DEADLINE TO INCLUDE NPI # ON CONSECUTIVELY NUMBERED RX BLANKS OCTOBER 1, 2008 As of October 1, 2008, NJ Prescription Blanks must be pre-printed with the physician’s NPI number and must be consecutively numbered. Until the deadline, physicians may continue to use their existing blank. SBME ADOPTS CULTURAL COMPETENCY REGS. This implements the State statuary requirement that mandates six documented hours of CME on Cultural Competency for license renewal after March 24, 2008. These hours are in addition to previously SBME required CME. Regulatory criteria for curricula include: 1. A context for training, common definitions of cultural competence, race, ethnicity and culture and tools for self-assessment; 2. An appreciation for the traditions and beliefs of diverse patient populations, at multiple levels-— as individuals, in families and as pal t of a larger community; 3. An understanding of the impact that stereotyping can have on medical decision-making; 4. Strategies for recognizing patterns of health care disparities and eliminating factors influencing them; 5. Approaches to enhance cross-cultural clinical skills, such as those relating to history-taking, problem solving and promoting patient compliance; and 6. Techniques to deal with language barriers and other communication needs, including working with interpreters. Full regulations are at: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/adoption/bmeado47.htm. SBME Regs: The 6 hours total can be done separately. But all curriculum topics should be covered in the 6 hours. Physicians should keep copies of specific course content to show fulfillment of requirement. If you are audited these documents can be used to support that your course selection covered the various required topics. UPDATE STAFF BYLAWS NOW Last Fall, The Joint Commission (formerly JCAHO) issued new standards which become effective July 2009 and require updating all staff bylaws. (The AMA reminds you to review bylaws with an attorney who is paid by your staff not the hospital.) Bylaws are legally binding and could curtail who may practice, what care can be practiced’ and what care can not be practiced at that hospital. A hospital in South Jersey recently tried to exclude some surgeons who had practiced cardiac surgery there for many years. The matter was settled out of court because the way their bylaws were written protected them. Be sure your bylaws are-written correctly. Pressures are on hospital administrations to exercise greater control. The ball is in your court.