Virginia Chapter of the
American College of Cardiology
Our purpose is to contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, to ensure optimal quality of care for individuals with such diseases, and to foster the highest professional ethical standards.

May 2011
 
Dear VCACC Members:

It is another month to contemplate changes in Health Care and while all the talk about change sometimes seems the only constant it truly is the one word that describes every day of practice for me.  Exciting times with daily challenges, challenges and more challenges.  Hope this issue gives you hope that changes will bring better care.  VCACC will be sending out surveys on specific topics from time-to-time so we can incorporate your thoughts and needs into our actions.
 
 
PULSE OX - IS VETOED THEN GIVEN NEW LIFE
Governor Robert McDonnell issued an Executive Directive 4 last week that establishes a work plan to ensure that all newborns are screened for critical congenital cyanotic heart disease through the use of pulse oximetry.  The Virginia Chapter, American College of Cardiology (VCACC) was specifically named as one of the participants in the work group that will report back to the Governor by December 1, 2012.  On April 19th the VCACC released a statement that expressed disappointment that Virginia would not be joining the five other states (Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Tennessee, and West Virginia) that have approved plans that will assure universal testing of newborns for CCHD when the Governor vetoed a bill mandating pulse oximetry screen on the basis of smaller government (the bill named a new committee and did not use an existing one).  Please see http://www.governor.virginia.gov/PolicyOffice/ExecutiveDirectives/pdf/Directive-4.pdf for full text of the directive.
 
 
PCI OVER THE BORDER
Most of you have heard about the inappropriate stenting claims and ongoing fall out that came from Baltimore about a year and a half ago.  Our colleagues in the Maryland Chapter of the ACC have waged an epic battle in the legislature to do right by patients - gain back the trust - and ensure that new laws and regulations are based in science and not a burden to daily practice.  In the next few days Maryland Governor O'Malley is expected to sign legislation that will include a clinical advisory group that will establish regulations and write requirements for peer or independent review of PCI procedures, to be based on ACCF/AHA/SCAI Guidelines.  This part of the law will give those who perform stenting procedures significant input into setting minimum standards for peer review programs, and these programs may well include some form of external review for a certain percentage of cases.  We are all mindful that this crisis was in Maryland but could be at our door step next - Maryland was not the first time inappropriate stenting has been front page news.  The VCACC has been asked to join a consortium through the VCSQI (Virginia Cardiac Surgery Quality Initiative) in conjunction with several health systems that would review PCI centers for quality metrics. Our primepurpose would be to make objective and science-based measurements standard in the Commonwealth;to proactively address quality concerns and public perception regarding PCI.  I view our potential role to promote a meaningful and fair review, but not burdensome or, to coin a phrase, an inappropriate review.  Look for a survey monkey to address this in the future, but please contact me if you have thoughts on this topic and any interest in participating in the process.  Please drop me an email at rshor@tcg.md.
 
 
YOUR SCORE
Did you know that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) already has issued a score card on you?  I encourage you to read this article from the Washington Post that outlines the thinking of Medicare in tying physician pay to quality metrics - more information to come in future reports on this issue. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/medicare-moves-to-tie-doctors-pay-to-quality-and-cost-of-care/2012/04/14/gIQAFq3IIT_story.html
 
 
LOOK AT YOUR CALL SCHEDULE CAREFULLY
November 16-18 the VCACC will be a part of the first regional chapter meeting joining DC, Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania in putting together a 2-day conference at Heart House. Get this meeting on your professional and personal calendar.  It will be a CME meeting with some great advocacy speakers (right after the election - so we'll have some new parameters to understand) and you can enjoy DC.  As a part of the regional meeting we would like to show Virginians are engaged - so please ask around your practice and make sure someone will come.  Details will be out by mid-June.  The agenda, for obvious reasons, has yet to be finalized.  We hope to “capitalize” (pun intended) on this being at the Heart House and to have folks from CMS and the Hill to help address issues.
 
 
VCACC AT RICHMOND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY!
Our own Linda Tavares, ACNP, AACC, was the featured cardiovascular profession speaker that revved up the crowd at the NASCAR Track Walk this past Sunday.  Cardiosmart.com is hosting these walks and a healthy lifestyle challenge at all the races this year.  Thanks Linda for being the face of cardiovascular professionals for everyone who came to RIR.

Until next month,

Bob Shor, MD, FACC
President