October 22, 2008
| Medtronic Becomes Newest Diamond Sponsor |
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On Oct. 01, 2008 Medtronic, Inc. announced an increase in sponsorship from the Gold level to Diamond.
Medtronic is a worldwide leader in the medical device industry. It's sponsorship further demonstrates a commitment to promoting better healthcare through education, improved patient access to healthcare, and high quality, cost effective treatment for patients.
Medtronic |
| Register for December Cadaver Course: Basic, Intermediate and Intradiscal Therapies |
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The December Cadaver Workshop, Dec. 5- 7 , will feature instruction in basic, intermediate and intradiscal therapy procedures. The workshop will be preceded by a review course in fluoroscopic interpretation with an optional competency examination.
The course will be held in Memphis, TN at the Westin Memphis Beale Street and the Medical Education & Research Institute (MERI).
Register by Nov. 4 to receive the early registration discount.
When booking your room at the Westin Memphis Beale Street, please inform the agent you are booking under ASIPP to receive the discounted group rate. Cut- off date for hotel discount is Nov. 4.
Online Registration |
| Retailing to Existing Patients Is Most Effective Way to Market |
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As the economy continues to slow, physicians have become more cognizant of how important an improved retail presence improves practice profitability. Down economy or not, patients in healthcare settings are requiring physicians to be innovative and establish more effective ways to educate at the point-of-care. Two companies have established a strategic partnership to help physicians understand and capitalize on the importance of patient education and in-office retailing. Medical marketing consultants The Practice Pros have allied with Mediplay, Inc. to assist medical groups with installing the Mediplay digital signage system, which transforms point-of-care marketing in doctors' offices to highlight services and increase profitability (Market Watch, Oct. 15, 2008).
Market Watch |
| Trend of Medicaid Pay Increases Expected to End |
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Physicians who have seen Medicaid pay increases in recent years soon could be in for a rude awakening. For the fourth consecutive year, most states plan physician pay raises, but budget deficits threaten these gains (Trapp, amednews.com, Oct. 20, 2008 issue).
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| EMR Survey |
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The Washington State Society has created a survey for Interventional Pain Medicine physicians for the purpose of gathering information from practitioners who have actual experience with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Practice Management systems.
The survey goal is to collect enough data to help those who are in the process of EMR evaluating systems for purchase. The results will hopefully help to minimize purchase mistakes and save IPM physicians time and money.
Click on the link the link below to particiapate in the survey and please share it with your colleauges.
EMR Survey |
| Bean Counters Shouldn't Overrule Doctors |
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This is a simple question: Who is the person you trust to restore your health when suffering from disease, injury or pain? As a neurologist in Virginia who focuses on helping people who live with chronic pain, I believe the answer is simple. Your doctor is the one who is committed to your health and wellness, and is on the front line in providing your care. Yet more and more, we doctors are finding it much more difficult to care for our patients due to restrictions placed on our decisions (Hansen, dailypress.com, Oct. 15, 2008)
dailypress.com |
| What Can Physicians Do About the Increase in Prescription Drug Abuse? |
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Prescription drug abuse is increasing. For the first time, prescription drugs are most likely to be abused by 18- to 35-year-olds than any other age group. Marijuana used to be the most often first abused drug -- now overtaken by prescription opioids. There are many reasons for this, including availability and perception of safety. It is widely believed that a drug that has a medical use is a safe drug. In some ways this is true because there is quality control of prescriptions. However, prescription drugs can be very dangerous and should not be assumed safe, especially in overdose (McCarberg, Medscape Today, Oct. 13, 2008).
Free registration is required to view full article.
Medscape Today |
| How Is the Economy Affecting ASCs? |
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A recent analysis of claims from 250,000 people in several dozen mid-Atlantic employer health plans suggests that "even people with coverage are cutting back on care," reports the Wall Street Journal. This includes elective surgical procedures. According to the study, conducted for the WSJ by research firm D2Hawkins, knee replacements per 1,000 people fell 18.6 percent between March 2007 and March 2008 (Wasek, Becker's ASC Review, Oct. 2, 2008).
Becker's ASC Review |
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Copyright © 2008
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians ®
81 Lakeview Drive, Paducah, KY 42001
Phone 270.554.9412, Fax 270.554.5394
E-mail asipp@asipp.org
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