APMA News Brief

Yes, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, the second highest court in the land, dealt a blow to Obamacare when it ruled in favor of the law as it is written and against after-the-fact regulatory whim. But the setback is at most a flesh wound.

Visit http://tbo.com/list/columns-tjackson/obamacare-suffers-flesh-wound-little-else-20140727/ to view the full article online.

A novel system in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers allows for a nonsurgical approach in which skin harvested from a swath of tiny blisters created with heat and suction is applied to a wound, potentially avoiding the need for anesthesia or exposing patients to the risk of surgical complications.

Visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/828936 to view the full article online.

Amniox Medical, a developer of restorative therapies processed from amniotic membrane and umbilical cord, has been awarded American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) approval for its NEOX wound matrix and CLARIX regenerative matrix product lines.

Visit http://www.medicaldevices-business-review.com/news/amniox-medical-receives-apma-approval-for-neox-and-clarix-product-lines-250714-4326693 to view the full article online.

Healthcare IT has the potential to generate valuable information to improve workflow, safety and efficiency within healthcare organizations. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s Note: Don’t miss APMA’s HIT resources on APMA.org.

Stop for a second and think about what your wore on your feet over the weekend. Sandals? Flip flops? They are summer staples, but unfortunately they aren’t supportive shoes. Among the most treated foot problems from wearing flip flops and sandals is plantar fasciitis.

Visit http://www.pedicure.com/2014/07/29/understanding-plantar-fasciitis-flip-flops/ to view the full article online.

A pedicure or a massage isn't enough for some women in their pursuit of pretty feet. Determined to fit into high-scale fashion shoes, they get unneeded cosmetic foot surgery. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: Read APMA’s position statement on cosmetic foot surgery.

If the study succeeds, the medication, called allopurinol, could be to diabetic kidney disease what baby aspirin is to heart attacks.

Visit http://www.commercialappeal.com/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/gout-drug-may-help-diabetics_79777347 to view the full article online.

While a day at the salon might be relaxing, you could be putting your fingers, toes and more at risk.

Visit http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2014/07/28/health-risks-lurking-at-the-nail-salon to view the full article online.

The company at the center of recent lawsuit news has a plan to get more people to try its unusual shoes. Run in them for six weeks, and if you don't like them, you can get all your money back. Click here to continue reading.

Editor's note: See APMA's position statement on barefoot running.

Among the physical obstacles athletes can face are conditions that affect the feet. Many of these problems can be avoided with good preventive care.

Visit http://www.norwichbulletin.com/article/20140729/SPORTS/140729494/10289/SPORTS to view the full article online.

An expert panel recommended completely overhauling the way government pays for the training of doctors, saying the current $15 billion system is failing to produce the medical workforce the nation needs.

Visit http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2014/July/29/panel-recommends-changes-to-doctor-training.aspx?utm_campaign=KHN%3A+First+Edition&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=13630202&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9C0C479YVldi7HvW-Bxm6f70N0NqF54bYLu9_gsQ0c8MtQ to view the full article online.

Congress is getting an earful from tech companies and health care providers about the short comings of HIPAA.

Visit http://www.politico.com/morningehealth/0714/morningehealth14793.html to view the full article online.

Electronic health records have plenty of advantages over traditional record-keeping systems. The possibility of a misdiagnosis or an unreadable transcript declines precipitously, as do costs, while patient health can see notable benefits. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s Note: Review APMA’s EHR resources for more information on purchasing an EHR system.

Even one insecure text message can be expensive. It's time for healthcare organizations to implement efficient, secure communication systems.

Visit http://www.informationweek.com/healthcare/security-and-privacy/insecure-communications-costly-for-hospitals/d/d-id/1297602?piddl_msgid=239707#msg_239707 to view the full article online.

An illustrated look at some of the more offbeat ICD-10 codes is starting to go viral, from blog posts from healthcare consultancies to physician’s assistants' Facebook news feeds.

Visit http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/Humorous-ICD-10-Book-Going-Viral-48501-1.html to view the full article online.

After six weeks of contentious, closed-door negotiations, the House and Senate have reached a deal to overhaul the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system — just in time for senators to vote on a bill before they leave Washington for a month-long break. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: Read more and take action today to encourage your elected officials to address the recruitment and retention problem for podiatric physicians in the Veteran’s Administration.

The auto-enrollment tool is set to go forward through the federal Healthcare.gov, with a choice to adopt the tool in states running their own health insurance marketplaces.

Visit http://www.ibamag.com/news/why-acas-autoenroll-tool-may-not-be-best-for-your-clients-19058.aspx to view the full article online.

One of the lesser-known provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is paying off in a big way for long-term care and rehabilitation facilities — and for the patients who are sent there to finish their recovery instead of heading home to fend for themselves.

Visit http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/health-care-inc/2014/07/the-unlikely-story-of-how-obamacare-penalties.html to view the full article online.

When President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, its requirement that large employers provide health coverage or pay a penalty seemed to many supporters a key pillar of the effort to guarantee health coverage to Americans.

Visit http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-obamacare-employer-mandate-20140729-story.html#page=1 to view the full article online.