president’s message fall 2016.pdf · the agenda is comprehensive with each presentation aimed at...

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THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016 | PAGE 1 Greetings from Vero Beach. I hope this letter finds everybody well. Hopefully everyone survived Hurricane Matthew with minimal damage. This was my first hurricane, but probably won’t end up being my last. From my perspective, I am happy to report that everything is running smoothly at the FSO, thanks in large part to Colleen Filbert and Chris Seymour. On the legislative front, with the help of our top notch lobbyists, Ballard Partners, we are staying vigilant for what may be coming down the road. As I mentioned in my last letter, attempted scope of practice expansion from our optometric colleagues will most likely continue to pose a threat to our profession. We know that the Florida Optometric Association (FOA) has contributed over 2 million dollars during this election cycle. We can only anticipate that these contributions are being used to influence legislators to gain laser/surgical privileges. I would be truly concerned about the welfare of our patients if, as requested recently in California, optometrists are one day allowed to manage patients’ diabetes. As a retinal specialist, I have been treating diabetics for the past twenty years, but certainly would not feel comfortable managing their diabetic medications. Let’s hope that our legislators continue to do what is in the best interest for the citizens of Florida. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FALL 2016 IN THIS ISSUE: EDUCATION Pages 3 ADVOCACY Pages 4 OUTREACH Page 6-7 MEMBER CONNECTION Pages 10-14 Adam Katz, MD Contributions to FOCUS allow the FSO to advocate on your behalf. Renew Your FSO Membership TODAY! Please be on the lookout for your 2017 Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) membership renewal forms in the mail. Membership in the FSO runs from January 1 – December 31 and regular member dues are $850. Your membership dues allow the FSO to remain a strong Advocate on your behalf, provide excellent Education opportunities, and assist with Outreach throughout the state of Florida. Please take a moment and renew your dues TODAY! You can pay via mail, fax or easily online (recommended) at mdeye.org/dues. If you have questions regarding this, please reach out to FSO Membership Manager, Amanda East, at [email protected]. Stay Active to Retain Your Member Benefits: D Professional development opportunities D Discounted Masters in Ophthalmology meeting registration D Advocacy in Tallahassee through FOCUS, the FSO Political Committee to protect the profession of Ophthalmology and patients in Florida D Advocacy with third party payer issues D Annual online membership directory D Subscription to the quarterly newsletter – The Florida Ophthalmologist D Discounts on programs that benefit your practice: ADP TotalSource - human resource services Holland and Knight - legal services LifeLock- identity theft protection Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company - medical malpractice insurance Continues on the next page...

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Page 1: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Fall 2016.pdf · The agenda is comprehensive with each presentation aimed at making the attendee a more confident and skilled surgeon. There will be video symposia

THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016 | PAGE 1

Greetings from Vero Beach. I hope this letter finds everybody well. Hopefully everyone survived Hurricane Matthew with minimal damage. This was my first hurricane, but probably won’t end up being my last.

From my perspective, I am happy to report that everything is running smoothly at the FSO, thanks in large part to Colleen Filbert and Chris Seymour. On the legislative front, with the help of our top notch lobbyists, Ballard Partners, we are staying vigilant for what may be coming down the road. As I mentioned in my last letter, attempted scope of practice expansion from our optometric colleagues will most likely continue to pose a threat to our profession. We know that the Florida Optometric Association (FOA) has contributed over 2 million dollars during this election cycle. We can only anticipate that these contributions are being used to influence

legislators to gain laser/surgical privileges. I would be truly concerned about the welfare of our patients if, as requested recently in California, optometrists are one day allowed to manage patients’ diabetes. As a retinal specialist, I have been treating diabetics for the past twenty years, but certainly would not feel comfortable managing their diabetic medications. Let’s hope that our legislators continue to do what is in the best interest for the citizens of Florida.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

FALL 2016

IN THIS ISSUE:

EDUCATIONPages 3

ADVOCACY Pages 4

OUTREACH Page 6-7

MEMBER CONNECTIONPages 10-14

Adam Katz, MD

Contributions to FOCUS allow the FSO to advocate on your behalf.

