APMA News - September 2012 - (Page 44)

In Short Orthopedic Surgeon Lauds Progress in Podiatric Medicine A recent commentary written by Augusto Sarmiento, MD, in The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery [J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2012;94:e105(1-3)] makes reference to the scope of work currently performed by podiatrists. Dr. Sarmiento wrote, “…they [podiatrists] have become experts in the field to the point that it is ludicrous to argue that their qualifications do not allow them to cover such a wide territory.” Augusto Sarmiento, MD While this is not an official statement from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, it was written by one of that organization’s preeminent members. Dr. Sarmiento points out how much podiatric training has improved, a sign of the significant progress APMA and its members have made toward achieving the goals of Vision 2015. He notes that podiatrists have “become doctors/surgeons who currently care for patients with all types of musculoskeletal conditions below the knee” and catalogs a variety of complex surgical procedures podiatrists are well-equipped to handle. Dr. Sarmiento’s article addresses a shortfall in the number of needed orthopedic surgeons. Recent data from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce [Carnevale, et al, “Healthcare Executive Summary,” Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (2012)] finds that the demand for health care will grow twice as fast as the national economy over the next eight years, creating a need for 5.6 million more health-care workers. Based on the evolution of podiatric medical education and training, podiatrists are poised to fill a critical need in US health care. Data from Thomson Reuters demonstrate, for example, that podiatrists performed more than 316,000 of 30 common foot and ankle procedures in the commercial database in 2010. Orthopedic surgeons performed only 97,659. APMA is carefully assessing the content of Dr. Sarmiento’s commentary and its potential short- and long-term implications. Download a complete copy of Dr. Sarmiento’s article at http://jbjs.org/article.aspx?articleid=1216216. Senate Recognizes APMA’s 100th Anniversary, Achievements APMA is pleased to report that on July 24, the US Senate passed by unanimous consent S Res. 528, a resolution recognizing APMA’s 100th Anniversary and celebrating the scientific, clinical, and public health achievements of the association. The resolution recognizes the great impact APMA has had on improving the foot and ankle and related health of people in the United States and abroad. The resolution was sponsored by Sens. Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA). Study Reveals New Data on Amputation and Death Rates in Diabetics A recent landmark longitudinal study reveals increasingly good results for patients receiving care for diabetic foot wounds. However, the data aren’t all rosy. “It’s good and bad,” noted APMA member David G. Armstrong, DPM, MD, PhD, the senior author on the study. “What we can see is that limb salvage for people presenting for care with a diabetic foot wound is really quite good. However, mortality is very, very high in these patients.” Armstrong, a professor of surgery and director of the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance at the University of Arizona, went on to say, “The frequent analogy we make to cancer is definitely confirmed by the results of this study: When the wound is open, it is like cancer. When [it’s] healed, it is not healing—it is remission.” In the study, while only 15 percent of patients presenting with a wound received a major amputation over a decade, some 70 percent died over this period. Death rates were dramatically accelerated by vascular disease and kidney disease. “What we don’t need is another gadget,” noted Armstrong. “What we need is the collective courage to counsel our patients with wounds and amputations.” The results of this study, led by Stephan Morbach, are published in the online edition of the journal Diabetes Care. Dukal Recalls Benzalkonium Chloride Products Dukal Corporation announced a voluntary, nationwide recall of selected lots of benzalkonium chloride swabs and antiseptic wipes manufactured for Dukal by Jianerkang Medical Dressing Co. This recall is due to concerns about potential microbial contamination with Burkholderia cepacia. Use of 44 APMA News September 2012 contaminated wipes could lead to infections, some of which pose health risks in immune-suppressed patients. All customers are advised to discontinue use of products identified in this recall immediately and should dispose of the product. For more information on this recall, visit http://FDA.org. http://www.jbjs.org/article.aspx?articleid=1216216 http://www.FDA.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - September 2012

APMA News - September 2012
President’s Message
Contents
US Surgeon General Addresses APMA at The National
2012 is a Milestone Year for APMA, and for Other Institutions as Well
APMA Member and Daughter Help Disabled Find their Freedom
Dr. Caporusso Promotes Podiatric Medicine on Capitol Hill
Use eAdvocacy to Reach Your Elected Leaders Today!
APMA by the Decade: 1982–1991
2012 Podiatric Practice Survey: Net Income Statistics
Reimbursement
Federal Advocacy Forum
List of Cosponsors to the Equity and Access for Podiatric Physicians Under Medicaid Act
APMAPAC Chair Report
IT Consultant
Website Wisdom
Technofile
Bylaws Propositions Due
Small Business 101
APMA All Stars
Resolutions Deadlines
In Short
Worthy of Note
CPME Invitation for Comments
Affiliates Corner
List of Affiliated Organizations
Insurance Advisor
New Members
Death Notices
APMAPAC Update
Annual Scientific Meeting Sponsors
Development Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index
10 Questions
Your APMA

APMA News - September 2012