The AMA stands in the way of nationwide implementation of HIT!?

Washington, D.C. – The American Medical Association (AMA) urged the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to revise the Medicare e-prescribing penalty policy in a letter sent to HHS Secretary Sebelius.

AMA asserts that this policy, which would penalize physicians in 2012 if they don’t e-prescribe in the first six months of 2011, "will hurt efforts to implement widespread health IT adoption among physician practices and cause them to take on needless financial and administrative burdens".

Such assertion could not be further from the truth, as implementation of e-prescribing will foster widespread use of HIT, and specifically electronic medical records (EMR). Implementation of e-prescribing will reduce incidence of medication errors, reduce complications of multi-pharmacy and will significantly reduce fraud and abuse of prescription medications.

The facts are in direct contradiction to statements by AMA Board Secretary Steven J. Stack, M.D. regarding the issue, as not aligning these programs will ultimately delay physicians’ efforts to adopt a complete EMR.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ( CMS) has said that physicians cannot receive incentives from both the Medicare e-prescribing incentive program and the Medicare EHR incentive program simultaneously. However, if physicians choose not to participate in the 2011 e-prescribing program, they will face penalties in 2012 and 2013

Once again, the once  relevant organization  ends up with an egg on its face.  I guess the Board of AMA as utilized the same due diligence philosophy used in its ill-fated commercial endorsement of Sunbeam products without testing what it was putting its stamp of approval on.

Dr. Stack, for one, makes me proud of having the foresight to quit AMA in 1981!

For more information on AMA's cockeyed decision process, please contact:

Lisa Lecas
AMA Media Relations
312-464-5980
lisa.lecas@ama-assn.org

TeleMed Partners joins imminent telemedicine boom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Nov. 22, 2010
Malibu, California
CONTACT: Eva Peel, VP, Corporate Communications
Info@TeleMedPartners.com

Telemed Partners joins the imminent telemedicine boom, as Prof. Victor S. Dorodny, MD, is realigning his 17-year-old health care policy, economics and information technology consulting company, Health Pro Worldwide, Inc., and refocusing on the hot fields of health information technology (HIT) and telemedicine.

The new company, TeleMed Partners, benefiting from almost two decades of expertise, fosters strategic partnerships between HIT manufacturers, medical service providers, consumers, and payors.

Its first consulting client is US Tele-Medicine of Beverly Hills. “The current US health care system needs to expand the use of health information technologies and telemedicine. The system emerging in the wake of new health care legislation will crash without it,” says Dr. Victor Dorodny. “Adding thirty million health care consumers, while mandating extended coverage, combined with increased demand for health care from the aging baby boomers is straining the system at the seams. Telemedicine seems to be our best viable alternative to provide health care for the ever growing needs of the consumer, especially the chronically ill and aging. I have no doubt that health care delivery in the US will change dramatically in the next ten years through the adoption of telemedicine. We are in the convergent space defined by medicine, information, and technology, and plan to work hard on integrating them for the benefit of the health care consumers.”

Prof. Dorodny, MD, ND, PhD, MPH (http://www.drdorodny.com/) President & CEO of TeleMed Partners, was one of the creators of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). He has served on the Advisory Board of the Assoc. of Medical Director of Information Systems and is the Past President of the National Assoc. of Managed Care Physicians (Western Division).

He conceived, designed, and led development of Knowledge-based Health Information Systems (KbHIS©) operational databases for healthcare organizations. He has consulted for the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospital Organizations, the National Association of Consulting Pharmacists, the National Pharmaceutical Council, and the FDA, and is internationally recognized for advancing electronic medical/health record technologies, and promoting confidentiality and security of health information.
For an expanded biography please see http://www.drdorodny.com/.