Renew Your FSO Membership TODAY!Please be on the lookout for your 2017 Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) membership renewal forms in the mail. Membership in the FSO runs from January 1 – December 31 and regular member dues are $850. Your membership dues allow the FSO to remain a strong Advocate on your behalf, provide excellent Education opportunities, and assist with Outreach throughout the state of Florida. Please take a moment and renew your dues TODAY! You can pay via mail, fax or easily online (recommended) at mdeye.org/dues. If you have questions regarding this, please reach out to FSO Membership Manager, Amanda East, at [email protected].

Stay Active to Retain Your Member Benefits: D Professional development opportunities D Discounted Masters in Ophthalmology meeting registration D Advocacy in Tallahassee through FOCUS, the FSO Political Committee to protect the profession of

Ophthalmology and patients in Florida D Advocacy with third party payer issues D Annual online membership directory D Subscription to the quarterly newsletter – The Florida Ophthalmologist D Discounts on programs that benefit your practice:• ADP TotalSource - human resource services• Holland and Knight - legal services• LifeLock- identity theft protection• Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Company - medical malpractice insurance

Continues on the next page...

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PAGE 2 | THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE continued from page 1...Under the seasoned hands of Program Committee Chair, Clifford Salinger, MD, planning is in full force for our upcoming Masters in Ophthalmology 2017 meeting which will be held at the National Doral Miami, June 2-4, 2017. I will have the privilege of introducing our featured Melvin L. Rubin, MD guest speaker Steve Charles, MD. I was fortunate enough to have trained with him during my two-year fellowship in Memphis. Not only is he a brilliant doctor, engineer, and entrepreneur, he is someone I am lucky enough to call a friend. As anyone who has heard Dr. Charles lecture knows, he also happens to be a dynamic lecturer. Please make sure you mark your calendars now for what will certainly be another educational and worthwhile meeting.

I enjoyed the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 2017 meeting. It had a lot of great things to offer: new ideas, new techniques, and new instrumentation, to name just a few. It’s always great catching up with friends and colleagues from near and far. I’m amazed at the size and breadth of the meeting. Industry always has so much to offer on the enormous convention floor. Often it can be overwhelming, but I always make an effort to try and make it down each aisle to see what each exhibitor has to offer. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement, but when I settle down at the end of the day, I find myself asking the same question, is this new instrument, laser, device going to allow me to provide better care to my patients.

By now you should have received your 2017 dues renewal statement, and when paying your dues, please consider making a contribution to FOCUS, PC, the FSO Political Committee or to the For Eye Care Foundation (FECF). Contributions to FOCUS allow the FSO to advocate on your behalf, and contributions to the FECF allow the Board and volunteers to participate in many great vision screening and health care events around the state.

I hope you will consider attending the meeting Cataract Surgery: Telling It Like It Is, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, FL, January 26-29, 2017. This meeting provides intense, useful clinical information in an innovative and entertaining format. There is an optional subspecialty day on Wednesday, January 25 that will offer updates in Uveitis, Oncology, Neuro, Cornea, Refractive, Glaucoma, Retina, and Oculoplastics. They are expecting more than 500

ophthalmologists and over 100 exhibitors to attend this unique meeting. The program faculty consists of the most experienced cataract surgeons in North America, featuring Drs. Richard Mackool, Warren Hill, Douglas Koch, William Fishkind, Lisa Arbisser, Ike Ahmed, as well as Richard Packard from the United Kingdom, and many other outstanding teachers.

The agenda is comprehensive with each presentation aimed at making the attendee a more confident and skilled surgeon. There will be video symposia from 7 AM–10 PM, covering routine & challenging cases, complication management, tough IOL selection, new technology, risk management, intracameral & peri-operative drugs, and attaining emmetropia. In addition, there will be 30 wet labs in the afternoon that will include hands-on training using intracameral devices, pars plana anterior vitrectomy taught by retinal surgeons, advanced IOL and iris suturing, six different MIGs devices including Zen and Cypass, and so many other useful topics like; surviving without insurance, ergonomics to save your spine, and entertaining controversies and debates.

