Team Approach: Jointly staffed airway clinic lauded as model for future care

An airway clinic jointly staffed by an otolaryngologist and a pulmonologist in Salt Lake City acts as a model for the future care of airway disorders, according to a presentation given at the Annual Meeting of the American Broncho-Esophagological Association (ABEA), part of the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM) held here April 28-May 2.

Double Benefit? The case for bilateral cochlear implants

Since the advent of the cochlear implant more than 20 years ago, the devices have benefited thousands of patients. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as of April 2009, approximately 188,000 people worldwide have received cochlear implants. In the U.S., about 42,000 adults and 26,000 children have received them. Today, the fantasy of two implanted artificial cochlea is a reality.

Upholding the Legacy: Trio president urges members to make lasting contributions

Triological Society members should constantly be assessing their contributions to their profession and working to create meaningful legacies in line with the group’s traditions, said Society President Frank E. Lucente, MD, in his presidential address at the Annual Meeting of the society, part of the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings held here April 28-May 2.

A Patient Experiment

Berrylin J. Ferguson, MD, FACS, FAAOA, associate professor of otolaryngology and director of the Division of Sino-Nasal Disorders and Allergy at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, Pa., uses the following form to help determine which allergy treatments will work best for each patient.

A Better Way to Implement EMRs: Why one-size-fits-all won’t work

I have been a strong advocate of electronic medical records (EMRs) for almost a decade. In fact, I used the phrases “It is the silver bullet for health care reform infrastructure” and “It is the cornerstone for health care reform infrastructure” to describe EMR plans when President Obama was campaigning. However, technology, like fire, can warm your house or burn it down, cook your food or kill you. Likewise, the wrong EMR will escalate inefficiency and raise health care costs. The wrong mandates or the wrong incentives have the potential to paralyze the day-to-day practice of medicine.  

Digital Dilemma: Physicians oppose EHR requirements

The federal government’s proposed rule establishing incentive payments for physicians who “meaningfully use” electronic health records (EHRs) is too onerous and would discourage physicians from participating, some otolaryngologists say.