Today is a day for you and your family to reflect on those who have served our country. I personally thank all those who have served and are serving our country, especially those in my family and other West Virginians.
West Virginia serves an important and unique historical perspective on this day. West Virginia broke from the Commonwealth of Virginia during the Civil War and was admitted to the Union as a seperate state on June 20 1863. I grew up in New Martinsville, West Virginia about 5 miles south of the Mason-Dixon Line that represents the historical division between North and South. The Mason-Dixon Line along with the banks of the Ohio River which I grew up on served as the division between free and slave states.
A must read for all West Virginians on this day is the "Declaration of the People of Virginia Represented in Convention at Wheeling, June 13, 1861." You can read more about the formation of West Virginia at the West Virginia Division of Culture and History online exhibit, A State of Convienience: The Creation of West Virginia.
Blawg Review has a special Memorial Day Blawg Review #59 honoring Memorial Day. The edition has some great links to look at, reflect on and pass along to your friends and family, including the following:
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Memorial Day: A day to honor those who have and are serving our nation
Monday, May 29, 2006Posted by Oliver at 6:59 AM 0 comments
WV Best Kept Secrets: 30th Annual Vandalia Gathering
Wednesday, May 24, 2006The 30th annual Vandalia Gathering begins this Friday and runs through Sunday, May 28. The Vandalia Gathering is held annually on the State Capitol Grounds in Charleston, West Virginia and features the best old time music anywhere.
If your an old time music fan or a fan of music in general you should plan to attend. I think its one of West Virginia's best kept secrets. Some of the best music happens off stage under the trees, in the nooks and crannies around the State Capitol Building and sitting around late in the evening. Check out the schedule of events and press release for this years West Virginia Memorial Day tradition.
The summary says it best:
Vandalia is Music
The Vandalia Gathering brings together the finest traditional Appalachian musicians for a weekend of great picking. Elder statesmen and young upstarts perform on stage, compete in contests and play in impromptu jam sessions all over the Capitol Complex. Visitors to the Gathering can enjoy fiddle, banjo, mandolin and guitar contests outside during the day, and concerts in the State Theater in the evenings. Keep your ears open!
Vandalia is Dance
From mountain flatfooting to Celtic dancing, the Vandalia Gathering brings to life the international heritage of West Virginia dance. The Gathering features demonstrations of Irish, Scottish, Morris, Swiss, Croatian and Appalachian dancing in the Great Hall, with the audience invited to learn and join. Native Americans present their dance and music outdoors on the Capitol grounds. Square dancing and flatfooting takes place at the Dance Stage outdoors all afternoon for public participation. Put on your dancing shoes!
Vandalia is a Way of Life
The Vandalia Gathering exhibits the traditions and many influences of West Virginia folklife. Ethnic and (very) American foods are served at the many food booths operated by area non-profits. The Craft Circle brings to one location a wide assortment of West Virginia artists and their works. From wood-fired pottery and Raku to folk toys and glass, over twenty craftspeople will be on hand to demonstrate and sell their works. The Old-Time for Young'uns area will give children the chance to experience some of the life, work and play of the early days of this state.
Vandalia is a Place
Vandalia was a proposed colony, originating in the land speculations of politically influential Englishmen and prominent Colonial Americans. In 1768 Benjamin Franklin was one of the organizers of the Great Ohio Company, which proposed the creation of Vandalia as the 14th colony. It would have included almost all of present West Virginia, except for the Eastern Panhandle, and much of Kentucky. The name was a gesture to Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, who proudly claimed descent from the Vandals through her birth to German nobility. The plan almost came to fruition in 1772-74, until the deteriorating American political situation made the British government back off.
The word Vandalia is rich in West Virginia heritage, synonomous with the desire for a free government in the mountains. And today, Vandalia is a place every Memorial Day weekend, at the Capitol Complex in Charleston, West Virginia, where the Vandalia Gathering presents traditional music, dance, crafts and food to keep the old ways alive in young minds.
