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SC Supreme Court ready to weigh in on physician-owned physical therapy services
SCAPTA
Amid increased national attention on the issue of physician self-referral — and some high-profile support for tightening restrictions on the practice — the South Carolina Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in a case that challenges a prohibition on physician-owned physical therapy services (POPTS) in that state.
The Joseph case, scheduled to be heard by the high court on February 19, is an appeal of a decision made by the state circuit court last year that ruled in favor of the South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (SCBPTE) and the South Carolina Chapter of APTA (SCAPTA). The case was brought against SCBPTE by 2 medical doctors and a physical therapist (PT) who sought to extend the state's ban on PTs working for physician-owned groups to PTs working in PT-owned group practices.
HAVE YOU HEARD? MUSC has a new Master of Science in Health Informatics (MSHI) program designed to ensure graduates are prepared (a) to select, implement, use, and evaluate healthcare information systems such as electronic health records (EHRs) and data management and analytic systems; (b) to lead organizational efforts in health informatics and IT; and (c) to apply data analytical skills to transform patient care and the care delivery process. Graduates of the program will be prepared to assume positions as data analytics officers, clinical system analysts, health IT project managers, and chief medical/nursing information officers in hospitals, physician practices, and other health care settings.
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Now accepting nominations for SCAPTA Awards
SCAPTA
It is a New Year! A time for good deeds and warm wishes. There are few better feelings than recognition of a job well done. With that in mind:
It is time for nominations for all the 2015 SCAPTA Awards! We all know someone worthy of recognition. What better time than now to express our thanks and admiration for jobs well done? Nominations for the 2015 SCAPTA Awards must be in by March 1, 2015.
SCAPTA Lowcountry District CEU event
Date: Wednesday, March 4
Time: 5:30 – 7:00
Topic: "Current Topics in Shoulder Pathology"
Speaker: Katherine Smith MPT, PCS
Location: Summerville Medical Center. Summerville, South Carolina
Refreshments provided
Free to members ($10 non-members)
Please RSVP to dave.rav@gmail.com by Feb. 27.
Don't miss the Carolina Clinical Education Consortium Spring Conference
The Carolina Clinical Education Consortium Spring conference is at Elon University March 20-21.
 Course 1 (1.6 CEUs) is the Basic CI credentialing course.
Course 1's intended audience: Physical Therapists who have been APTA Basic Credentialed CIs for a year or more.
Fees: APTA Members = $175.00 PT/PTANon-APTA members = $265.00Other Healthcare Providers = $315.00
Course 2 (1.8 CEUs for course and 0.2 CEUs for pre-course assignments.)
The program's unique philosophy and design will enable physical therapists, who are APTA basic credentialed CIs, to achieve the best outcomes for student learning by concurrently advancing concepts of clinical teaching and clinical practice.
Fees: APTA Members = $235.00 Non-APTA members = $360.00
Registration and further information is found at Carolina Clinical Education Consortium. Register and pay through PayPal on the CCEC site. For further information, contact Linda Eargle at lkeargle@yahoo.com
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS FEB. 27.
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ACO or PCMH: Making a crucial decision for your practice
Medical Economics
Is becoming a patient-centered medical home (PCMH) and/or affiliating with an accountable care organization (ACO) right for my practice? It's a question that many primary care physicians find themselves asking as they struggle with rising costs, stagnant reimbursements, and frustration with a payment system that rewards volume of services over outcome quality.
New center to increase physical therapy research
Phys.org
The Foundation for Physical Therapy has awarded Brown University a $2.5-million, five-year grant for a new center of excellence to spur research in the field. In the Center on Health Services Training and Research, Brown, Boston University and the University of Pittsburgh will train researchers and seed new studies to build the evidence base for physical therapy care and to improve how care is delivered.
Study: Fluorescent probe may help detect, monitor osteoarthritis
Physical Therapy Products
Research findings indicate that a florescent probe may ease the diagnosis and monitoring of osteoarthritis. A Tufts University news release states that in a new study, a fluorescent probe tracked the development of OA in make mice, brightening as the disease progressed. The release reports that the "probe" was a fluorescent molecule that detected the activity leading to cartilage loss in the joint.
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CMS plans to shorten meaningful use Stage 2 to 90 days
By Scott Rupp
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services buckled, or so it seems. After much conjecture, gesturing and soapbox shouting from healthcare leaders, it looks like the reporting period for sending data collected in the electronic health record as part of meaningful use Stage 2 will be shortened from 365 days to 90. According to SearchHealthIT, "The time and money required to attest for a 365-day reporting period gave heartburn to many hospitals and physicians."
Creating more profitable private physical therapy practices
PPS Impact
While there are most likely as many motivations for entering the physical therapy industry as there are therapists, the majority are inspired to complete their training to provide care for others. Whether this comes from an interest in the science and technology behind modern physical therapy practices or simply an altruistic intent to do good, it seems that most privately-owned physical therapy businesses are therapy first and business second.
The state of consolidation in outpatient PT
By Charlotte Bohnett
 During PPS 2014 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the industry's heaviest hitters — now backed by private equity dollars — strolled about the trade show floor, introducing themselves to clinic owners and negotiating acquisition deals right then and there. This anecdote provides a mere glimpse into a trend sweeping the healthcare industry: consolidation. Healthcare services have always been in high demand, but with 8,000 baby boomers reaching retirement age every day, the healthcare market has never been more saturated with consumers — and that makes private practice acquisition a highly lucrative investment move for qualified buyers.
Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
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