gastroendonews.com
The Independent Monthly Newspaper for Gastroenterologists
Volume 63, Number 8 • August 2012 40th ANNIVERSARY 1972–201 2
Rising Prevalence of Pediatric NAFLD a ‘Major Health Problem’
Quality Initiatives, Benchmarking in Gastroenterology: Is It Worth It? One Expert Says ‘ Yes,’ Explains Why
BY DAVID WILD BY CAROLINE HELWICK SAN DIEGO—The prevalence of pediatric nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rising at an alarming rate and has implications for liver-related morbidity and mortality later in life, said researchers at the 2012 see NAFLD, page 28
Colonoscopy in Elders Yields ‘Shocking’ Rate Of Curable Cancers BY CAROLINE HELWICK SAN DIEGO—Researchers reported a high rate of curable colorectal cancers among elderly patients undergoing screening colonoscopy for the first time. Therefore, advanced age should not be a reason not to screen, they told attendees of the 2012 Digestive Disease Week meeting.
SAN DIEGO—Gastroenterologists who are procrastinating about participating in quality initiatives need to get on board now, according to Irving M. Pike, MD, who laid out his reasons in a lecture at the 2012 Digestive Disease Week meeting. Although there may be reimbursement advantages associated with quality reporting, that should not be the incentive, Dr. Pike said. “We should be doing it anyway,” he told colleagues at the meeting. Participation in quality initiatives “could positively impact your practice reputation if you do it, and negatively if you don’t,” said Dr. Pike, chief medical officer of John Muir Health in Walnut Creek, Calif. “Initially, it may cost you money nott to,” he added.
Incentives and Penalties During 2012, physicians have their last chance to receive the full $44,000 per physician for attesting to “meaningful use” grants. Penalties for not meeting the meaningful use definition come into play after 2016 and escalate over time. Quality reporting is one of the criteria for attesting to “meaningful use.” see Quality Initiatives, page 20
see Elderly Colonoscopy, page 36
I N S I D E
How To Become a Five-Star GI Practice
Experts share their favorite abstracts from the 2012 DDW meeting....................page 7
BY MO ONICA J. SMITH
ME
D I C A L P R AC T I C E
EXPERTS’ PICKS Best of Digestive Disease Week (DDW): Part 2
KNOXVILLE, TENN.—Whatever changes health care reform brings, it is likely tthat the shift toward value-based reimbursement will have a significant influence on the relationships between health care organizations and gastroenteroloogists, as the battle continues over who controls the health care dollar. “Your referrals are going to be based on the quality of care you deliver and on the see Five-Star Practice, page 14 PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENT see page 49 for product information
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Board Review: Pearls of Wisdom, Third Edition Now for sale at www.McMahonMedicalBooks.com
Franklin Kasmin, MD
Nirmal Mann, MD, PhD, DSc
Prateek Sharma, MD
EXPERTS’ PICKS Best of European Association for the Study of the Liver/International Liver Congress Hepatologists Nezam Afdhal, MD, Stuart C. Gordon, MD, and Ira Jacobson, MD, share their favorite abstracts ..................................page 22