Posted by Oliver at 7:50 PM 0 comments
West Virginia to participate in HHS Privacy and Security Grant
Government Health IT reports: West Virginia is one of 22 states selected to participate in a program funded by Health and Human Services (HHS) to examine the state privacy and security laws involved in the exchange of health information. I previously posted about West Virginia's involvement in this project.
RTI International was awareded a $17.2M contract by HHS to work with health care professionals and other health industry stakeholders throughout the U.S. to examine the practical hurdles to the formation of a uniform, interoperable health information exhcange while protecting patient specific data and addressing patients' privacy concerns.
More information:
Posted by Oliver at 9:29 AM 0 comments
Delish Menuzine
Tuesday, May 23, 2006Charlestonians: don't miss the newest e-zine to hit the high speed networks. Check out Delish Menuzine, a project by Chef Virgil Sadorra of Delish (I'm having Udon withdraw due to the fire) and Vandalia Lounge fame. Submissions welcome.
Tip from Bill Lynch at Don't print this.
Posted by Oliver at 6:01 PM 0 comments
AHRQ study on the evolution of state health information exchange
Check out this study (Evolution of State Health Information Exchange: A Study of Vision, Strategy and Progress) issued by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). I've only had a chance to scan but plan on reading it.
Posted by Oliver at 12:25 PM 0 comments
VA Data Stolen: What impact on public perception of privacy of health information?
Monday, May 22, 2006What impact will the release of personal information of approximately 26.5 million veterans records have on the publics perception of privacy of health information and the movement toward an electronic health information system?
The reports that I've read indicate that medical information was not included in the electronic data stolen. The data stolen did contain personal information, including name, social security number, date of birth and certain disability rating information. The data was stolen after an VA employee took the unencrypted records home on a laptop computer and the laptop was stolen from his residence.
For more details check out the Veterans Administrations official public information on the data security issue and Information on Veterans Affairs Data Security Issue.
UPDATE: As expected, a class action has been filed seeking $1,000 in damages for each person impacted by the data breach. With over 26 million veteran records involved, this could amount to an estimated $26.5 billion in damages.
The class action lawsuit was filed on June 6, 2006, in the United Stated District Court for the District of Columbia before Judge James Robertson by a coalition of veterans groups, including the Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., Citizen Soldier, Inc., National Gulf War Resource Center, Inc., Radiated Veterans of America, Inc. and Veterans For Peace, Inc. Also, named as plaintiffs in the matter are: Charles L. Clark of Kailua, HI; David Cline of Jersey City, NJ; James E. Malone of Tucson, AZ; and Jon Rowan of Silver Spring, MD. The lawsuit names as defendants: R. James Nicholson, in his Official Capacity as Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Representing the plaintiffs in the class action are L. Gray Geddie and Douglas J. Roskinski with Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C., Columbia South Carolina.
The action seeks declaratory and injunctive relief and money damages for the violations of the Administrative Procedures Act and the Privacy Act of 1974. The complaint states the, "plaintiffs represent approximately 26,500,000 individuals who have suffered emotional trauma and been placed in fear of identity theft, destruction of credit and financial fraud because of Defendants' reckless disregard for the privacy of these citizen's basic personal information." The complaint contains the details of the laptop theft of a computer and external data storage device from the home of a VA employee and a more detailed description of the nature of the claims alleged by the plaintiffs.
UPDATE2: Also a group of 30 health consumer organizations lead by the Health Privacy Project have asked U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to undertake a compliance review of the VA under the privacy and security regulations of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). A copy of the full letter sent to Secretary Leavitt can be found on the Health Privacy Project website.
