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Stay updated on 83rd Legislature with TAFP Capitol Updates |
TAFP will continue to cover the 83rd Legislature with Capitol Update news stories and Captiol Report videos. The most recent video is online now and covers the Academy’s legislative priorities; presents recent testimony given to the House Appropriations Subcommittee by Rodney Young, M.D., chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center; and takes a peek inside the Capitol clinic at the Physician of the Day program with Sister Rosanne Popp, M.D. Watch the Capitol Report video from the latest edition of TAFP News Now.
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DSHS offers Clinical Best Practices for Alzheimer’s |
The Texas Department of State Health Services, Alzheimer’s Disease Program, and Texas Council on Alzheimer’s Disease recently released Clinical Best Practices for Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease. These best practices were created and reviewed by a group of Alzheimer’s disease experts aiming to meet the Disease Management objectives of the 2010-2015 Texas State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease. The resource was developed for health care professionals who see patients with dementia and memory disorders, including cognitive impairment, MCI, and/or Alzheimer’s, and is the first set of guidelines Texas has ever created. Follow this link to download the Clinical Best Practices document.
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Test your coding and documentation with periodic self-audits |
Curious as to how accurate your coding and documentation are? Instead of paying a consultant or a Medicare auditor to find out, use the chart review form from the FPM Toolbox to conduct quick self-audits from time to time on your notes, or the notes of a colleague. It is a good way to save money and help improve your coding and documentation skills. This article from the FPM archive describes the process for incorporating this practice into a busy schedule.
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AMA program helps patients and physicians achieve better health |
The Texas Medical Association recently made updates to the AMA Healthier Life Steps section of their website, including new resources to help physicians counsel their patients about health-impacting lifestyle choices such as exercise, smoking, eating habits, and alcohol use. The updated site includes patient lifestyle questionnaires, action plans, progress tracking calendars, continuing medical education opportunities, and a roadmap to help you implement the program in your practice. To access the free materials provided by TMA and AMA, go to www.texmed.org/lifesteps.
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AAFP presents March 27 webinar on meaningful use |
AAFP Director of the Center for Health IT, Jason Mitchell, M.D., will host a webinar on Wednesday, March 27 at 1 p.m. CDT called “Meaningful Use Stage 2: Second Wave or Tsunami?” With the expectations of meaningful use rising next year, will the changes be a gentle tide or a flood of new requirements? This webinar will cover the major changes stage 2 brings to meaningful use, some of the differences between stages 1 and 2, and strategies to keep your practice afloat through different stages of meaningful use. Follow this link to register now for the free webinar.
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