December 2008

Even techies make New Year’s Resolutions and promises to themselves. Some even involve important things. My #1 resolution for 2009 – Install and learn Dragon NaturallySpeaking software (the cheap $76.99 Standard Edition). I’ve talked to way too many people who love this software to keep ignoring it. If you’re like me and can think faster than you can type, this is a tool to try.

I know many legal nurse consultants who end up spending more time concentrating on typing (dare I say pecking) their CLNC reports and end up losing those important thoughts before they can get them on paper. Typing wasn’t taught in nursing school, so chances are you’re not going to win any typing contests at 30 words per minute. The average person speaks at about 120 words per minute (those of you who know me figure I’m slightly above that) but I can’t type that fast (well, I can, but with 0% accuracy). This changes the equation.

The demo I saw just blew me away. Once you get used to this software you’ll be dictating all your reports, letters to your attorney-clients, grocery lists, to-dos and to-don’ts. I’m planning on installing this on Vickie’s computer in January. If Vickie can do it, you can do it. I’ll be giving you an update on how well it works and how easy it is to train your computer to recognize your speech patterns.

Be aware this program only works on 32-bit systems (not newer 64-bit systems). So before you buy, on your Windows-based machine: Open the Start menu. Click on Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, then System Information. After the System Summary screen fills look on the right side of the screen for “System Type.” If it shows “x86-based PC” you have a 32-bit computer. If it shows “x64-based PC” you have a 64-bit computer. You can also look at the operating system line – if you are running 64-bit XP it will tell you. Another alternative method is to click the Start button, click on Control Panel, click on System and Maintenance, and then click on System. Under System, you can view the system type – it will tell you if you are running a 64-bit system.

Check back in about six Tuesdays!

Tom

Recession. Market downturn. Doom. Gloom. Bailout, schmailout. Nurses getting laid off in great numbers. In spite of all the negative headlines out there, according to the experts, a recession is actually your ticket to success as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. That’s right – kicking your legal nurse consulting business into high gear during a recession is a great idea.

It’s amazing, but true! Recessions are typically among the strongest times for new business startups. This means that the time to reignite your certified legal nurse consulting business is now.

5 Reasons Why a Recession Is the Best Time to Kick Start Your CLNC^® Consulting Business into High Gear

1. During a recession, injured people are more likely to pursue their legal rights and hold others accountable for their actions.
2. Fears of a downturn may cause fewer nurses to venture out from hospitals to become Certified Legal Nurse Consultants. That’s more attorney business for you.
3. Attorneys will worry about the cost of expensive MD experts who charge as much as $1,000/hr and quickly see the wisdom in relying more on cost-effective Certified Legal Nurse Consultants who charge $125-150/hr.
4. Lawyers will realize that they’re going to have to work harder to keep their clients happy – and they’ll need the specialized expertise of Certified Legal Nurse Consultants to do so.
5. Hospitals are freezing salaries and laying off nurses. Bonuses are unheard of. Your earning potential as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant is unlimited.

“When everyone is running to the exits, the people that stand tall and firm almost always end up making a fortune. If you’re not yet in a business, this is the absolute prime time to get in.”

– Bill Bartmann (Self-Made Billionaire)

Success Is Inside!

Merry Christmas! I wish for each of you to receive the glorious gifts of the season – Peace, Joy and Lasting Happiness. My special regard and gratitude to all nurses and Certified Legal Nurse Consultants.

Life is meant to be good!

I’m a mobile user. I make no pains to hide it from you. Give me a laptop, a spare battery and a wireless connection, and I’m happy no matter where I am. Vickie often jokes that if there was a disaster, I’d grab my laptop before her – she’s not far from the truth (she’ll never forget my actions during the great condo fire of ’88).

Anyway, I can’t spend my entire life on the road (although it seems like I do). For those odd times when I’m at home, I have a docking station that I drop my laptop into. Into the docking station, I’ve plugged my dual 20″ monitors, a full-size keyboard, trackball mouse printer, flat-bed scanner (for photos), Fujitsu ScanSnap (for documents), a USB cable for my BlackBerry^® and camera, that snazzy white cable that came with my iPod and a USB extension cable (with the female USB end) that keeps me from having to look for an open port when I’m loading a memory stick. At the office, my dock is identical, sans the scanners and iPod cable. Best of all, whenever I undock to move offices or catch a flight I NEVER UNPLUG A CABLE!

