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President's Corner | | Gary Goldbaum MD, MPH
This time of year, it's appropriate that we physicians give thanks for so much that is right with our world despite a recession and the complicated changes to the health care system. We have witnessed tremendous advances in medical care, including cures for some cancers. Smallpox has been eradicated and polio and measles may be next. And all of us are continuing to do the good work helping people to remain healthy or to recover health.
The Snohomish County Medical Society (SCMS) is also doing the good work. Recognizing that health care reform is not yet a reality and that any reform will undoubtedly leave gaps, SCMS has spearheaded one effort to improve access to care locally. Along with the Snohomish Health District, local hospitals, and a number of local medical groups, SCMS has moved forward a community process that led to creating a Snohomish County affiliate of Project Access Northwest (formerly King County Project Access). Project Access is a program that accepts referrals from local primary care providers and arranges for those referrals to get specialty care from local specialists who volunteer their time. The process involves intense case management to assure that all imaging or laboratory studies are in the specialist's hands before the patient arrives, that interpreters are available if needed, that the patient arrives at the specialist's office on time and prepared to follow the specialist's instructions, and that follow up services (such as physical therapy) will be available. Once the patient's specific problem has been addressed, he or she returns to his or her primary care physician for ongoing care. In short, the specialist donates his or her time and expertise, but does not have to deal with all the other aspects of assuring that a patient gets high quality care. Because referrals are screened and managed centrally, the process also assures that these volunteer physicians contribute only what they feel is reasonable for them, be it one patient a year or several patients a month. The program really got underway locally in January and through September had served 59 Snohomish County residents. The numbers served are increasing each month. Although not the solution to the access problem, Project Access is a success. Indeed, we are seeking more physicians to volunteer. Currently, Project Access needs every specialty. However, the program may be expanding to include primary care in the next year. I'll keep you informed.
I'm proud to be a part of this Medical Society. It is about service to the community. At the end of the day, that is what I believe defines medicine.
Happy holidays to all of you.
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Legislative Update |
Physicians still face a 27 percent cut in Medicare physician payments scheduled to take effect January 1.
Here's what you can do to help stop these steep cuts that endanger patients' access to physicians.
Please visit the WSMA Website for more legislative updates. |
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Membership Update | |
The SCMS Board of Directors would like to invite you to renew your membership in the Snohomish County Medical Society. The Snohomish County Medical Society plays an essential role in the local community by providing a variety of programs and services.
We understand that as practices look to cut costs, we must show demonstrable value to our members.
What SCMS Brings To You:
- Public Service through participation and support of Project Access Northwest
- Collegiality through educational, political and social gatherings
- e-Newsletter focusing on timely local, regional or national health issues affecting your practice
- Patient & physician advocacy through relationships with the state legislators and the WSMA
- Representation at the WSMA House of Delegates Meeting
- Annual Pictorial Membership Directory that is used extensively by hundreds of physicians and health care associates throughout the region to assist with professional referrals and consultations
- SCMS website at www.snohomishmedical.org with an on-line physician directory that enables prospective patients and colleagues to be able to find your practice on the World Wide Web.
- Patient support, handling hundreds of referrals and inquiries throughout the year and directing prospective new patients to SCMS members physicians
- Resources for general information relating to medical practice
Thank you for recognizing the importance of supporting your local medical community and paying your membership dues. Your continued participation and financial support is essential as we continually strive to strengthen our organization.
Members may renew their membership on-line by clicking on this link - http://bit.ly/SCMCDues.
If you have any questions about your membership, please feel free to contact Amanda Watne at the SCMS office (206) 956-3650, ajw@wsma.org |
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Health Alert for December |
Pertussis is circulating widely in Snohomish County. As of December 14, the Snohomish Health District has had 180 laboratory-confirmed or epidemiologically-linked cases of pertussis reported; this is more than seven times the number reported in all of 2010. One infant has died.
Because vaccination is not 100% effective, the Snohomish Health District recommends that symptomatic persons who have been exposed should be tested and treated, regardless of immunization status. Testing will permit public health to identify others who may have been exposed and who need treatment. However, treatment should not be delayed pending test results. Please assure that patients remain out of school or work until they have completed the full course of treatment. If you suspect pertussis, collect a nasopharyngeal specimen for pertussis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and submit through your local laboratory.For information about treating pertussis, refer to http://1.usa.gov/treatingpertussis. Contact Communicable Disease Surveillance & Response at 425-339-5278 to report suspect or confirmed pertussis.
Vaccination remains the most effective strategy to prevent disease, so please assure that all children are current on their basic DTaP series. Older children, teens, and adults who may come in contact with infants or pregnant women should get a Tdap vaccination. Pregnant women who have not had a Tdap should get it preferably during pregnancy after 20 weeks (immediately after delivery if not possible during pregnancy). For information about immunizations, refer to http://1.usa.gov/pertussisimmunizations.
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