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Office Staff Role in Malpractice Claims
Speaker: Paul Weber, JD and Dan Briceland, MD
Course Description: A review of malpractice claims against ophthalmologists and their practices demonstrate that ophthalmic medical personnel (OMP) are absolutely critical to the team effort of optimizing patient safety and minimizing the risk of malpractice. This course focuses on ways OMP can reduce malpractice risk and improve patient safety with effective patient communication, proper triage (especially telephone calls) and handling “special needs” patients.
Objectives:
1. Explain the role of OMP in the informed consent process.
2. Describe steps OMP can take to improve communication with special needs patients, elderly patients, minors and limited English patients.
3. Explain the role of OMP in helping triage patients who call the practice seeking care/treatment.
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Pharmacology Update 2015
Speaker: Martha Leen, MD and Paul Kremer, MD
Course Description: This course will provide an update on medications that are available for the treatment of both glaucoma and anterior segment diseases. Pharmacology indications and side effects will be discussed.
Objectives:
1. Review the medications that are available for glaucoma and anterior segment diseases.
2. Describe their indications and potential side effects.
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Ocular Trauma 2016
Speaker: Eissa Hanna, MD
Course Description: This course will be in a grand rounds format and will present several different ocular trauma cases. The course will review types of ocular trauma and discuss prevention and treatment modalities to restore vision.
Objectives:
1. Be able to recognize groups at risk for ocular trauma and counsel them on prevention.
2. List the various types of ocular trauma and have a general sense of prognosis and treatment strategies.
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The Tube Talk: Glaucoma Drainage Devices
Speaker: Deanne Nakamoto, MD
Course Description: This course will discuss the purpose and rationale, indications and different types of drainage devices used in glaucoma filtering surgery. Outcomes, possible complications and the pre- and post-operative care of the patient will also be reviewed.
Objectives:
1. Describe the various types of glaucoma drainage devices and their indications.
2. Understand the pre- and post-operative care for glaucoma filtering surgery.
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Thyroid Eye Disease
Speaker: AJ Amadi, MD, FACS
Course Description: This course will provide a practical update on how to best care for the patient with thyroid eye disease (TED). Disease activity, progress, severity and management will be reviewed. The International Thyroid Eye Disease Society (ITEDS) “VISA” standardized evaluation form will be utilized in the discussion of the clinical evaluation and management of this disorder.
Objectives:
1. Describe thyroid eye disease and its management.
2. Understand the steps to properly evaluate this disorder.
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COT Written Exam Review Part 1
Speaker: JAmy Jost, COMT, BS, CCRC, OSC
Course Description: In this two-hour class, JCAHPO COT content areas will be reviewed and discussed with the use of a PowerPoint presentation, ending with a question and answer session. This course is meant to be a review and is not designed to provide initial instruction in content materials. A good understanding of JCAHPO COT examination content areas and COA level of certification is required.
Objectives:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of JCAHPO COT examination content areas.
2. Be able to identify the specific JCAHPO COT examination content areas where additional studying would be beneficial.
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Intracranial Hypertension
Speaker: Jean Kassem, MD
Course Description: This course is designed to give the attendee an overview of the various forms of intracranial hypertension and how they affect vision. The course will cover diagnosis and management of intracranial hypertension including the role of in-office testing, imaging, invasive testing, and various medical and surgical treatment modalities. Outcomes and treatment goals will be discussed in the context of current best practice standards.
Objectives:
1. Understand the typical presentation of intracranial hypertension and the roles of various forms of in-office testing and imaging.
2. Describe the various treatment modalities and be able to recognize the warning signs of aggressive disease.
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Glaucoma Laser Surgery
Speaker: Ernesto Golez, MD
Course Description: This course will discuss the purpose and rationale, indications and different types of laser surgery used to treat glaucoma. Outcomes and possible complications will be reviewed. Pre- and post-operative care of the patient, lenses used and set-up procedures will also be discussed.
