Today’s Top Story
Fewer physicians than projected are required to participate in 2017 MIPS program.
Modern Healthcare reports that 806,879 clinicians will not be evaluated under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) during 2017. MIPS is part of the Quality Payment Program (QPP), which is designed to shift reimbursement from volume of services provided toward a payment system that rewards clinicians for quality of care. The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services had previously estimated that 642,000 physicians would be required to submit MIPS data, but that number has now dropped to 418,849. Physicians who are new to Medicare and those with less than $30,000 in Medicare charges and fewer than 100 unique Medicare patients per year are exempted from MIPS.
Read more…(registration may be required)
Learn more about the QPP…
Other News
FDA updates fluoroquinolone warning.
The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated a previously issued warning regarding oral and injectable fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs intended for systemic use. In July 2016, the agency approved changes to the labels of such drugs due to serious side effects involving the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system that can occur together in the same patient. As part of an ongoing review process, FDA says that findings do not currently support reports linking fluoroquinolones to retinal detachment, aortic aneurysm, or aortic dissection. The agency states that it will continue to assess safety issues with fluoroquinolones and update the public if additional actions are needed.
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Read the FDA statement…
ACP releases guideline on treatment of osteoporosis.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a new guideline regarding treatment of osteoporosis to prevent fracture. Among other things, the guideline offers a strong recommendation that clinicians offer pharmacologic treatment with alendronate, risedronate, zoledronic acid, or denosumab to reduce the risk for hip and vertebral fractures in women who have known osteoporosis, and a strong recommendation against the use of menopausal estrogen therapy or menopausal estrogen plus progestogen therapy or raloxifene for treatment of osteoporosis in women.
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Read the complete guideline…
The AAOS Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) “Management of Hip Fractures in the Elderly” includes a section on osteoporosis evaluation and treatment.
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Expert panel recommends against use of arthroscopy for most patients with degenerative knee disease.
An international panel has released a guideline on arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee arthritis and meniscal tears. Among other things, the guideline, published as a “BMJ Rapid Recommendation,” offers a strong recommendation against the use of arthroscopy in nearly all patients with degenerative knee disease.
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Read the complete guideline…
The AAOS CPG “Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee (2nd edition)” includes additional recommendations regarding arthroscopy.
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View the AAOS Appropriate Use Criteria “Non-Arthroplasty Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee”…
Study: Recurrent Dupuytren contracture may be treated with CCH
A study published online in The Journal of Hand Surgery finds that recurrent Dupuytren contracture in joints previously successfully treated with collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) may be effectively retreated with up to three injections of CCH. The researchers analyzed prospectively collected data on 51 patients (51 joints) with contracture recurrence (increased ≥20° with a palpable cord) following successful treatment. Overall, 35 joints (69 percent) received one injection, 12 (24 percent) received two injections, and four (8 percent) received three injections. At 1-year follow-up, they found that 57 percent of joints achieved contracture of 5° or less and 86 percent of patients had a 20° or greater increase in range of motion. One ligament injury was reported.
Read the abstract…
Nominate a colleague for the AAOS Diversity, Humanitarian, or Tipton Leadership Award!
Friday, June 9, 2017, is the last day to submit nominations for the 2018 Diversity and Humanitarian Awards and the William W. Tipton Jr, MD, Orthopaedic Leadership Award. These awards are presented annually at the AAOS Annual Meeting. The respective award recipients are recognized for their endeavors to further encourage diversity or culturally competent care, participation in humanitarian activities, or leadership activities in the orthopaedic profession.
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Call for volunteers: Committee on Professionalism.
June 11 is the last day to submit your application for a position on the Committee on Professionalism (one member opening). The Committee on Professionalism hears, reviews, and adjudicates complaints against fellows and members for alleged violations of the AAOS Standards of Professionalism. Applicants for this committee must be active or emeritus fellows with a demonstrated understanding of and experience with legal issues related to orthopaedic surgery, including orthopaedic expert opinion and testimony.
Learn more and submit your application…(member login required)
