Incorporating Allergy into the Busy Otolaryngology Practice

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Have the following thoughts ever crossed your mind? "I think allergy testing and immunotherapy would be a great thing to offer in my practice, but I'm not sure how to get started"… or… "I would like to maximize the efficiency of my allergy practice".

Allergy impacts most ENT practices as a significant portion of the U.S. population suffers from allergic rhinitis. There is a relationship between allergic disease and many head and neck diseases. This can present in a variety of ways. Overlapping symptoms and co-morbid conditions may make the diagnosis difficult.

In this session, physicians with busy otolaryngology practices will address a number of real-world questions related to the everyday obstacles of incorporating allergy into an otolaryngology practice. The panelists will offer clinical tips on identifying allergy-related signs and symptoms in routine otolaryngology patients. The epidemiology of allergy and its associations with other common comorbidities in the ENT practice will also be discussed.

The panelists offer different perspectives on what it means to incorporate allergy - from hiring an allergist/immunologist to run that part of the practice to having an otolaryngologist in the practice oversee the day to day operations of an allergy department. The panelists will discuss all things related to set up- from office set up to choosing appropriate staff to supplies, etc. In addition, for those who wish to expand their current allergy practice, some additional ancillary services will be presented such as spirometry for asthma diagnosis/treatment, as well as biologic agents (buy and bill).

A discussion of the practical side of running an otolaryngic allergy practice will include billing and coding tips from otolaryngic allergists, along with maximizing the time of your allergy nurses and efficiency of the department.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Improve clinical acumen to identify allergy signs/symptoms in the otolaryngology patient

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Explain billing, coding, and supervision stipulations for the otolaryngic allergy practice

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Be knowledgeable regarding various options of how to set up an allergy department within a busy otolaryngology practice

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: Members may be interested in adding allergy services to their practice and not know how/where to begin. This session will highlight how to get started and how to set up an otolaryngic allergy practice. This panel will include may different perspectives of what it means to offer allergy services.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement : We do have members on this panel who identify as comprehensive otolaryngologists.
There is a relationship between allergic disease and many of the head and neck diseases that a comprehensive otolaryngologist treats/manages.