Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"


************************************************************

PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS...

The Internet & Practice Management.

************************************************************

This newsletter is freely circulated
to the health care community. Subscribe today
Forward a copy to a friend or associate...
Submit your www.association site Information today!
Issue 2 -  February 1, 2000
Main Page  http://www.practiceguardian.com
To unscribe to this newsletter please
forward to [email protected]
 and include "unscribe" in the text you will be
removed from the list as soon as possible.

**********************************************************
Enter the Practice Guardian.Com 2000 Practice Management Giveaway!

Enter today to win free one year of a.r. management consulting, an
autographed author copy of "Collections Made Easy! or Practice
Guardian News extras.

For more information:  http://www.practiceguardian.com

**********************************************************

INDEX

**********************************************************

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SITES
....WebClaim.net
.....HealthScribe, Inc.

PRACTICE TIPS
..Statutes of Limitations Open Accounts by States

ASSOCIATION UPDATE
...American Thoracic Society News Brief
...........Care of the Child with Chronic Tracheostomy

NATIONAL NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS
NATIONAL HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TO Z)
EDITORIAL INFORMATION

************************************************************

Practice Management Sites

************************************************************

WebClaim.net
http://www.webclaim.net

EDI-Health Group offers www.WebClaim.net, a unique web site that allows
dental providers and billing centers direct access to hundreds of
paying organizations through the World Wide Web. Dental offices can now
submit their claims without the use of third party software such as
practice management programs by using a simple Internet connection.

We maintain and store provider, patient and their insurance coverage
information on secure, state of the art servers. The system is
available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Current services on the site include:

Electronic Processing of Dental Insurance Claims.
Electronic Processing of Dental Pre-treatment Authorizations.
On line Editing and Claim Validation.
Comprehensive Reporting.
Claim Tracking.

Upcoming services on the site include:

Patient Eligibility and Benefit Information Verification.
Submission of Requested Digitized X-Rays.
Practice Management Tools such as payment tracking, recalls, ledger,
etc.

For more information visit the site at http://www.webclaim.net
or call toll free at 1-877-WEB-CLMS  (1-877-932-2567)
or email us at

mailto:[email protected]

************************************************************

HealthScribe, Inc.
http://www.healthscribe.com


STERLING, VA, Jan. 25, 2000. HealthScribe, Inc. a Virginia based
national medical transcription company announced a lead investment of
$9 million from Grotech Capital Group of Timonium, Maryland.
HealthScribe will use the capital to expand technical capacity and
continue as the fastest growing Internet-enabled provider of medical
transcription.

Frank Adams, the Grotech Partner responsible for the investment,
stated: "Grotech is pleased to be associated with this outstanding
management team that we have high confidence will make a significant
mark in the internet enabled health arena".

Mike King, CEO of HealthScribe, stated: "Healthcare providers are
outsourcing transcription in ever increasing numbers. HealthScribe
continues to increase market share, as we become the obvious
solution."

HealthScribe utilizes digital information and data management
systems. Clinical data is captured electronically and provided to
hundreds of medical transcriptionists using HealthScribe's system.

About Grotech: Grotech is the largest regional venture capital fund
serving the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. With over
$500 million under management, Grotech focuses its investments in
Communications, Information Technology, Consumer, Basic and Service
Industries.

For more information about Grotech, contact Stuart D. Frankel at (410) 560-2000


http://wrtsun03.wrtech.com/secure/plsql/pr201?coin=10564&cl=HealthScribe,_Inc.
mailto:[email protected]
************************************************************

PRACTICE TIPS

************************************************************
Statutes of Limitations Open Accounts by State

Each state has it's own statute of limitation on the collection of
open accounts. Simply, this is allotted time to collect the full
amount of your
account.  If the account goes uncollected past the statute date the
debtor is no longer obligated to remit payment.  The account can't be
collected legally.  This includes billing, court or any collection
action. For your information:

2 years - Texas

3 years - Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida,
Kansas, Louisiana,Maryland, Mississippi,North Carolina,Oklahoma,
Virginia,Washington

4 years - California, Georgia, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

5 years - Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana  West Virginia,

6 years -Connecticut, Colorado, Indiana , Maine, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North
Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania,Rhode Island, South
Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin,


This information is not provided as legal representation. Please
check with your attorney, state attorney general, local prosecutor or
county clerk's office for accurate and up to date information. If a
mistake is noted please email mailto:[email protected] for
proper corrections.

