Task force comments on sleep apnea evaluation of commercial motor vehicle operators
In the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the AASM Sleep and Transportation Safety Awareness Task Force comments on a recently published review of commercial motor vehicle driver screening and treatment for obstructive sleep apnea.
Court-ordered sleep study detects sleep apnea in Greyhound bus driver
According to the Courthouse News Service, Greyhound Lines will pay $6 million to settle passenger claims after a court-ordered sleep study found that its bus driver has obstructive sleep apnea.
AMA CPT Panel approves two telemedicine-related proposals
At the February 2016 meeting of the American Medical Association’s Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Panel, two telemedicine-related proposals were approved for the CPT codebook.
Next public meeting of Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board is April 14-15
A public meeting of the Sleep Disorders Research Advisory Board of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will be held Thursday, April 14, 2016 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT, and Friday, April 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT.
Study reports significant link between nightmares and suicidal behavior
A new study is the first to report that the relationship between nightmares and suicidal behaviors is partially mediated by a multi-step pathway via defeat, entrapment and hopelessness.
Cast your vote in the 2016 AASM leadership election
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine invites members to vote for candidates for the AASM Board of Directors and the AASM Nominating Committee.
Sleepless at sunrise: Third annual Insomnia Awareness Day is March 14
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) is recognizing the third annual Insomnia Awareness Day on Monday, March 14, as the “spring forward” shift to daylight saving time creates the potential for another lost hour of sleep, adding to the already enormous cost of untreated insomnia.
American Academy of Sleep Medicine advisory warns of adverse effects of daylight saving time
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has issued a Health Advisory warning of the adverse effects caused by changing to daylight saving time, with concerns that the effects on sleep/wake patterns can last approximately five to seven days.
HHS announces that 30 percent of Medicare payments are tied to quality
On March 3 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it had met its goal ahead of schedule to tie 30 percent of Medicare payments to alternative payment models, which seek to link payment to quality, rather than quantity of services.
Study suggests that insomnia may increase cellular aging in older adults
A study published in the March issue of the journal SLEEP shows that insomnia is associated with shorter peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) telomere length in adults between 70 and 88 years of age, suggesting that clinically severe sleep disturbances may increase cellular aging, especially in the later years of life.
Study shows that sleep restriction impairs cognitive functioning in high school students
Restricting adolescents' sleep to 5 hours of time in bed for 7 nights led to cumulative degradation of sustained attention, working memory, executive function, and speed of processing, according to a study published in the March issue of the journal SLEEP.
AASM urges federal agencies to develop sleep apnea policies for commercial motor vehicle drivers and train engineers
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine commends the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for seeking public comment on how to respond to the health and safety risks associated with untreated obstructive sleep apnea among commercial motor vehicle drivers and train operators.
Montage submission contest – Member Appreciation Week 2016
Read the complete rules for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Member Appreciation Week sweepstakes and enter to win a prize pack.
AASM PAC FAQs updated for a crucial election year
With Super Tuesday behind us, the 2016 Election has shifted into high gear. In preparation for an influential election season, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Political Action Committee (AASM PAC) has updated its series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to create a greater understanding of the political process and the power of political action.
Sleep restriction may activate hunger in a similar manner as marijuana
Alterations in the endocannabinoid (eCB) system may be contributing to the increased drive for food intake observed following sleep restriction, according to a study in the March issue of SLEEP.
Study shows high patient satisfaction with telemedicine-based care of sleep apnea
A study in the March issue of the journal SLEEP suggests that telemedicine-based care for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an effective patient management pathway.
CMS extends EHR Meaningful Use hardship exemption deadline
On Feb. 26, 2016 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it has extended the deadline for provider application for hardship exemption from the EHR Meaningful Use program. The new exemption deadline is set for July 1, 2016.
Updated AASM scoring manual with new electrode placement rules to be released April 1
The AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events, Version 2.3 will be released April 1, 2016. All AASM accredited sleep facilities will be required to implement the new rules in Version 2.3 by Oct. 1, 2016.
Member Appreciation Week is here – save big & enter the contest to win
The 2016 AASM Member Appreciation Week is March 7 – 11.
Study shows high patient satisfaction with telemedicine-based care of sleep apnea
A new study suggests that telemedicine-based management for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is as effective and may be comparable to in-person care.
Study links modifiable lifestyle factors to risk of restless legs syndrome
A study in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine shows that the risk of developing restless legs syndrome is associated with certain lifestyle factors, including obesity, physical inactivity and smoking.
Medical history is superior to self-reported symptoms in models predicting sleep apnea
Routinely available medical information - such as age, sex and body mass index (BMI) - are superior to self-reported symptoms for predicting obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
AASM voices support for telemedicine expansion bill
This week the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) distributed a letter of support formally endorsing Senate Bill 2484, the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act.
CMS Extends EHR Incentive Program attestation deadline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the attestation deadline for Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs to Friday, March 11, 2016.
Core quality measure collaborative announces measure harmonization
On Feb. 16, 2016, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and American’s Health Insurance Plans announced a core set of quality measures to address concerns about the burdensome nature of the quality measures required under Medicare and private payers.