Skin & Allergy News articles from November 2003

Skin & Allergy News archives from November 2003

Medicaid makes it hard to see poor: fraying safety net.(News)
November 1, 2003... Money comes out of Dr. George Murakawa's pocket every time he treats a Medicaid patient. This isn't a very sound business model, considering that about 40% of his practice is made up of Medicaid and uninsured patients. But Dr. Murakawa...

Derm field awaits isotretinoin risk management data: accutane update: dermatologists appear to be exceeding the 90% target for Rx qualification stickers.(News)
November 1, 2003... Is it 60%, or isn't it? That's the question on the minds of many dermatologists who prescribe isotretinoin, and the much-anticipated answer may determine the regulatory fate of the teratogenic acne drug. When Accutane's manufacturer,...

New drugs are coming for complicated skin infections: daptomycin, oritavancin: antibiotics battle gram-positive pathogens.
November 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Help is on the way for treatment of patients with complicated skin and skin structure infections. Daptomycin (Cubicin) is a novel antibiotic that received FDA marketing approval for this indication in mid-September, while...

Plenty of flu vaccine available this year: no tiered schedule.(News)
November 1, 2003... This flu season, there's no need to skimp on shots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a sufficient supply of vaccines for the 2003-2004 flu season. This means that anyone--healthy or at high risk--who wants a flu shot...

HIPAA may affect state 'prompt pay' laws: may redefine 'clean claim'.(News)
November 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- State "prompt pay" laws could be affected by the "transaction and code set" provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) that went into effect last month, Ann Leopold Kaplan said at a forum...

Medicare among Americans' top health priorities for the president and Congress.(Vital Signs)
November 1, 2003... Medicare Among Americans' Top Health Priorities for the President and Congress Percent Saying Percent Saying "Very Important "Most Important" Helping...

Medicare should pay doctors for higher quality: expert opinion.(News)
November 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should consider paying physicians based on the quality of their work, David Cutler, Ph.D., said at a meeting of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. "Medicare could add...

FDA panel conditionally backs silicone implants: 9-6 vote.(News)(INAMED Corp.'s silicone gel-filled breast implants approved)
November 1, 2003... GAITHERSBURG, MD. -- In a 9-6 vote, a federal advisory panel recommended--with a long list of conditions--the approval of one brand of silicone gel--filled breast implants but emphasized the need for more long-term safety data on the product....

Laser surgery regulations vary widely from state to state: 'a moving target'.(News)
November 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- The medical licensing board regulations that dictate who can legally perform laser surgery vary dramatically from state to state, Dr. William Beeson said at the 12th International Symposium on Cosmetic Laser Surgery. For...

Referrals.(Under My Skin)
November 1, 2003... We have not seen a single referral from Dr. Tinnell," I told my nurse. Internist Sue Tinnell, new to the building, had come by to say hello and express light at having a skin man so handy. A little investigation solved the mystery. She had...

Our relationship with industry.(Editorial)
November 1, 2003... Over the past few years there has been increased scrutiny of the relationship between physicians and the health care in ous organizations promote self-regulation, but if interactions do not remain appropriate and disclosed, the Federal...

Hair treatments and pregnancy.(Editorial)
November 1, 2003... Women often have questions and concerns about the safety of hair treatments during pregnancy. The limited available data have not indicated problems with teratogenicity or other adverse reproductive outcomes associated with either occupational...

Mentors on the way.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... The article "Women Seek Derm Surgery Mentors" appropriately recognized an issue that the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery has been addressing for quite some time (September 2003, p. 1). Our society is working diligently to...

Stigma is depressing.(physician depression)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2003... I agree with Dr. Morton M. Silverman that we need to destigmatize physician depression ("Physicians Deny Depression," Guest Editorial, August 2003, p. 14). In addition to the state licensure barriers he mentions, there are issues with...

If you were choosing your career path today, would you still become a doctor?(Talk Back Online)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... If you were choosing your career path today, would you still become a doctor? (October 2003, p. 72) NO 36% YES 64% Note: Table made from pie chart. To Talk Back, visit www.eskinandallergynnews.com

Percutaneous collagen induction perks up skin: rejuvenation without destroying epidermis.(Dermotologic Surgery)(Roll Cit from Environ)
November 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- A new procedure known as percutaneous collagen induction therapy can rejuvenate the skin without destroying the epidermis, Dr. Cynthia Weinstein reported at the 12th International Symposium on Cosmetic Laser Surgery. The...

