Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons^™

Dentistry And The Law: What Is Illegal About Disclosing Fee Schedules?, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Dentistry and the Law column addresses the question of disclosing fee schedules by dental plans. The author clarifies that dental plans often withhold fee schedule information, citing potential antitrust violations or illegality. However, the column asserts that this is an excuse rather than a legal constraint. The author explains that disclosing fee schedules does not violate antitrust laws; violations occur through agreements that unreasonably restrain competition. The reluctance of dental plans to disclose fee information is attributed to business objectives, not legal concerns. Dentists are encouraged to request fee schedules to make informed decisions about network participation, with a …

J Mich Dent Assoc May 2022

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Monthly, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and feature articles to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this May 2022 issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A feature on “Periodontal Disease and COVID-19"
• A cover feature introducing Dr. Vince Benivegna 2022-23 MDA President
• A 10-Minute EBD: “Charcoal Toothpastes Pose Risks with Few Benefits”
• A Professional Ethics article on “How Can Our Office be More Inclusive of Transgender Patients”
• News you need: an Editorial, a profile on Dr. Jessica Rikert, recipient of the …

Staff Matters: Employees On Military Leave, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Staff Matters column addresses an employer's concern about an employee being deployed for military service and explores options for managing the situation. The response emphasizes the application of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The article highlights that USERRA, applicable to all employers regardless of size, mandates unpaid leave for military service members and outlines re-employment rights. Practical suggestions for coping with the absence, including hiring temporary staff and having a clear policy in the employee handbook, are provided. The column also hints at future articles …

Peer Review/Ethics: How Can Our Office Be More Inclusive Of Transgender Patients?, Debra Peters Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this professional ethics article, Dr. Debra Peters of the ADA’s Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs addresses the need for dental teams to be more inclusive of transgender patients, emphasizing the challenges faced by transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals in accessing dental care. The article recommends providing training and resources for dental teams, highlighting the importance of first impressions and effective communication during patient interactions. Practical suggestions include incorporating affirmed name and gender options in registration forms, ensuring appropriate language in interactions, and addressing insurance claim discrepancies. The column promotes creating a respectful environment and cites the …

Meet New Mda President Vince Benivegna, David Foe Ma

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In an interview with the Journal, Dr. Vince Benivegna, incoming Michigan Dental Association (MDA) President, shares insights into his goals, challenges facing Michigan dentists, and the value of organized dentistry. As an oral surgeon and seasoned MDA volunteer, Dr. Benivegna addresses issues such as staffing shortages, dental supplies, and the evolving practice environment. He emphasizes the MDA's role in advocacy, mentorship, and supporting diverse dental professionals. Discussing the opioid crisis, Dr. Benivegna highlights dentistry's contributions while acknowledging the need for ongoing efforts. The interview provides a comprehensive view of leadership, professional growth, and work-life balance in organized dentistry.

Egypt’S Pediatric Oncology Hospital 57357: A Case Study Analysis, Ashley A. Clegg

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Hospital 57357 is the foremost pediatric oncology hospital in Egypt and provides treatment free of charge to children with cancer. Since its establishment in 2007, the hospital has grown to a capacity of 380 patient beds across three locations. Its quest for continuous improvement led to the development of a new performance management system emphasizing the tracking and measurement of a multitude of Key Performance Indicators across all departments. While this new system enables objective and perpetual monitoring of key patient care metrics, its integration into the existing structure introduces challenges that must be addressed. To analyze the external environment …

News You Need: Reminder: What You Must Know About Antitrust Law, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This reminder emphasizes the critical importance for dentists, particularly members of organizations like the Michigan Dental Association, to understand antitrust laws and their implications. The U.S. Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission actively pursue antitrust violations among physicians and dentists. The article outlines key aspects of the Sherman Antitrust Act, emphasizing that joint activities among independent dentists that restrain competition may lead to violations. The concept of joint action and the restraint on competition are explored, with a focus on potential pitfalls, such as price-fixing and group boycotts. Dentists are urged to stay informed to avoid legal consequences.

Dentistry And The Law: Responding To Internet Criticism And Hipaa Considerations, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Dentistry and the Law column addresses the challenge of responding to online criticism as a healthcare professional, particularly dentists. The question involves a patient posting false and damaging information online, leading to concerns about reputation and the desire to set the record straight. The response outlines the limitations imposed by HIPAA on using patient information for such purposes and explores the legal complexities in pursuing recourse. The column advises against responding directly to negative online posts, emphasizing proactive reputation management through online advertising and patient testimonials.

