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PRACTICE MANAGEMENT


Preparing for the worst Planning for untimely death is vital


BY CRYSTAL ZUZEK Tragedy struck the El Paso medical com- munity last spring when 57-year-old obstetrician-gynecologist Christopher Johnston Powers, MD, died unexpectedly after a cycling accident. He lingered on life support for 30 days before finally passing.


During that difficult time and after his death, Christine Brandl, MD, and her partner, Christina De Santos, MD, stepped in to see Dr. Powers’ patients. Dr. Brandl’s office manager and husband, Rich Sifuentes, ran the solo medical practice. They hope what they learned throughout the process of operating and eventually closing Dr. Powers’ practice will compel physi- cians to make important personal and professional legal arrangements now. “I heard about Dr. Powers’ acci- dent the day it happened, May 27. My husband and I met with Dr. Pow- ers’ accountant and two staff mem- bers the next day to arrange to take over the practice,” Dr. Brandl said. “I signed legal documents the fol- lowing day that allowed me and my medical partner to see the patients and my husband to manage the of- fice. We ran the office as though Dr. Powers would return,” she said. Drs. Brandl and De Santos saw


After Dr. Powers died, Drs. Brandl and De Santos continued


“We made sure the patients were cared for the way Dr. Powers would have


Dr. Powers’ 1,800 patients during lunch breaks and on Fridays. The physicians cared for his patients in addition to their own 4,500 patients while Dr. Powers was hospitalized. Dr. Brandl explains Dr. Powers’ patients had to sign medical release forms allowing her and Dr. De Santos to treat them. She says it was essential Dr. Powers’ practice continue collecting revenue to pay the bills and employees. “We made sure the patients were cared for the way Dr.


to care for his patients in emergency situations and sent letters notifying them they would need to find another doctor. They directed patients to the El Paso County Medical Society for a list of physicians they could contact. Unexpected deaths profoundly impact those left behind. And in the case of physicians, their deaths have financial and business implications they must address in advance. Dr. Powers purchased life and disability insurance and had a will, says Dr. Brandl. Unfortunately, he didn’t share his busi- ness arrangements with others. Since her experience running and closing Dr. Powers’ practice, Dr. Brandl made changes she hopes will allow others to manage her business easily in the event of her untimely death.


cared for them.”


“I have color-coded files that con- tain all of my insurance and vendor contracts, as well as my receipts. The information is organized, and my back office and front office man- ager know where all the documents and pass codes are. I have a medical partner, so patient care would fall to her,” she said. Dr. Brandl stresses the impor- tance of trusting someone with important passwords for electronic health records (EHRs), bank ac- counts, phone systems, and other practice management systems.


“If you’re a solo physician, make sure you have a list of peo- ple to call to take over your patients in case of emergency,” she said.


While no one likes to dwell on the thought of their death,


Powers would have cared for them. We gave them the same amount of time and the same type of treatment he would have. We weren’t going to allow anything to ruin his good name or his quality of care,” she said.


Dr. Brandl encourages physicians to think of the chaos they could leave behind by failing to prepare. “A physician of any age could inadvertently destroy his or her family. If you really care about your family, you’ll ensure the business side of your practice is very well organized and transparent,” she said.


April 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 51


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