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How about Changing the Design Paradigm?

As we work through the Additional intensive spaces, to the more integrated use of with an ultimate goal of decreasing in-
COVID-19 pandemic and the care beds are not creat- technology and analytics. hospital bed capacity. Now that capacity
vulnerabilities of our Healthcare ed thru easily convert- What has also been identified as a crit- needs have become apparent in an emer-
system becomes apparent, the ible space. To the con- ical shortcoming is the amount of space gency, we need to resist the urge to build
design community must review trary, medical advances necessary to protect healthcare more as a knee jerk reaction. We need to
the needs and expectations of have lowered the need providers. No options for social distanc- build smarter, with flexibility defined to
our hospitals and rethink the for intensive care beds, ing for staff requires the acknowledge- include the “plug and play” systems and
design of healthcare facilities. yet in this crisis, they ment of their space needs in the “pop up” technology which will allow multiple
As compared to other crisis became the most need- treatment spaces in tents, conference physical spaces to be converted and used
situations; an emergency/mass ed and critical compo- rooms, and convention centers; gowning appropriately; situationally.
casualty event, or major storm nent of the hospital spaces, cleansing stations and access to Statistical analysis of this pandemic
event; the pandemic has over- BY CHARLES with patients far equipment in all these locations are crit- will demonstrate that age and social eco-
whelmed the healthcare system exceeding capacity. ical design functions necessary for staff nomic groups impacted the medical facil-
facilities in a manner never MICHELSON, AIA, The Coronavirus safety. ities in specific neighborhoods and the
experienced before, now being ACHA, LEED AP demonstrated that the The ability to control and use alternate surge levels within specific hospitals. As
called “the surge”. word flexibility can be spaces is critical in the successful con- such, a regional response that would ask
Immediately, the pandemic demon- an ambiguous and tainment of a pandemic. The manage- multiple hospitals to act in tandem as a
strated that not only was the need for overused word in the design of medical ment of mechanical systems within any response to a pandemic should be part of
space critical, but the need for isolated, facilities where specific criteria and criti- space has a reaction to the adjacent the emergency planning processes.
protected space was necessary to treat cal infectious disease needs change the spaces if adequate balancing controls are
patients and protect the public and design paradigm. Therefore, the success not in place. For more information, contact Charles
healthcare workers. Lining corridors of medical space flexibility will include For the past decade, as great advances Michelson, President, Saltz Michelson
with beds or doubling up of rooms did technical, operational and organizational were made in moving more and more Architects, at (954) 266-2700 or
not help treatment capacity and would design features. We need to rethink medical treatment to outpatient facilities, cmichelson@saltzmichelson.com or visit
have added to the spread of the disease. everything from waiting and diagnostic the use of hospitals was being scrutinized www.saltzmichelson.com.

Cover Story: Ged Lawyers: Creating Cash Governor, Let Us Bring

Flows Remotely for Providers Back House Calls

Continued from page 1 hurting their cash flow.”
• Secure sharing of legal and financial In addition to recovering this lost rev- The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the
documents via a secure program enue for current claims, Ged says they crisis of over-regulation in American medicine.
• Scheduling telephone conferences to can help with the recovery of forgotten These regulations inhibit the development of
address questions, concerns, or updates PIP receivable accounts through a retro- effective treatments for a variety of conditions
on any cases spective audit. without providing additional protection against
• Scheduling video conferencing for “Under the Florida statute, we can go harmful or ineffective treatments and inadequate
those with access and who prefer virtual back five years and audit unpaid bills care.
face-to-face communication because the claim is based on a breach of In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis had to per-
“A majority of our clients are not contract,” says Ged. “This is a great time sonally intervene to provide a special dispensation
remote but we’re converting them to to engage us because we audit files from onerous telemedicine rules to allow physi-
remote clients,” says Marius J. Ged, one remotely, remain completely COVID cians to treat patients during the quarantine.
of the partners with Ged Lawyers. “With compliant, and get a cash flow going.” This tidal wave of regulations comes not only
the technology available to us now, you Through a retrospective audit, a from state and federal governments; a vast array of
can easily do that.” healthcare provider authorizes access to accreditation and certification bodies supplement BY ANTONIO MESA, DO
As an example, Ged Lawyers are still the Ged Lawyers’ audit team for their PIP government regulations with byzantine rules and
helping its clients, medical practices and billing cases. The audit process begins by guidelines. Physicians involved in direct patient
hospitals, collect overdue and underpaid indexing each case and applying its inter- care for the majority of their time are aware of the problems with these organiza-
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) bene- nal algorithm. tions. The maintenance of certification process and the accreditation of medical
fits. PIP coverage pays up to $10,000 of “We use a remote secure connection facilities such as surgery centers and clinics are examples of how these organiza-
the medical expenses of a patient when and log right into a provider’s billing sys- tions directly profit by adding complexity and expense without improving public
he or she suffers any injuries in a car tem to get all the files we need,” says health or safety.
accident—no matter who is at fault. PIP Ged. “We have our own propriety soft- Let's examine some potential benefits from deregulation. In Florida, many older
may also provide coverage of lost wages ware that scans and reads the medical patients have difficulty getting to medical appointments due to transportation.
in certain circumstances. The intent of bills. We can apply a legal lens on top of This often means interruptions in continuity of care or the inability to get timely
this law, passed in 2012, was to reduce the medical bill, review the CPT code, treatment for new conditions. Telemedicine can provide a viable alternative by
auto accident fraud, lower the cost of and are able to find out if it was paid for allowing physicians to make virtual house calls. Patients can get the medical care
auto insurance premiums, and reduce lit- properly.” they need from physicians who know them well and understand their conditions.
igation costs. If they identify overdue benefits under Relaxation of telemedicine regulations during this pandemic has proven physi-
Under the Florida No-Fault Law, they the No-Fault Law, a Statutory Demand cians can provide virtual house calls safely and efficiently. But, if the governor
have 30 days to pay the provider. letter is sent to the insurance carrier. If later reimposes the regulatory regimen, all of this will become impossible again.
However, Ged notes that these claims necessary, Ged says they will file a law- Governor DeSantis has made deregulation a priority of his administration.
often represent the worst-performing suit to collect overdue benefits and liti- Since taking office, he’s been steadfast in trying to find ways to reduce harmful or
revenue stream for hospitals. The law gate through final judgment. counterproductive regulations. We appreciate his timely actions regarding
firm can help providers review the intake “A carrier has 30 days to respond to a telemedicine. This is the best opportunity in years to roll back the crushing
forms virtually to ensure the provider is demand letter,” adds Ged. "85% of the amount of regulation or, alternatively, to develop new structures that are not bur-
capturing of all necessary information. time they will pay the hospital or medical dened by oppressive regulation. These regulations are killing us, sometimes liter-
“Hospitals and medical practices are practice. We make the process seamless ally.
missing a significant stream of revenue and take the burden off hospital employ-
under the No-Fault Law,” says Ged. “As a ees who can focus on other things.” Dr. Antonio Mesa is President of the Dade County Medical Association
result of COVID-19, most medical offices . For more information, contact the DCMA at (305) 324-8717.
are closed and hospitals are not perform- For more information,
ing some medical procedures which are visit www.gedlawyers.com.

18 May 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News