Staff Matters: Attracting Qualified Candidates, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In the current competitive job market, dental practices face challenges in recruiting qualified staff. This Staff Matters column explores strategies to stand out and attract candidates, addressing the impact of the "great resignation" and the projected growth in dental openings. Suggestions include offering part-time positions for increased flexibility, considering evening appointments, providing additional benefits like childcare support, attending to the practice's image through positive online reviews and marketing, and building a future workforce through partnerships with educational institutions.

J Mich Dent Assoc April 2022

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Monthly, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and feature articles to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this April 2022 issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover feature “Protect Your Patients and Yourself: The Complete and Honest Medical History”
• A feature article “The Foundation for Dental Care: The Patient Interview and Dental/Medical Health History”
• A 10-Minute EBD “The Preferred Analgesia for Orthodontic Tooth Movement: Acetaminophen or NSAIDs?”
• News you need: an Editorial, a "Reminder about Antitrust Law", and regular department articles, …

Lower The Risk For Medical Emergencies, Christopher J. Smiley Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Clinicians focus on health and safety for our patients. The editorial highlights the importance of cultural competence in dentistry to mitigate the risk of medical emergencies. Reflecting on a recent CE program, Dr. Smiley underscores the need for proactive emergency preparedness, emphasizing detailed protocols and hands-on training. The article advocates for thorough patient screening, incorporating three questions presented by Dr. Mitchel Gardiner in an article in this month’s issue, addressing patient-specific health considerations and consulting with healthcare providers. The editorial concludes by stressing the significance of risk reduction through comprehensive assessments, team training, and preparedness.

Profit Or Purpose: What Increases Medical Doctors’ Job Satisfaction?, Young Kyun Chang, Won-Yong Oh, Sanghee Han

Management, Entrepreneurship and Technology Faculty Research

This study integrates two competing views to examine whether medical doctors are satisfied with their jobs when they perceive their hospitals as being oriented toward profit (i.e., rational choice theory) or purpose (i.e., public service motivation). Using a sample of 127 doctors from 70 hospitals, this study tests these competing views. The results show that doctors who perceive their hospitals as purpose-driven are likely to experience job satisfaction, and this pattern still holds even if they also perceive their hospitals to be emphasizing profits. However, only the purpose-driven orientation results in job satisfaction via a sense of meaningfulness. Thus, this …

Association Of Electronic Medical Records And Opioid Prescription, Archana Suwal, Jemimah Okonjo, Stacie Deslich, Alberto Coustasse

Management Faculty Research

A Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) is an electronic database that tracks controlled substance prescriptions in a state. PDMPs can provide health authorities timely information about prescribing and patient behaviors that contribute to the epidemic and facilitate an agile and directed response. Electronic Prescribing for Controlled Substances (EPCS) aimed to eliminate paper prescriptions by allowing clinical prescribers to write prescriptions electronically, making them digital and trackable for both the prescriber and the pharmacist and has been an essential part of any health information technology system, as well as a requirement for 'meaningful use' (Blumenthal & Tavenner, 2010). However, one of …

Creating A Support System For Online Graduate Students Learning New Software, Marisha C. Kelly

Transforming Libraries for Graduate Students

This poster outlines strategies for creating a support system for online graduate students learning new software. The Northcentral University (NCU) Library is a 100 percent online library providing services and delivering resources to students in a remote context. According to university facts and figures, approximately 98 percent of students are enrolled in a graduate program and nearly 69 percent of those students are pursuing a doctoral degree. In May 2019, a reference and instruction librarian developed a program to support graduate students learning how to use ProQuest RefWorks, a web-based research management tool. Elements of the program include synchronous options …

Dentistry And The Law: Can I Be Reported To The Data Bank In Connection With A Billing Dispute?, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Dentistry and the Law column addresses a dentist's concern about being reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) during a billing dispute. The dentist questions the validity of such a report, considering no issues with treatment quality are raised. The response emphasizes that adverse actions based solely on billing practices may not be reportable to the NPDB. Additionally, it clarifies that a dental plan administrator may not be eligible to make a Data Bank report, offering guidance on informing the plan about rights and potential contestation.