The 2017 Cataract Surgery: Telling It Like It Is meeting is organized by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A detailed agenda for the meeting can be viewed online at: cstellingitlikeitis.com. CME will not be offered at this meeting, so attendees can be taught on the “cutting edge” without restrictions. Not only is this meeting in Florida, making it easily accessible, but it is also very affordable, about half the price of the other meetings and most of your meals will be provided. There are multiple hotels in the Naples area that are listed on cstellingitlikeitis.com that have different price options.

Finally, we hope to get a large turnout of FSO members at this meeting, so we can host a special FSO member reception, while we are there. Stay tuned for more details on this. I hope to see all of you in January at this meeting in Naples. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for January 26-29, 2017!

As we near the end of 2016, please do not hesitate to contact me whether it is about a reimbursement issue, a legislative concern or if you are interested in getting more involved with the FSO. The FSO would like to hear from its members!

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THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016 | PAGE 3

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PAGE 4 | THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016

Legislative UpdateADVOCACY

Amy J. Young, Legislative Consultant, Ballard Partners

We have had a long, hot summer but nothing that compared to this heated election! The FSO was very active in over 47 campaigns this election cycle and had an almost 100% success rate.

The next few weeks we will experience the reshaping of the Florida House with a revamping of lobbying rules and a microscopic look at the process under the leadership of Speaker-designate Richard Corcoran.

We anticipate many issues to resurface during the next Legislative Session that may have a tremendous impact on your daily practice. This election cycle the Florida Optometric Association (FOA) has contributed millions of dollars to races, and there have been many rumors that their accelerated participation in these crucial elections can only mean an enhanced legislative agenda moving forward.

To date, there have been no bills filed for the 2017 Legislative Session and we won’t see anything (except unrelated claim bills) published until mid-November. We will be keeping a close eye not only on the FOA, but the efforts on behalf of other medical paraprofessionals, the 1-800-contacts lobby as well as telemedicine issues that will undoubtedly emerge in the next few months.

In the meantime, please refer to the important Legislative calendar dates below and please do not hesitate to contact your FSO Executive Board with any questions or concerns you may have!

IMPORTANT DATESNovember 22, 2016 – Organizational Session

December 5-9, 2016 – Interim Committee Week (House of Representatives)

December 12-16, 2016 – Interim Committee Week (Senate)

January 9-13, 2017 – Interim Committee Week

January 23-27, 2017 – Interim Committee Week

January 27, 2017 – Friday, 5:00 p.m., deadline for submitting requests for drafts of general bills and joint resolutions, including requests for companion bills

February 2017 – The Governor’s Budget Recommendations are due at least 30 days prior to the scheduled annual regular session

February 6-10, 2017 – Interim Committee Week

February 13-17, 2017 – Interim Committee Week

February 20-24, 2017 – Interim Committee Week

March 3, 2017 – Friday, 5:00 p.m., deadline for approving final drafts of general bills and joint resolutions, including companion bills

March 7, 2017 – Regular Session convenes. 12:00 p.m. deadline for filing bills for introduction

April 22, 2017 – All bills are immediately certified. Motion to reconsider made and considered the same day

April 25, 2017 – 50th day – last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings

May 5, 2017 – 60th day – last day of Regular Session

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THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016 | PAGE 5

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PAGE 6 | THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016

Third Party Liaison Committee UpdateL. Neal Freeman, MD, MBA, FACSCommittee Chair

OUTREACH

Have you made a donation to your favorite charity this year? If not, you still have time to contribute to the For Eye Care Foundation (FECF)! The For Eye Care Foundation, Inc., is the charitable arm of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology. The FECF assists other eye care organizations with community outreach and delivers important public service messages regarding eye care and disease. Make your tax-deductible donation to the FECF today online at: mdeye.org/support/contribute.

AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets you enjoy the same shopping experience as on Amazon.com, but with a benefit to the For Eye Care Foundation, Inc (FECF). When you shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchase to the FECF when you shop Amazon via this link.

Here are some steps you can take to ensure donations are made to the FECF via your Amazon purchase:• Bookmark the link to AmazonSmile so that you can support us every time you shop: smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3051564• Shop online at AmazonSmile like you normally do!• Share this link with family and friends: smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3051564

Remember, only purchases made at smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3051564 will result in donations to the For Eye Care Foundation.

