits package, a great place to live and work, and a very substantial referral base.
This opportunity allows you to enjoy Kentucky’s natural charm and all that metropolitan greater Cincinnati has to offer. Northern Kentucky is on the banks of the Ohio River and boasts affordable costs of living, award-winning schools, college and professional sports, exceptional fine arts, and is sixth in the nation for its number of Fortune 500 company headquarters.
St. Elizabeth Physicians is the multi-specialty group of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, a regional health-care provider continually recognized as one of the nation’s best. With close to 200 doctors and 50 mid-level providers, St. Elizabeth Physicians delivers quality medical care to residents of Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati.
CONTACT: Kathy Robinson, kathyrobinson@stelizabeth.com, 859-212-4112.