Objectives:
1. Identify the different types of laser surgery used to treat glaucoma.
2. Describe the indications, outcomes and possible complications of treatment.
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Retinal OCT: An Interactive Discussion of Basic and Advanced Interpretation
Speaker: Kelly Bui, MD
Course Description: This course will be an interactive discussion of basic and advanced retinal OCT interpretation. The lecture will provide an introduction to OCT technology and a review of cross sectional retinal anatomy. Current terminology for OCT interpretation will also be reviewed. The course participants will be asked to comment on and discuss the OCT images that will be used to illustrate retinal pathology of common diseases.
Objectives:
1. Describe cross sectional retinal anatomy and current OCT terminology.
2. Identify the retinal pathology of common diseases seen on OCT images.
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Coding Minor Surgeries and Concurrent Office Visits
Speaker: Patricia Kennedy, COMT, COE
Course Description: This course will provide information on the appropriate billing of office visits at the same time as minor procedures (i.e., services with a 0 or 10 day global fee period). Through typical examples, this course will discuss the most common minor surgeries and illustrate the proper and improper application of the use of modifier -25 needed for billable office visits. The examples will be those seen in chart audits in all areas of ophthalmology.
Objectives:
1. Understand the appropriate coding and billing of minor procedures.
2. Describe proper documentation and correct use of modifiers.
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COT Written Exam Review Part 2
Speaker: Amy Jost, COMT, BS, CCRC, OSC
Course Description: In this two-hour class, JCAHPO COT content areas will be reviewed and discussed with the use of a PowerPoint presentation, ending with a question and answer session. This course is meant to be a review and is not designed to provide initial instruction in content materials. A good understanding of JCAHPO COT examination content areas and COA level of certification is required.
Objectives:
1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of JCAHPO COT examination content areas.
2. Be able to identify the specific JCAHPO COT examination content areas where additional studying would be beneficial.
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Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pediatric Pearls
Speaker: Ingrid Carlson, MD
Course Description: What is a pearl? It is nature’s beautiful solution to what first started out as a chronic irritation. Some people fear pediatrics. Other people just love it. Let us walk through a typical pediatric ophthalmology encounter together, from greeting the patient to final assessment. Along each step of the way we will point out those irritants which may be specific to pediatrics. We will suggest solutions which may be as beautiful and as simple as pearls.
Objectives:
1. Describe the proper work-up of a pediatric patient.
2. Explain several clinical pearls that can be utilized to make the work-up easier and more efficient.
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Ocular Infections
Speaker: Barton Blackorby, MD
Course Description: This course will review the common agents of ocular infectious disease, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and insects. Common ocular infections caused by these agents will then be described and organized by anatomic location. The clinical appearance, diagnostic techniques and treatment will be reviewed for each disease entity.
Objectives:
1. Identify the common agents of ocular infectious disease.
2. Describe the diagnostic techniques and treatment for each entity.
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Orbital Trauma and Concussion in Sports Medicine
Speaker: Tim Carey, MD
Course Description: This course will focus on orbital trauma (bone fractures, eyelid trauma and hematoma), hyphema and corneal abrasion as it relates to sports medicine and will discuss prevention and treatment options.
Objectives:
1. List the various types of ocular trauma that can occur from sports injuries.
2. Name several prevention and treatment strategies.
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Mystery Retina: Interactive Discussion of Challenging Cases
Speaker: Sharel Ongchin, MD
Course Description: This course will present several diagnostically challenging “mystery retina” cases. The cases will be presented as unknowns, and audience participation will be encouraged. At the conclusion of this course, attendees will be better able to assess and evaluate a variety of diagnostically challenging “mystery retina” cases.
