NEWS BRIEFS
NEWS BRIEFS
Physician, administrator values closely aligned
Although physicians and administrative types seem to be perpetually at odds, the competencies they value are not as polarized as you might think.
At least that’s implied by first-phase results from a recent study in progress through the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE), based in Englewood, CO. The purpose of the study, notes Andrea Rossiter, FACMPE, senior vice president of the college, is "to help the physician and administrator members of [medical practice teams] manage and lead together." ACMPE is the professional development and credentialing arm of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) also in Englewood, CO.
The investigation consisted of two separate surveys: one related to administrator competencies and the other to those of physician executives. In valuing competencies directly connected with quality improvement processes, physicians and administrators showed no appreciable difference. Those competencies include analyzing and managing cost and revenue, running efficient cost-effective practices, and improving clinical processes and outcomes.
Other results show the following differences:
• Administrators place highest value on: (1) facilitating and managing change; (2) conducting effective interpersonal, oral, and written communications; and (3) building productive working relationships.
• Physicians value: (1) exercising ethical decision making and social responsibility and (2) building teams and conducting effective groups. Age and number of years in health care or health care administration did not predict individual responses.
[Editor’s note: For more details on this study as well as other ACMPE or MGMA services, contact 104 Inverness Terrace E, Englewood, CO 80112-5306. Telephone: (303) 799-1111. Fax: (303) 643-4439. Web: http://www.mgma.com.]
New wound ointment derived from oak tree
Clinical data support positive anecdotal results
A wound ointment derived from oak extract is earning kudos from some health care professionals.
Amerigel, manufactured by AmerX Health Care Corp. in Clearwater, FL, is formulated for application as a wound dressing for management of pressure ulcers, stasis ulcers, diabetic skin ulcers, cuts, and abrasions. Amerigel ointment also is used to alleviate skin irritation associated with peristomal care, according to the manufacturer.
One enterostomal nurse who uses Amerigel has reported that the ointment has sped the healing of many intractable wounds.
"The first time I used it, I saw a wound bed fill up with granulation tissue in four days," explains Carolyn Hewett, RN, CETN. Hewett is co-owner of the Specialty Care Center at Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital in Tarpon Springs, FL.
Clinical data show promise
In addition to many positive anecdotal results for Amerigel, there also are some clinical data from a study sponsored by the manufacturer. The study involved 152 patients, 72 of whom had stage I wounds and 80 who had stage II, III, or IV wounds. Twenty-one patients had multiple wounds.
All of the stage I wounds healed with no sequelae. Eighty-eight percent of stage II wounds healed in an average of 46 days; 62% of stage II wounds healed in an average of 54 days; and 16% of stage IV wounds healed in an average of 52 days.
AmerX Health Care Corp. claims that Amerigel ointment acts to increase blood flow to a wound.
Amerigel users have reported that a small percentage of patients can’t tolerate the burning sensation that occurs when the ointment is applied.
Amerigel is an over-the-counter product costing about $15 retail. The cost is lower when the product is purchased through medical supply distributors.
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