I know some legal nurse consultants haven’t set up a dock yet to take advantage of the new big screen monitors. So you’re constantly plugging and unplugging USB cables from your machine every time you need to move it (or clean under it).

“Tom,” you might ask, “how did you ever manage to cram 7 USB connections into a dock that has 3 USB ports?” Easy. It’s a solution that’s helpful even if you don’t use a dock for your laptop.

Depending on the number of connections you need, buy yourself a small, powered USB hub like the Cables To Go 7 Port USB 2.0 Hub ($27.99 at Amazon.com) or the D-Link DUB-H4 High Speed USB 2.0 4-Port Hub ($25.98 at Amazon.com).

Once your hub arrives, unpack it, follow the instructions, connect it to your laptop (or even your desktop) and plug all your USB peripherals into it one at a time. Make sure you use the accompanying power supply because some laptop USB plugs don’t always give off enough juice to power an external hard drive and all that other stuff you’ll end up plugging into it (like your USB Plasma Ball $12.99 from ThinkGeek.com).

My hub plugs into the back of my dock taking up one USB plug. Even better there’s no wear and tear on my USB connections from constantly sticking them in upside down (admit it). Desktop users will love not having to crawl around on the floor looking for an open port and can use the hub to extend their number of available ports.

Next time you grab and go with your laptop, you’ll only have to unplug one USB cable and won’t pull the entire contents off your desktop if you miss a cable (don’t ask). This is a much cleaner and simpler system and isolates all your connections at one point. Occasionally I’ll have a device stop working and I just unplug it, replug it and I’m back to work!

That’s all for now – keep on techin’,

Tom

Having just been in the ED for 6 hours with a friend, I witnessed firsthand the secondhand, substandard grade the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) has given to the state of emergency care in the U.S.

The care I witnessed wasn’t deplorable, but it wasn’t inspiring either. The staff’s empathy for a grieving family was hit and miss. The orthopedic resident’s technical ability as well as her interpersonal skills and judgment left a lot to be desired. And the hygiene of the department – well what can I say? It was as much of a hygiene risk as my 4-year-old godson’s preschool playground full of little Ebola viruses.

ACEP reported in a Report Card on the State of Emergency Medicine that the “Economic woes and a failing health care system mean more people than ever before are relying on emergency care at a time when the nation is receiving a substandard C- grade for its support of emergency patients.” Dr. Nicholas Jouriles, president of ACEP said, “Policymakers can no longer remain oblivious to what is happening in emergency departments.” He called on President-elect Obama to make emergency care a top priority in health care reform proposals.

Dr. Angela Gardner, ACEP’s president-elect, said “The emergency care system is a ticking time bomb… a failing health care system means more people than ever before will be relying on emergency care meanwhile, every minute of every day in this country people need emergency medical care, and that need is growing as our population ages and lives longer.”

Emergency care is becoming primary care – it’s the frontline of medicine, and America’s losing the battle. This substandard care will increase the number of medical malpractice emergency cases and increase the demand for Certified Legal Nurse Consultants on emergency care issues.

Success Is Inside!

Lawyers USA, one of my favorite legal publications, reported that Fosamax^® lawsuits are set to take off in 2009. Fosamax^®, manufactured by Merck is used for treatment of osteoporosis.

700 plaintiffs are alleging that Merck failed to warn users of the potential risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw which causes the jaw to deteriorate. The plaintiffs also allege that the FDA upon approval in 1995 requested Merck to perform further testing and place a warning on the package.

Another reported alleged complication of Fosamax^® is atrial fibrillation.

Certified Legal Nurse Consultants interested in Fosamax^® litigation should research on the Internet both the plaintiff and defense attorneys representing these cases. Fosamax^® cases will undoubtedly increase in number, and will create a long-term legal nurse consulting opportunity.

The 30 CLNC^® services Certified Legal Nurse Consultants provide are relevant, and here are some examples of how you can apply these 30 CLNC^® services to Fosamax^® cases.

