About Dr. Fife
Dr. Fife is a world-renowned wound care physician. She is the Director of the Wound Care Center at CHI St. Luke’s The Woodlands Hospital, CMO of Intellicure, Inc., Exec. Director of the US Wound Registry & Editor of Today’s Wound Clinic.
Report Honest Healing Rates
It’s time for Wound Care physicians and providers to stand up for truly honest outcomes and transparent quality reporting. If we don’t we may see our entire profession wiped out. Click here to read more.
COVID-19 Diaries
Latest Posts
In the Event of a Nuclear Emergency… Check Your Lingerie?!
I don’t know about you, but I could use a laugh…
Upcoming MIPS Important Dates and Deadlines
Deadlines are approaching for Physicians to submit hardship exemption paperwork to CMS. Depending on your situation, requesting an exemption could spare you penalties under MIPS.
At Greenwich Hospital, Hyperbaric Medicine is being used for COVID-19
Check out this news article about HBOT being used to avoid intubation in severely ill COVID-19 patients at Grenwich Hospital in Connecticut.
Thankful for the COVID Vaccine Prospects
Dr. Carter has another post on her website about the outlook for a COVID-19 vaccine. I think it will give you another reason to be thankful tomorrow.
New Study Indicates that HBOT May Have Anti-aging Effects
The Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, Shamir (Assaf-Harofeh) Medical Center in Israel has just published a new study indicating that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has “senolytic” (anti-aging) effects. The study is reported ahead of print in the journal Aging.
The Winter of Our COVID Discontent
Dr. Carter has posted a new article on her own blog about COVID-19. “Things are not looking good in regard to the COVID-19 virus. Infection rates are totally out of control…“
A Small COVID Silver Lining: Get a Break from CMS on Some MIPS Categories
Visit the USWR to find out how the registry can help you with practice improvement activities (like improved arterial screening among patients with lower extremity wounds), and wound care relevant quality measures (like diabetic foot ulcer off-loading).
In Honor of World Wide Pressure Injury Prevention Day – Let’s Talk About What REALLY Causes PI’s
In honor of “World Wide Pressure Injury Prevention Day,” I’d like to propose that we acknowledge that severe pressure injuries (and probably “stage 1 pressure injuries”) form from the inside-out due to the compromise of named blood vessels that supply a 3-dimensional block of tissue (called an “angiosome”).
Guest Post by Dr. Helen Gelly: Medicare Denials for Radiation Proctitis
Remember that CMS is supposed to pay for “standard of care,” and the standard of care for radiation proctitis and enteritis is HBOT.
COVID Warriors Video
Our Covid Diaries author mentioned a video created by an ICU nurse as a tribute to the healthcare workers. We got permission to share the link with you.
The COVID-19 Diaries: COVID Weary
Our nation, our economy, our world and our little hospital has been up-ended by the virus and the politicization of what ought to be a non-partisan fight. We are all just so weary.
Reporting Wound Care Relevant Quality Measures to CMS as Part of MIPS
Recently someone asked me if it was actually possible to report wound care relevant quality measures to CMS as part of MIPS (the Merit Based Incentive Payment Plan). The answer is yes.
Pandemic Brain Fog
Please tell me you have it, too. At least then I won’t feel alone!
UHMS Virtual Gulf Coast Chapter Meeting 2018 Now Available
The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) Gulf Coast chapter meeting is available now on the UHMS CME portal.
Estimating the Cost-Effectiveness of Cellular and/or Tissue-Based Products
We need more data on the long-term natural history of wounds treated with SOC and longer follow up of subjects enrolled in RCTs if we are to estimate the cost-effectiveness of CTPs with any accuracy.
Law and Disorder – Going to Jail for Kennedy Terminal Ulcers
Here’s a message from my good friend and colleague, nurse practitioner Joy Schank. Joy has donated her time as an expert in criminal court proceedings dealing with the development of skin breakdown at the end of life. Family members and clinicians have been charged with crimes when loved ones develop skin changes as part of the dying process. Some have gone to prison.
October 14th is National Brave and Strong Day
My friend and patient – Morgan McCoy – has a big celebration on October 14th. That’s the day her right leg was amputated above the knee in order to save her life. Morgan is the antithesis of the victim mentality that is plaguing our country. She’s celebrating the day...
Hey Doc – Have You Tried Calling Your Own Office Lately?
If you are a doctor, call your own office and see what happens.
The Legal Implications of Pressure Injuries
Check out the editorial and article I wrote for Today’s Wound Clinic about pressure injuries and malpractice litigation.
Generally Confused
As we’ve discussed previously, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reclassified all services in the Hospital-Based Outpatient Department (HOPD) under “general supervision” away from “direct supervision,” with the caveat that it was up to the...
House Passes Hoeven-Cosponsored Legislation Which Expands VA Research in HBOT
It passed! Thank you to all of you who engaged on this issue. Let’s hope this is a small step forward for the field of hyperbaric medicine and a big step forward for our veterans. --Caroline HOUSE PASSES HOEVEN-COSPONSORED LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE VA MENTAL HEALTH,...
Hyperbaric Medicine Advocate with the Scars to Prove it
Time is running out on these bills and veterans deserve HBOT today, not months or years from now.
Operations/Business Leaders of Wound Clinics: Please Take This Survey!
Wound Clinic Leaders: Please Take This Survey The US Wound Registry is focused on improving the quality of care and outcomes of patients with chronic wounds and ulcers. As a CMS-recognized Qualified Clinical Data Registry (QCDR), we are trying to understand real-world...
Are You Brave Enough to Report Honest Healing Rates in Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs)?
We need a reality check on honest healing rates so that more realistic clinical trials can be designed. If you treat SEVERE DFUs, you know what I am talking about.
Medicare Trust Fund Insolvency Looms in 2024
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has issued a report estimating that the Medicare Trust Fund will become insolvent in 2024, two years sooner than the previous estimate, because of the pandemic.
Novitas and First Coast Retire Local Coverage Determinations for HBOT
Novitas and First Coast have retired their Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).
Monty Python and COVID-19
Dr. Marissa Carter has posted a new blog about the latest COVID-19 news, including a vaccine update.