#######

US Tele-Medicine Appoints Professor Victor Dorodny as CMO and Global Practice Leader

Beverly Hills, CA, November 11, 2010-– US Tele-Medicine, a national leader in telehealth services appoints Prof. Victor S. Dorodny M.D., N.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. a specialist with over 30 years of clinical and executive experience, as well as a Doctorate in Health Information Technologies (HIT) and over 17 years of hands-on HIT/Telemedicine experience, as Chief Medical Officer and Global Practice Leader.

Prof. Dorodny enjoys international recognition for advancing electronic health record technologies (EHR, EMR, PHR), and promoting confidentiality and security of health information.

He has served as Advisory Board Member of: The Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS); National Association of Managed Care Physicians (NAMCP) and The IPA Association of America (TIPAA).

He was one of the creators of the current Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).

He conceived, designed, and led development of Knowledge–based Health Information Systems (KbHIS©) operational databases for healthcare organizations. He served as consultant to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations; Technical Advisor to the United States Department of Justice and the FBI.

Prof. Dorodny originated the revolutionary concept of health and pharmaceutical care value (HCV©) that continues to shape emerging health systems. He consults for: the Institute for Alternative he , National Association of Consulting Pharmacists, the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO), the National Pharmaceutical Council, and the FDA.

Prof. Dorodny is an accomplished Healthcare/HIT Physician-Executive and has successfully introduced his concepts into the marketplace as the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Clark Information Services, Inc., a software, applications and data warehousing company for pharmaceutical industry and other health care organizations; as the Executive VP & Chief Medical Information Officer of Superior Consultant Company, Inc., an integrated health care, pharmaceutical industry and information technology management company; as the Executive VP of Business Development for ICN, Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eastern Europe.

Prof. Dorodny is Board Certified by the American Academy of Pain Management, Diplomate and Distinguished Fellow of the American College of Ethical Physicians, Associate in Medicine of the American College of Legal Medicine (ACLM), Diplomate and Distinguished Fellow of the American College of Hospital Physicians, graduate of USC Executive Management Institute in Health Care, and Registered Arbitrator.

Prof. Dorodny made significant contributions on diverse topics in major mass media publications, peer review journals and trade publications. He authored monographs and books. Among his editorial board appointments: Managed Healthcare, US Pharmacist, ADVANCE for Health Information Executives. As Reuters Healthcare Expert he often presents at national and international conferences, and guests on national TV and radio.

Currently based in Malibu, CA Prof. Victor Dorodny can be reached at (800) 498-1081

US Tele-Medicine is a leader in telemedicine and telehealth services, operating in Twelve states and providing chronic care management, using remote sensing devices operated by the patient at home or office. Telemedicine reduces costs because care is provided at a less expensive setting than a clinic or hospital.

Telemedicine will be the premier channel of health care as Physicians can visit with more patients using Telemedicine, than with traditional office visits. Telemedicine reduces absenteeism, eliminates the cost and bother of travel to a clinic and promotes greater recovery times for the patients.

www.ustelemedicine.com

Contact:
media@ustelemedicine.com
brittney@ustelemedicine.com

New Joint Statement Streamlines Definition of Metabolic Syndrome

From Heartwire, by Michael O'Riordan

October 8, 2009 (Brussels, Belgium) — A new joint statement from a number of professional organizations has identified specific criteria for the clinical diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, tightening up the definition, which previously differed from one organization to the next [1].

The statement, published online October 5, 2009 in Circulation, includes the participation of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), the World Heart Federation, the International Atherosclerosis Society, and the American Heart Association (AHA) and is an attempt to eliminate some of the confusion regarding how to identify patients with the syndrome.

Specifically, the new metabolic-syndrome definition streamlines previous differences related to abdominal obesity as defined by measurements in waist circumference. Substantial disparities existed between the previous IDF and the ATP III definitions of what constituted an excessively large waist circumference, by as much as 8 cm between the two groups, but these have been amended. Now, the criteria for elevated waist circumference are based on population- and country-specific definitions, which, although streamlined, do leave some work to be done, said Eckel.

The new definition relies on different geographic regions, or different countries, to drill down into their own databases in terms of relating waist circumference to risk.