the 30 groups include:
AIDS Action of Baltimore (MD)
AIDS Action, Washington DC
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc., Boston MA
AIDS Foundation of Chicago (IL)
AIDS Legal Services, Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (CA)
American Academy of HIV Medicine, Washington DC
American Association of People with Disabilities, Washington DC
American Mental Health Counselors Association, Alexandria VA
American Nurses Association, Silver Spring MD
American Psychiatric Association, Washington DC
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Washington DC
Center for Democracy and Technology, Washington DC
Center for HIV Law and Policy, New York NY
Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project, New York NY
Consumer Action, Washington DC
Electronic Privacy Information Center, Washington DC
Fairfax County Privacy Council (VA)
HIV/AIDS Law Project, Phoenix AZ
Housing Works, New York and Albany NY, Washington
DC and Jackson MS
Legal Action Center, New York NY
Mental Health Advocacy Project, Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (CA)
National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans, Washington DC
New York State Black Gay Network, New York NY
Patient Privacy Rights Foundation, Austin TX
Positive Outlook, Ferndale MI
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, San Diego CA
Privacy Rights Now Coalition, Washington DC
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Washington DC
Vietnam Veterans of America, Silver Spring MD
Women's Cancer Advocacy Network, Glen Allen VA
Posted by Oliver at 8:07 PM 0 comments
West Virginia Legislature: Final 2006 Wrap-Up
Thursday, May 18, 2006The final edition of the West Virginia Legislature's "Wrap-Up Newsletter" is now available. The Wrap-Up provides a short summary of all 266 laws passed during the 2006 Regular Legislative session.
Its a great resource for lawyers and other West Virginians interested in knowing what changes to the law occurred in 2006. If you are interested in a particular bill you can then go get a full copy of the bill text via the Legislature's website.
Posted by Oliver at 11:16 PM 0 comments
Tune in to Lawyerlike: Blawg Review #57
Monday, May 15, 2006Be sure to change the channel and tune into this week's edition of Blawg Review #57 hosted by Ryan Austin, a law student blogger (or bobber) over at Lawyerlike. As I venture on new blogs I like to read the first post.
Thanks for mentioning my Legal Uses of Google Trends post. I'm a bit dismayed that neither blawger, nor bobber rate at all on Google Trends. Keep on Googling.
I'm glad Ryan pigeonholed me in the "cutting edge law" categoryrather than finding myself in the "professional irresposibility"section. Great job Austin -- now back to your couch.
Posted by Oliver at 9:47 PM 0 comments
Legal Uses of Google Trends
Thursday, May 11, 2006Check out the newest feature from the Google Labs called "Google Trends". As Google says, "see what the world is searching." More info about Google Trends. I can imagine a number of creative ways lawyers (and others) can use this tool. What about you?
For example, as a health lawyer focusing a part of my practice on HIPAA privacy and security compliance issues -- I found the search for the term "HIPAA" interesting. Relatively flat line on the volume chart -- going down a bit from 2004 to 2005 and a little rise in the beginning of 2006. Interestingly enough the top city for the search was Nashville. I suspect this is largely due to the fact that a number of national hospital companies are based in the Nashville area.
Give it a try and post your creative legal uses for Google Trends in the comments.
Posted by Oliver at 1:43 PM 0 comments
Proposed Rule Revising National Practitioner Data Bank Requirements
I just learned yesterday that proposed changes are being made to the requirements for reporting adverse events to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). The proposed rule titled, National Practitioner Data Bank for Adverse Information on Physicians and Other Health Care Practitioners: Reporting on Adverse and Negative Actions, was published in the Federal Register on March 21, 2006 (71 FR 14135, March 21, 2006) and comments are due on the proposed rule on or before May 22, 2006.
The NPDB contains reports of adverse licensure actions against physicians and dentists (including revocations, suspensions, reprimands,censures, probations, and surrenders for
quality of care purposes only); adverse clinical privilege actions against physicians and dentists; adverse professional society membership actions against physicians and dentists; and
medical malpractice payments made for the benefit of any health carepractitioner. Groups that have access to this data system include hospitals, other health care entities that conduct peer
review and provide health care services, State Medical or Dental Boards and other health care practitioner State boards. Individual practitioners can selfquery. The reporting of information
under the NPDB is limited to medical malpractice payers, State Medical and Dental Boards, professional societies with formal peer review, and hospitals and other health care entities (such as health maintenance organizations).
The NPDB website contains the following notice about the proposed changes:
Section 1921 Federal Register Notice Published!
The Federal Register notice relative to the proposed rule that would revise existing regulations governing the National Practitioner Data Bank, to incorporate statutory requirements under Section 1921 of the Social Security Act was published on March 21, 2006.