Reassure patients when IPL complications occur: beware of common causes.(Dermotologic Surgery)(intense pulsed light therapy)
November 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Make sure to coach your office staff on how to deal with patients who phone in complaining of complications following photofacial rejuvenation with intense pulsed light therapy, Dr. Patrick H. Bitter Jr. advised at the 12th...

Platelet-rich plasma may speed facial healing: adjunct to laser resurfacing.(Dermotologic Surgery)
November 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- An application of platelet-rich plasma following facial resurfacing by laser led to faster reepithelialization, compared with historic controls. Patients treated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for 1 day also appeared to...

Lasers are effective in some inflammatory skin diseases: new CPT codes available.(Dermotologic Surgery)
November 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- A growing body of evidence shows that lasers can be used to treat inflammatory skin diseases, in addition to their well-established role in skin rejuvenation, Dr. Alan T. Lewis said at the annual meeting of the South Central...

Some lasers may effectively treat small leg veins: result from small study.(Dermatologic Surgery)(varicose vein surgery)
November 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Contrary to the opinion of some dermatologists, there is a place for the 1,064-nm neodymium:YAG laser and the 595-nm pulsed dye laser for the treatment of leg veins less than 2 mm in size, Dr. Marc V. Avram declared at the 12th...

Serial noninvasive brow lifts surpass single Tx: radiofrequency heating for foreheads.(Dermatologic Surgery)
November 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- A noninvasive radiofrequency device produced improved tissue tightening and lifting of the upper face when used serially in a study of 40 patients. Among 20 patients who received four sequential treatments at monthly...

Dermabrasion and topicals improve facial skin: combination offers possible synergy.(Dermatologic Surgery)
November 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- A combination facial regimen of serial microdermabrasion and topical treatment with a cocktail of agents led to improvements in acne, acne scarring, and sun damage in a study of 54 patients. But the improvements leveled...

Ultrasound confirms collagen improvement after NLite Tx: first study of its kind.(Dermatologic Surgery)
November 1, 2003... SAN DIEGO -- Ultrasound images of skin treated with the NLite 585-nm pulsed dye laser showed significant improvements in collagen density at 90 days postoperatively, Dr. Nita Patel reported at the 12th International Symposium on Cosmetic Laser...

Intradermal triamcinolone cuts edema after Mohs repairs: anti-inflammatory effect.(Dermatologic Surgery)
November 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Intradermal injections of triamcinolone can control the localized edema that often appears in skin flaps used to repair defects following Mohs micrographic surgery. This is an "effective, nonsurgical way to shape soft...

Injectable gel succeeds as soft-tissue filler in lips: calcium hydroxyapatite.(Dermatologic Surgery)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Calcium hydroxyapatite gel is "the closest thing we have to an ideal, injectable, soft-tissue filler," Dr. Deborshi Roy said at the annual fall meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. ...

Soft-tissue implant succeeds in lips, other facial sites: patient pleaser.(Dermatologic Surgery)(Advanta implant from Atrium Medical Corp)
November 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- A new type of facial soft-tissue implant was easy to use and produced pleasing results for patients, Dr. William H. Truswell said at the annual fall meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery....

Expert shares tips on hair removal systems: consider patient population.(Dermatologic Surgery)
November 1, 2003... SAN DIEG0 -- Stumped about what type of hair removal device to purchase? Should you go with laser- or light-based technology? While the efficacy of the various devices on the market is about the same, the characteristics of your patient...

Epidermal glues and sealants aid facial surgery: reduced infection rates.(Dermatologic Surgery)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... ORLANDO, FLA. -- Epidermal glue and fibrin sealant are useful adjuncts for facial surgery, Dr. David A.F. Ellis said at the annual fall meeting of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Tissue glues,...

Dermatology drug market seen as second tier: 'not on the radar screen'.(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... HOLLYWOOD, FLA. -- Without many mega-selling dermatologic drugs or indications, the future of drug development specific to dermatology appears to be suboptimal, Dr. Joseph L. Jorizzo said at the annual meeting of the Florida Society of...

FDA warns public about use of lead-loaded Litargirio: toxic traditional product.(Dermatologic Therapy)( )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration has warned the public to avoid using a traditional product called Litargirio because it contains toxic levels of lead. Litargirio is used as a foot fungicide, a deodorant, and for burns and wound healing....

Cosmeceutical critique: grape seed extract.(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... Grape seed extract is a powerful antioxidant that is emerging as a key element in the armamentarium against several diseases and the cutaneous manifestations of aging. Also known as Vitis vinifera, pine bark, Pinus maritima, and...

