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Today’s Wound Clinic 2017 Year In Review
With this exclusive retrospective, TWC takes a look back at our publication over the past year — our 10-year anniversary.
The calendar year 2017 has been significant for the publication Today’s Wound Clinic (TWC). Not only did we celebrate our 10th anniversary (TWC launched in the spring of 2007), we continued the expansion of our journal by welcoming new members to our editorial advisory board as well as growing the scope of our content through the addition of new authors, columns, and departments. We also experienced positive feedback following some major changes to our brand late in 2016, including the release of a new podcast series hosted by Stephen G. Bergquist, MD, CWSP, and the general expansion of our print edition — which grew to 12 annual issues beginning last winter.
With this year in review for 2017, we help our readers revisit some of the topics that we’ve covered over the last 12 months and reveal some of the most popular content as determined by you, our readers. Thank you all for your loyal readership. (This edition of TWC that you hold in your hands also marks our 4th annual Reader’s Choice edition. Your responses to a recent survey helped us decide on the content for this issue. (So, thanks again!)
January
Fittingly, our first publication of the year focused on one of the more dominant themes we’ve focused on over the last few years – a topic that is of utmost importance to Caroline E. Fife, MD, FAAFP, CWS, FUHM, our clinical editor (not to mention the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) – quality healthcare. For Dr. Fife and the wound care industry, quality in wound care is signified by the need for relevant quality metrics in the field, and the need for wound care clinicians to be educated on topics such as appropriate nutritional screening. A discussion on site neutrality and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) also helped set the tone for a common theme in 2017 – appropriate HBOT utilization in the wound clinic.
Additionally, TWC introduced seven members to our editorial advisory board in January: Frank Aviles, Jr., PT, CWS, FACCWS, CLT; Shaun Carpenter, MD, FAPWCA, CWSP; Kara S. Couch, MS, CRNP, CWS; Helen B. Gelly, MD, FUHM, FACCWS, UHM/ABPM; Heather Hettrick, PT, PhD, CWS, CLT-LANA, CLWT; Audrey Moyer-Harris, BSN, RN, CWCN, MBA; and Roger Shindell, MS, CHPS, CISA.
TWC Tidbit
Our 3 most popular From The Editor columns by Caroline E. Fife, MD, FAAFP, CWS, FUHM, for 2017 (rankings accurate as of Dec. 1):
Social Media Snapshot
On Facebook:
Matthew Regulski, DPM, ABMSP, FASPM, FAPWH(c), presents for Osiris Therapeutics Inc. on the use of viable placental membranes in complex wounds to wound care providers.
February
The article “What’s Wrong With Your Wound Clinic?” by Han Pham Hulen, MD, ABPM/UHM, represents one of the most heavy-hitting (and popular) articles published by TWC this year and perfectly addresses the approach that TWC dedicates to its readership – helping wound care clinicians determine how they can improve the clinical and business functions of their facilities.
Similarly, TWC reimbursement specialist Kathleen D. Schaum, MS, discussed the impact that the lack of correct charges and claims submissions has on hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) in her Business Briefs column, and the article “Think B4 U Send Text Messages,” from our column HIPAA Privacy & Security Compliance column, educated providers and program directors alike on the delicate nature of electronic communication in the wound clinic. We also looked at the evolvement of sepsis care in our History of Wound Care column.
TWC Tidbit
Our 3 most popular Business Briefs columns by Kathleen D. Schaum, MS, for 2017 (rankings accurate as of Dec. 1):
1. Lack of Correct Charges & Claim Submission Impacting HOPDs
2. Reimbursement Tips for Launching Your New Wound Care Clinic
3. Working in a Wound Care PBD: The Medical Director’s Perspective
Social Media Snapshot
On LinkedIn:
Let’s Be Frank — Measuring Success: Your Wound Clinic’s Year in Review
By Frank Aviles Jr., PT, CWS, FACCWS, CLT
March
Our March edition focused on one of the most sought after areas for more education among our readers: reimbursement. From the coordination of care in volume-based and value-based payment to the realities of a new payment system from the physician’s and HOPD’s perspective, this special edition had our readers “covered.” Dr. Fife’s road map to the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act and Merit-Based Incentive Payment System anchored a two-part series on the reimbursement healthcare “storm.” Also, we let manufacturers and management companies have their say about their thoughts on the state of wound care reimbursement.
Online Exclusive: TWC 10th Anniversary “Thank You” Video
As part of our 10th anniversary celebration, we say “thank you” to our readers, editorial board, and staff during our appearance at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring/Wound Healing Society meeting in San Diego. To view, click here.
Download the Today’s Wound Clinic App available on Apple and Android!
April
While we at TWC take pride in producing content that helps wound care professionals improve upon their clinical and business-related ventures, we also like to educate our readers on how they can best promote the great work that they already are doing.
To that end, our April edition focused on marketing strategies for wound centers, giving particular attention to how to market one’s facility on a limited budget and offering a primer on Facebook as a means to improve one’s social media presence. We also addressed “10 Marketing & Sales Mistakes Made in the Wound Clinic” as well as strategies for navigating business associate agreements.
TWC Tidbit
Here’s a list of our 3 most popular podcast episodes from 2017 (rankings accurate as of Dec. 1):
1. Episode 10: The Debridement Debate (Part 2)
2. Episode 1: Transgender-Affirming Care in the Wound Clinic
3. Episode 5: Clinical & Business Trends in the Wound Clinic
May
The role of the nurse and nurse practitioner in wound care is expanding and, with that, so too is the need to be mindful of direct-supervision requirements in the provider-based department. In our May edition, we took a look at both intriguing topics, as well as the increasing use of telemedicine in wound care and the importance of identifying mental health needs among wound clinic patients.
