Statistics Used In Decision To Move Hospital

Gee, I hope they got some actual input from the people of
Accomack County  before they decided to move a hospital.)

Accomack citizens who went to Maryland hospitals instead of Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital were a factor in the decision to move the hospital to Accomack County.

Statistics provided by Riverside Health Services show that in 2009, Eastern Shore residents represented nearly 7,000 inpatient admissions to hospitals, with 59% going to Riverside Shore Memorial in Nassawadox.


From Accomack County, there were 4,973 admissions with 1,518 using a Maryland facility, 723 receiving services from other Virginia Hospitals and 2,732 residents receiving care at Riverside Shore Memorial.

From Northampton County, there were a total of 1,944 hospital admissions with 58 residents choosing a Maryland facility, 515 went to other Virginia hospitals and 1,371 received care at Riverside Shore Memorial.


These statistics were used in the decision to move Shore Memorial to Accomack County.
http://www.shoredailynews.com/

Patients of Suspended Lyme's Disease Doctor Defend His Practice

In wake of the AMA finding against Eastern Shore Lyme's disease specialist Dr. Geoffrey Gubb, several of Gubb's patients have come out in support of the specialist.

In a letter sent to WESR from Dianne Nickel, local resident and current Lymes disease patient of Dr. Gubb, she said that Dr. Gubbs contributions vastly outweigh the allegations against him.

Nickel said "A year ago I could not see to drive my car, and I had chronic fatigue, leaned on walls to stand, had migraine headaches, joint pain and swelling in my wrists, night sweats and so on. I lost 5 months of work due to these ailments. I am glad to say that Dr. Gubb's treatment has me back on my feet, exercising 10 miles each night on my exercise bike, working 8 hours a day, driving anywhere I want to and feeling great with no pain."

Nickel also addressed the AMA's allegations, saying "I understand that he gave pain killers to patients and did not follow their cases and treatment. All I can say is for sure that he did not give anyone a pain killer unless they absolutely needed it. I trust him completely. He sent me to an herbal store to purchase milk thistle, probiotics and other herbal remedies. He is a naturalist."

The letter also says the review of Dr. Gubb by the AMA was only a 3 man review. A more formal 9 person review could overturn the ruling in this case. Gubb still plans on closing his family medical practice at the end of the month. He is the only Lymes disease specialist on the Eastern Shore.
www.shoredailynews.com

Frog Skins Might Cure Diseases

WASHINGTON - The cure for drug-resistant infections, like flesh-eating bacteria, may be coming. The silver bullet? Green skin.

There are compounds in frog skins that could be used to fight MRSA and other antibiotic-resistant diseases.

Dr. Michael Conlon recently told the American Chemical Society that biochemists at United Arab Emirates University have found a way to tweak the molecular structure of the strong natural antibiotics on frog skin that makes them less toxic to humans.

Researchers say they have identified and purified the chemical structure of about 200 substances -- a treasure trove of antibiotics just waiting to be used.

One has already been found to be effective against "Iraqi-bacter," a drug-resistant infection turning up in wounded soldiers returning home from Iraq.

Conlon says it's important to preserve the bio-diversity of frogs. He says scientists are just scratching the surface of the potential antibiotics that could be found in more than 6,000 species of frogs.

www.wtop.com

I wonder what Kermit is thinking about this?

Salisbury Cardiologist Indicted

BALTIMORE- A Salisbury cardiologist alleged to have implanted unnecessary cardiac stents in the arteries of his patients has been indicted on health care fraud charges, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Dr. John R. McLean, 58, is not charged with a crime for the actual surgeries he performed but for the alleged fraud that went along with them. Federal prosecutors say McLean submitted insurance claims for the unnecessary stents, ordered needless tests and falsely documented patients' medical records.

According to the indictment, McLean had a private medical practice known as John R. McLean M.D. and Associates, located at 1315 S. Division Street in Salisbury. He also had hospital privileges at Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

The indictment alleges that at least from 2003 to May 2007, McLean performed cardiac catheterizations on patients at PRMC and falsely recorded in the patients' medical records the existence or extent of any coronary artery blockage, known as lesions, observed during the procedures. Patients must have a 70 percent blockage before cardiac stents are considered medically necessary. The indictment alleges that in order to increase his profit, McLean allegedly implanted cardiac stents in patients who had neither a 70 percent or more blockage nor symptoms of blockage.

The indictment also alleges that McLean ordered that his cardiac patients have routine follow up visits and undergo unnecessary diagnostic testing such as Cardiolite Stress Tests, echocardiograms and electrocardiograms. McLean caused claims in the total amount of $519,063 for medically unnecessary procedures, services and testing to be submitted to health care benefit programs, including Medicare, according to the indictment.

The indictment also alleges that McLean shredded and attempted to shred documents that were subpoenaed by the Maryland Board of Physicians and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland during an investigation of his medical practice.

The indictment seeks forfeiture of $519,063 and two properties located in Ocean City and Salisbury.

McLean faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for health care fraud and five years in prison on each of six counts of making false statements relating to health care matters. No court proceedings have been scheduled yet.

McLean is also facing a lawsuit filed by more than a dozen of his patients. His attorneys could not immediately be reached for comment.

www.wboc.com