************************************************************

ASSOCIATION UPDATE

************************************************************
Care of the Child with Chronic Tracheostomy

An American Thoracic Society committee of experts has prepared the first
standards for the care of the child with chronic tracheostomy. This official
ATS statement, based mostly on clinical experience of multidisciplinary
contributors, is published in the January issue of the American Journal of
Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The standards were developed by a
working group of the ATS Assembly on Pediatrics, with input from the
disciplines of pediatric pulmonology, pediatric surgery, pediatric
otolaryngology, respiratory therapy, speech pathology and nursing.

Pediatricians may advise tracheostomy when the child's pharynx is
obstructed. Then, surgeons make an opening in the trachea or windpipe and
insert a tube to maintain an effective airway. The report notes that
tracheostomy tubes should be selected to fit the airway and the functional
needs of the patient. Some patients with a smaller tube size are able to
breathe both around and through the tube, but other children require tubes
closer to the size of their trachea. Off-the-shelf tracheostomy tubes fit
the majority of patients.

The frequency of tube changing varies widely. The advantages of frequent
tube changes include keeping caregivers comfortable and well practiced in
tube changing, the possibility of decreasing airway infections, and the
possibility of reducing tube blockage by secretions. Weekly tube changes are
common for most patients.

Maintaining and ensuring a viable airway through suctioning is a vital
component in the management of the patient. AAs needed@ suctioning is
most frequently recommended. Shallow suctioning into the hub of the
tracheostomy tube to remove the secretions the child has coughed to
the opening of the tube has been shown to be safer than Adeep@
suctioning. In children with no evidence of secretions, a minimum of
suctioning at morning and at bedtime is recommended to ensure the
tube is wide open.

The upper airway (the nose, the upper part of the pharynx, and the trachea)
functions to filter, heat, and humidify air drawn in by the lungs. When the
upper airway is bypassed, inspired air may be deficient in these qualities
to the point of causing pathologic changes. It can lead to loss of ciliary
action, damage to mucus glands, disorganization of airway epithelium, and
other problems. The ultimate consequences include deterioration of
pulmonary function and increased risk of infection. The most
efficient way to add heat and humidity to inspired air is by the
Abubble-through@ humidifier. This technology is most often used in
intensive care units. Another type is a passing humidifier or
Aartificial nose.@ This device collects heat and moisture from the
patient's exhaled gases and delivers some of it during inspiration.

All children with tracheostomy should be referred for speech therapy
regardless of their diagnosis, age, or expected duration of the
tracheostomy. Speaking valves offer significant advantages to the child and
should be strongly considered for all patients. An experienced speech
therapist should evaluate children's swallowing and communication.

All young patients should have skilled home nursing care during the
transition time after discharge from the hospital. Home caregivers need
special training. This training should begin before the actual tracheostomy
procedure and be individualized to the child and the family. It is critical
that a child with a tracheostomy, whether in an institutional or home
environment, be cared for by an individual who has been trained in the care
and replacement of a tracheostomy tube.

Need for monitoring of a child is driven by the desire to reduce the
significant morbidity and mortality associated with chronic tracheostomies
in children. Yet, according to the report, it is unclear whether such
reduction can be achieved through monitoring. The best monitoring of such
patients comes from intelligent, well trained, and properly equipped
caregivers. When these requirements cannot be met or are impractical, a
monitoring device should be considered to alert caregivers to impending
airway compromise. For high-risk cases with airway instability,
24-hour home nursing care may be required.

When children are ready to have their tubes removed, pediatric
pulmonologists prescribe downsizing over a period of several days to weeks.
After the patient is able to tolerate the smallest tube, it is removed
completely.

Complications can occur in 25 to 50 percent of all tracheostomies. In
general, young children (one to three years) have more problems than older
children do. Complications are most common in children with upper airway
obstruction, followed by central nervous system disorders, miscellaneous
disorders, and congenital heart disease. Recurrent infections (tracheitis
and/or bronchitis) are common difficulties. A survey of pulmonologists
indicates that the prescribing of antibiotics is common. According to the
report, a simple way to minimize complications is to select a tracheostomy
tube of the proper diameter, length, and curvature for the individual
patient.

The consensus panel emphasized the need for additional research to buttress
its clinical recommendations. They admitted that there were A surprisingly
few scientifically valid data@ to support many of their suggestions in this
report.