1. Assess all relevant prior medical records for causation and risk of osteonecrosis unrelated to Fosamax^®. (Example – history of receiving chemotherapy.)
2. Provide a detailed history regarding the plaintiff’s use of Fosamax^®.
3. Assess and provide a summary of medical records for evidence of osteonecrosis or atrial fibrillation and related injuries and damages.
4. Research, summarize and create a “library” of all relevant, peer-reviewed articles on Fosamax^® and its relationship to osteonecrosis and atrial fibrillation. Educate the attorney about the mechanism of Fosamax^®. Avoid nonauthoritative Internet services.
5. If working with an attorney who represents numerous plaintiffs, identify the percentage of plaintiffs who have osteonecrosis, atrial fibrillation or both osteonecrosis and atrial fibrillation.
6. Develop a plaintiff interview form focused on Fosamax^® to interview plaintiffs quickly and consistently.
7. Locating medical experts, i.e., pharmacologists and dental surgeons who are qualified to testify to alleged defect and causation issues. Communicate with experts on behalf of your attorney-client.
8. Analyze and summarize all medical expert testimony for accuracy, and both favorable and unfavorable opinions.

Fosamax^® cases will be a hot topic for years to come. This is the time to jump in and be part of this very interesting litigation. Incorporate these eight specific services when you market your legal nurse consulting business, and attorneys handling Fosamax^® cases will instantly see how you can save them time and money.

Success Is Inside!

We all have goals of saving money. Do you want to learn a great way to save over $400 in 2009? Save yourself the expense of a dedicated fax line. If you don’t use your fax machine that often, or if you send more faxes than you receive, you can buy a cheap Duplex Wall Jack Adapter ($2.51 on Amazon.com) and plug your phone and fax machine into that adapter.

With the adapter, both your home or office phone and fax machine are on the same line. Next, set your fax machine to “Manual” and call the phone company and cancel the old dedicated line. On the manual setting you can send faxes at any time and the fax won’t answer when your attorney-clients call, your regular answering machine will. If you need to receive a fax, you can activate the fax – but you have to be there to switch it on, which may be inconvenient.

If you want to keep the full functionality of the fax machine, add a Command Communications Comswitch 5500 3-Port Phone/Fax Modem Line Sharing Device ($50.24 from Amazon.com) between the wall and your phone and your fax machine. This neat little device senses the type of incoming call (probably from the fax screech) and directs it to the appropriate device.

You’re probably spending $38/month or better on your dedicated fax line so this system will pay for itself in 2 months!

Now that you’re saving money hand over fist start planning on your next equipment purchase: A Fujitsu ScanSnap S510 ($399 on Amazon.com). This scanner is the size of a Barbie^® Lunch Box and it’s fast. Feed your papers in like a fax. It quickly and easily scans both sides of a document directly to a specific application such as Word^® or Excel^® or, into a searchable PDF for easy filing, emailing or other communication. There’s even one for Mac users!

Now you can start scanning your reports, medical records and other paperwork and clean out those filing cabinets. It also comes with a full version of Adobe^® Acrobat^® which lets you edit your documents after scanning.

Tsukiji Fish Market

This sure beats faxing and is great when you’re sending contracts or other reports to an attorney and don’t want to provide them with the native Word^® document.

See you next Tuesday!

Tom

Vickie,

I went to my first interview yesterday with a products liability attorney. He was so interested in my CLNC^® services that he asked me to present to a group of 20 products liability attorneys in the area. Do I charge for this presentation? I don’t think I should since he is basically presenting me to 20 other attorneys.

What legal nurse consulting topic should I present and how long should it to be?

I thought I might take some time on life care planning because the attorney was very interested in this topic and didn’t even know what a “life care planner” was. I also thought I would choose a common injury or issue that they come across. I asked the attorney specifically if there was something he wanted me to cover. He stated, “What we covered today and anything else you can think of.” It’s all up to me. I don’t want to bomb!

Jessica M., CLNC

Hi Jessica,

Congratulations on your interview! What an incredible marketing opportunity to present your CLNC^® services to a group of attorneys. I love it when the room is full of them. Do not charge for this presentation – look at it as an opportunity to market your CLNC^® services quickly and simultaneously to 20 attorneys face-to-face. Presentations like this give you instant credibility and are a powerful way to gain attorneys’ trust. It’s one of the fastest ways to become known as an authority in your field.

Take along plenty of business cards and brochures to hand out and remember to get each attorney’s business card. Do personal introductions before the presentation – it’s a huge mistake to ask them to introduce themselves in a round-robin manner – they already know who they are. They’re there to learn who and what you are.