Headquarters Report: A Look Back, A Step Forward, Karen Burgess Cae

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In her Headquarters Report, MDA Executive Director Karen Burgess reflects on the dental landscape entering the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging the "new normal" with increased demand for services, staff shortages, and supply chain challenges. Despite uncertainties, the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) maintained membership numbers better than expected, with a slight decrease in market share. The report emphasizes the importance of member value, highlighted by a favorable Net Promoter Score (NPS) and positive feedback on MDA benefits. It also discusses efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion, along with successful advocacy initiatives influencing oral health in Michigan.

Advocacy Spotlight: Ada Lobbyist Conference Highlights Critical Advocacy Issues, Neema Katibai Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The ADA Lobbyist Conference highlighted crucial issues in dentistry, including Medicare reform, teledentistry, workforce concerns, and insurance challenges. State dental associations collaborated on building advocacy partnerships and shared successful grassroots engagement strategies. Medicare reform discussions focused on the ADA's opposition to Plan B inclusion and the impact of constituent outreach. State associations addressed Medicaid reform, emphasizing personal stories to convey the need for change. Teledentistry legislation and insurance company relationships were also key topics. The insights gained will shape the MDA's advocacy strategy for 2022.

Please Don’T Shoot The Messenger, Christopher J. Smiley Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial emphasizes the importance of discerning reliable information amid the influx of COVID-19-related studies and guidelines. Drawing parallels with the ancient Greek sentiment from Sophocles' play Antigone, JMDA Editor Dr. Chris Smiley advocates for an open-minded approach to trustworthy sources, citing the World Health Organization's seven steps for evaluation. The Michigan Dental Association is highlighted as a reliable resource for synthesizing evolving information for clinicians. Despite pandemic-induced frustrations, the editorial urges practitioners to navigate changes resiliently, recognizing the dynamic nature of public health guidance.

Infection Prevention In Dentistry: Reaching Our “New Normal”, Karen K. Daw Mba, Cecm, Marie T. Fluent Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article addresses the evolving landscape of infection prevention in dentistry amid the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the dynamic nature of guidance and standards. It explores historical perspectives, including the transition from "wet finger dentistry" to universal precautions and standard precautions. The focus then shifts to the regulatory considerations and the relevance of transmission-based precautions in the context of COVID-19. The Hierarchy of Controls is discussed, encompassing elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative control, and personal protective equipment. Respiratory hygiene, personal protective equipment, and infection prevention practices are compared between the pre-COVID era and the current landscape, emphasizing the importance of adapting …

Chargemasters In The Age Of Hospital Price Transparency, Anthony Drumm

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The cost of health care services in the United States (U.S.) varies from state to state and facility to facility. The compilation of such costs and their associated codes is referred to as a chargemaster, or charge description master (CDM), and each is unique to an individual facility. . The implementation of the 2019 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Hospital Price Transparency Rule was an initial step toward consumer empowerment by making services more shoppable but published CDM data failed to present the information most pertinent to patients: total out-of-pocket costs and the availability of lower-cost alternatives. Initiatives …

The Effect Of Magnet Hospitals On Nursing Burnout, Jonathan Settle, Michael Davis

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Burnout has been a problem in health care for many years and it has particularly affected nurses. Nurse burnout was associated with worsened outcomes for nurses such as increased turnover or quitting and lower job satisfaction. There was a question as to how work environment and governance style influenced burnout.

Purpose of the study: The purpose of this research was to examine Magnet-designation status in U.S. hospitals, specifically shared governance and structural empowerment, and its effects on the rates of nurse burnout, nurse turnover, and job satisfaction of nurses.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review. Four databases as …

Costs And Length Of Stay Associated With Treating Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, Kimberly Stanfield, Kylie Day

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome has been costly for the healthcare system, for every 19 minutes a baby was diagnosed in 2021. Costs and Length of Stay both had been increased for newborns diagnosed. Medically Assisted Treatment for expecting mothers has shown to decrease costs and length of stay for newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review and a semi-structured interview. Three databases were used to collect 126 total sources. These sources were reviewed and reduced to 30 total sources that were used in the written research. Of these, 14 sources were used in the results …

Impact Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy On Military Suicide Rates, Madison Lett, Jamia Bird

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Suicide has been labeled a serious public health dilemma in the United States. Military personnel have suicide rates greater than non-military individuals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has been used as a means to help military personnel to overcome suicidal thoughts and feelings.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on military patients’ mental health and how it affects the rate of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and deaths by suicide in military patients.

