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Washington Chapter - ACP
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2033 6th Ave Ste 1100 | Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 800.552.0612 Ext. 3026 | F: 206.441.5863
Jan Larsen, Executive Administrator | Email: jal@wsma.org
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The Washington Chapter
regularly sends messages about its programs and services of interest to
members. The Chapter has contracted with Constant Contact to
facilitate this service. ACP respects your privacy and will not sell or lease,
or share your email address with any organization except for the purpose of
communicating with members about Chapter business.
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Governor's Corner
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W. Hugh Maloney, MD,
MHA, FACP, Governor
 When you need information, what can you expect from the
College? Who can answer questions about the state of affairs in internal
medicine when media coverage is contradictory or disingenuous? Who can help manage your practice or a
disease entity?
To find accurate and timely information, start at the
College home page www.acponline.org
whether you are in active practice, a resident, a student or young
physician. At the very top of the
webpage, you can find a link to our chapter's website with information about
our activities and how to reach leadership. At the far left of the web screen
is information about the national organization. At the far right, there are
specific topics, policies, and timely rejoinders to controversies in the
current public debate. If you have not
had the opportunity to read and participate in the Advocacy Section and, in
particular, Bob Doherty's Blog, I strongly encourage you to do so.
The College is constructively participating at the national
negotiating table. Any current versions of proposed legislation include many of
our established policies such as improving patient access, shoring up primary
care, endorsing the Patient Centered Medical Home, fair and equitable access to
insurance with attendant protections for loss of job, pre-existing illness and
affordability. Visit http://www.acponline.org/advocacy
to review the very timely and relevant current analysis and position
papers.
Internally, finances are improving but challenges still
exist, as the organization is looking for increased efficiencies and
effectiveness while preserving organizational financial reserves.
Recommendations are making their way thru the governance structure while the
Board of Regents is evaluating its size and functions. A final report will be
presented in early 2010.
Upcoming leadership events include our Chapter Council
meeting in late September, followed by the semi-annual Board of Governors
Meeting. Nineteen Resolutions from
across the nation will be discussed ranging from national health care policy
efforts, to structural governance changes, to support of struggling smaller
chapters. Let me know what is important to you so that I can carry your voice
to these meetings.
Remember our annual Regional Scientific and Chapter Meeting
in November. I remind you of the call for nominations for Internist of the
Year, Community Service, and Golden Apple awards. There is an easy nominations
form at http://www.acponline.org/about_acp/chapters/wa due on October 15. It is my pleasure to
help you bring recognition to the accomplishments of our fellow members.
We are stronger as we grow larger. Recruit a colleague for
membership - with that person, our effectiveness is greater and they will
benefit from the ACP. Become a fellow; then encourage a colleague to become a
fellow and offer to be a proposer. Fellowship is an honor that the physician
and their family have earned and deserve.
Fear is prominent in the recent news. Our patients, family
and friends are looking to us for information. We must engage in the
dialogue. Physicians may have to lead
the way to understanding, a rational voice from the reality based perspective
of the patient-doctor relationship.
Email, write or call. I would love to hear what is happening
to you and your patients.
Hugh
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Leadership Day 2009
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By Carrie Horwitch MD,
FACP and Bruce Smith MD, FACP
Leadership Day is ACP's annual two-day event in Washington,
D.C. to promote advocacy for issues pertinent to Internal Medicine physicians
and our patients. This year Leadership day came at a crucial time as
Congress and the Senate were both discussing health care reform for the
upcoming legislative session. ACP has
been a very strong advocate for health care reform and has been effective in
advocacy to promote change that will benefit our patients and the health care
system.
Our chapter contingent included Hugh Maloney, Carrie
Horwitch, Bruce Smith, Wassim Khawandi, Tara Nysoe, Hugh Maloney, Luzcel
Tuazon, Mayan Bomsztyk, Christopher Knight, Sunita Mishra, and Nalini
Vassa. We met with several of
Washington's nine Representatives and Senators Cantwell and Murray.
ACP's top priorities on health care reform are:
1. Ensure that all Americans will have access to affordable
health coverage
2. New Medicare payment models that re-align incentives to
support effective, efficient, patient-centered, coordinated care.
3. Improve Medicare fee for service system payments to make
primary care competitive with other specialties
4. Establish a national workforce policy to ensure
sufficient numbers of primary care and other physicians.