Objectives:
1. Describe several diagnostically challenging retina cases.
2. Understand the signs and symptoms that lead to the correct diagnosis.
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COT Practical Exam Review Part 1
Speaker: Amy Jost, COMT, BS, CCRC, OSC
Course Description: This two-hour course is designed to familiarize candidates for certification at the technician level with the computer based skill simulation process currently utilized by JCAHPO. Participants should be familiar with performing the following skills in clinical practice: retinoscopy, refinement, ocular motility cover and alternate cover testing, keratometry, lensometry, tonometry, and visual fields, in addition to having basic computer navigational skills. An overview of the clinical skills will be discussed.
Objectives:
1. Briefly review the concept of the 7 clinical skills tested on the COT Practical Exam.
2. Demonstrate ability to navigate through JCAHPO Learning Systems simulations.
3. Describe the process of determining the correct outcome for the referenced skill.
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Contact Lens Complications
Speaker: Bill Kilgore, LDO, NCLEC, COA
Course Description: This course will provide an overview of the five major groups of contact lens complications and promote an understanding and recognition of the various causes. Discussion will be focused on how to manage and avoid the complications. Participants will learn troubleshooting techniques and when to involve their physicians in the problem solving process. Experience fitting contact lenses is a prerequisite for this course.
Objectives:
1. Name the 5 major groups of contact lens complications.
2. Explain how to manage and avoid these complications.
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A Road Trip through the Visual Pathway of the Brain
Speaker: Steve Hamilton, MD
Course Description: This interactive course will use real neuro-ophthalmic cases to cover the visual pathways from the retina and optic nerve through the chiasm and back to the visual cortex. Participants should be able to recognize by visual field appearance and clinical signs the localization of pathology responsible for these “optic nerve and brain” causes of visual loss. The speaker will try to inform participants which conditions warrant urgent triage or a more leisurely work up.
Objectives:
1. Understand the visual pathway from the retina to the visual cortex.
2. Describe the location of various pathology responsible for vision loss.
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Eye Care and Common Eye Diseases in Developing Countries
Speaker: Devin Harrison, MD
Course Description: This course will provide an overview of international mission work for eye care professionals and will discuss various eye diseases, small incision cataract surgery and other surgeries frequently performed in developing countries.
Objectives:
1. List common eye diseases in developing countries.
2. Describe manual small incision cataract surgery and other surgeries frequently performed in developing countries.
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Refractive Care of the Cataract Surgical Patient: Is 20/20 the Best We Can Do?
Speaker: Chris Kuntz, MD
Course Description: This course explores how we can customize the refractive goals of cataract surgery to meet the unique needs of the individual patient. A team approach involving the patient, technician and surgeon will be explored. Topics will include how to use the internet to empower patients, when, why and how to manage astigmatism, and how to use micro monovision to enhance depth of field.
Objectives:
1. Explain how to customize refractive goals to meet individual patient needs.
2. Name various tools that can be used in the process.
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COT Practical Exam Review Part 2
Speaker: Amy Jost, COMT, BS, CCRC, OSC
Course Description: This two-hour course is designed to familiarize candidates for certification at the technician level with the computer based skill simulation process currently utilized by JCAHPO. Participants should be familiar with performing the following skills in clinical practice: retinoscopy, refinement, ocular motility cover and alternate cover testing, keratometry, lensometry, tonometry, and visual fields, in addition to having basic computer navigational skills. An overview of the clinical skills will be discussed.
Objectives:
1. Briefly review the concept of the 7 clinical skills tested on the COT Practical Exam.
2. Demonstrate ability to navigate through JCAHPO Learning Systems simulations.
3. Describe the process of determining the correct outcome for the referenced skill.
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Evaluation and Disorders of the Pupil
Speaker: Matthew Niemeyer, MD
Course Description: This course will describe how to give proper pupil evaluation, identify common pupil disorders and understand the factors that contribute to pupil disorders.