TWC Tidbit
Our 3 most popular Let’s Be Frank columns by Frank Aviles Jr., PT, CWS, FACCWS, CLT, for 2017 (rankings accurate as of Dec. 1):
1. Measuring Success: Your Wound Clinic’s Year in Review
2. Marketing Strategies for the Wound Clinic
3. Liability Lessons for The Wound Care Clinic & Nursing Services
On Facebook:
Live Video With Desmond Bell, DPM, CWS, at the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care Spring/Wound Healing Society Poster Hall.
June
In June, we revisited the significance of quality payment programs while paying particular attention to skin care and biologics.
Dr. Fife discusses the future of cellular and tissue-based products based on outcome measures and quality reporting in her article “Keeping ‘Skin In The Game’ for the Quality Payment Program” and Dr. Hulen et al consider the clinical, economic, and administrative benefits of utilizing an integrated wound care portfolio. Also, Michael Shao, MD, provides insight on the under-recognized issue of venous insufficiency on chronic, nonhealing wounds and Donna J. Cartwright, MPA, RHIA, CCS, RAC, FAHIMA, a member of the TWC editorial board, clears up some confusion related to Medicare’s global surgical package.
TWC Tidbit
Our 3 most popular HIPAA Privacy & Security Compliance columns by Roger Shindell, MS, CHPS, CISA, and Lorna L. Hecker, PhD, CHPS, for 2017 (rankings accurate as of Dec. 1):
- Think B4 U Send Text Messages
- Dispelling Common Myths
- Are You at Risk of Improperly Managing Business Associates?
Social Media Snapshot
On LinkedIn:
Commentary: Utilizing Cell Phones to Protect Wound Clinic Photos
By Thomas Capco
July
A common claim among wound care providers is that they are often hesitant to debride too aggressively for fear of bleeding complications.
In their article “Choosing the Best Debridement Modality to ‘Battle’ Necrotic Tissue: Pros & Cons,” Todd P. Shaffett, DNP, FNP, CWS, FACCWS, and Dr. Carpenter lead our edition on debridement with a comprehensive look at the modality. Also, we look at the debriding of chronic wounds with larval therapy. Also, we look at the debriding of chronic wounds with larval therapy and, in one of our most unique articles of the year, ask “Should Healthcare Providers ‘Google’ Their Patients?”
TWC Tidbit
Our most widely read feature article of the year: The Expanding Scope of Prepayment Review for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
By Helen B. Gelly, MD, FUHM, FACCWS, UHM/ABPM (ranking accurate as of Dec. 1)
August
As industry continues to see a push for quality healthcare in the United States and the wound care industry’s placement within that framework (or lack thereof), professional organizations are “Pursuing the Path to Specialized Wound Care.” In this special edition of TWC, we received thoughts on this potential new reality from the perspective of the American Board of Medical Specialties and the American College of Wound Healing and Tissue Repair. Also, TWC board member Eric J. Lullove, DPM, CWS, FACCWS, proposes the frontloading of wound care treatment in his article “Capturing Quality Wound Care Under MIPS.”
On LinkedIn:
Guest Editorial: Place of Service 11 — A Private-Office Solution for Wound Center Survival
By Shaun Carpenter, MD, FAPWCA, CWSP
September
With our September edition, we took (somewhat) of a step away from the clinical aspects or wound care to delve into the legal issues impacting the industry. Our in-depth coverage included articles on “Malpractice Liability Considerations for Wound Clinics,” “Pressure Ulcer Litigation,” and “The Dirty Little Secret About Medical Device Security”.
Social Media Snapshot
On Twitter:
Practical Guidance for Diagnostic Coding for Wounds (from @DrLehrman)
By Jeffrey D. Lehrman, DPM, FASPS, FACFAS, MAPWCA
October
Each year, TWC attempts to dedicate at least one edition to newly opening wound clinics. In October, we supported this initiative through articles focusing on “Reimbursement Tips for Launching Your New Wound Care Clinic,” “Offloading 101 for the Outpatient Wound Clinic,” and “The Wound Clinic’s Role in the Evolution of Value Analysis in the Hospital”. We also provided an update on prior authorization for non-emergent hyperbarics and guidance on how to develop a lymphedema program. Lymphedema is also the focus of our new Patient Handouts supplement, which is a new approach we’ve taken to helping providers educate their patients. We also appointed four new editorial advisory board members: Dr. Bergquist; Melodie Blakely, DPT, CWS; Rafael Mazuz, MBA; and Matthew Regulski, DPM, ABMSP, FASPM, FAPWH(c).
Our cover also got a bit of a new appearance to go along with the new branding of HMP, our parent company.
November
TWC board member Susie Seaman, NP, MSN, CWOCN, tackles one of the more challenging healthcare issues in our November edition on cancer care in the wound clinic: radiation-induced skin injury. Nicholas J. Golda, MD, and TWC managing editor Joe Darrah also tackle the important role that wound care providers can play in helping to detect early signs of skin cancer among patients. We also focus on the rare (but dangerous) instance of comorbid mesothelioma within this patient population.
Social Media Snapshot
Our audience continues to grow! Here’s a look at our social media numbers (as of Dec. 1):
Facebook: 2,521 Likes; 2,492 Followers
Twitter: 3,503 Followers
LinkedIn: 170 Followers
December
You’re holding the December edition of TWC (or viewing online). For the articles our readers voted on, peruse these pages (or links).
Reimbursement Library From A to Z
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