Study: Botox prevents headache pain, even in recalcitrant cases: 271 patients.(Dermatologic Therapy)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Botulinum toxin type A is an effective preventive therapy for headache pain in a variety of patients with primary headache disorder, according to a poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Headache Society. The...

Topical pimecrolimus controls eczema in infants: no effect on immune system.(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Topical pimecrolimus adequately controlled eczema in children younger than 2 years and had no apparent effect on their immune systems, according to a manufacturer-sponsored study presented at the World Allergy Organization...

Two probiotics help infants who have eczema, cow's milk allergy: lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.(Dermatologic Therapy)(bifidobacteria and lactobacillus)
November 1, 2003... VANCOUVER, B.C. -- Probiotics of two types--lactobacillus and bifidobacterium--significantly improved atopic dermatitis in infants with suspected cow's milk allergy, according to trials presented at the World Allergy Organization Congress. ...

Not enough data to justify metformin use in PCOS: studies are too short term.(Dermatologic Therapy)(polycystic ovary syndrome)
November 1, 2003... SEATTLE -- Physicians may have become too eager to add metformin reflexively to treatment of adolescent patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, Dr. S. Jean Emans said at the annual meeting of the Society for Adolescent Medicine. "I don't...

'Lion King Alopecia' tamed by dermatologist: uproar on the set.(Dermatologic Therapy)(actors in productions have hair loss caused by wearing the bulky and elaborate costume headpieces)
November 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Few people who have ever seen the $15 million stage production of "The Lion King" have failed to gasp at the glorious sets, the hauntingly beautiful story, and the magical human puppets, who personify the grasslands of the African...

Gabapentin: one solution to itch without rash: first take thorough history.(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- The anticonvulsant gabapentin may effectively treat pruritus in patients who present without an accompanying rash and in whom no systemic cause can be identified, Dr. Vincent Beltrani said. The logic behind using gabapentin for...

High-dose IV azathioprine may benefit refractory vasculitis: remission in four patients. (iintravenous).(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... LISBON -- High-dose intravenous azathioprine may represent a new therapeutic option for patients with systemic vasculitis who develop refractory disease while on cyclophosphamide, Dr. E. Benenson said at the annual European Congress of...

Intensified chemotherapy helps in AIDS-related lymphoma: beats CHOP regimen.(Dermatologic Therapy)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... BETHESDA, MD. -- Patients with AIDS-related lymphoma may benefit from a short, intensified course of chemotherapy rather than the standard CHOP regimen, Dr. Christian Hoffman said at an international conference on malignancies in AIDS and other...

Valtrex.(New & Approved)
November 1, 2003... (valacyclovir, GlaxoSmithKline) An antiviral for use as suppressive therapy in immunocompetent adults to reduce the risk of heterosexual transmission of genital herpes to susceptible partners. Previously approved for treating or suppressing...

Paxil CR.(New & Approved)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... (controlled-release paroxetine, GlaxoSmithKline) A controlled-release formulation of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The third drug and the third SSRI approved for PMDD. *...

Advisory issued on repaglinide plus gemfibrozil interaction: increased hypoglycemia risk.(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... ROCKVILLE, MD. -- The use of the lipid-lowering drug gemfibrozil and the insulin secretagogue repaglinide puts people with type 2 diabetes at an increased risk of hypoglycemia. Gemfibrozil inhibits the cytochrome P450 enzyme system....

Pain relievers.(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... "This patient wants his medication changed to something that has a round, full-bodied bouquet with a luxurious blend of almond, honey, and wood." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

First extended-cycle oral contraceptive approved: higher incidence of spotting.(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... The Food and Drug Administration has approved Seasonale, a 91-day oral contraceptive designed to reduce a woman's menstrual periods to four per year. Although women may appreciate the added convenience of having fewer periods, they should...

Emergency contraception education has improved: survey of teenage girls.(Dermatologic Therapy)
November 1, 2003... PHILADELPHIA -- Teenage girls knew more about emergency contraception in 2002 than in 1996, but they still have away to go, according to surveys done with about 100 girls each year at one medical center. Since 1996, adolescent girls have...

Help combat rise in teens using indoor tanning: study of 6,903 adolescents.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... To many American teenagers, looking good means jumping into an indoor tanning booth to get that golden glow--despite warnings of future skin damage and disease, according to the results of a large, nationally representative study. Altering...

Group A streptococcus test does double duty for skin infections: use throat swab.(Clinical Rounds)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Antigen tests for group A streptococcus throat infections are also quick and effective at detecting the infection in skin lesions, said Dr. Herbert W. Clegg of Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, N.C., and his associates. Antigen detection...

