Vital Signs This Week
May 29, 2015

MMS Officials Weigh in on Proposed PMP Changes
Following the successful announcement of the MMS’ SmartScripts MA program last week, MMS officials met with a private consulting company, The Ripples Group, who have been contracted by the Department of Public Health to review the Prescription Monitoring Program and make recommendations on its redesign.
 
The discussions were prompted by Gov. Charlie Baker’s commitment to improve the functionality of the PMP by this fall. MMS representatives stressed the need to purchase new, modern software with the goal of integrating the PMP directly into electronic medical records; real-time prescription reporting; better, simpler use of delegates and batch look-ups; and the establishment of a review board system.
 
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Physician Focus Television for June:  The Other Side of Alzheimer’s: Caregivers and Families
The June edition of Physician Focus with the Massachusetts Medical Society will examine the effects Alzheimer’s disease has on caregivers and families. Guests are Susan Hardy, M.D., a physician board-certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine and Associate Medical Director of Summit ElderCare; and Brenda King, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist with specialties in health psychology and gerontology and a Behavioral Health Specialist at Summit ElderCare. Hosting this edition is primary care physician Bruce Karlin, M.D. Watch the show here
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Still Space to Learn More About a Mentoring Opportunity. Orientation Session at MMS on June 10 
Are you interested in volunteering as a facilitator for the Integrated Problems course at Boston University School of Medicine for the fall semester? BUSM will hold an orientation session at MMS Headquarters in Waltham on Wednesday, June 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for interested physicians. Come to learn more about the program. Lunch will be served.
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Renew Your MMS Membership Before May 31
If you do not renew before May 31, your MMS membership will be cancelled at the Board of Trustees meeting in June. Every MMS member counts! You help us achieve historic victories on behalf of physicians, such as Congress' overwhelming repeal of the SGR formula. Renew today!
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Live CME Activities 
 
Unless otherwise noted, all events are held at MMS headquarters, 860 Winter St., Waltham, MA
 
13th Annual Symposium on Men's Health
Thursday, June 18, 2015
 
 
 
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
 
Featured Online CME Activities – Risk Management Credit
The above activities have been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit
For additional risk management online CME activities, visit www.massmed.org/cme

Atrius Gets New CEO
 
Dr. Steven Strongwater, the chief transformation officer and chief medical executive for Acquisition Integration at Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Health , will become Atrius Health's new president and CEO, leading the 42-practice, 750-physician organization into its next chapter.
 

Steward pressing for House MassHealth ACO Budget Rider
 
David Morales, chief strategist at Steward Health Care, estimates the use of accountable care organizations by MassHealth, could save the agency $200 million to $400 million annually.
 

Geneva Healthcare Bringing its Medical Device Platform to Boston

The company met with the cardiac clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital and said that plans with the academic medical center are moving forward. The company consolidates data gleaned from cardiac devices – from implanted deliberators to pacemakers – into one central platform
 

State Health Care Industry Spent $19M Lobbying Lawmakers

Hospitals, insurers, doctors, unions and pharmaceutical companies spent a record $19 million trying to sway Beacon Hill lawmakers last year, a reflection of the industry's political and economic muscle and a rapidly changing health care landscape. Related: Groups that spent the most lobbying lawmakers on health care
 

Harvard Primate Lab's End Puzzles Researchers
 
At the end of May, the long history of the New England Primate Research Center will come to an end as Harvard closes the Southborough facility.
 

Gloucester Chief Details Opiate Policy
 
Gloucester police Chief Leonard Campanello, saying his department has an "obligation" to go forward with an innovative approach to drug policing he believes "will be saving lives," yesterday outlined specifics of the program, expected to take effect  next week.
 

“Scurvy” Diagnoses Mount In Springfield Clinic

Doctors in Springfield, Massachusetts, think they've identified a diet-related condition that many thought disappeared hundreds of years ago. (text and audio of 6:31 )  
 

Colleges Cautioned on Tanning Salons

Of all the hazards that young people face at college, here is one that probably crossed few parents' minds: the easy access to tanning beds, often found in off-campus housing and sometimes paid for with university-sponsored cash cards.
 
 

“Bully Pulpit” May be Path to Ensure Mental Health Services

The Baker administration's mental health chief told lawmakers that the "bully pulpit," as much as any change in state law, will be needed to improve parity for mental health services in the Massachusetts health care system.
 

With Backing from Crime Writer, McLean Researchers to Study Medical Marijuana

McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School researchers, thanks to a $500,000 gift from international best-selling author and mental health advocate Patricia Cornwell, launched the new program Marijuana Investigations for Neuroscientific Discovery program , exploring the potential impact medical marijuana has on the brain.
 

Woman Fights Medical Marijuana Firing

Christina Barbuto is fighting for her right to use medical marijuana at home and not be fired for it. Her lawyers filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination over her termination — a case that is believed to be the first of its kind in the state involving marijuana and employment.
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