INFECTION PREVENTION

Pandemic Preparation

New York City hospitalists gear up to treat, contain swine flu patients

By Stephanie Cajigal

Now that more swine flu cases have been reported in New York City than in any other part of the U.S., local hospitalists are preparing to handle a potential influx of ill patients.

Dahlia Rizk, DO, FHM, director of the hospitalist program at Beth Israel Medical Center (BIMC) in New York City, says her 20-member team is receiving daily briefings from the hospital’s infection chief of infection control. Hospitalists are learning about the latest confirmed cases and guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Dr. Rizk is sharing the information with the rest of the hospital staff.

"This is our home; this is where we spend 90% of our day, if not 100%," Dr. Rizk says. “The staff know us, they rely on us, recognize us, and expect information and help from us when it comes to these kinds of situations."

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PUBLIC POLICY

New Medicare Rule Reduces Retroactive Billing Period

Hospitalist hiring, compensation could be affected

By Richard Quinn

Medicare enrollment rules for retroactive billing implemented this month may catch some hospital medicine leaders by surprise—and cost them billing revenue.

The new rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), effective April 1, cut from 27 months to 30 days the window in which physicians can back-bill for services after successful enrollment or re-enrollment in Medicare.

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