Pediatric atopic dermatitis sparks family stress: financial, emotional costs.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- The emotional and financial stress on a family with a child who has moderate or severe atopic dermatitis is so great that parents often consider not having any other children, Dr. Seth R. Stevens said. "Families spend between...

Hygiene may explain hay fever, but not asthma: historical trends.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... NEW YORK -- The "hygiene hypothesis" is a plausible explanation for the rise in hay fever in the 20th century but not for the increased incidence of asthma in the last 40 years, said Dr. Thomas A.E. Platts-Mills at a conference on cutaneous...

Methicillin-resistant S. aureus may be an STD: preliminary finding. (Staphylococcus, sexually transmitted disease).(Clinical Rounds)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection may be a sexually transmitted disease among urban men who have sex with men, Chris J. Jimmerson reported at the annual Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial...

Antibiotic combination Tx clears scalp folliculitis in small study: 2-week course. (treatment).(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- A single 2-week course of cephalexin and rifampin cleared scalp folliculitis in 20 of 23 patients in a small study presented at an international symposium sponsored by L'Oreal Institute for Ethnic Hair and Skin Research. Dr....

Guidelines: STAT cholesterol.(Digital Assistance)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2003... Overview: STAT Cholesterol is a Palm OS handheld computer application that assists health care providers in quantifying cardiac risk and provides management guidelines based on calculated risk level. Physicians concerned with cardiovascular...

Incidence of melanoma of the foot on the rise: poor prognosis.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... The incidence of primary pedal melanoma is on the rise, and the prognosis is worse than previously reported, a study has shown. In a cohort of 148 patients with a primary melanoma on the leg, ankle, or foot, the 5-year survival rate for 37...

Hidden hair disorders common in black women: uncover cultural burden.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... CHICACO -- Cicatricial alopecia, traction folliculitis, and seborrheic dermatitis were only a few of the diagnoses discovered when researchers queried 62 African American women about hair and scalp problems unrelated to their reasons for...

20% of derm patients may have OCD: outpatient clinics. (obsessive-compulsive disorder).(Clinical Rounds)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Dermatology outpatient clinics boast a clinically relevant prevalence of patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder, said Dr. Naomi A. Fineberg of Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Hertfordshire (United Kingdom) and her associates. The...

Lab studies untangle ethnic differences in hair: morphology of hair.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- Hair of African Americans is intrinsically weaker than hair of white or Asian Americans, and is made weaker still when exposed to heat--and that has important implications for styling techniques that might avoid excessive breakage,...

Drug update: [beta]-blockers for hypertension.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... Though demoted to add-on therapy in the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure, a [beta]-blocker plus a low-dose thiazide diuretic is still an effective way to...

Confluence, atypia determine nevi reexcision: fish or sharks?(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- Certain nevi present a diagnostic challenge, mainly because the jury's still out on which features are atypical but benign, and which ones signal a more ominous prognosis, Dr. Philip LeBoit said at the annual meeting of...

Varicella in pregnant patients requires prompt approach: take a history.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Only about 10% of chickenpox cases occur in adults, but when a pregnant patient is exposed to the virus, quick action is necessary, Dr. Joseph M. Ernest III said at the annual Southern Obstetric and Gynecologic Seminar. ...

Hemangioma myths interfere with treatment: four myths.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- Dermatologists and pediatricians alike cling to several common myths that can result in less-than-optimal management of a child with a disfiguring hemangioma, Dr. Bari Cunningham said at the annual meeting of the...

Condom use low in those with known genital herpes: public doesn't heed message.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... CHICAGO -- A new national survey shows condom use among sexually active adults is notably low, even among those with known genital herpes or other sexually transmitted diseases. Clearly, the public has not heeded the message put forth by...

Use mnemonic to find cause of leukocytoclastic vasculitis: many possible causes.(Clinical Rounds)
November 1, 2003... SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- A simple mnemonic device can help identify the cause of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, Dr. Mark Lebwohl said at the annual meeting of the California Society of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. The device is a...

Weaving digital cameras into your office.(Managing Your Dermatology Practice)
November 1, 2003... Last month's column covered the basics of digital photography and made some suggestions for choosing a digital camera for clinical use. This month, we will delve a bit deeper into the process of choosing the camera that is right for you, as...

Insurer focusing more on risk management: new company in Pennsylvania.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2003... PMA Medical Specialists, a 24-physician multispecialty practice in suburban Philadelphia, was facing a crisis. Since buying out the previous owners--the University of Pennsylvania--in 2002, PMA had been struggling to get malpractice...