Contact: James M. Sherman, M.D., Department of Pediatrics Division of
Pulmonary Disease, University of Florida, PO Box 100296, Gainesville, FL
32610. Phone: 352-392-4458; Fax: 352-392-4450; E-mail:
mailto:[email protected]
Additional Contact: Scott H. Davis, M.D., Department of Pediatrics SL-37,
Tulane University Medical School, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112.
Phone: 504-588-5601; Fax: 504-588-5490; E-mail:
mailto:[email protected]

************************************************************
RECOMMENDED NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS
************************************************************

"Managed Care Insider eNews"
Published MonthlyFor more information contact:
Ms. Nancy Belle, Editor,
at mailto:[email protected]
Subscription:  Free at
mailto:[email protected]
Focus Point: Managed Care Issues
Website: http://www.scheur.com/smghome.nsf/webcontent/ezine.html

Healthcare Management Advisors, Strategy Advisor
Free Newsletter
http://www.HMA.com/sa11/
Focus Point:
HMA's team of MD, JD, RN, RRA, CPC, CFE and CPA consultants perform
corporate-wide risk assessments, DRG and CPT benchmark analyses, and
focused compliance audits for hospitals,
physicians and attorneys nationwide.
To Subscribe:
mailto:[email protected].

Gerontological Nurse Ventures, P.A.
http://www.jwger-nurseventures.com
Monthly Ezine
Focus Point: Nursing Issues.
To Subscribe:
http://www.jwger-nurseventures.com/scripts/subscribe.cfm  or
mailto:[email protected] with subscribe in subject

The Health Care Collector
Published  Monthly by:
Aspen  Publishers
Questions contact:
JoAnn Petaschnick , Editor
mailto:[email protected]
414-462-0278
FAX  414-462-7547
200 Orchard Ridge Dr.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Yearly Subscription:   $197
 Focus Point:    Collections

The Credit Connection
Published Quarterly by:
Wisconsin Clinic Credit  Managers
Association (WCCMA)
Questions Contact:
Support Services - Deen Clinic
Ms. Teresa Addison, Editor
mailto:[email protected]
608-250-1121
1808 W. Beltline Highway
Madison, Wisconsin 53725
Yearly Subscription:  $35
Focus Point:  Medical Collections, Accounts
Receivables, Federal & State Regulations.



American Medical News
   Published weekly by:
American Medical Association (A.M.A.)
Questions contact:
A.M.News Staff
312-464-4429
515 North State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Yearly Subscription:
(Free with AMA Membership)
Focus Point:  All Medical/Socioecomonic Issues.
Web site:
http://www.ama-assn.org/public/journals/AmNews/AmNews.htm

Physican1s Marketing & Management
Published monthly by:
American Health Consultants Inc.
Questions contact:
Managing Editor, 404-282-7436
3525 Piedmont Road N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Yearly Subscription
Focus Point:   Medical Management

In Confidence
Published Bimonthly by:
American Health Information
Management Association   (AHIMA)
Questions contact:
Ms. Jennifer Carpenter. RRA
Professional Practice
312-787-2672
919 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60611-1683
Yearly Subscription:   $90
($75 with membership)
Focus Point:  Health Information,
Patient Privacy & Information
System Security
Web Site: http://www.ahima.org

************************************************************

NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TO Z)

************************************************************
Academy of Operative Dentistry
Contact: Dr. John Reinhardt at mailto:[email protected]
Website :  http://www.uiowa.edu/~aodweb.

American Academy of Family Physicians
Contact: (816) 333-9700  Web Site: http://www.aafp.org

American Academy of Pediatrics
Contact (847) 228-5005  Web Site: http://www.aap.org

American College of Cardiology
Contact: 800-253-4636 ext.697, or 301-897-5400, ext.697)
http://www.acc.org

American Dental Association
Contact: (312) 440-2500  Web Site: http://www.ada.org

American Medical Association (A.M.A.)
Contact: (312) 464-5000  Web Site: http://www.ama-assn.org

Association of Managed Care Dentists
Contact:  Call: 310-4553-3439   http://www.dentalgroup.com/amcd.

Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)
Contact: (301) 897-8800 ext. 20.      mailto:[email protected]
http://www.amsus.org

Healthcare Financial Management Association (HCFMA)
Contact: (800)252-HFMA (4362), ext. 362
mailto:[email protected]
http://www.hfma.org

Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA)(Managed Care)
Contact: (925) 746-5100   mailto:[email protected].
Web Site: http://www.iha.org

Medical Group Management Association
Contact: (303) 799-1111    Web Site: http://www.mgma.com
mailto:[email protected]

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Contact: Phone: 301-496-4263  mailto:[email protected]

The American College of Physician Executives
Contact: mailto:[email protected]    813-287-2000,
http://www.acpe.org

The American College of Chest Physicians
Contact: 1-800-343-2227 or 847-498-1400
mailto:[email protected]
http://www.chestnet.org

The American Gastroenterlogical Association
Contact:  http://www.gastro.org

The American Thoracic Society
Contact: 212/315-6442  mailto:[email protected]
http://www.thoracic.org

****************************************************

PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS

Practice Guardian News is published monthly. Send all inquiries to
attention editor at (219) 583-4234. E-Mail
mailto:[email protected]  The subjects and written examples
in this newsletter are for general use only. The publisher and author
do not accept any responsibility or liability in regards to misuse or
misinterpretation. A qualified attorney should be consulted in all
matters concerning practice management.

Visit Practice Guardian.Com web site today at
http://www.practiceguardian.com

Copyright 1999, MJB Consultant.

Coming March 31, 2000, Practice Guardian News Quarterly - a guide to
internet products and services. For More information:  219-583-4234.
************************************************************

Michael J. Berry, Consultant & Author of "Collections Made Easy!",
Practice Management Consultations and Evaluations for your Accounts
Receivable Management. Improve your rate of Patient Response and
Payment Return.  Call 219-583-4234 since 1985.
--============_-1262686380==_ma============
Content-Type: text/enriched; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit



<fontfamily><param>Geneva</param><bigger><bigger>************************************************************


PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS...


The Internet & Practice Management.


************************************************************


This newsletter is freely circulated

to the health care community. Subscribe today

Forward a copy to a friend or associate...

Submit your www.association site Information today!

Issue 2 -  February 1, 2000

Main Page  http://www.practiceguardian.com

To unscribe to this newsletter please

forward to [email protected]

and include "unscribe" in the text you will be

removed from the list as soon as possible.


**********************************************************

<color><param>FFFF,0000,0000</param>Enter the Practice Guardian.Com
2000 Practice Management Giveaway!


</color>Enter today to win free one year of a.r. management consulting,
an autographed author copy of "Collections Made Easy! or Practice
Guardian News extras.


For more information:  http://www.practiceguardian.com


**********************************************************


INDEX


**********************************************************


PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SITES

....WebClaim.net

.....</bigger></bigger></fontfamily><bigger><bigger><fontfamily><param>New_York</param><color><param>3333,3333,3333</param>HealthScribe,
Inc.


</color></fontfamily><fontfamily><param>Geneva</param>PRACTICE TIPS

..</fontfamily><fontfamily><param>New_York</param>Statutes of
Limitations Open Accounts by States


</fontfamily><fontfamily><param>Geneva</param>ASSOCIATION UPDATE

...American Thoracic Society News Brief

...........Care of the Child with Chronic Tracheostomy


NATIONAL NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS

NATIONAL HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TO Z)

EDITORIAL INFORMATION


************************************************************


Practice Management Sites


************************************************************


WebClaim.net

http://www.webclaim.net


EDI-Health Group offers www.WebClaim.net, a unique web site that
allows

dental providers and billing centers direct access to hundreds of

paying organizations through the World Wide Web. Dental offices can
now

submit their claims without the use of third party software such as

practice management programs by using a simple Internet connection.


We maintain and store provider, patient and their insurance coverage

information on secure, state of the art servers. The system is

available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Current services on the site include:


Electronic Processing of Dental Insurance Claims.

Electronic Processing of Dental Pre-treatment Authorizations.

On line Editing and Claim Validation.

Comprehensive Reporting.

Claim Tracking.


Upcoming services on the site include:


Patient Eligibility and Benefit Information Verification.

Submission of Requested Digitized X-Rays.

Practice Management Tools such as payment tracking, recalls, ledger,

etc.


For more information visit the site at http://www.webclaim.net

or call toll free at 1-877-WEB-CLMS  (1-877-932-2567)

or email us at


mailto:[email protected]


************************************************************


</fontfamily><fixed><color><param>3333,3333,3333</param>HealthScribe,
Inc.

