AAOS Now, November 2010
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Violence in healthcare settings
In 2008, three people—including a nurse, another hospital employee, and a visitor—were killed in a shooting spree at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ga. In February 2010, a gunman walked into the emergency department of Scotland Memorial Hospital in Laurinburg, N.C., and shot two patients before being subdued by police.
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Therapy billing for beginners
How to bill for physical, occupational therapy Orthopaedic surgeons are increasingly incorporating physical and occupational therapy services into their practices. In-house billers, who may be inexperienced with the new services, terminology, and associated CPT codes, may be apprehensive about the move. Clarifying the services, codes, and treatment continuum will help to maximize revenue and prevent billing errors.
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The changing face of orthopaedic employment
By Jennifer M. Anderson; Mark S. Thomas; and Leslie R. Jebson Factors driving the hospital and physician connection Each generation of physicians has different motivators, drivers, and expectations. Many younger physicians—including orthopaedic surgeons—want to work fewer hours and expect greater flexibility in employment opportunities to match their personal priorities. This new generation of physicians may account for the large number of orthopaedic surgeons seeking hospital employment.
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Tips for cutting office expenses
Using discounts and rewards to reduce front office costs Efficient acquisition and distribution of office supplies is a good way to control overhead. In most practices, the front office uses most of the office supplies. Postage, paper, and printer supplies quickly can add up to high monthly expenses if not monitored closely. Although these expenses are usually attributable to the cost of doing business, there’s no reason they can’t be controlled.
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Workplace bad apples
A rotten attitude can undermine teamwork Does one bad apple spoil the whole barrel? Many times, yes, especially in a work environment where success relies upon interdependent activities among staff. So how do you identify a bad apple on your staff? Bad apples come in an assortment of varieties; following are descriptions of the most common. The crab apple The crab apple is always putting others down to raise her own status.
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The surgeon’s role in assisting defense counsel
By B. Sonny Bal, MD, JD, MBA, and Randy R. Cowherd, JD Odds are that you, an orthopaedic surgeon, will be served with a medical liability lawsuit at some time in your career. The legal proceedings begin when the patient files a complaint with the local court, making you the ‘defendant’ and an unwilling participant in an unfamiliar and possibly intimidating process. Shortly thereafter, your medical liability insurance carrier will identify a lawyer as your defense counsel.
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Tips and pointers for depositions
By B. Sonny Bal, MD, JD, MBA, and Randy R. Cowherd, JD As the defendant physician in a medical malpractice litigation, you should know that your deposition is critical in planning and executing a successful defense. Jurors are often shown a videotape of your deposition before you make your in-person testimony. This article offers some practical tips and pointers to help you prepare for deposition.