Ask the attorney how much time you will have for your presentation so you can prepare appropriately and stay within the time allotted. Highlight your CLNC^® services and give quick examples relevant to products liability cases. Include a variety of products and injuries. Only speak about life care planning if you are an expert on it. You want the attorneys to see you as instantly credible, so stick to what you know and know well. Discuss the benefits to the attorneys and also emphasize the pain of their not hiring you on their medical-related cases. Save time for questions at the end. Afterwards attempt to set up personal interviews with each attorney. Get’em while they’re hot.

To prepare your presentation:

a. Identify the topic you would like to speak about.
b. Create a speech that includes an opening, body and close.
c. Prepare the presentation, practice it and time it beforehand.
d. Develop a handout that includes your contact information (take 20+).
e. Do not sell on the platform.

Congratulations on taking this step to expand your CLNC^® business through presentations to attorneys.

Success Is Inside!

Vickie

You’ve heard the news: bailouts for this industry, bailouts for that industry, bailouts for everyone except for the honest business woman or man. It seems like you have to be a pretty big crook or a terrible money manager to get a bailout from the government.

This morning, over some healthy green tea, my staff and I discussed what a government bailout might look like for the average entrepreneur:

• A pair of rose-colored glasses to help you to see the financial news in a better light.
• A lottery ticket to give you something for your retirement fund that has better odds than the stock market.
• A used TSA quart-size baggie containing leftover government office supplies (that you and I paid for anyway) such as bent paperclips, broken black binder clamps, stump-ends of staples and an empty bottle of white glue to help keep your business together.
• A roll of duct tape in case the above fails (BTW – here in Texas my friends call it “hunnert-mile-an-hour tape” and you can too – when your business gets rolling again).
• An open, and partially consumed, bottle of Jack Daniels (probably from the Treasury Secretary’s liquor cabinet) to help take your mind off your financial problems.
• A bottle of extra-strength Tylenol^® to help cure the effects of your late-nite discourse with “Gentleman Jack.”
• A bag of generic coffee to give you something to wash down the Tylenol^® that morning and give you the energy to go to work and focus on your business (and not the economy).
• And finally, a Travel Doodle Pro to help you stay in communication with your office after your Blackberry^® account is cancelled.

All of this would arrive postage due, in a damaged box, courtesy of the folks who brought you the sub-prime mortgage crisis and the Big Three bailout.

I’m hoping that it doesn’t come to this, but in a world that’s seeing its first big nursing layoffs, I’m glad I work in what my friend, Dale Barnes, (Check back for an upcoming interview with Dale) calls a recession-proof profession, legal nurse consulting. One thing’s for sure – the stock market may run short of money, but America will never run short of attorneys!

If the government is going to let the auto industry suffer and die, it won’t help entrepreneurs either. Don’t wait for the government to bail you out. Only you can bail yourself out.

Success Is Inside!

I just hung up from mentoring a new Certified Legal Nurse Consultant regarding a med-surg case. After listening to her ramble aimlessly about the case for three minutes, I politely stopped her and said, “I would really like to help you solve your issue, but would you please describe the issue?” After a few more attempts at rambling and a lot more nudging by me to keep her focused, she finally got to the heart of the matter, and we dealt with it easily and swiftly.

As we were about to wrap up, she confessed that she still found it uncomfortable and often unsuccessful to talk to attorneys about her legal nurse consulting role. I immediately realized the source of her problem. I had just lived it! It was her rambling method of communication.

Those of you who know me, know that I tell it like it is. I firmly but nicely shared that I had a direct insight into her communication challenge just from our brief conversation. Attorneys are crazy busy. They’re working for a living. They’re not like patients who lay around in bed with lots of time to spare waiting for the next visit from their favorite nurse, happy for any company other than a bad reality show.

When you are talking to an attorney, you have to focus, focus and focus some more. You cannot go into an interview or meeting with an attorney being unprepared or misdirected. Once you lose the attorney, you lose the opportunity. There’s no place like an attorney’s office to prove the truth of the old saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”

The fastest way to lose the attorney is to appear unprepared. Practice your presentation before you give it. Try it on a spouse – if you can keep their attention, you’ll probably be able to keep an attorney’s.

Preparation and focus are the keys to successfully communicating and to feeling comfortable about any communication you are about to engage in.

And remember, if you can say it in five words/minutes, try doing it in three words/minutes instead.

Success Is Inside!