As the health care reform discussion continues new
information on the current status of the health care reforms and ACP's
positions on various aspects of health care reform can be found at www.acponline.org in the "advocacy"
section.
Tip O'Neill declared, "All politics is local," and you, too,
can help in ACP's advocacy efforts. Sign up as a Key Contact on ACP's
website (www.acponline.org). This
is a no-obligation program to keep all members informed of pending issues and
prompt you to send letters, faxes, or emails when they may be useful.
Also, in this political season, make a point to be informed on healthcare
issues that friends, neighbors, or patients may ask you about. The ACP
website has a wealth of background information.
If you want more information on local issues or advocacy in
general please contact Bruce Smith MD via the ACP office at jal@wsma.org.
Photo
Caption: Chapter
contingent meets with Senator Murray during Leadership Day 2009. Front Row
left to right: Nalini Vassa, Senator Patty Murray, Carrie Horwitch,
Luzcel Tuazon. Back Row left
to right: Wassim Khawandi, Tara Nysoe,
Bruce Smith, David Dale, Christopher Knight, Sunita Mishra, Mayan Bomsztyk
(student)
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Associate Event
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Panel Discussion on Healthcare Reform
By Robin Atkinson, DO
There is great interest in the current healthcare
legislation that is being presented in Washington, D.C. at this time. With this panel discussion ACP resident
associates will have the opportunity to further educate themselves about the
current state of healthcare as well as the effect of proposed legislation. Active members of both the medical, academic,
and political communities will be our panel participants.
Questions will be collected from resident physicians across
Washington state to produce a well rounded discussion.
The panel discussion is scheduled for the evening of
Thursday, October 29, 2009 at Virginia Mason Medical Center Volney Auditorium.
More information to come! For any questions regarding this event, please email
Robin Atkinson, DO, associate representative and a resident at Virginia Mason
Medical Center (resr1a@vmmc.org).
Robin is a second year resident in Internal Medicine at
Virginia Mason Medical Center is Seattle, WA.
From the start of residency she has enjoyed working with the Quality
Improvement team at Virginia Mason to improve patient safety and quality of
care. She has a great interest in team medicine and multidisciplinary approach
to patient care and coordination. Her initial medical education was from Touro
University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Vallejo, CA but she simply loves
the outdoors of Washington and plans to stay.
She is on the primary care track with the goal of joining an outpatient
Internal Medicine group practice upon completion of her residency.
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Washington State ACP Scientific Meeting Nov. 5-7, 2009
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By Co-Chairs, Genevieve Pagalilauan MD FACP and
Cecily
Peterson MD FACP
Register today for the 2009 Washington Chapter Scientific Meeting taking
place November 5-7, at the Bell Harbor Conference Center, Seattle.
Download Scientific Meeting Brochure
Online Registration
Downloadable Registration Form
This year's meeting promises to deliver another great program with excellent
presenters and topics. Highlights include:
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13.75 CME Credits, with an addition 3.75 Pre-course
Credits Available
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Pre-courses on Preventive Medicine and Hospital Medicine
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ACP Regent Kesavan Kutty, MD, MACP presenting on
"Fostering Excellence in Internal Medicine: 2009" Associates' activities including oral presentations,
poster presentations, Medical Jeopardy, and an all new Board Review Course
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Special Interest Groups and Workshops
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No Pharmaceutical Support
For more information, please call Jan Larsen at
206-956-3643, or send an email to jal@wsma.org.
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Calendar of Events
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Sept 18 & 19
What's
New in Medicine Meeting (Southeast WA)
Three
Rivers Convention Center, Kennewick, WA
Oct 2-4, 2009
WSMA Annual
Meeting
Davenport
Hotel, Spokane, WA
Nov 5-7, 2009
Washington
Chapter - ACP 2009 Annual Meeting
Bell
Harbor International Conference Center
Seattle,
WA
Jan 25, 2010
WSMA
Legislative Summit
Red
Lion Olympia Hotel, Olympia, WA
Feb 26 & 27, 2010
Update
on Internal Medicine Meeting
Spokane,
WA
Apr 22-24, 2010
ACP
Internal Medicine 2010
Toronto,
Canada
Apr 23, 2010
Northwest
Regional Reception
Toronto,
Canada
May 14 & 15,
2010
WSMA Leadership
Development Conference
Campbell's
Resort at Lake Chelan
May 18 & 19, 2010
ACP
Leadership Day
Loews
L'Enfant Plaza Hotel
Washington,
DC
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Call for Internist Award Nominations
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To recognize the outstanding efforts of internists in our state, we need
your nominations!
