Podiatric Medical Board 2024 Winter Newsletter

Podiatric Medical Board 
2024 Winter Newsletter

Podiatric Board banner
Podiatry

 

Best Practices

 

Did you know that complaints filed against a provider’s credential are the main expenditure for the Podiatric Medical Board? Receiving a complaint is often an unexpected part of running any business, including a podiatry practice. A complaint can be filed by anyone for any reason. There can be a tendency to see a complaint as a personal criticism rather than constructive feedback, and most complaints are simply dismissed because there is no actual infraction. However, some go into investigation and can get very expensive. Most of these complaints can be avoided by simply exercising best practices in the professional setting.

Providing excellent patient care is the foundation of any successful podiatry practice. Ensuring that patients receive the highest level of care, including accurate diagnoses, effective treatment plans, and thorough follow-up care can help reduce the number of complaints against your credential. It’s important to remember that most patients will not have the clinical knowledge you do and what’s obvious or common sense to you may not be to them. A practitioner must assist patients to be clear and fully informed about the treatment being provided and the outcomes they can realistically expect.

Familiarize yourself with and try to use technology like electronic health records, online appointment scheduling, and secure patient portals. It is important to ensure that patients receive timely care, that billing is accurate and timely, and the practice runs efficiently. One of the more common complaints against a provider is failing to provide a copy of the patient’s medical records detailing care and treatment received, as well a follow-up plan of care. To avoid such complaints, practitioners are encouraged to become familiar with RCW 72.02.080.

Educate yourself and your staff with your state laws and ensure that everyone, no matter what the setting, is duly credentialed, educated/trained, and qualified to perform within their defined scope at their absolute best. Utilizing best practices can help significantly avoid complaints against your credential, can save the profession money in the long run, and work toward keeping license fees down.

Researched and gleaned from multiple credible sources by Jonathan Chamrad, Program Associate, Podiatric Medical Board to include, but not limited to: 

1.  Chapter 246-922 WAC and RCW 18-22, Podiatric Physician and Surgeon Laws
2.  Chapter 246-12 WAC, Administrative Procedures and Requirements for Credentialed Health Care Providers
3.  RCW 74.39A.095, Case Management Services
4.  American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), Practicing DPM's

AAG

Introducing Luke Eaton, AAG for the Podiatric Medical Board

Luke Eaton is an Assistant Attorney General in the Agriculture and Health Division of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO).  In his role as an Assistant Attorney General, he advises and represents a broad variety of programs, boards, and commissions at the Washington State Department of Health and Department of Agriculture. He joined the office in 2017 after several years of private practice representing health care providers.  He is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington.

The AGO serves the people and the state of Washington. State boards and commissions, such as the Board of Podiatry, are assigned an Assistant Attorney General to advise and represent the board as it fulfills its official duties. This may include providing information and advice about regulations and statutes, providing general legal advice about board actions and activities, reviewing proposed regulations and drafting of such documents in legally correct language, and defending state officials and employees for good faith actions performed in their official capacity.

HELMS

HELMS Project Updates

HELMS is our acronym for the Healthcare Enforcement and Licensing Management Software, an important new tool for credentialing and enforcement that we are rolling out to all Washington state professionals and facilities by the end of 2025.

The HELMS project is dedicated to improving our credentialing and enforcement systems through thoughtful development and implementation of new technologies. This new system, HELMS, will help to:

  • Shorten the amount of time to get a credential, license or renewal
  • Improve our customers’ online experience, with enhanced self-service functionality
  • Streamline staff experience to enable a focus on more valuable tasks
  • Strengthen data access, availability and timeliness for our users, staff and partners
  • Reduce paper-based activities where possible to enable faster, more reliable service and quality

HELMS Schedule

  • Release 1 (R1): HELMS Lite – April 24, 2024
    • February Credentialing Freeze – February 14-19, 2025 
  • Release 2 (R2): Credentialing – February 19, 2025 
  • Release 3 (R3): Enforcement – September 30, 2025 
Podiatry Image

Become Familiar with the Washington State Podiatric Medical Association (WSPMA)

WSPMA promotes the health of the public, the profession, and the individuals it serves. WSPMA also serves as a valuable resource for consumer information on podiatric medicine, and the importance and the availability of quality podiatric medical care. Learn more about us and even become a member!

Know the Rules text over map of Washington state

Rulemaking

Updates

 

For the latest information, please follow this link to Podiatric Physician and Surgeon - Rules in Progress.

Budget Information

Budget Report

Credential Counts and Status

Credential Counts

Complaints Received by Year

Complaints Received

Frequently looked for

Check out
HEAL-WA

HEAL-WA is a portal to online resources related to the medical professions in Washington state. It is funded by a portion of your license fees and is free to access anytime. HEAL-WA provides online access to journal articles, databases, and other tools needed for evidence-based practice and research.

Workforce Survey

Completing the Washington State Workforce Survey helps our profession better understand how well we are serving the people of Washington State. If you haven't already done so this year, complete the Workforce Survey 

Podiatric Medical Board CY25 Regular Meeting Dates

January 23, 2025

April 24, 2025

July 24, 2025

October 23, 2025

Attendance registration information is published prior to each meeting

Board Members

Chair
Eric Powell, DPM

Vice Chair
Jacqueline Buckley, DPM

 Member
Lotchie Kerch, DPM

 Member
Zarko Kajgana, DPM

 Member
DJ Wardle, DPM

Public Member
Civillia Winslow Hill

Public Member
Deborah Wright

Board Staff and
Support

U. James Chaney
Executive Director

Tommy Simpson III
Program Manager

Jonathan Chamrad Program Associate

Alyssa Brazil Administrative Assistant

Assistant Attorney General
Luke Eaton

Customer Service
360-236-4700

Board website

Contact the Board

     DOH 665-030
     Winter 2024