Sponsored by letter R
Would love to see either Paul Greenberg or Brenda Looper do a column to clarify the meaning of frequent R words that appear in editorials or letters: reputable, reliable, responsible, reputed, and reproach (as in "beyond").
For example, in the "broken borders" letter from Mr. David Bryant, we read: "Now we learn, from a few responsible media outlets ..." From the general tone of the letter, "responsible media outlets" could be any one or more of numerous conservative-leaning sources including Fox News, the Heritage Foundation, the Republican National Committee, Washington Times, etc.
In another letter, "responsible media outlets" could be any one or more of numerous liberal-leaning sources including MSNBC, The Huffington Post, MoveOn, New York Times, etc. It seems to depend on a writer's bias as to which media outlet is the most "responsible."
As suggested in a recent column by Ms. Looper, maybe letter writers should be required to cite their responsible, reputable, reliable or reputed sources or, in Mr. Bryant's words, "go to the back of the line before they are allowed to write again."
GEORGE ALDRICH
Hot Springs Village
Perfection and policy
Editor Paul Greenberg, in a column on perfect sentences, cites as examples the openings of several great novels. Experienced writers do indeed work hard to catch their readers' attention with their opening lines. I once heard about a professor who told students in a course on creative writing that people want to read about royalty, profanity and sex. Soon one of his students turned in a work of fiction that began with: "'Damn,' said the duchess, 'get your hand off my knee!'"
On another matter, editor Brenda Looper, in a column about policy for the Voices page, states that "[t]he long-running rule on the Voices page is that we don't publish Bible verse citations." Then she seems to contradict herself, writing, "We'll let you put in a short quote or paraphrase." How can she do that without violating the rule? Perhaps the rule should be restated to the effect that she will not publish lengthy biblical passages.
I would urge her to change that policy, for three good reasons. First, citing chapter and verse equips readers to confirm that what purports to be a biblical citation really does come from that source. I know of several Internet sites dealing with numerous sayings that are commonly but mistakenly regarded as biblical. Second, providing chapter and verse permits readers to study passages in their wider biblical contexts, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of them. Third, with the use of standard contractions, citing chapter and verse does not take up much space in the paper.
RICHARD FROTHINGHAM
Little Rock
Not sanitary practice
The newspapers and the TV news are full of excitement over the handmade spaghetti for the Tontitown Festival. The papers and the news have shown, many times, people making it and handling it to get it ready.
Have you noticed something while watching them? No one who is involved in making it is wearing gloves while handling it!
Makes one wonder, doesn't it?
DEL LAMPHEAR
Decatur
Hinders patient care
A recent report extolling the benefits of the International Classification of Diseases 10 (ICD-10) confirms that the inmates are in charge of the asylum. As a practicing primary-care physician I see this as another onerous "reform" hindering patient care. Studies have shown costs ranging from $56,000 to $225,000 for software alone; productivity studies show a decline of physician and coder productivity up to 50 percent during implementation, with productivity never returning to pre-implementation levels.
It is difficult to understand how these codes will improve treatment. A research of a simple diagnosis of middle ear infection revealed four broad categories each with 24-36 subcodes. This does not include seven modifiers required if tobacco is involved. If the eardrum is ruptured another 38 codes have to be reviewed. The treatment will not be altered by these details. The magnitude of this folly is evident when treating people with multiple diseases. A quick review of diabetes reveals 284 codes, not including modifiers. Add the comorbid diseases of hypertension and elevated cholesterol and a simple office visit becomes a coding nightmare.
Delay and reduction and payment will result. Medicare and primary-care insurance will withhold payment until a review of proper coding is ensured. Medical practices have been told that they should take out payroll loans during this implementation time.
Physicians are fast reaching critical mass in regards to these bureaucratic mandates. We're being asked to treat more patients but must deal with changes that decrease patient care and accessibility. I believe many will leave the profession due to ICD-10 alone.
JAMES S. SALMON
Fayetteville
Definition of mistake
I see very often where someone does something wrong or illegal and the explanation is "we all make mistakes." This got me thinking about what actually constitutes a mistake or a deliberate act.
An athlete gets caught stealing, and the coach says that everyone makes a mistake. Someone gets nabbed after doing something for a period of time, such as stealing from the company, and says that he made a mistake. Are these mistakes or deliberate, intentional acts?
To me, a mistake is turning onto, say, 32nd Street instead of 32nd Court. A mistake is going right instead of left, based on directions given. A mistake is not a thought-out, conscious action where the person knows exactly what he or she is doing, and knows whether or not it should be done in the first place.
Intentional is not a mistake.
DAVID KELLEY
Fort Smith
Editorial on 07/23/2014