Please take a few minutes to tell us who is deserving of recognition from their
colleagues. Click here
to access the electronic award nomination form.
Awards will be presented at this year's Washington Chapter ACP Annual Meeting,
November 5-7 in Seattle, Washington.
Please let us hear from you by October 15.
Paul Smith MD FACP, Chapter Award Chair
gimpas@vmmc.org 206-920-5425
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Welcome New Members
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Kirsten L Anawalt, MD - Seattle
Viorel Angheloiu, MD - Vancouver
Jared M Baeten, MD - Seattle
Mark W Beiter, DO - Seattle
Debbierey P Bongar, MD - Pasco
Rekha Chandran, MD - Vancouver
Maria F D'Souza, MD - Seattle
Erica C Delgado - Seattle
Warren Dinges, MD - Seattle
William J Ehlenbach, MD - Seattle
Wyatt C Ehrlander, MD - Olympia
Cheryl L Esguerra, MD - Seattle
Jason P Etzel, MD - Seattle
Abdeen R
Farah Musa, MBBS - Spokane
Brita M Feliciano, MD - Seattle
David W Fischer, MD - Spokane
James S Floyd, MD - Seattle
Therese Franco, MD - Seattle
Michael K Fujimoto, MD - Seattle
Sharon K Gill, MD - Seattle
Amy Ginsburg, MD - Seattle
Anjna R Grover, MD - Moses Lake
Michelle Gurvitz, MD - Seattle
Eric A Haas, MD - Everett
Lianne A Hirano, MD - Seattle
William E Hobbs, II MD PhD - Seattle
David L Hotchkin, MD - Seattle
Molly K Howlett, DO - Spokane
Robert I Hustrulid, MD - Spokane Valley
Margaret L Isaac, MD - Seattle
Reena K Julka, MD - Seattle
Neelambari B Kerkar, MBBS - Moses Lake
Angie K Lee, MBBS - Seattle
Frank Longano, MD - Gig Harbor
John B Lynch, III MD - Seattle
Irene Macharia, MBchB - Longview
Shay M Martinez, MD - Seattle
Monica Marton Popovici, MD - Lynnwood
Susan E Merel, MD - Seattle
Sunita Mishra, MD - Seattle
Mohammed M Muraywid, MD - Fife
Santiago Neme, MD - Seattle
Yarun Nessa, MD - Puyallup
Nguyen-Lan D
Nguyen, MD - Renton
Darragh S O'Mahony, MD - Seattle
Mark G Ochenrider, MD - Kirkland
Emmy L Oh, MD - Yakima
Carlos Andres Palacio Ochoa, MD - Sequim
Soumya Parimi, MBBS - Seattle
Ramu Patakoti, MBBS - Spokane
Shahab Qureshi, MD - Seattle
Rachel A Reeg, MD - Tumwater
Anitha Sampathkumar, MBBS - Bellevue
Shailaja J Sathy, MD - Seattle
Arthur Siek, MD - Olympia
Scott J Steiger, MD - Seattle
Jessica W Tam, MD - Avondale
Lauren R Thronson, MD - Seattle
Dong T Vo, MD - Seattle
Romil Wadhawan, MBBS - Lacey
Jennifer J Wright, MD - Seattle
Murad Y Yunusov, MD - Spokane
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Welcome New Fellows
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Fareed A Arif, MBBS FACP - Richland
Katherine B Brown, MD FACP - Bainbridge Island
David P Chen, MD FACP - Roy
Asif
U Malik, MBBS FACP - Richland
CPT Cristin A Mount, MC USA FACP - Lakewood
Kenneth O Onyali, MBBS FACP - Tacoma
Viral S Shah, MBBS FACP - Federal Way
Nancy E Simon, MD FACP - Seattle
Carletta
M Vanderbilt, MD FACP - Bellingham
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Pre-Register to Receive the H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine
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This fall, the federal government is planning to provide
H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine to states at no cost. Vaccination is strictly
voluntary. Some vaccine supplies (needles, syringes, sharps containers,
and alcohol swabs) will also be provided at no cost.