Now, waist circumference is just one of five criteria that physicians can use when diagnosing the metabolic syndrome.

Patients with three of the five criteria--including elevated waist circumference, elevated triglycerides, reduced HDL-cholesterol levels, elevated blood pressure, and elevated fasting-glucose levels--are considered to have the syndrome.

Criteria for Clinical Diagnosis of the Metabolic Syndrome

Measure	Categorical cut points
Elevated waist circumference	Population- and country-specific definitions
Elevated triglycerides (drug treatment for elevated triglycerides is an alternate indicator)	>150 mg/dL
Reduced HDL cholesterol (drug treatment for reduced HDL cholesterol is an alternate indicator)	<40>
Elevated blood pressure (drug treatment for elevated blood pressure is an alternate indicator)	Systolic >130 mm Hg and/or diastolic >85 mm Hg
Elevated fasting glucose (drug treatment for elevated glucose is an alternate indicator)	>100 mg/dL

Notably absent from the joint statement is the American Diabetes Association--there are unresolved scientific issues between the ADA and other associations, including the AHA, regarding the metabolic syndrome.

Specifically, the ADA, as well as the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), objected to the manner in which the metabolic syndrome was characterized as a risk factor for heart disease or diabetes, arguing that there was no need to diagnose a patient with the syndrome because emphasis should be placed on aggressively treating the individual risk factors.

In 2005, the ADA and EASD issued their own joint statement calling for a critical appraisal of the metabolic syndrome, its designation as a syndrome, and its clinical utility.

Be aware and be well!

Dr.D

sliMDream™ ( aka triMDream™ )-Innovations in Medical Weight Control

...available to residents of Los Angeles county October 15, 2009.

This proprietary weight loss system is based upon my 34 years of clinical, academic and research experience.

Further, I incorporate up-to-date world-wide research and current recommendations by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and American College of Physicians (ACP).

sliMDream™  ( aka triMDream™ ) system is an individualized, multi-component lifestyle intervention system to optimize, stabilize and maintain height/sex/age-appropriate weight.

sliMDream™   ( aka triMDream™ ) system includes, but is not limited to, following modalities:

· behavioral modification
· suppression of appetite
· smart nutrition with energy deficit
· adequate hydration
· management of sleep patterns and stress reduction
· appropriate physical activity with energy deficit
· metabolic enhancers
· meal replacement
Please call (424) 204-5004 to be directed to a location near you to learn the essential 7 "seas" to success.

Be Well!

Dr.D.

Silent Inflammation--a not so silent Killer!

Every wellness-conscious person should be aware of the silent killer responsible for many multi system deadly and disabling disorders. My friend and a colleague Dr. Bary Sears is clear and concise--please read, it might improve and/or save your life!

Be aware, talk to your doctor, get tested and get treated, if needed!

Be Well and remember that it's not the effort that counts, but its effectiveness!

Dr.D.

Back by popular demand!

Dear Patients, Friends & Patrons,

After focusing most recently on academic and pharmaceutical/nutraceutical research projects, and in response to numerous patient requests, I am returning to part-time clinical practice, where my cross-disciplinary expertise is best put into practice treating patients' bodies and souls in their perpetual quest for betterment!I am pleased to announce my association with a preeminent medical weight management practice with five locations across Los Angeles County, including Encino and West Los Angeles.

This new association allows me to provide overweight and obese patients with innovative, up-to-date, individualized and comprehensive weight-control treatments.

Since 2003 I have been working to integrate established general medical principles with newer holistic and functional approaches.

The result is the Therapeutic Lifestyle Management (TLM©) program triMDream™ (aka sliMDream™) , a multi-component lifestyle intervention that provides doctor-supervised and nurse-controlled safe and effective weight loss, followed by long-term weight maintenance at uncommonly affordable rates.

Please call (424) 204-5004 to be directed to the clinic closest to you, or contact me directly @: Dorodny@medscape.com

Be Well!