June 25, 2007

MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF ENDOCRINOLOGY
David Kinsaul announced on June 20, 2007 that Maria Urban, MD, is stepping down as medical director of endocrinology.  In his letter, Kinsaul said that Dr. Urban "will remain at Dayton Children's and is planning to dedicate more time to her academic, teaching and clinical responsibilities.  During her tenure as medical director, she has provided long-term leadership that has resulted in the continued development and expansion of endocrine services at Dayton Children's. Paul Breyer, MD, has agreed to serve as the interim director while we launch a national search for a new medical director.  I appreciate Dr. Breyer's willingness to assist and serve in the interim role."  Questions? Contact Tom Murphy, MD, at 937-641-5871.

PROFESSIONAL STAFF PARKING 
The newly paved and gated lot for professional staff members located outside the laboratory entrance opened recently.  This lot provides ample parking for hospital-based staff as well as community physicians and dentists.  We are working on a way to make the angle of access to the lot less acute.  Stay tuned for what are likely to be changes in the next few weeks.  Meanwhile, be careful when you access the lot. Questions? Contact Tom Murphy, MD, at 937-641-5871.

PEER REVIEW ACTIVITIES AT DAYTON CHILDREN’S
Recently a member of the department of surgery asked for information on peer review activities at Dayton Children’s.  Peer review activities are conducted on a regular basis for members of the departments of medicine and surgery.  For the medicine staff, every readmission within 15 days of discharge and every unplanned transfer to the PICU are reviewed as well as every death and a number of adverse outcomes.  That means about 150 reviews a year.  In most cases, the care is appropriate and the documentation excellent.  Further peer review is performed on 15 to 20 cases a year, with input from the attending of record.  Ultimately, any data that result from the reviews are stored in the credential's files for the department member.

In surgery, the process is a bit different.  While every death and many adverse outcomes are reviewed, each surgical division has also identified indicators that are used to review more routine surgical cases. If these events trigger the need for additional review, the division head or the chair of surgery completes it with input from the professional staff member when necessary.  These reviews usually conclude that the standard of care was met and that documentation was adequate.  In the event that a minor or major complication is reviewed, or that the standard of care is not met (usually documentation issues), a copy of the review and its final conclusion is also stored in the credential's files.

Formal investigations of clinical competency require review and approval by professional staff leaders before being started.  In some cases formal action by the credential's committee, professional staff executive committee or the board of trustees is required before an investigation is started.  Feel free to contact Tom Murphy for questions or clarification.

NATIONAL PROVIDER IDENTIFIER (NPI) NUMBERS TO BE RELEASED BY CENTER FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS) 
CMS is encouraging health care providers who have been assigned NPIs to review their NPPES data as soon as possible and make any necessary updates or corrections before June 28 (expected go-live) to ensure their information is accurate when disclosed by CMS.  The Federal Register Notice states that health care providers who wish to delete any NPPES data that was not required to be furnished to obtain an NPI may do so before June 28 if they prefer those data elements not be disclosed by CMS.  CMS will not release SSN, ITIN or DOB.  These users may log on at https://nnpes.cms.hhs.gov/NNPES/LoginPage.do?userType=PROVIDER.