Methodology: This study utilized a literature review and a semi-structured interview with a Veteran Affairs social worker. …

Childhood Obesity And Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Role Of Medicaid Expansion, Sonya Dunlap

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Obesity was defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) over the 95th percentile as determined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Childhood obesity has been a worldwide concern, but has disproportionately affected the socioeconomically disadvantaged, racial/ethical minorities, and rural children. The presence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) contributed to social and health problems. ACEs included the areas of domestic violence, mental illness, neighborhood violence, parent or guardian death, divorce or separation, parent or guardian incarceration, and substance misuse.

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this research was to compare the ACEs scores with childhood …

Covid-19 Financial Consequences In United States Hospitals, Hannah T. Osburn, Murat Mert Solakoglu, Gretel Toloza Alvarez

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Since the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, United States (U.S.) hospitals have struggled to stay financially afloat amid the constant battle with unprecedented circumstances and financial consequences from the pandemic. The purpose of this research was to analyze the financial consequences of COVID-19 for U.S. hospitals to determine the impact on the number of inpatient cases, length of stay (LOS), surgeries performed, and operating expenses. The hypothesis was that U.S. hospitals were financially affected by the consequences of COVID-19, having more inpatient cases, increased LOS, fewer surgeries performed, and higher operating expenses.

Methodology: The methodology for this …

Sars-Cov-2 And Its Impact On Emergency Medicine, Abby Fowler

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic impacted hospitals and healthcare workers throughout the world. This research sought to determine how the pandemic affected the mental health of healthcare workers in critical care, primarily because of hospitals’ focus on finances instead of healthcare workers’ mental well-being. This research included extensive literature review as well as a semi-structured interview with an emergency medicine physician in Ashland, KY, who worked before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was hypothesized that as hospitals attempted to focus primarily on recovering financial losses incurred from the pandemic, the mental health of clinicians fell through the …

The Financial Effect Of Covid-19 On Children's Hospitals Without Pediatric Psychiatric Units, Patricia Tran

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Boarding of pediatric psychiatric patients in emergency departments and inpatient medical units while awaiting placement in psychiatric facilities was common before the COVID-19 pandemic and was associated with significant hospital cost. The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a mental health crisis in the pediatric population. This study looked at the how the COVID-19 pandemic affected pediatric psychiatric boarding and the effects of pediatric psychiatric boarding on hospital finances.

Methodology: The methodology of this study utilized a literature review with semi-structured interviews of local subject matter experts. The literature review analyzed the effects of the COVID-19 precipitated pediatric mental health …

Social Media By Providers And Patients In Healthcare, Madison K. Howell, Jirakamon Silapabanleng

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter have been used in various industries to create direct-to-consumer interactive opportunities. 74% of the US population were social media active users. Around 40% of adults gather their health information from Facebook, a free social networking site, which has been available on various devices and can help many organizations advertise their services as well as communicate with their patients. Social networks had a powerful influence in making health decisions because it could be used as a means to spread either positive or negative health information.

Purpose of study: The …

Dentistry And The Law: Network Leasing Arrangements And Their Effect On Fees, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Dentists entering network leasing arrangements often face uncertainty about fees due to the lack of transparent fee schedules. While leasing companies aim to connect dentists with insurers and plans, the absence of clear payment information poses challenges. Dentists may receive varying amounts for the same services, impacting financial predictability. The article emphasizes the importance of understanding contract terms, obtaining fee schedules, and monitoring patient volume to assess the arrangement's overall benefit.

Competencies For Successful Middle Managers In Healthcare And Medical Education, Ahmed Al Ansari

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the Kingdom of Bahrain (KB) are currently in the process of the rapid transformation of health care to a self-sustained autonomous system. Middle managers play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. The aim of this study is to develop a feasible, reliable, and valid scale for measuring the leadership and managerial competencies of MM in KSA and KB. Zhou’s (2019) conceptual framework using a mixed-method approach was followed. After procuring ethical clearance from concerned authorities and informed consent from all the participants (n = 27), semi-structured interviews were conducted across three groups: …