Cardiac Rehab for CHF now covered by MedicareThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services now covers cardiac rehabilitation services to chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with left ventricular ejection fraction of 35 percent or less, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II to IV symptoms on optimal heart failure therapy for at least six weeks.

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that cardiac rehabilitation for patients with heart failure decreased symptoms as well as improved physical function and psychological health to improve quality of life, and reduced hospital readmissions and mortality rates.

The benefits include:

• Increased exercise tolerance • Minimized symptoms of heart failure • Improved behavioral risk factors (diet, smoking) • Decreased incidence of future cardiac events

The number of cardiac rehab sessions is limited up to 36 sessions, with a maximum of two one-hour sessions per day for up to 36 weeks.

The scheduling order form for Cardiac Rehabilitation Services can be found at www.dekalbmedicalphysicians.org under the “For Physicians” section. To refer your patient, call 404.501.7155.

For more information contact, Mike Sisson, M.Ed., RCEP, at 404.501.7158 or Mike.Sisson@dekalbmedical.org.

A Newsletter for the Medical Staffs of DeKalb Medical

NOVEMBER 2014

For story ideas and suggestions or to request additional copies, call 404.501.5565 or e-mail sherylsjackson@bellsouth.net.

The first phase of the clinical documentation improvement initiative physician education in late October/early November presented a general overview of the process and changes that will prepare DeKalb Medical for transition to ICD-10. The second phase – training specific to each specialty – begins mid-November for all DeKalb Medical at North Decatur and DeKalb Medical at Hillandale physicians.

Physician leaders for the initiative serve as the liaison between the clinical documentation specialists and the medical staff to ensure the process produces quality clinical documentation that provides a complete picture of the patient’s condition and enables appropriate coding for treatment.

Physicians leading the initiative are Alan Banks, D.P.M.; Augustine Conduah, M.D.; Chuansheng Wu, M.D.; Christopher Haraszti, M.D.; Michael Waldman, M.D.; Michelle Sims, M.D.; Rick Boden, M.D.; and William Hutchinson, M.D.

Locations for the sessions and updates to the schedule were included in email blasts to all physicians in late October and early November.

For more information or answers to questions, please contact any of the physician advisors or Ron McCranie at 404.501.5052 or Stephen Thomas, M.D., at 404.501.5215.

Clinical documentation education sets stage for ICD-10

The CME-approved, one and a half hour sessions, are scheduled for the following specialties:

SPECIALTY DATE TIME LOCATION SPECIALTY DATE TIME LOCATION

Hem/Onc/Opth/Burn/Urology/ENT/OPTH Nov. 11 7 a.m. Room 236 Cardiology Dec. 16 7 a.m. Hillandale

Primary Care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospitalists, GI, Endocrine and Pulm)

Nov. 11 12 p.m. TheatrePrimary Care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospitalists, GI, Endocrine and Pulm)

Dec. 16 12 p.m. Hillandale

Orthopedics Nov. 11 6 p.m. Keeton Surgery Dec. 16 6 p.m. Hillandale

Primary Care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospitalists, GI, Endocrine and Pulm)

Nov. 12 7 a.m. KeetonPrimary Care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospitalists, GI, Endocrine and Pulm)

Dec. 17 7 a.m. Theatre

CardiologyNov. 12 12 p.m. Theatre

Primary Care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospitalists, GI, Endocrine and Pulm)

Dec. 17 12 p.m. Theatre

Primary Care (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Hospitalists, GI, Endocrine and Pulm)

Nov. 12 6 p.m. HillandaleOrthopedics

Dec. 17 6 p.m. Keeton

Neurology Nov. 13 7 a.m. Gerlach Cardiology Dec. 18 7 a.m. Theatre

Infectious and Parasitic diseases Nov. 13 12 p.m. Gerlach Physical Medicine and Rehab Dec. 18 12 p.m. Rehab

Surgery Nov. 13 6 p.m. Theatre OBGYN Dec. 18 6 p.m. Keeton

2 Communique NOVEMBER 2014

PHYSICIAN’S LOUNGE

DeKalb Medical Physicians Group Welcomes Beaver Ruin Primary Care and Dr. Heigerick

Craig Heigerick, D.O., is board-certified in family medicine and has practiced in the Gwinnett area for over 30 years. He earned his medical degree at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery and completed his residency and internship at St. John Health System – Oakland Hospital in Michigan. He treats patients of all ages but has a special interest in musculoskeletal conditions. He is active in many FDA-approved medical research initiatives, including studies on chronic conditions such as asthma, irritable bowel syndrome and osteoarthritis.

Occupational MedicineLeo G. Frangipane, M.D.

NephrologyLorin M. Sanchez, M.D.

November

Communication and leadership top list in physician surveyResults of the 2014 physician satisfaction survey were informative and interesting – demonstrating that medical staff members were more positive about their relationship with DeKalb Medical than in 2013, but fell short of health system benchmarks, said Jim Forstner, senior vice president and chief strategy officer.

“We are addressing the gaps identified in the survey by enhancing programs or processes we already have in place,” Forstner said. “In some cases, we found a lack of awareness of an existing program that addresses physician concerns.”

The Physician VENT Line is one example, said Forstner. The VENT Line (404.501.VENT or physicianvent@dekalbmedical.org) provides a simple, straightforward way for physicians to reach the correct administrative staff member to answer questions, hear suggestions, or resolve a problem.