Don’t Forget to Make Your FECF Donation by December 31st!

AmazonSmile and the For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.

The Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) Third Party Liaison Committee has updates on the quality payment program, postoperative data submission, local coverage determination (LCD) on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, and blepharoplasty/ptosis restriction.

Quality Payment ProgramReporting requirements under this program were reduced for physicians in 2017:

a. As long as “some data” is submitted under the guidelines in 2017, payment penalties two years later will be avoided.

b. Data needs not be submitted for the entire year to receive payment bonuses. Higher bonuses will be available, however, for physicians who report for the entire year.

As we previously reported, the four categories under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) will be:1. Quality2. Resource Use3. Advancing Care Information4. Clinical Practice Improvement

Postoperative Data SubmissionThe Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has laid out plans that would require multiple new codes be reported on patient encounters so the agency may collect data on postoperative services. This would be a costly requirement for physicians. A letter signed by both Democratic and Republican members of the House of Representatives was sent to the Health and Human Services Secretary and the Administrator of CMS in opposition to this plan.

LCD on VEGF InhibitorsA draft LCD on the use of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors is now in the 45-day comment period. This draft LCD was reviewed by the FSO and comments were submitted. The LCD includes new reference to the use of Eylea.

Blepharoplasty/Ptosis RestrictionA CMS ruling took effect on July 5 that precludes surgeons from charging for a separate cosmetic blepharoplasty and the time of a functional ptosis repair. The rationale is predicated on a questionable assumption that excision of skin, muscle, and fat is inclusive to ptosis repair. Protests and legislative action are currently being pursued in an effort to reverse this ruling.

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THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016 | PAGE 7

For Eye Care Foundation UpdateDavid Cano, MDChair, For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.

OUTREACH

Another vision screening, offered through the For Eye Care Foundation (FECF) of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO), took place at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium in West Palm Beach on Wednesday, August 24 during the Center’s “Stroller Daze” event. The event was part of a preschool event that attracted preschool children to the Science Center and included science crafts, storytelling, fire truck exploration, Planetarium show, Discovery Center exploration, face painting and vision screening. This is our second year participating at this event museum, and we hope to be able to participate annually.

Participants in the vision screening included many Lions Club members who volunteered from several clubs in the Palm Beach County area as well as Lions Club members from Miami and Naples, including Lion Howard Freedman, MD, who was instrumental in making this and many other events a great success. Dr. Freedman trained and coordinated the volunteers on location to use the SPOT vision screening devices that made the screenings both fast and fun for the children. He was able to give three local ophthalmology resident volunteers a didactic session on several pediatric ophthalmology subjects and we truly appreciated the help of these fine residents at the screening event. Dr. Freedman was distinguished by having recently been awarded the Shaler Richardson, MD, Service to Medicine Award by the FSO.

Other volunteers included members of the Lighthouse of the Blind of the Palm Beaches, Lauree Manning, MD, and myself, along with volunteers from the Cano & Manning Eye Center staff. We also owe a great deal of gratitude to the South

Florida Science Center and Aquarium staff Marc Wiskoff, senior technical advisor and adjunct curator, and Kristina Holt, director of membership and

special projects at the Science Center, who had the vision to invite us again to this special event and made wonderful

accommodations on the main floor of the museum for our screening. Many of the participants, as well as the Science Center, are hoping to host future events like this on a regular basis.

This successful event helped raise awareness of preventable vision loss in children due to amblyopia. We were able to screen over 100 children at this event, as well as provide them with appropriate resources when they were referred for complete eye exams by the vision screening. As a result of the vision screening process, six children were identified as having potential eye problems. Problems detected included bilateral high hyperopia, anisometropia, high astigmatism, early onset pathological myopia, and others. Unfortunately, only about 20 percent of children in Florida are appropriately screened for amblyopia, which is a preventable and completely treatable form of vision loss if detected at an early age.