</color><color><param>0000,0000,FFFF</param>http://www.healthscribe.com



</color><color><param>3333,3333,3333</param>STERLING, VA, Jan. 25,
2000. HealthScribe, Inc. a Virginia based national medical
transcription company announced a lead investment of $9 million from
Grotech Capital Group of Timonium, Maryland. HealthScribe will use the
capital to expand technical capacity and continue as the fastest
growing Internet-enabled provider of medical transcription.


Frank Adams, the Grotech Partner responsible for the investment,
stated: �Grotech is pleased to be associated with this outstanding
management team that we have high confidence will make a significant
mark in the internet enabled health arena�.


Mike King, CEO of HealthScribe, stated: �Healthcare providers are
outsourcing transcription in ever increasing numbers. HealthScribe
continues to increase market share, as we become the obvious
solution.�


HealthScribe utilizes digital information and data management systems.
Clinical data is captured electronically and provided to hundreds of
medical transcriptionists using HealthScribe�s system.


About Grotech: Grotech is the largest regional venture capital fund
serving the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. With over $500
million under management, Grotech focuses its investments in
Communications, Information Technology, Consumer, Basic and Service
Industries.


For more information about Grotech, contact Stuart D. Frankel at (410)
560-2000



</color><color><param>0000,0000,FFFF</param>http://wrtsun03.wrtech.com/secure/plsql/pr201?coin=10564&cl=HealthScribe,_Inc.

</color><color><param>3333,3333,3333</param>mailto:</color><color><param>0000,0000,FFFF</param>[email protected]

</color></fixed><fontfamily><param>Geneva</param>************************************************************


PRACTICE TIPS


************************************************************

Statutes of Limitations Open Accounts by State


Each state has it's own statute of limitation on the collection of open
accounts. Simply, this is allotted time to collect the full amount of
your

account.  If the account goes uncollected past the statute date the
debtor is no longer obligated to remit payment.  The account can't be
collected legally.  This includes billing, court or any collection
action. For your information:


2 years - Texas


3 years - Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida,
Kansas, Louisiana,Maryland, Mississippi,North Carolina,Oklahoma,
Virginia,Washington


4 years - California, Georgia, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico,
Utah


5 years - Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana  West Virginia,


6 years -Connecticut, Colorado, Indiana , Maine, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania,Rhode Island, South Carolina,
South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Wisconsin,



This information is not provided as legal representation. Please check
with your attorney, state attorney general, local prosecutor or county
clerk�s office for accurate and up to date information. If a mistake is
noted please email mailto:[email protected] for proper
corrections.


************************************************************


ASSOCIATION UPDATE


************************************************************

Care of the Child with Chronic Tracheostomy


An American Thoracic Society committee of experts has prepared the
first

standards for the care of the child with chronic tracheostomy. This
official

ATS statement, based mostly on clinical experience of
multidisciplinary

contributors, is published in the January issue of the American Journal
of

Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The standards were developed by
a

working group of the ATS Assembly on Pediatrics, with input from the

disciplines of pediatric pulmonology, pediatric surgery, pediatric

otolaryngology, respiratory therapy, speech pathology and nursing.


Pediatricians may advise tracheostomy when the child's pharynx is

obstructed. Then, surgeons make an opening in the trachea or windpipe
and

insert a tube to maintain an effective airway. The report notes that

tracheostomy tubes should be selected to fit the airway and the
functional

needs of the patient. Some patients with a smaller tube size are able
to

breathe both around and through the tube, but other children require
tubes

closer to the size of their trachea. Off-the-shelf tracheostomy tubes
fit

the majority of patients.


The frequency of tube changing varies widely. The advantages of
frequent

tube changes include keeping caregivers comfortable and well practiced
in

tube changing, the possibility of decreasing airway infections, and
the

possibility of reducing tube blockage by secretions. Weekly tube
changes are

common for most patients.


Maintaining and ensuring a viable airway through suctioning is a vital

component in the management of the patient. AAs needed@ suctioning is
most frequently recommended. Shallow suctioning into the hub of the
tracheostomy tube to remove the secretions the child has coughed to the
opening of the tube has been shown to be safer than Adeep@ suctioning.
In children with no evidence of secretions, a minimum of suctioning at
morning and at bedtime is recommended to ensure the tube is wide open.