VENT line messages are retrieved each business day, documented and sent to the appropriate administrative team member who responds within two business days. “Physicians can report or ask about any issue – clinical or operational,” he said. “The VENT line ensures the message gets to the right person.”

The survey also identified a universal interest in leadership opportunities. In addition to traditional medical staff leadership opportunities, opportunities for physician leadership in the performance improvement co-leadership model that relies on physician involvement in key tactical and strategic committees as well as other programs, such as clinical documentation improvement, are in place.

“Physician engagement in health system initiatives is critical to the health system’s ability to provide quality care,” Forstner said. “We were pleased to see survey participation increase and appreciate the opportunity to continue improving communications with and leadership opportunities for physicians.” The next physician survey is scheduled for spring 2015.

For more information about the survey results, the VENT line or physician leadership opportunities, contact Jim Forstner at 404.501.7534 or Raoul Mayer, M.D., at 404.501.5215.

Kim Bentley named Vice President and Administrator at DeKalb Medical Hillandale

Kim Bentley, MS, RN, CCRN, has been named the Vice President and Administrator for DeKalb Medical Hillandale, effective immediately. In her new role, Bentley will focus on leadership development, accountability and a constant drive for elevated performance, quality and patient safety at the Hillandale Campus.

“Kim brings a wealth of experience and talent to this role,” DeKalb Medical President & CEO John Shelton said. “For the past sixteen years, she has been vital to the success of DeKalb Medical and we are thrilled for what she will bring to this new role.”

Previously, Bentley served as the Executive Director of Patient Care Services and Assistant Administrator for Hillandale since her return to DeKalb Medical in 2011. She has also worked as a clinical nurse specialist at Gwinnett Medical Center and served as the Chief Nursing Officer at Emory Johns Creek. Her experiences at DeKalb Medical range from the ICU at North Decatur to the Administrative office at Hillandale.

New standardized order forms provide benefits to physicians and hospitalsThe transition to standardized order forms (see sample below) for DeKalb Medical’s outpatient scheduling process has gone smoothly since introduction in early October.

The forms were designed after review of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) compliance guidelines and best practice standards to ensure all elements required by CMS were collected, as well as input from a team that included members of physician office staffs to ensure forms were easy to use.

Benefits of the new outpatient scheduling process include:

• Improved physician practice efficiency and productivity due to “one stop” process for securing a scheduled service and reduced number of calls to provide additional information after the order is submitted. The ability to pre-populate physician- specific information on the PDF form also saves time for staff.

• Improved physician reimbursement because collection of complete information upfront enables scheduling staff to check Medicare medical necessity to ensure compliance with Medicare rules, which reduces the number of claims denials and delayed payments.

• Improved documentation of patient care as a result of consistent format for collection of patient identification and demographics – standardization improves scheduling staff’s ability to select the correct patient from the enterprise scheduling system, which reduces the number of duplicate medical records. This ensures the accuracy and completeness of each patient’s record.

Forms have been distributed and are also available for download from the “For Physician” section of www.dekalbmedicalphysicians.org. Along with the scheduling forms, a video explaining the new format and process for submitting orders is included on the Web site.

For more information about the outpatient scheduling process, contact scheduling@dekalbmedical.org or call 404.501.9355.

SYSTEM NEWS

3 Communique NOVEMBER 2014

Ebola resources to help physicians answer patient questionsMany times, physicians find themselves not just caring for their patients’ health but also educating them to alleviate anxiety over perceived health threats. Media coverage of Ebola virus patients in the United States as well as western Africa countries has increased the number of questions physicians are receiving about the virus.

The Ebola Resource Page on the DeKalb Medical Intranet provides physicians with updated information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DeKalb County Board of Health and DeKalb Medical that can be used to educate patients.

Physicians can also contact DeKalb Medical’s Infection Prevention Team at 404.501.5515 for specific questions and information.

PLEASE NOTE: This contact information is for INTERNAL USE ONLY and is not a public resource.

2701 North Decatur RoadDecatur, GA 30033

DeKalb Physicians Support Foundation Golf Event

More than $173,000 was raised thanks to the 172 golfers who participated in the 20th Annual Charles B. Eberhart Memorial Golf Classic at the prestigious Piedmont Driving Club on Tuesday, September 30. These funds were raised to help support the purchase of an additional breast ultrasound unit at DeKalb Medical. The additional breast ultrasound will enable women to get appointments more quickly, and speed the peace of mind that comes with knowing their diagnosis earlier.

A special thanks to the physicians that supported this year’s event!

SILVER BIRDIE SPONSORSAmerican Anesthesiology of Georgia, DeKalb

J. Michael Armand, M.D.

Radiology Associates of DeKalb, PC

Surgical Associates, LLC

BEVERAGE SPONSORDeKalb Pathology Associates, PC

HOLE SPONSORAmerican Anesthesiology of Georgia, DeKalb

Ankle & Foot Centers of Georgia

J. Michael Armand, M.D.

Radiology Associates of DeKalb, PC

Surgical Associates, LLC

The Radiology Associates of DeKalb, PC team were a sponsor of the golf classic.

J. Michael Armand, M.D. (far right) and his team during the golf classic. Dr. Armand was a sponsor.