Objectives:
1. Describe the proper technique for evaluating pupil function.
2. Identify and understand various pupil disorders.
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Mystery Uveitis: How to Evaluate a Patient With Uveitis
Speaker: Thellea K. Leveque, MD, MPH
Course Description: This course will discuss several diagnostically challenging “mystery uveitis” cases. The cases will be presented as unknowns and attendees will have an opportunity to participate in this interactive course and learn how a uveitis specialist analyzes each patient. Focus will be on the step-by-step evaluation of patients with uveitis and will include both infectious and noninfectious entities in patients with anterior, intermediate, posterior uveitis and panuveitis.
Objectives:
1. Describe several diagnostically challenging uveitis cases.
2. Understand the signs and symptoms that lead to the correct diagnosis.
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Jeopardy! Pediatric Ophthalmology Pearls
Speaker: David Epley, MD
Course Description: This course will cover five different topics in pediatric ophthalmology: amblyopia, strabismus, cataracts, ocular surface and potpourri. Questions will be presented in the form of an answer as on the popular TV game show Jeopardy! Participants will have a chance to guess the question, then a brief discussion of the topic will ensue, bringing the participant up to speed with current thinking and therapies for these conditions in 2016.
Objectives:
1. Discuss various pediatric disease processes.
2. Describe the workup, evaluation and treatment options for each.
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Refraction: What Do Those Numbers Really Mean?
Speaker: Patricia Kennedy, COMT, COE
Course Description: Most technicians perform refractometry multiple times a day in clinic. It is a rote task for many. Understanding what those numbers mean in the final script can make the difference in whether or not the endpoint is accurate. This course will promote better understanding of the refractometry process including tips to achieving an optimal outcome.
Objectives:
1. Understand the theory behind refractometry.
2. Describe the techniques necessary to achieve an accurate and optimal result.
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The Red Eye and the Ophthalmic Technician
Speaker: Brian Roth, MD
Course Description: This lecture will cover the myriad of causes of a red eye and will center on the ophthalmic technician’s role in establishing the correct diagnosis. We will discuss both history taking and the preliminary examination of the red eye patient and how best to assist the ophthalmologist in reaching a diagnosis and initiating the appropriate treatment. As always, the speaker will try to present the material in a lively and engaging manner.
Objectives:
1. Explain the various causes of red eye.
2. Describe the elements needed in the history taking process and examination to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
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Steps to Creating a Phenomenal Patient Experience
Speaker: Barbra Dey
Course Description: This course will review the steps needed to create a phenomenal patient experience in the eye care clinic, including: common causes for delays in clinic flow and how to prevent them; how to express yourself with positive rather than negative language; keys to understanding telephone skills; keys to team work; how to manage difficult patients with finesse; and tips for dealing with patients with special needs.
Objectives:
1. Identify the necessary steps to create a phenomenal patient experience.
2. Describe ways to implement these steps into your daily routine.
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SUPER SCRIBE! Principles and Pearls of Scribing
Speaker: Laurie Creasey, COT
Course Description: TThis course will review the essentials of compliance and documentation when scribing for the ophthalmologist. Various tips and pearls will be discussed on how you, as a scribe, can improve clinic flow and increase the physician’s efficiency.
Objectives:
1. Explain the importance of documentation and compliance when scribing..
2. Name several pearls on how to improve clinical efficiency as a scribe.
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Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) Toxicity
Speaker: Nikhil Godbole, MD
Course Description: This course will discuss hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) use and the ocular manifestations of toxicity. Symptoms and risk factors, appropriate and detailed history taking and the various tests for toxicity will be reviewed.
Objectives:
1. Understand the indications for hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) use.
2. Name the symptoms, risk factors and various tests needed to evaluate for retinal toxicity.
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Inflammation Story Time
Speaker: Laura Periman, MD
Course Description: Wonder what that cool new tool is testing for? How do our new technologies aid the diagnosis and therapeutic choices of dry eye disease? And monitor the progress of the dry eye patient? With lots of stories and humor, we will explore what is happening on an inflammatory level to help understand the new technologies and therapeutics in dry eye disease.
Objectives:
1. Understand the causes and symptoms of dry eye disease.
2. Describe several new technologies used in the treatment of this disorder.
