August 2017

Below are the August Medical Staff Updates. As a reminder, all providers must complete the attestation at the bottom of this page by August 31.


Message from the President of the Medical/Dental Staff

Peter Winkelstein, MD, MS, MBA, FAAPI received a great deal of feedback, both positive and negative, on the original version of this column. After reflection, I felt that some modification was appropriate so as to emphasize my central theme of inclusiveness. As always, I welcome your comments and thoughts.

In February, I called your attention to our new lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) policy. In light of the recent ban on transgender people serving in the military purportedly due to their medical costs, I would like to re-emphasize that our policy affirms Kaleida Health’s commitment to minimizing barriers to healthcare for members of our LGBTQ community. This policy represents a tangible part of our effort to be an inclusive organization, not just for the LGBTQ community, but for people of all backgrounds.

Inclusiveness extends to everyone in our institution: patients, families, colleagues and co-workers. It is only by treating each other with respect and dignity that we can provide the consistent high-quality care for which we strive. Unfortunately, bigotry is still present in America. We must not let this interfere with our mission of providing the best healthcare to all and we must be prepared to speak out for those who face discrimination, as the American Medical Association has done (https://www.ama-assn.org/ama-statement-transgender-americans-military). Our single goal is to provide everyone in our community, without exception, with the finest healthcare.

Peter Winkelstein, MD, MS, MBA, FAAP
Medical/Dental Staff President
Kaleida Health


Quality Update: HAC Penalty

In 2012, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) put a healthcare acquired conditions (HAC) penalty program together that impacted one percent of CMS reimbursement to hospitals beginning in 2015.

Kaleida Health has paid approximately $1.5 million in penalty for every year of the program based on the organization's infection rates for a total of about $4.5 million.

Thanks to the efforts of caretakers across the system implementing the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Plan, Kaleida Health will not be paying a penalty in 2018 for the first time in the history of the program. Congratulations and thank you, providers, for your hard work and commitment!


Register Now to Save: Gates Vascular Institute Symposium

Online registration for the Gates Vascular Institute Symposium: Updates in Cardiac, Vascular & Neuroendovascular Medicine is now open. Register before September 1, 2017 to SAVE!
Gates Vascular Institute Symposium logo

This year's event will take place on Friday, October 13, 2017 and Saturday, October 14, 2017. Please note the new location:

The Grapevine Banquets
333 Dick Road
Depew, NY 14043

Visit the Gates Vascular Institute Symposium website for additional details.

Buffalo General Medical Center Steps Up Quality Improvement Efforts by Joining National Surgical Quality Improvement Program


WCHOB Trauma Center Receives ACS Verification

OISHEI

Specialized Center for Atrial Fibrillation Now Open

OISHEI


Clinical Research: Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Diabetes Center


New Providers

Please welcome the following new appointments to Kaleida Health:


Name

Clinical Service

Category or Coll/Super

Baqai, Saad, MD

Pathology

Associate

Baxter, James T., PNP

Pediatrics

APP – Rula Balluz, MD

Becker-Weidman, David J.S., MD

Radiology

Associate

Cullen, Kyle J., PA-C

Orthopaedic Surgery

APP – Lindsay Clark, MD

Downie, Andrea, RNFA

Surgery

APP

Elnasser, Dilafruz, FNP

Family Medicine

APP – Stephen Evans, MD

Fahey, Daniel J., MD

Emergency Medicine

Associate

Fuhrer, Greg S., MD

IM/Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care

Associate

George, Matthew J., FNP

Internal Medicine

APP – Haider Khadim, MD

Giesler, Daniel L., MD

Internal Medicine

Associate

Hamid, Mohammed H., MD

Internal Medicine

Associate

Karmo, Stephanie R., MD

Internal Medicine

Associate

Knuppel. Robert A., MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Associate

Lizarraga, Alexis A., MD

Neurology

Associate

LoFaso, John R., DO

Anesthesia

Associate

Maloney, Kristen, PA

Internal Medicine/Cardiology

APP – Chee Hoon Kim, MD

McKinnon, Gayle, M., CRNA

Anesthesia

APP – George Toufexis, MD

Mittal, Amol, MD

Internal Medicine/Nephrology

Associate

Niles, Philip I., MD

Ophthalmology

Associate

Nowak, Jessica, DPM

Orthopaedic Surgery/Podiatry

Associate

Parkot, Christina, FNP

Family Medicine

APP – David Kupkowski, MD

Patel, Megha H., FNP

Internal Medicine

APP – Steven Buslovich, MD

Pisano, Heather M., FNP

Internal Medicine

APP – Michael Banas, MD

Plaskett, Allen A., CRNA

Anesthesia

APP – George Toufexis, MD

Rasnick, Joseph M., ANP

Internal Medicine

APP – Attiya Siddiqi, MD

Reif, Rachael, PA-C

Internal Medicine

APP – Awais Ahmed, MD

Stohrer, Hans L., MD

Internal Medicine/Geriatrics

Associate

Weldy, Gregory, PA

Internal Medicine

APP – Colin McMahon, MD


Policy Updates for Providers

Below are the new and revised policies that affect providers at Kaleida Health. Please take a moment to review this month's updates. The policy links below are accessible from a Kaleida Health computer only. For additional assistance, please contact Amy Palombo at apalombo@kaleidahealth.org or 716-859-8447.

New Policy:

TX.IVs&MEDS.28 – Penicillin Allergy Testing

Revised Policy:

ED.1183 – Emergency Department Provider Documentation Guidelines – Clarified ED patients must have H&P and medical decision making documented before transfer to floor and reduces days chart can be outstanding from two weeks to seven days before considered delinquent

HR.21 – Standards of Appearance – Combined with Nursing Standards of Appearance so all workforce members held to same standards

LE.10 – Treatment of Unemancipated Minor – Revision to consent requirements

TX.IVs&MEDS.18 – Anticoagulation Management – Changes to Triple Antithrombotic Consideration on pages 9 and 10


Medical Staff Attestation - August 2017

By submitting this attestation, I confirm that as a member of the medical staff I have read and understand the information included in this email from Kaleida Health in accordance with Kaleida Health policy MED.41 as approved by the Medical Executive Committee.

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

First Name *
Last Name*
Practitioner Number *
Five-digit number assigned by Kaleida Health, also known as your dictation number. To look up your practitioner number, select "Practitioner Search" under Kaleida Links on KaleidaScope.
Kaleida Health Email*
 

View past issues of Medical Staff Updates