October 2013
Changes to Medicaid divide states, doctors
States get the final say in whether to expand their Medicaid programs and how to accomplish that. The resulting disparities have prompted physicians to get involved to secure access for their patients and funding for themselves, their practices and their hospitals.
Diabetic foot care begins with bare feet
Internists can head up a care team that intervenes early and often in preventing the ulcerations, pressure points and neuropathies that can progress to infection and possibly amputation.
Anticoagulant choice for stroke won't be easy for some time
New agents improve upon warfarin, but they are expensive and lack antidotes for urgent reversal. There is no clear winner among the current options, and more are on the way.
C. difficile difficult for outpatient physicians and patients, too
The majority of Clostridium difficile patients come from outside the hospital setting.
Internist makes transition from the clinic to the Capitol
Ami Bera, MD, FACP, now represents Sacramento County, Calif., residents in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Maintenance of Certification is needed, but it needs to change
ACP will continue to press for a process that ensures physicians remain up-to-date on clinical knowledge, but in a much less burdensome way than the current methods.
ACP can help members, patients access insurance options
Health care reform has reached its implementation stage, and internists will now face new patients with new questions about how to access health care.
Year-two skills are forged from year-one lessons
A doctor's medical education transitions him to the role of leader, even as he reflects on how little his training has prepared him to be one.
Medicaid expansion raises questions, challenges
This issue includes stories on Medicaid expansion in the states, diabetic foot care and addressing Clostridium difficile in the community.
11 myths busted about ICD-10 implementation
Learn more about how the new coding system will play out in your offices, and 11 ways that it won't.
Practice Tips: What your practice needs to know about health insurance exchanges
Learn how to bring patients up to speed on their new access to health care via health insurance marketplaces, or as they're known, “exchanges.”.
New warnings on acetaminophen, ketoconazole
This regulatory update covers a rare but serious skin reaction for acetaminophen, as well as new limits on ketoconazole due to risks of liver injury.
MKSAP Quiz: Emergency visit for chest pain
A 66-year-old man is evaluated in the emergency department for chest pain. He describes a sharp pain in the midchest that does not radiate. The pain began suddenly at rest and has persisted for approximately 40 minutes. He has hypertension treated with amlodipine. Following a physical exam and lab results, what is the most appropriate diagnostic test to perform next?.
Crossed Words: Elements of illness
ACP Internist's puzzle feature challenges readers to find clues placed horizontally in rows to reveal an answer written vertically.