Tips for establishing an alliance with your practice manager

Steven E. Fisher, MBA

A 10-item “to do” list that will pay off for your practice Forging a strong, enduring alliance with your practice executive is neither complex nor difficult, but it is critical. If your current manager chooses to leave, finding a new manager will be both expensive and time-consuming. In addition, while you’re looking for a new person and for several months after hiring someone, your practice will be treading water.

Coding for closed treatments of fractures

Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CCS-P, CPC; Margaret Maley, BSN, MS; Robert H. Haralson III, MD, MBA; M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA; Matthew Twetten, MA

Coding for closed treatment of fractures is controversial; this article provides suggestions on how to code for this form of treatment. Closed treatments are either with or without manipulation.

Ending back pain through posture and movement

Robin L. Dennis, MD

“8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back” is a step in the right direction A personal experience with back pain and surgery was the genesis for Esther Gokhale’s 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back. She describes the root cause of back pain as a posture drift (improperly tucked pelvis, slouched shoulders, and protruding neck) away from the naturally intended alignment.

It’s time to digitize your archives

Thomas J. Grogan, MD

Control costs, increase profits by eliminating paper records The practice of orthopaedic surgery is far more complex today than when I finished my residency. I work in a private practice setting with a group of other solo practitioners, and we have a cost-sharing arrangement. When I joined the practice, many established practices were just beginning to understand how computer technology could help them become more cost efficient and profitable.

Arbitration: A promising method of alternative dispute resolution

A. Thomas Williams, MD; Elliott J. Williams, Esq.; Dennis H. Gordon, MD

Utah physicians have positive experiences Many Utah physicians are testing arbitration as an alternative method of resolving medical liability claims. Arbitration is a common method of dispute resolution used to mitigate the expense and time of wading through a court supervised liability suit. Most people readily, and sometimes unknowingly, consent to arbitration when signing contracts for rental cars, bank accounts, insurance policies, and loans.