The Physician Advocacy Program is a member benefit service offered through the Medical Society of Delaware. This program helps to meet the needs of physician practices in response to the rapidly changing health care industry. Assistance is provided statewide directly to physicians and the office staff through the following services at little or no cost to members:
AFFINITY RELATIONSHIPS…The Physician Advocacy staff works with premier partners to offer value-added services to physician members and their staff. Partners/programs include Blood Bank of Delmarva, PNC Wealth Management, and Verizon Wireless.
CONSULTING SERVICES FOR NEW PRACTICES…The Physician Practice Advocate offers custom-tailored consulting services at reasonable rates to new Delaware physicians to assist them in setting up their offices when they obtain MSD membership.
CPR and AED TRAINING…MSD’s American Heart Association (AHA) certified Basic Life Support (BLS) Instructor will come to your office at a time that is convenient for you to conduct the training and testing that is required for you and your staff to obtain your BLS for Healthcare Providers Certification. The course, which follows current AHA Guidelines, takes approximately four hours. This training is a positive step to take when your office is considering your Emergency Preparedness Protocols. Your staff can gain confidence in their ability to manage a medical emergency, and your practice can reduce the risk of potential allegations of negligence or lack of preparedness if a medical emergency occurs in your office.
HEALTH CARE ISSUES…Physicians Advocacy stays abreast of current issues, including insurance carrier concerns that affect Delaware’s physicians, to ensure that MSD will be able to respond proactively through discussions and/or meetings between key players. Physicians Advocacy communicates to MSD members through fax and e-mail broadcasts as well as articles in our newsletters.
HELP DESK AND INFORMATION REQUESTS…This service provides research and resources to assist offices needing information on a variety of subjects, including practice management issues ranging from the length of time to keep medical records to insurance carrier issues.
HIPAA COMPLIANCE TRAINING…HIPAA law requires that you provide frequent training for your staff to keep them attune to your policies and procedures. MSD can help you meet your training needs by coming to your office to conduct a one-hour session which covers HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules and the changes that have occurred since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act which were signed into law in 2009. Be sure that your policies and procedures are updated to include these changes and be prepared for heightened enforcement of HIPAA with stiffer penalties for privacy and security violations. A 2009 HIPAA Policy and Procedure Manual, a HITECH Tool Kit, and a Guide to Auditing, can be purchased through MSD.
INFECTION CONTROL TRAINING... This one hour training program entitled Infection Control for Ambulatory Care can be conducted in your office. The session was created to remind health care workers of how infections are spread, and how to break the chain of transmission. This is a significant compliment to our Bloodborne Pathogen training as it addresses diseases such as Tuberculosis, MRSA, Influenza, etc. An eighteen minute video focuses on Standard and Transmission based precautions, as well as immunizations, personal protective equipment, work restrictions, and what to do in the event of exposure. Each participant receives an instructional booklet and attendance certificate, and each practice receives an informational packet and certificate of participation. For more information, or to schedule Infection Control training for your office call or email our Professional Service Representative at 302-366-1023 or 800-348-6800, Ext. 226.
OFFICE STAFF EDUCATION…Office staff education and workshops are presented throughout the year on a variety of pertinent medical administrative topics.
OSHA TRAINING…Society members receive a generous discount on instruction on OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen standards. A registered nurse on the MSD staff will come to your office at a convenient time of your choosing to teach you and your staff these standards on Bloodborne Pathogens, safe work practices, engineered sharps protection, hazard communication, emergency preparedness, and current CDC guidelines for infection control. Our program is also designed to meet federal requirements for annual training, as well as to help your staff reduce the risk of contracting bloodborne diseases. Information on other relevant OSHA standards is also provided along with office tools and help aids offered at discount to MSD members.
PHYSICIAN ADVOCACY PROGRAM CONFERENCES…Physicians Advocacy holds an annual conference for physicians which targets front-line issues important to today’s medical practices. Additional conferences and workshops for office staff are offered throughout the year on a variety of pertinent topics.
PUBLICATIONS…The Physicians Advocacy Program offers various publications, including a medical records handbook, a guide to closing your medical practice and others, to assist your medical office at little or no cost to members.
For additional information, contact the Physician Advocacy Office at the Medical Society of Delaware (302) 224-5198 or (800) 348-6800, or e-mail to PhysicianAdvocacy@medsocedel.org