Section 1921 will add adverse action reports, which are not restricted to issues related to professional competence and conduct, on all licensed practitioners. Also it would add adverse action reports relative to certain negative actions or findings, mainly those taken by private accrediting organizations (e.g., the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, National Committee for Quality Assurance, URAC, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities). This regulation allows hospitals access to adverse action reports on all licensed health care practitioners.
For more information on Section 1921, see the Fact Sheet on Section 1921, National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) and Section 1921 at a Glance, NPDB-HIPDB and Section 1921 Comparison Chart and NPDB with Section 1921 and HIPDB Comparison Chart.
Comments on this proposed rule are invited. To be considered, comments must be received on or before May 22, 2006.
Posted by Oliver at 5:38 AM 0 comments
Confidentiality and Privacy of Medical Information Seminar
Wednesday, May 10, 2006I will again be speaking on the topic of Confidentiality and Privacy of Medical Information in West Virginia at a Lorman Educational Services Seminar set for August 3, 2006, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm at Summit Center in Charleston, West Virginia. Another attorney from our office, Ted Martin, will be joining me for the day long seminar.
The seminar is designed for medical records directors, health information managers, physician business and office managers, nurses, physicians, hospital administrators and other health care providers interested in health information management.
The program agenda and more information about the seminar and how to register can be found on the Lorman or send me an email and I will forward you a copy of the brochure.
The Lorman summary states:
Tags: WV, west virginia, privacy, security, confidentiality, medical records, hospitals, physiciansHealth care providers are more concerned about the appropriate handling and control of medical and health information due to the changes brought on by the requirements of the privacy and security standards under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). HIPAA has become one of the major policy, technology and operations issues facing the health care industry today. The HIPAA standards are meant to facilitate the development of a uniform, computer-based health information system providing for the secure handling, collecting, protection and sharing of protected health information.
This seminar will provide you with an overview, understanding and practical guidance on issues related to health information and medical records. The seminar will explore health information issues under West Virginia law and provide practical guidance on how to handle everyday health information related issues.
Seminar highlights:
- Maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of medical information
- Liability issues involving medical record documentation
- HIPAA and the impact on West Virginia medical record laws
- Patient's right of access to medical information
- Responding to various types of requests for medical information
- Special procedures for mental health, HIV and substance abuse records
Learning objectives:
- The attendee will be able to discuss documentation in the medical record.
- The attendee will be able to identify the impact of HIPAA on medical record issues.
- The attendee will be able to review mental health and psychiatric records.
Posted by Oliver at 9:51 PM 0 comments
Impact of Credentialing Requests: Kadlec Medical Center v. Lakeview Anesthesia Associates
The National Association of Medical Staff Services has a nice summary of a recent decision by the United States District Court in Louisiana regarding the scope of response a hospital should consider making when receiving a credentialing inquiry or pre-employment request about a former physician being credentialed by another hospital. I first became aware of this case while attending an American Health Lawyer Association conference earlier this year but at that time the decision had not been issued.
On May 19, 2005, the United States District Court in Louisiana decided the case of Kadlec Medical Center v. Lakeview Anesthesia Associates. The Court in Kadlec found found that hospitals have a duty to disclose material information about their medical staff members to other health care providers in order to protect future patients when a physician moves on. Kadlec requested from Lakeview Regional Medical Center “a candid evaluation of [the doctor's] training, continuing clinical performance, skill, and judgment, interpersonal skills and ability to perform….” Lakeview responded by stating that the doctor had served on the hospitals staff but that due to the large volume of inquires the hospital receives about its former physicians no further information would be provided.
Those involved in responding to credentialing requests for hospital should take a look at this decision and the impact it might have on your process for responding.
UPDATE: On May 26, 2006, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Kadlec Medical Center in the amount of $8.2M . The jury found that Lakeview Regional Medical Center along with the other physcians in the case made intentional and negligent misrepresentations to Kadlec Medical Center and that the misrepresentations were the proximate cause of the injuries. The jury verdict form from the trial can be reviewed courtesy of the Horty Springer website. Thanks to Rita Scwab over at MSSPNexus Blog for pointing me to the jury verdict info.