The FECF was very pleased to provide one of the screening devices for the screening. It is our hope that the FECF will be able to purchase more of these high technology objective screening devices, so that all FSO members can have access to for future vision screening events in their respective areas in Florida, and can also encourage our pediatric colleagues to use in their practices. Together we are hoping to continue to raise awareness about this important issue here in Florida, where currently, there is no mandate that requires this crucial vision screening for our preschool children. The FECF is truly proud of all the volunteers that are involved in vision screening projects across the state and hope that we can expand our outreach into the future. You too can make a difference by contributing to or volunteering for the For Eye Care Foundation of the FSO. To make a contribution, please go to: mdeye.org/support/contribute.

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PAGE 8 | THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016

About For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.:

We are the charitable arm of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, an organization of ophthalmologists devoted delivering the highest standard of eye care throughout the state of Florida. The For Eye Care Foundation, Inc., formed in 2010 by the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, assists other eye care organizations with community outreach and delivers important public service messages regarding eye care and disease.

For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.

Serving Floridians—Protecting Vision

Donation Form

First_____________________________________________ Last________________________________ Su�x________

Address___________________________________________________________________________________________

City________________________________________________ State________________________ Zip_______________

Email____________________________________________________________ Phone____________________________

Donation Amount $1000 $750 $500 $365 $250 $100 Other: $_______________

Payment Method Check Visa MC Amex

Credit card #___________________________________________ Exp. Date___________ Security Code___________

Name on Card____________________________________ Signature_______________________________________

My donation is in memory of in honor of _________________________________________________________

Acknowledgements to:

First_____________________________________________ Last________________________________ Su�x________

Address___________________________________________________________________________________________

City________________________________________________ State________________________ Zip_______________

For Eye Care Foundation, Inc.6816 Southpoint Pkwy, Suite 1000 • Jacksonville, FL 32216

P: 904-998-0819 F: 904-998-0855www.mdeye.org/patients

For Eye Care Foundation, Inc. plans to use your generous contributions for:

• Public Education and Media Messaging • Community Outreach and Screening • Small Grants for Public Services

The Foundation would like to collaborate with organizations around a common agenda. To �nd out more about the Foundation, to volunteer or to share your ideas, please contact us at 904-998-0819.

My donation is enclosed. Please contact me about volunteer opportunities.

The For Eye Care Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonpro�t organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Page 9: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Fall 2016.pdf · The agenda is comprehensive with each presentation aimed at making the attendee a more confident and skilled surgeon. There will be video symposia

EDUCATION

Available Annual Meeting Slides and Recordings:Highlights from the Masters in Ophthalmology 2016 meeting held June 10-12 in Orlando are now available! Go to mdeye.org, login using your username and password, then go to mdeye.org/education/meeting-resources/2016. View several of the highly rated presentations synced with audio.

If you need help with your username or password, please contact [email protected].

Innovation Ethics: Can I Do Anything I Want?

Alex Levin, MD, MHSc, FRCSC

Ultrahigh Resolution OCT of Macular Pathology

Elias Reichel, MD

Glaucoma Surgery Update: Canal, Trab or Tube–What Should I do?

Arvind Neelakantan, MD, FRCOphth

Cataract Surgery Dilemmas

Kenneth Beckman, MD, FACS

Pearls to Prevent Peril in Complex Cataract Surgery

W. Barry Lee, MD, FACS

Page 10: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Fall 2016.pdf · The agenda is comprehensive with each presentation aimed at making the attendee a more confident and skilled surgeon. There will be video symposia

PAGE 10 | THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016

MEMBER CONNECTION

FSO Board Member, Dr. Janet Betchkal, Receives the AAO Secretariat AwardAt the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2017 meeting, FSO board member, Janet Betchkal, MD, received the Secretariat Award. The Secretariat Award recognizes special contributions to the Academy and to ophthalmology. Dr. Betchkal was selected

for her outstanding support of state affairs efforts and programs in her former role as a regional member of the Secretariat for state Affairs. Congratulations Dr. Betchkal!

FSO Partners with JCAHPO and ATPO on Career Development InitiativesThe Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) is partnering with JCAHPO and ATPO on an important initiative to recruit new employees as ophthalmic assistants to our members’ practices.