The upper airway (the nose, the upper part of the pharynx, and the
trachea)

functions to filter, heat, and humidify air drawn in by the lungs. When
the

upper airway is bypassed, inspired air may be deficient in these
qualities

to the point of causing pathologic changes. It can lead to loss of
ciliary

action, damage to mucus glands, disorganization of airway epithelium,
and

other problems. The ultimate consequences include deterioration of
pulmonary function and increased risk of infection. The most efficient
way to add heat and humidity to inspired air is by the Abubble-through@
humidifier. This technology is most often used in intensive care units.
Another type is a passing humidifier or Aartificial nose.@ This device
collects heat and moisture from the patient's exhaled gases and
delivers some of it during inspiration.


All children with tracheostomy should be referred for speech therapy

regardless of their diagnosis, age, or expected duration of the

tracheostomy. Speaking valves offer significant advantages to the child
and

should be strongly considered for all patients. An experienced speech

therapist should evaluate children's swallowing and communication.


All young patients should have skilled home nursing care during the

transition time after discharge from the hospital. Home caregivers
need

special training. This training should begin before the actual
tracheostomy

procedure and be individualized to the child and the family. It is
critical

that a child with a tracheostomy, whether in an institutional or home

environment, be cared for by an individual who has been trained in the
care

and replacement of a tracheostomy tube.


Need for monitoring of a child is driven by the desire to reduce the

significant morbidity and mortality associated with chronic
tracheostomies

in children. Yet, according to the report, it is unclear whether such

reduction can be achieved through monitoring. The best monitoring of
such

patients comes from intelligent, well trained, and properly equipped

caregivers. When these requirements cannot be met or are impractical,
a

monitoring device should be considered to alert caregivers to
impending

airway compromise. For high-risk cases with airway instability, 24-hour
home nursing care may be required.


When children are ready to have their tubes removed, pediatric

pulmonologists prescribe downsizing over a period of several days to
weeks.

After the patient is able to tolerate the smallest tube, it is removed

completely.


Complications can occur in 25 to 50 percent of all tracheostomies. In

general, young children (one to three years) have more problems than
older

children do. Complications are most common in children with upper
airway

obstruction, followed by central nervous system disorders,
miscellaneous

disorders, and congenital heart disease. Recurrent infections
(tracheitis

and/or bronchitis) are common difficulties. A survey of pulmonologists

indicates that the prescribing of antibiotics is common. According to
the

report, a simple way to minimize complications is to select a
tracheostomy

tube of the proper diameter, length, and curvature for the individual

patient.


The consensus panel emphasized the need for additional research to
buttress

its clinical recommendations. They admitted that there were A
surprisingly

few scientifically valid data@ to support many of their suggestions in
this

report.


Contact: James M. Sherman, M.D., Department of Pediatrics Division of

Pulmonary Disease, University of Florida, PO Box 100296, Gainesville,
FL

32610. Phone: 352-392-4458; Fax: 352-392-4450; E-mail:
mailto:[email protected]

Additional Contact: Scott H. Davis, M.D., Department of Pediatrics
SL-37,

Tulane University Medical School, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA
70112.

Phone: 504-588-5601; Fax: 504-588-5490; E-mail:
mailto:[email protected]


************************************************************

RECOMMENDED NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS

************************************************************


"Managed Care Insider eNews"

Published MonthlyFor more information contact:

Ms. Nancy Belle, Editor,

at mailto:[email protected]

Subscription:  Free at

mailto:[email protected]

Focus Point: Managed Care Issues

Website: http://www.scheur.com/smghome.nsf/webcontent/ezine.html


Healthcare Management Advisors, Strategy Advisor

Free Newsletter

http://www.HMA.com/sa11/

Focus Point:

HMA's team of MD, JD, RN, RRA, CPC, CFE and CPA consultants perform
corporate-wide risk assessments, DRG and CPT benchmark analyses, and
focused compliance audits for hospitals,

physicians and attorneys nationwide.

To Subscribe:

mailto:[email protected].


Gerontological Nurse Ventures, P.A.

http://www.jwger-nurseventures.com

Monthly Ezine

Focus Point: Nursing Issues.

