Chapter News

NY Takes Part in Medical Director Conference Call

The IPRO, New York's quality improvement organization, recently hosted a conference call on the role of the medical director in long term care and quality improvement. AMDA members Jacob Dimant, MD, CMD, Leonard Gelman, MD, CMD, and Jeff Nichols, MD, participated in the panel presentation and discussion.

During the call, Dr. Gelman emphasized the significant role the medical director plays in the annual survey and certification process. Dr. Dimant explained the medical director's importance in the quality assurance/improvement program. He noted the following as targeted clinical areas for a quality focus: pressure ulcer prevention and treatment; medication errors; falls and injuries; hydration and nutrition; dementia, behavior, and mental health care; fever and infections; incontinence and catheter management; and palliative care and pain management.

Massachusetts Chapter Annual Meeting

October 7, 2003
Sheraton Framingham Hotel

Laurie Jacobs, MD from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine is the guest speaker and will be presenting on "Anticoagulation in the LTC Setting." For more information, contact Michele Ricard, MD, CMD, MMDA President, at 978/838-0303.

WAMD Receives Commendation

The Council on Medical Education of the Wisconsin Medical Society has awarded a Commendation for Innovation in Continuing Medical Education to the Wisconsin Association of Medical Directors (WAMD). This commendation recognizes the six-month follow-up survey that is sent to all attending WAMD scientific programs. The survey asks for responses on how the information gathered from the conference was used in the long term care setting and what policy improvements resulted from the educational activity. The high percentage of positive responses to this follow-up survey gives credit to the quality of the faculty and the material presented at the WAMD conferences.

Congratulations Connecticut!

The Connecticut Medical Directors Association (CMDA) has become an independent chapter. Previously, CMDA was a part of the Connecticut State Medical Society. Kudos to CMDA President Frederick Rowland, PhD, MD, CMD, for taking the initiative to make Connecticut an active chapter again.

Indiana Chapter Activities

The Indiana Medical Directors Association (IMDA) has worked on numerous projects throughout the year. The chapter's president, David Wilcox, MD, CMD, sits on the Sub Committee on Long Term Care of the Commission on Excellence in Health Care. The group also has a seat on the Indiana Medicare Quality Initiative Committee. IMDA is working with the Indiana Society of Consultant Pharmacists on holding their 3rd Annual Conference in November with the topic being "Ethics in Long Term Care." The two organizations are also a part of the IMDA/ISCP Coalition for Excellence which was formed in October 2001. For more information, contact Toni James, IMDA Executive Director, at tcjames@ameritech.net.

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