As a valued member of our nationally recognized society committed to the ophthalmology profession, we invite you to be a part of this pilot project. Our goal is to have 100 FSO members help us promote the profession to patients and candidates seeking a new and rewarding career.

There is no cost to you and your practice for your involvement and participation! We ask you to display the poster and flyers, connect

to the web sites, and to provide first-hand information to your patients when they ask about finding a new, rewarding career!

If you would like to participate, JCAHPO will send your clinic a free toolkit that will enhance your ability to bring in new quality ophthalmic assistants. If you are interested in receiving the Recruiting Toolkit, please contact Tim Chase at 1-800-284-3937 x224 or [email protected].

We hope you will participate in this important and worthwhile initiative.

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THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016 | PAGE 11

MEMBER CONNECTION

FSO Member Discount Benefit Programs

20% Discount

Up to 10% Discount

15% Discount

ADP TotalSource - 15% DiscountIn an arrangement between the Florida Society of Ophthalmology and ADP TotalSource, FSO members utilizing ADP will be provided with the freedom of outsourced human resources. Each FSO member new to utilizing ADP services will receive a 15% reduction from the standard administrative fees for the initial term of their services agreement. Additionally, for each full-time employee enrolled in ADP’s services, FSO receives between $50.00 and $100.00 annually.

LifeLock - 20% DiscountLifeLock is a comprehensive identity theft protection company that protects against more than just credit fraud. Their advanced protection system has broader coverage for both credit and non-credit-related identity threats. FSO members will receive a 20% discount on identity theft protection services with LifeLock. To enroll, visit www.lifelock.com, click Enroll Now, in PromoCode Section, change PromoCode to FSOFLA20, then click APPLY.

Ophthalmic Mutual Insurance Group (OMIC) - Up to 10% DiscountOMIC insured’s can earn a risk management premium discount by registering for the annual FSO meeting and attending this cosponsored program. Participants must also turn in an attendance form at the OMIC seminar along with their email address. Participants no longer have to complete the online part after the meeting as OMIC has concluded that they can contact you to survey and determine the effectiveness of the risk management education. OMIC insured’s who are current FSO members can receive a 10% discount for attending live OMIC course at the Masters in Ophthalmology meeting. Non-FSO members earn a 5% discount. These insurance premium discounts are applied upon renewal with OMIC. For further information call (800) 562-6642.

The FSO has an interactive website at www.mdeye.org that incorporates many members-only resources such as latest news and updates, annual meeting highlights, member directory, and much more. You can also view your membership account and keep your contact information up-to-date. Please feel free to email [email protected] for assistance, or [email protected] for login information.

Stay Connected with Your FSO

@EyeOnFL

Be sure to “share” and “retweet” our posts that you would like to share with your friends, colleagues, and patients!

Be sure to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up-to- date on important news and upcoming events.

www.facebook.com/FloridaOpthalmology

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PAGE 12 | THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016

MEMBER CONNECTION

Recruit New FSO Members and Save $100 or more on Your Annual Dues!As a Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) member, you already know the value that membership brings to you, your career and your patients. From top-notch educational programs to legislative advocacy in Florida’s capitol, membership in the FSO provides you with access to lifelong learning and professional integrity in order to provide the best possible patient care.

As a member, you are the best advocate we have to recruit new FSO members. With nearly 1,400 board-certified ophthalmologists in Florida, there is a lot of room for growth in our society. As you know, there is strength in numbers. When more ophthalmologists come together and speak with a unified voice, we can achieve great things, both on a state and national level.

In order to help recruitment efforts, we are offering a $100 discount to you on your FSO annual membership dues for every new member that joins based on YOUR referral. Recruiting a few new members could bring significant savings to you on the value that FSO membership brings.

How it works—it’s simple Contact your fellow ophthalmologists whom you may know or are located in your area. We can assist you with contact information if needed. Share with them the benefits of FSO membership and encourage them to join to help further the profession and strengthen their own career development. If they choose to join, simply have them fill out an online application at mdeye.org/join and where it says “Recommending Member” have them fill in your name and we will take care of the rest! Also, please remind prospective members that if they join before the annual meeting in June, they can attend the Masters in Ophthalmology 2017 scientific sessions FREE!