UPDATE: On May 8, 2008, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in
Following is a summary of the facts and issues presented in the appeal by a member of the FSB Health Care Practice Group.
In
Three months later, Dr.
The Court further held that neither LAA nor the hospital had an affirmative duty to disclose to Kadlec Dr. Berry’s addition to prescription drugs. The Court found that only where special circumstances exist, such as a when a fiduciary or confidential relationship exits between the parties, does a party have a duty to disclose such information. The Court stated that protecting an employee’s privacy outweighs imposing a broad duty to disclose information on employers. Therefore, LAA and the hospital did not have a duty to inform Kadlec about Dr.
Ultimately, the Fifth Circuit reversed the jury’s verdict against the hospital because the hospital did not make misrepresentations of fact to Kadlec. Further, the hospital was under no duty to disclose information regarding Dr.
According to the Fifth Circuit’s holding in Kadlec, physicians and hospitals are under no duty to respond to credentialing questions from another facility. However, if the physician or hospital decides to respond, it must seek to provide truthful information that will not mislead the credentialing facility.
Posted by Oliver at 7:33 PM 0 comments
Crystal Stump: International and Domestic Adoptions
Monday, May 8, 2006A quick congrats to Crystal Stump who recently decided to leave her old firm of Swartz & Stump to focus on her growing practice in the area of international and domestic adoptions, readoption, foster-adoptions and step-parent adoptions. She will be undertaking adoption related work state-wide in West Virginia. As an adoptive parent she has special insight into the process. She
You can access more information about Crystal and her practice via her new website at http://www.wvadoptionlawyer.com.
Posted by Oliver at 6:42 AM 0 comments
CMS Issues Revised Medicare 855 Enrollment Forms
Thursday, May 4, 2006The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued revised version of various Medicare 855 Enrollment forms used by providers and suppliers to enroll in the Medicare program to be reimbursed for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
CMS' press release on the efforts to streamline and improve the enrollment process states, "the final regulation makes Medicare enrollment requirements more uniform so a health care provider or supplier can bill Medicare most efficiently. The rule standardizes existing Medicare enrollment requirements that have been used by the various Medicare contractors that process and pay Medicare claims."
Copies of the revised CMS 855 forms can be found on the CMS Forms site. Below are direct links to the particular 855 application forms.
855A (Institutional Provider)
855B (Clinics/Group Practices and Certain Other Supplier)
855I (Physicians and Non-Physician Practitioners)
855R (Reassignment of Medicare Benefits)
855S (DMEPOS Suppliers)
Posted by Oliver at 6:34 PM 0 comments
Charleston Webcam
Tuesday, May 2, 2006For "live" shots of Charleston check out the live webcam looking west along Kanawha Boulevard and the Kanawha River from the Union Building hosted by a friend of mine, Gregg Murray, who owns and operates Sales Imaging LLC, specializing in customized radio advertising sales. For some photos of what this are looked like in the past and how it might look (and be used in the future) check out the Charleston Riverfront master plan.
While on the topic of webcams -- here are links to some other Charleston area and West Virginia area webcams.
UPDATE: Check out Charlestons new Java-cam that looks in on customers of Taylor Books. Oncee caught in action.
Posted by Oliver at 8:38 PM 0 comments
You say you want a Revolution . . .
Monday, May 1, 2006More on Revolution Health from Tony over at Hospital Impact. Like Tony, I've been watching the developing strategy of Steve Case's Revolution Health with interest. For the sake of health care in the United States I hope Revolution Health executes its business strategy.
Excerpts from the Beatles' Revolution gets me excited for the health care industry:
You say you want a revolution . . . We all want to change the world . . . You say you got a real solution . . . We'd all love to see the plan . . . Don't you know its gonna be alright . . .You say you'll change the constitution . . . We all want to change your head . . . You tell me it's the institution . . .
Posted by Oliver at 4:10 AM 0 comments