Vol. 64, No. 6, April 18, 2018

Breaking down the HIPAA security standard and its requirements

Practice Central Many providers view the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) as an irritant they wish would disappear. Given the sheer volume of requirements placed on doctors, this sentiment is hard to deny. However, the HIPAA rules won’t vanish, so you may as well elevate your understanding of these standards. In the process you may discover that the rules for the workforce security standard (found at §164.308(a)(3)) are sensible and easy to implement.

Colostrum—it does more than you think

Wellness Approach Colostrum is more than just good for your patients’ bodies, it does good for you as their health care provider. This supplement can offer a complimentary healing modality to help maintain your chiropractic adjustments and facilitate the healing process. Whether your patient has an acute injury, chronic pain, or is in need of a monthly spinal tune-up, colostrum provides numerous health benefits.

Continuous improvement at software giant

In Focus In early 2015, Chiropractic Economics reported on the merger of ChiroTouch and Future Health, two of the largest vendors of EHR systems for doctors of chiropractic. This merger was notable in that two major competitors in the software industry had chosen to combine forces. And in so doing, they were able to merge their technologies and offer a more robust EHR system, under the flagship ChiroTouch brand.

Measure your expectations against the reality of financial markets

Money Management Investors have become financially complacent in recent years as the market has lulled them with ever increasing gains and returns. When alarm clocks went off in February 2018 with one of the biggest daily and weekly losses in market history, the realization of what it means to be in the market became all too real. Unless you have been totally cut off from the news, you could not miss the turbulence the financial markets have experienced.

Pain can be a touchy subject, so know how to approach it with patients

Clinical Concerns There are two things that connect all health care professionals. First, they are in their respective professions to help improve patients’ quality of life through the alleviation and mitigation of pain. The second is that the skin is the entry point for doing so; this is how the story comes together. Pain is a billion-dollar market, and it’s snowballing into an even bigger problem. A quick Google search of the word “pain” yields over 900 million results.

Team effort: Gain by collaborating with physical therapists

Feature As the Detroit Lions’ team chiropractor for almost 15 years, Sol Cogan, DC, has seen the benefits of patients receiving care from multiple health care providers who work together. “Combining the skills of providers who share the goal of putting the patient first results in better health care,” he says. A particular collaboration patients can benefit from is one formed between their chiropractor and physical therapist.

The keys to treating common lower extremity injuries in adolescents

Research Results Adolescence refers to the years between ages 13 and 19 and is considered the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood. The telltale transformations that occur can start during the preteen or “tween” years (ages 9 through 12), and last through the end of puberty (typically around age 15 for girls and 17 for boys); the physical, emotional and hormonal shifts can have parents scratching their heads, remarking that their child has “become someone else.”

Treating TBI with transcranial photobiostimulation

Clinical Concerns Given the new information on the benefits of transcranial photobiostimulation, doctors of chiropractic have an opportunity to deliver cutting edge treatment for post-concussion syndromes, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) treatment, and potentially many other brain disorders. However, there are several questions that must be answered regarding the knowledge base, steps, and preparation doctors should undertake to become competent in transcranial photobiostimulation therapy.

Understand the relationship between protein quality and weight loss

Wellness Approach For years, protein has been the top macronutrient stressed in weight loss programming. Since the mid-1970s, nutritional programs like The Atkins Diet have focused on increased protein intake while reducing carbohydrates to elicit good weight loss results, but little research was available to prove this theory. Recent research is showing proof of the benefits of this macronutrient profile.

You can now be part of an FAA medical exam program for pilots

Practice Central When I was 14, I asked my parents for a radio-controlled airplane for Christmas. Instead, they gave me flying lessons. Their gift led to my lifelong love of flying. When I graduated with my DC degree 20 years later, I recognized that I had the training and skills to perform the Class 3 medical certificate exam that all private pilots are required to have. I eventually began a somewhat lengthy communication with the FAA Flight Surgeon.

You can’t make this stuff up

Funny Bones Dear readers, Heath care is a serious business. That’s why the occasional moments of hilarity are memorable. This installment of Funny Bones should bring a smile, and might even remind you of something that’s happened in your practice. — eds.