Get ready for patients' virtual visits, expert says: an end to 'true medicine'?(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- In the next few years, 20%-50% of all physician-patient interactions will be virtual, according to Dr. Allen Wenner. "There will always be situations where the in-office visit will still be required," said Dr. Wenner, a...

Accuracy, specificity important when using codes: correct modifier important.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2003... SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- Combining the correct medical or surgical CPT code for a dermatologic procedure, with the right modifier when necessary increases the likelihood of prompt and appropriate reimbursement from payers, including Medicare,...

Aetna, CIGNA cases put different spin on claims fraud: downcoding and bundling.(Practice Trends)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Recent lawsuits against Aetna, CIGNA, and other insurers have put an entirely different spin on reimbursement issues, John Hartwig said at a forum sponsored by the American Health Lawyers Association. Much of the federal...

Data bank tracks physicians' fraud convictions, exclusions: federal effort.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2003... Think the government is only tracking your malpractice convictions? Think again. For nearly 4 years, the Department of Health and Human Services has been building, a data bank of information on any person or entity involved with health...

Office-based surgery.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Deaths and adverse events are 10 times more likely to occur in the physician's office than in an ambulatory surgery center, according to a study looking at dermatology surgery outcomes in Florida (Arch. Surg. 138[9]:991-95, 2003). But the...

Galderma warned.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Galderma Laboratories withdrew one of its patient informational sheets from distribution after the Food and Drug Administration warned that the company's promotional materials for Solage (mequinol 2%, tretinoin 0.01%) topical solution were...

Uninsured on the rise.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The number of people without health insurance rose for the second consecutive year to 43.6 million or 15.2% of the population in 2002, up 2.4 million from 2001, the U.S. Census Bureau finds in its annual report on health insurance coverage in...

Affordability blues.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and Harvard Medical School are joining forces in an effort to track initiatives within the Blue plans that make health care more affordable. The program, called BlueWorks, will start publishing...

Malpractice reform.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Even if Congress does not enact caps on noneconomic awards this year, there are other possible fixes to the medical malpractice quandary, says Michelle M. Mello, Ph.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston. One possibility is an...

Future of IPAs. (independent practice associations).(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The ongoing shift from HMOs to PPOs doesn't bode well for independent practice associations that traditionally contract with HMOs, health care officials told a joint hearing of the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice. IPAs...

Health progress.(Policy & Practice)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The health of Americans is a mixed bag with life expectancy increasing but the diabetes epidemic continuing to worsen, according to the latest statistics from "Health, United States, 2003," a report from the National Center for Health...

Be careful when determining fair market value of office space: consider Stark law.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Physicians should tread carefully when trying to arrive at a fair market value for office space they're renting, Beth Schermer said at a forum sponsored by the American Health Lawyers Association. That's because fair market...

Be sure to document deals involving hospital contracts: fair market value.(Practice Trends)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... SAN ANTONIO -- For physicians entering into agreements with hospitals, documentation is key, especially when deals involve determination of fair market value, Robert A. Wade said at the annual meeting of the American Health Lawyers Association....

Physician unionization is a difficult proposition: antitrust laws, other barriers.(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Interest in physician unionization is increasing as health insurers become more powerful, but doctors who want to unionize still face many barriers, several speakers said at a hearing sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission and...

CMS will revise, simplify its Medicare enrollment form: support for AMA proposals. (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, American Medical Association).(Practice Trends)
November 1, 2003... WASHINGTON -- Medicare plans to revise its proposed enrollment form to make it more user friendly for physicians, Robert Loyal said at a meeting of the Medicare Practicing Physicians Advisory Council. "Some of the language in the form could...

Pain relievers.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... "Thanks for the prescription. Is this your signature or part of my EKG?"

Assess patients.(Products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The BHI 2 (Battery for Health Improvement 2) assessment is a self-report tool to help psychologists and medical professionals determine presurgical readiness, develop treatment plans, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and monitor clinical...

Shot pain device redesigned.(Products)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... ShotBlocker has been redesigned to accommodate both intramuscular and subcutaneous injections. The plastic disk features a number of skin contact points and an opening for injections. The device is designed to block injection pain based on the...

Polymyositis/dermatomyositis.(FYI)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... Participants are needed for a study on the natural history and pathogenesis of polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and related orders. Patients 16 years of age or older with any of these conditions are eligible. Participants in the study will...

Board examinations for 2004.(FYI)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2003... The certifying examination of the American Board of Dermatology will be held at the Holiday Inn O'Hare International in Rosemont, Ill. on Aug. 15 and 16, 2004; the application deadline is March 1, 2004. The recertification examination will be...