Rheumatology Practice Management
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Best Practices

Ransomware and Your Rheumatology Practice
The National Organization of Rheumatology Managers recently visited Tampa, FL. Not only does this city have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers National Football League team, they also celebrate Tampa’s most famous pirate, José Gaspar, at the Gasparilla Festival. The parade to honor José Gaspar features pirates sailing into Tampa Bay and coming ashore to demand the keys to the city from the mayor. Read More ›

College of Rheumatology guidelines, there is frustration that we do not have better medications for the treatment of pain associated with OA. Topical agents are poorly covered by Medicare, whereas compounded creams are not covered at all; thus, patients must resort to paying high out-of-pocket costs for these medications. Read More ›

Charlotte, NC—Although managing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients who are pregnant or trying to conceive may be challenging, rheumatologists should aim to improve disease activity and pregnancy outcomes, according to Megan E. B. Clowse, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Medicine, Director, Duke Autoimmunity in Pregnancy Registry, Duke University Medical Center, at the North Carolina Regional Association 2014 annual meeting. Read More ›

A recent retrospective study of 114 patients with hypogonadism has led to the conclusion that men with this condition should be screened with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for low bone mineral density (BMD). Read More ›

A recent retrospective study of 114 patients with hypogonadism has led to the conclusion that men with this condition should be screened with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for low bone mineral density (BMD). Read More ›

Based on group preferences and state laws, rheumatology physicians may or may not write narcotic prescriptions for patients as part of chronic pain management. In Eastern North Carolina, primary care providers seldom write such prescriptions, and outside of pain management clinics, patients have limited options for pain control. Because of this, the 3 physicians in our practice prescribe narcotics for patients who we feel need long-term arthritis pain control. We have a protocol to manage these prescriptions that is in compliance with the North Carolina Medical Board. Read More ›

Testosterone is commonly prescribed for men suffering from hypogonadism. While most men produce testosterone naturally, their production often declines with age, leading to symptoms of fatigue, loss of appetite, and reduced sex drive. Read More ›

At the American Urological Association’s annual meeting, Jamie Verkamp, Managing Partner and Chief Speaking Officer at (e)Merge, Kansas City, Missouri, noted that problems within organizations occur when leadership and the teams under them fail to work as cohesive units, particularly when leadership is unfit or unprepared for the job. She warned that even the right person in the wrong role can become a management pitfall, and one in which the office environment ceases to be productive. The current changes in healthcare provide challenges to organizations and require teamwork to prevent a derailer. Read More ›