Meaningful Use: The Measures Defined by Information That Leaves the EMR. The drive toward Meaningful Use and meeting the government mandated measures has ushered in a new sense of urgency for practices and health systems to get the most out of their EHR/EMR software. However, there is a constant need for education to ensure fulfillment of the Meaningful Use Core Measures and compliance with HHS/CMS guidelines.

Founder Effect in Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH): A Focus on Early Detection and Treatment to Prevent Premature CHD in FH   CME Information Program Overview Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant genetic disorder associated with...

The Stakes Are Getting Higher on HIPAA Compliance. The HITECH Act changes to HIPAA Privacy and Security as well as the associated Enforcement Rules are a comprehensive, in-depth ruling with many facets and details affecting different aspects of the business of healthcare.

Case 3: A 46-Year-Old Male Hotel Night Manager With Hypertension Who Feels Chronically Tired and Run Down.

Osteoarthritis as a Chronic Disease: Maximizing Management in Primary Care. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a serious disease characterized by chronic arthropathy, disruption of joint cartilage, osteophyte formation, and synovial fluid abnormalities. OA affects an estimated 27 million Americans, making it the most common of more than 100 types of arthritis. The prevalence of OA increases with age, and currently 34% of individuals older than 65 years have OA. Until recently, most OA in younger patients has been attributable to joint trauma.

Case 2: A 52-Year-Old Male Security Guard Who Falls Asleep on the Early Morning Shift. Shift work disorder may affect any person who works a job with nonconventional hours, leading to excessive sleepiness and impaired functioning. This case illustrates the impact of shift work disorder on patient performance and quality of life and how appropriate assessment can aid in the differential diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Making A Valid Diagnosis of Chronic Migraine. The diagnosis of “Chronic Migraine” is a newly established diagnosis. Although descriptors of chronic migraine have been reported in medical literature for decades, it recently has become a codeable diagnosis rather than an adjective to describe “really bad migraine.” A genetically linked primary headache disorder, chronic migraine causes more disability and negative effects on the sufferer’s quality of life than does episodic migraine.

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Case 1: A 37-Year-Old, Female 911 Operator Who Works the Night Shift and Complains of Insomnia and Depression. Shift work disorder has a significant impact on relationships, mood, and performance as well as on the hallmark symptoms of insomnia and daytime sleepiness. Symptoms of shift work disorder and depression may appear to be similar but may have subtle differences.

The Evaluation and Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome. In their day-to-day practice, primary care providers (PCPs) confront a plethora of clinical issues. In turn, they are faced with the challenge to prioritize these issues in order of importance, despite increased limits on time and resources. Historically, sleep-related concerns such as insomnia, tiredness, and sleepiness have taken a lower priority than other medical conditions such as cardiovascular and metabolic disease; therefore, they have not been adequately addressed.

Recognizing and Managing Shift Work Disorder, an Underdiagnosed Condition: Improving Quality of Life. Nearly 18% of the U.S. labor force works alternative hours that place individuals at risk for shift work disorder (SWD). Although SWD poses serious risks to the patient’s functioning, health, safety, and quality of life, it is one of the sleep/wake disorders that is largely undiagnosed and undertreated.

Gout: Why, Who, and When to Treat. Gout is not a headline-grabbing disease. People tend to think of it as something that only happens to hard-drinking portly old men in Dickens novels. They may be surprised to learn that the prevalence of gout is on the rise among Americans - particularly postmenopausal women - and that the increase is expected to continue steadily over the next decade.

Chronic Migraine: Making the Diagnosis. The diagnosis of "chronic migraine” is a newly established diagnosis. Although descriptors of chronic migraine have been reported in medical literature for decades, it recently (2004; 2006) has become a codeable diagnosis rather than an adjective to describe “really bad migraine.” A genetically linked primary headache disorder, chronic migraine causes more disability and negative effects on the sufferer’s quality of life than does episodic migraine.

COPD in the Primary Care Setting: Comprehensive Strategies for Diagnosis and Management. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects approximately 10% of people 40 years old and older and is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. In 2007, twelve million people were diagnosed with COPD. However, it is believed an additional 12 million people have COPD, but remain undiagnosed, and there were no improvements in hospitalization rates in patients with COPD aged 45 and older between 1995 and 2006.

Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Anaphylaxis: Insights for the Primary Care Practitioner. Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that results in an estimated 30,000 emergency department visits annually. Although clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and management of anaphylaxis exist, several studies suggest that anaphylaxis is often underdiagnosed. Primary care clinicians play an important role in the diagnosis of anaphylaxis, as they have long-term access to patients who may be at risk for anaphylaxis.