The Washington State Department of Health and local health
partners invite interested licensed health care providers and facilities
(including hospitals, clinics, pharmacists, and community vaccinators) to
pre-register to receive this new vaccine.
Becoming an H1N1 vaccine provider is a two-step process. First,
pre-register by completing the online application (www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu/h1n1reg.htm).
Second, sign the H1N1 Provider Agreement with the final terms. We'll send
the agreement to you before vaccine is sent to your clinic site.
There is no cost to pre-register and no obligation to order
vaccine. Local health agencies will make final decisions about which
providers receive H1N1 vaccine in their communities.
Pre-registered providers will receive periodic e-mail
updates. H1N1 information is also available on our Web site- www.doh.wa.gov/swineflu.
Contact your local health agency (www.doh.wa.gov/LHJMap/LHJMap.htm)
for information about the H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine. For more information
about the pre-registration form, contact Jan Hicks-Thomson (jan.hicks-thomson@doh.wa.gov) at
360-236-3578.
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CDC Information on the H1N1 Influenza
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recently established the Novel H1N1 Influenza: Resources for Clinicians web page. Designed to give providers "access to the latest
guidelines and information on the evolving novel H1N1 influenza
investigation," it contains several links to guidance regarding patient
management, place of setting specific information (including 10 Actions Steps for Medical Offices and Outpatient Facilities), directions
for specific patient populations overall treatment recommendations, and patient
education information.
The CDC and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
have also posted frequently asked questions regarding the H1N1, specifically on CMS' process for
issuing Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) waivers to hospitals
that have implemented hospital disasters protocols.
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CMS Releases H1N1 Vaccine and Administration Codes
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In anticipation of the vaccine for H1N1 influenza, the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has created two new codes
for medical providers. G9142 (Influenza A [H1N1] vaccine, any route of
administration) describes the vaccine, while G9141 (Influenza A [H1N1]
immunization administration, including physician counseling the patient/family)
describes the administration of the vaccine. Both codes become effective on
Oct. 1.
CMS anticipates the H1N1 vaccine will be supplied to
providers at no cost, although Medicare will pay for its administration. From
the CMS adult immunizations Website,
"Medicare will cover immunizations for H1N1 influenza, also called the
"swine flu." There will be no coinsurance or copayment applied to this
benefit, and beneficiaries will not have to meet their deductible. H1N1
influenza vaccine is currently under production and will be available in the
Fall of 2009."
Read details
in the CMS MLN education article MM6617.
Read the 2008-2009 Immunizers' Question & Answer Guide to Medicare Coverage of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations.
Review the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Novel H1N1 Influenza: Resources for Clinicians Web
page
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Health Information Security & Privacy Toolkit
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A federal initiative aims to remove the barriers to
participation in electronic health information exchange (HIE) by providing
physicians with the tools they need to get connected.
The Health Information Security & Privacy Toolkit,
launched earlier this year in eight pilot states, addresses safe, private and
secure HIE for providers.
HIE is defined as the electronic movement of health-related
information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards.
The web-based toolkit, found at www.Secure4Health.org, provides information on electronic HIE as well as tools and
resources to help physicians get connected. In addition, physicians can
earn continuing medical education credits while learning more about HIE.
The Health Information Security & Privacy Toolkit is the
result of work completed by the Health Information Security & Privacy
Collaboration (HISPC), established in 2006 by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
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Free Coding Seminars Offered to Prepare for ICD-10
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The ICD-10 coding system won't
be implemented until 2013, but providers can begin preparing now to make sure
their practices have a smooth transition. Successfully implementing the ICD-10
clinical coding system will be an important step in improving the quality of
health data and patient care. To help educate users, the American Academy of
Professional Coders is offering free ICD-10 implementation training Webinars to
review the necessary steps for a successful implementation. The three-part
series of Webinars for providers will discuss an overview of the ICD-10 rule
and the impact of ICD-10 on provider organizations and will dive into the first
steps of implementation. A separate Webinar for payers is also being offered.
The series of Webinars kicked off this past Thursday, July 16, but archived
information-including past Webinar videos, audio versions, presentation
materials, and questions and answers-will be provided to all registrants. More
information and registration are available online.
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