If you have questions regarding the recruit a member program, please contact FSO Membership Manager Amanda East at [email protected].

CALENDAR OF EVENTSTAMPA BAY OPHTHALMOLOGICAL SOCIETY MEETINGSmytbos.com/meetings/tbosmeetings.php

JANUARY 11, 2017TBDTampa Bay, FL

PALM BEACH COUNTY OPHTHALMOLOGY SOCIETY MEETINGSpbcos.org/Memberz/index.html

JANUARY 19, 2017 TBDWest Palm Beach, FL Sponsored by Sun Pharmaceuticals

2017CATARACT SURGERY: TELLING IT LIKE IT ISJanuary 26-29, 2017Naples Grande Beach ResortNaples, FLcstellingitlikeitis.com

AAO 2017 MID-YEAR FORUM April 26-28, 2017Renaissance DowntownWashington, DC

MASTERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2017 June 2, 2017—Coding and Reimbursement Course June 2-3, 2017—JCAHPO Ophthalmic Technician Program June 3, 2017—Ophthalmic Office Administrators Program June 2-4, 2017—Scientific Sessions National Doral Miami Miami, FL

Be on the lookout for more regional society events in your area! More information here: mdeye.org/advocacy/regional-societies

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THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016 | PAGE 13

FSO members save 10% on malpractice insurance with OMIC

[email protected]

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PAGE 14 | THE FLORIDA OPHTHALMOLOGIST - FALL 2016

Reduce Surgical Errors? There’s an App for ThatSteve KaufmanFSO Public Relations Consultant

When patients agree to surgery, they put their health, and trust, in the hands of a doctor, expecting the correct part of their body—the right eye versus the left or the right foot instead of the left—to be operated on.

Although rare, that’s not always the case. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), one wrong-site procedure occurs for every 100,000 surgeries.

One Florida Society of Ophthalmology (FSO) member wants to change that statistic by making sure these incidents never happen.

Srin Dutt, MD, a Hernando County eye physician and surgeon, created an app called Site of Surgery Assistant, designed to prevent those dreaded surgical errors.

He credits the creation of this app with his “desire to improve patient safety and to do it with an intuitive method for all involved.”

The app, which took a year to develop, consists of a template the physician uses to enter the patient’s data (such as name and date of birth), the surgical procedure being done, and the placement of the surgery site. The graphic of the surgery site is highlighted to draw the surgeon’s attention to it. The patient then reviews the data before signing off on it. The above mentioned information, along with signatures, are then printed onto an armband the patient wears inside the operating room.

In an article in the Tampa Bay Times from September 2016, Damodar Kanuri, MD, director of the Hernando Endoscopy and Surgery Center said: “I think it’s a great application for protecting patients from any possible wrong-site procedures. The way the mind processes information is much better with graphics.”

Since patients maintain a role in what’s happening by being asked to look over and sign the information, their reviews of the app are positive, Dr. Dutt noted. Patients are reassured the correct site has been selected and feel the latest tools are being used to enhance their safety.

All patients who tested the app said they appreciated the process and agreed that the app improves communications between them and the healthcare provider.

In a similar survey, the ophthalmologist’s colleagues say they feel more confident about working on the correct site and benefit from this technique.

To help publicize the app, patients are encouraged to suggest it to other surgeons who perform a variety of other surgeries.

In the long run, Dr. Dutt wants to expand the app to other specialties. The current template includes graphics for the head, hands, feet, as well as the rest of the body. The participating surgeon can also add custom graphics.

“The app was designed to be useful for any surgery or procedure. The pictorial marking is most useful for surgical sites that are bilateral, such as eyes. Right and left are easy to confuse. An intuitive, pictorial description makes it much easier to differentiate,” Dr. Dutt says.

Site of Surgery Assistant is available for free in the Apple App store for iPhone and iPad. If a need exists, the app will become available on other platforms, such as Android, Windows mobile and HTML.

FSO congratulates Dr. Dutt on creating this healthcare safety advancement.

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Page 16: PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Fall 2016.pdf · The agenda is comprehensive with each presentation aimed at making the attendee a more confident and skilled surgeon. There will be video symposia

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