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Collaborative seeks protocols, data for pediatric dermatoses therapies
January 1st 2011Evidence-based treatment options for moderate-to-severe pediatric atopic dermatitis and psoriasis are severely limited, according to specialists in the field, leading to the creation of a national collaborative by several pediatric dermatologists.
Rethink topical antibiotic use to avoid postsurgical contact dermatitis
January 1st 2011Knowledge of contact allergens during dermatologic surgery and in postoperative woundcare is important for all surgical and procedural dermatologists. Potential allergens found in cutaneous surgery include skin preparation substances, perioperative materials, and postoperative substances such as dressings and adhesives, an expert says.
FDA panel gives lukewarm nod to MelaFind device
December 7th 2010The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) General and Plastic Surgery Devices Panel has endorsed - albeit grudgingly - a novel device designed to help doctors evaluate atypical skin lesions, including melanoma, Medscape Medical News reports.
Remission possible for some dermatitis herpetiformis patients
December 7th 2010A new study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that a small percentage of people with dermatitis herpetiformis may eventually go into spontaneous remission, and be able to wean off medication and a gluten-free diet, Reuters Health reports.
Australian state seeks to tighten tanning bed rules
December 7th 2010The Australian state of New South Wales is attempting to tighten tanning bed regulations by calling for a ban on tanning bed usage by people under age 30 and by anyone with skin classed as very sensitive, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.
Survey reveals physicians' frustrations over financial worries
December 7th 2010Nearly 95 percent of American physicians report that their patients have rationed or gone without medication or treatments in the past six months due to financial concerns, according to a survey conducted by MDLinx, one of the country’s largest doctor portals.
Dermatologists debate maintenance of certification requirements
December 1st 2010Despite initial protests, dermatologists required to participate in maintenance of certification (MOC) programs generally view them as helpful tools for improving patient care, doctors say. However, even some MOC proponents question the effectiveness of the American Board of Dermatology recertification test in this regard, and the recent shift to a closed-book format.
Medicare fee schedule fix may be less likely with new House leadership
December 1st 2010With a new wave of Republicans who have vowed to slash federal spending now controlling the House of Representatives and wielding more clout in the Senate, chances that the Medicare fee schedule crisis will be permanently resolved any time soon appear to have significantly dimmed.
Short-pulsed laser treatment achieves tattoo removal success
December 1st 2010Tattoos are increasingly prevalent in Western society. One survey found that 24 percent of respondents had tattoos. While options for tattoo removal include excision, dermabrasion and CO2 laser vaporization, selective short-pulsed laser treatment is the preferred modality.
Cultured epithelial autograft shows benefits of treating large burns
December 1st 2010A new technique that begins with early tangential excision and coverage with cadaver allograft (A), followed by placement of cultured epithelial autograft (CEA) onto an allodermis base (CEA/A) is an effective treatment for coverage of large burns, according to a recent study.
Antimicrobial alternatives among new woundcare therapies in development
December 1st 2010There is a gold standard in woundcare systems based on the concept of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), but making refinements to the gold standard is driving innovation that is seeing the emergence of alternative woundcare systems.
Dedicated dermatologist devotes time to patients, speciality groups
December 1st 2010Ronald L. Moy, M.D., has always cared about dermatology, but he never intended to join the specialty. Today, he is president-elect of the American Academy of Dermatology 2010 board of directors, set to assume the academy's presidency in February 2011.
Inexperience, deviation from standard protocol set stage for medical mistakes
December 1st 2010The cover story on my office copy of this month's Readers Digest caught my eye. The title was "Doctors Confess Their Fatal Mistakes." The article recorded personal accounts of errors made by several healthcare providers. In the introduction, the author included a statement about being surprised that so many medical professionals were not only willing but also eager to share their stories.
Some pediatric oral lesions carry serious consequences
December 1st 2010Although most oral lesions observed in children pose little health risk, some of these lesions may be severe and followed by permanent sequelae, an expert says. And some pediatric oral lesions can provide clues to the presence of a systemic disease, she adds.
In laser mishaps, manufacturers don't share physician's duty
December 1st 2010Dr. Light has been in practice for 25 years. He has never considered himself a "cosmetic dermatologist." He makes the decision to learn more about cosmetic procedures. He feels that if he treads slowly and approaches the learning process of cosmetic dermatology the same way he approached medical dermatology, he can't go wrong.
'Green' skincare products can mean many things
December 1st 2010No one knows what it means when a skincare product is "green," because this is an as-of-yet undefined marketing term. In general, it does not mean that the product is colored green, but rather that the product is environmentally friendly.
Elimination of Medicare consultation codes impacts practices
December 1st 2010As of January 2010, physicians lost one more category of income from the Medicare reimbursement table. Consultation codes were eliminated, with physicians being told to replace them with the lower codes for new or existing patients to cover consultation visits. On Call asked dermatologists around the country whether they had seen any impact on their practice when the codes were discontinued.
New leadership in House may dampen push for indoor tanning regulations
December 1st 2010Has the sun set on the 10 percent tanning bed tax that was included in the new healthcare law, now that the Republicans are ready to flex their muscles on Capitol Hill? Does legislation introduced earlier this year that would give feds the power to regulate indoor tanning have a chance in this new Congress?
Osteopathic continuous certification near ready for early rollout
November 23rd 2010All but one piece of the American Osteopathic Board of Dermatology (AOBD) process for osteopathic continuous certification (OCC) stands ready for implementation ahead of the project’s 2013 deadline, AOBD officials say.
Defined benefit plans can provide larger tax deductions
November 23rd 2010Defined benefit pension plans as well as cash balance plans are generating a lot of interest with medical practices, both large and small. Medical practices find that these retirement plans are a great way to increase retirement savings and reduce taxes at the same time.
Taking action now can save $10K or more on 2010 taxes
November 23rd 2010As we continue through the fourth quarter of the year, most of our clients now have a fairly good idea of what their taxable income will be for 2010. If you are like these clients, you may be wondering, “Is there anything I can do now to save taxes on April 15?” The answer is very likely “Yes.”
Improved interspecialty communication enhances care
November 23rd 2010Effective communication between medical specialists is necessary to ensure that all patients receive proper care. But the recent healthcare reform, combined with insurance cost issues, oftentimes results in dermatologic patients seeking care at emergency rooms or primary care facilities. It is the responsibility of physicians of all specialties to meet this challenge and improve interspecialty communications for the benefit of all patients.