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.

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.

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.

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.

Best Practices in Primary Care: Dyslipidemia and the Chronic Kidney Disease Patient. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). While the link between CVD and CKD is apparent, primary care providers are not effectively screening and treating patients with renal disease who are at enhanced risk for cardiovascular disease and events.

Understanding HPV Epidemiology, Diseases, and Vaccines in Male and Female Patients. Primary care clinicians are at the frontline of vaccination to protect women against HPV; gynecologists are traditionally not ones to provide vaccines. Primary care providers most often do not think of HPV and sexually transmitted infections (STI), often leaving them to annual gynecologic examinations. Together, these factors have led to poor vaccination rates with what is deemed a critical vaccine for women by the CDC.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Recognition, Treatment, and Adherence in the Primary Care Setting. The National Institutes of Health report that approximately 18 million Americans suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. Despite the prevalence of this common condition, studies show that 90% of people with OSA remain undiagnosed.

Anemia Is not a Normal Consequence of Aging: Determing the Etiologic Cause and Optimal Treatment of Geriatric Anemia. Anemia is often considered a normal consequence of aging, but is neither normal nor harmless and may have far-reaching effects. While two-thirds of geriatric anemia cases are caused by nutritional deficiency or by chronic disease, the cause is unidentified in up to one-third of cases. Unidentified anemia may be the result of an occult but serious underlying bone marrow failure condition, such as myelodysplastic syndromes.