title: How to implement an office-based vein program.
abstract: Peripheral venous disease is a highly prevalent problem affecting over 25-30 million people in the United States. Office-based treatment of superficial veins for chronic venous insufficiency is a fast-growing area with a recent surge of interest by cardiologists in this field. We describe our own experience with establishing a vein clinic in a single-specialty, cardiology-based office, and provide tips and tricks on how you can start your own vein program. A program based on the mission of providing high-quality, appropriate care to patients and with knowledgeable providers and staff is of paramount importance for the reputation and growth of the clinic. Other important factors needed for success include diligent oversight by a director and/or supervisor, an efficient precertification process, prompt billing and coding, and establishing an internal database or participation in a national venous database to track outcomes and complications. Regular meetings of all clinic participants that discuss quality, outcomes, and operational issues are essential to help standardize care and meet the recently launched Intersocietal Accreditation Commission standards.
authors.affiliation: Midwest Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Medical Director, Vein Clinic, Cardiovascular Medicine, PC, 1236 E Rusholme, Suite 300, Davenport, IA 52803 USA. Shammas@mchsi.com.
authors.forename: Nicolas W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Shammas
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hauber
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation / Q000592:standards; D002309:Cardiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000592:standards; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*