To Subscribe:

http://www.jwger-nurseventures.com/scripts/subscribe.cfm  or

mailto:[email protected] with subscribe in subject


The Health Care Collector

Published  Monthly by:

Aspen  Publishers

Questions contact:

JoAnn Petaschnick , Editor

mailto:[email protected]

414-462-0278

FAX  414-462-7547

200 Orchard Ridge Dr.

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Yearly Subscription:   $197

Focus Point:    Collections


The Credit Connection

Published Quarterly by:

Wisconsin Clinic Credit  Managers

Association (WCCMA)

Questions Contact:

Support Services - Deen Clinic

Ms. Teresa Addison, Editor

mailto:[email protected]

608-250-1121

1808 W. Beltline Highway

Madison, Wisconsin 53725

Yearly Subscription:  $35

Focus Point:  Medical Collections, Accounts

Receivables, Federal & State Regulations.





American Medical News

  Published weekly by:

American Medical Association (A.M.A.)

Questions contact:

A.M.News Staff

312-464-4429

515 North State Street

Chicago, Illinois 60610

Yearly Subscription:

(Free with AMA Membership)

Focus Point:  All Medical/Socioecomonic Issues.

Web site:

http://www.ama-assn.org/public/journals/AmNews/AmNews.htm


Physican1s Marketing & Management

Published monthly by:

American Health Consultants Inc.

Questions contact:

Managing Editor, 404-282-7436

3525 Piedmont Road N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30305

Yearly Subscription

Focus Point:   Medical Management


In Confidence

Published Bimonthly by:

American Health Information

Management Association   (AHIMA)

Questions contact:

Ms. Jennifer Carpenter. RRA

Professional Practice

312-787-2672

919 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400

Chicago, Illinois 60611-1683

Yearly Subscription:   $90

($75 with membership)

Focus Point:  Health Information,

Patient Privacy & Information

System Security

Web Site: http://www.ahima.org


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NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TO Z)


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Academy of Operative Dentistry

Contact: Dr. John Reinhardt at mailto:[email protected]

Website :  http://www.uiowa.edu/~aodweb.


American Academy of Family Physicians

Contact: (816) 333-9700  Web Site: http://www.aafp.org


American Academy of Pediatrics

Contact (847) 228-5005  Web Site: http://www.aap.org


American College of Cardiology

Contact: 800-253-4636 ext.697, or 301-897-5400, ext.697)

http://www.acc.org


American Dental Association

Contact: (312) 440-2500  Web Site: http://www.ada.org


American Medical Association (A.M.A.)

Contact: (312) 464-5000  Web Site: http://www.ama-assn.org


Association of Managed Care Dentists

Contact:  Call: 310-4553-3439   http://www.dentalgroup.com/amcd.


Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)

Contact: (301) 897-8800 ext. 20.      mailto:[email protected]

http://www.amsus.org


Healthcare Financial Management Association (HCFMA)

Contact: (800)252-HFMA (4362), ext. 362

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.hfma.org


Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA)(Managed Care)

Contact: (925) 746-5100   mailto:[email protected].

Web Site: http://www.iha.org


Medical Group Management Association

Contact: (303) 799-1111    Web Site: http://www.mgma.com

mailto:[email protected]


National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Contact: Phone: 301-496-4263  mailto:[email protected]


The American College of Physician Executives

Contact: mailto:[email protected]    813-287-2000,

http://www.acpe.org


The American College of Chest Physicians

Contact: 1-800-343-2227 or 847-498-1400

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.chestnet.org


The American Gastroenterlogical Association

Contact:  http://www.gastro.org


The American Thoracic Society

Contact: 212/315-6442  mailto:[email protected]

http://www.thoracic.org


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PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS


Practice Guardian News is published monthly. Send all inquiries to
attention editor at (219) 583-4234. E-Mail
mailto:[email protected]  The subjects and written examples in
this newsletter are for general use only. The publisher and author do
not accept any responsibility or liability in regards to misuse or
misinterpretation. A qualified attorney should be consulted in all
matters concerning practice management.


Visit Practice Guardian.Com web site today at

http://www.practiceguardian.com


Copyright 1999, MJB Consultant.


Coming March 31, 2000, Practice Guardian News Quarterly - a guide to
internet products and services. For More information:  219-583-4234.

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Michael J. Berry, Consultant & Author of "Collections Made Easy!",

Practice Management Consultations and Evaluations for your Accounts

Receivable Management. Improve your rate of Patient Response and

Payment Return.  Call 219-583-4234 since 1985.

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