Covid-19 Documentation Toolkit

Life during a pandemic is something few of us will soon forget. But five years from now, how well will you remember the specifics of day-to-day details if you are called on to testify during a lawsuit?

Re-opening Practices during the COVID Pandemic

"We do everything a little different now," Jennifer Perry, Norwood Clinic administrator, says. When Alabama shut down in March to slow the spread of COVID-19, the multi-specialty, 20-physician practice had to stop elective surgeries, ophthalmology visits, and even mammograms. Once the state reopened in May, they had to adapt to new restrictions.

Economic Effect of COVID-19 Shutdowns and Paycheck Protection Program Relief

Five months after the initial COVID-19 shutdown, it is apparent that most industries have been affected by shutdowns, restrictions and quickly changing guidelines and best practices.

Teaching Resiliency in Tough Times

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, creating a sense of normalcy where kids can feel safe and continue to develop the social skills they will need to navigate a complex world isn't easy.

Protection for Physicians Against Liability for COVID-19 Transmission

A number of statutes provide physicians with protection from liability when responding directly to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Updating IT Policies for Work-from-Home Users

About half of American workers have been forced to work from home by Covid-19, and it appears the shift may become the new norm. In April, nearly one in five CFOs surveyed by the Brookings Institution planned to keep at least 20 percent of their workforce working remotely.

Diversion from Life's Path Leads Physicians on a New Journey

UAB emergency room physician Julian Maha, MD and his wife, UAB Pediatric Critical Care physician Michele Kong, MD were living their dream as successful physicians starting a family with endless opportunities ahead on the path of life.

Addressing the Growing Issue of Firearm Injuries

It's hard to stop what you don't understand. The American College of Surgeons has secured a grant to identify individual & community risk factors for non-lethal firearm injuries.

Broken Heart Syndrome

We use the term 'broken heart' to describe someone suffering emotional distress, but not experiencing an actual medical condition. In cardiovascular medicine, however, this phrase is no longer strictly symbolic. Medical professionals now understand that there is a direct link between severe emotional and a serious cardiac condition.

All of Us Looks to Improve Care for Each of Us

The innovative All of Us initiative from the NIH provides researchers with a rich source of data to speed discoveries in both precision medicine and population health.

Meal Timing Strategies Appear to Lower Appetite, Improve Fat Burning

Researchers at UAB have discovered that meal timing strategies -- like intermittent fasting or eating earlier in the daytime -- appear to help people lose weight.

Non-Discrimination during COVID-19 Pandemic

There have been a number of recent enforcement actions announced by the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights ("OCR") regarding alleged discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.

HHS Moves Forward with Prescription Drug Import Plan

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a proposed rule that would allow states to pursue pilot programs to import drugs from Canada and a draft guidance that would allow drugmakers to import their own products and sell them under different drug codes.

Proposed Stark Law Changes May Impact Physician Compensation Models

On October 9, 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") proposed sweeping changes to the federal Physician Self-Referral Law, commonly referred to as the Stark Law.

Discussions among Physician Groups - Avoiding Antitrust Issues

Driven by Federal Health Care Reform and a desire to remain independent of hospitals and health care systems, physician groups are actively exploring different collaborative and alignment options, including the formation of independent practice associations (IPAs), integrated care networks (ICNs), and participation in accountable care organizations (ACOs).

Fast Track to Become an Emergency Medicine Doctor

Several years ago, Bruce Burns, MD, FACP, recognized a shortage of Emergency Medicine physicians in Birmingham and other areas in the South.

Injury Patterns in Older Adults

When elderly patients present in the ED, it can be difficult to distinguish between injuries occurring from a fall or physical abuse. A new study explores patterns as a way to distinguish between the two.

Hidden Liver Disease

One in five of the 80 to 100 million Americans who have a fatty liver will develop NASH, Non-alcohol Steatohepatitis. What makes the disease particularly dangerous is its stealth nature.

CMS Initiative to Transform Rural Health

A new reimbursement model intended to address healthcare access and availability in rural communities was introduced by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center.

Graft Options for ACL Repair

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) provides anterior and rotational support to the knee. ACL tears are one of the more common sports-related injuries with over 100,000 occurring annually in the United States.

Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement Offers Greater Movement

A new option has arrived in Birmingham for people who suffer from chronic lower back pain.

College Baseball Arm Injury Rates Higher Than Expected

From little league to high school and on into college, making it to the big leagues is the dream of many young athletes. Unfortunately, many athletes have already had surgical scars inside their elbow by the time they reach the higher levels.

Study to Determine Number of Undetected COVID-19 Cases

A study led by the National Institutes of Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Pittsburgh will examine how many adults in the United States have been infected by the novel coronavirus but did not know they had it.

Jones Named CEO of UAB Medicine

Reid Jones has been named chief executive officer of UAB Medicine.

Princeton Celebrates 200 Monarch Cases

AirMed Expands Fleet

Birmingham-based AirMed International, one of the leading air medical transport companies in the world, has added a medically configured Hawker 800XP aircraft to join two other AirMed owned and operated Hawker jets at the Birmingham International Airport.

Lebensburger Awarded NIH Grant

Jeffery Lebensburger, DO, director of the UAB hematology section in the Division of Pediatric Hematology Oncology, has been awarded an R01 grant by the National Institutes of Health.

Stephen Gould, MD Joins Cullman

Stephen Gould, MD has joined the Cullman Regional Medical Group.

Six from UAB Named to Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame

The Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame has named its 2020 inductees, including six individuals from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, including:

Greg Thompson, MD Joins Cullman Regional

General Surgeon Greg Thompson, MD has joined the Cullman Regional Medical Group. A native of Madison, Alabama, he received his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences from Auburn University and his medical degree from the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

Physicians Join Grandview

Three physicians have recently joined the medical staff of Grandview Medical Center.

Canon Elected President of SCARD

T. Daniel Smith, MD Joins Andrews Sports Medicine

T. Daniel Smith, MD is joining Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center effective August 10.

Cullman Regional Medical Group Welcomes Amber Whitfield, MD