New AASM seminar: Expanding Your Sleep Practice through Telemedicine and Integrated Care
All-new for 2016, this half-day seminar will provide attendees with the tools necessary to expand and elevate their sleep practices through the use of telemedicine and an integrated care model. This seminar will be offered 7 times in 2016: Feb. 5, March 10, March 11, April 7, April 8, May 9 and May 10. Each seminar is limited to 20 attendees, so register today!
Study finds that CPAP for sleep apnea improves glucose tolerance
A randomized controlled trial performed in nondiabetic subjects with morbid obesity and severe obstructive sleep apnea found that the effective treatment of OSA with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy for 12 weeks improves glucose tolerance without improvement in insulin resistance.
Editorial by SLEEP editor outlines changes for the journal
An editorial in the January issue of SLEEP by new Editor-in-Chief Ronald Szymusiak, PhD, outlines recent changes for the journal.
CDC analysis finds that women and single parents have more sleep problems
A new data brief from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that single parents get less sleep and experience more sleep-related problems than adults in other types of families.
Consumer Reports explores sleep medicine in February cover story
The February 2016 issue of Consumer Reports features a cover story and related articles focusing on sleep, sleeplessness and sleep aids.
ASMF announces 2016 High School Video Contest
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) encourages all AASM members to notify local teens and high schools about the 2016 ASMF "Sleep Story" High School Video Contest, which gives students an opportunity to help shine a light on the effects of sleep problems. Entries must be submitted by Feb. 29, 2016.
AASM PAC setting the bar higher for 2016 election
In the fourth quarter of 2015, contributions to the AASM Political Action Committee (PAC) successfully outpaced those from 2014. Start the New Year on the right foot and join the movement for forward-thinking sleep medicine policy. I encourage you to make a donation to the AASM PAC today.
Article addresses lack of federal regulations for screening rail employees
Last week, Politico published the article, "Asleep at the wheel," which addresses the lack of federal regulations for screening rail employees for sleep disorders.
CMS establishes a DME prior authorization program
On Dec. 29, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule establishing a prior authorization program for certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) items that are frequently subject to unnecessary utilization. The rule identifies continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices as one of the items “potentially subject to prior authorization.”
Job opening at NHLBI is a strategic opportunity for the sleep field
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is hiring for a position that offers the sleep field a strategic opportunity to advance sleep and circadian research. We need some of the best and brightest minds in our field to consider applying for this important position.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute seeks candidates for director of the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking exceptional candidates for the Director, National Center for Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR).
Study links sleep apnea to risk of Parkinson’s disease in women
Women with obstructive sleep apnea were 3.54 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease during a 5-year follow-up period than female patients without OSA, according to a study from Taiwan that is published in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Sleep medicine year in review: View 10 of the top headlines and highlights from 2015
The end of 2015 brings to a close an eventful year for the field of sleep medicine that included the introduction by the AASM of new scoring rules, clinical practice guidelines, and a state-of-the-art telemedicine platform that was designed specifically for sleep clinicians. Here is a selection of some of the top headlines and highlights from the past year.
Sleep research 2015 year in review: Read the 10 most-viewed papers from JCSM and SLEEP
Numerous studies published in 2015 provided new insights that promoted a better understanding of sleep, sleep disorders and circadian rhythms. The following papers published in 2015 received the most pageviews on the websites of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine and the journal SLEEP.
Study examines impact of technology use on sleep of pre-teens and teens
An Italian study in the December issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that mobile phone use by adolescents and Internet use by preadolescents after 9 p.m. were associated with sleep problems.
Study examines impact of a national specialty e-consultation implementation project
A study published Dec. 14 in the American Journal of Managed Care analyzed a broad-scale implementation by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of outpatient specialty care e-consults within a patient-centered medical home model.
Submit Brown Bag Case Reports for SLEEP 2016 by Friday, Jan. 8
Submit your most challenging cases for discussion at SLEEP 2016 by the Friday, Jan. 8 deadline.
Receive discount when you register for Trends 2016 by Jan. 15
We appreciate our members – so we’re offering $200 in registration discounts for you to uncover the latest in state-of-the-art patient care management, clinical research and business strategy at Sleep Medicine Trends 2016.
Your sleep telemedicine system is now AASM SleepTM
As the New Year approaches, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is introducing a new name for your telemedicine system: Tell A Sleep Doc is now AASM SleepTM.
In Memoriam: Haskell Wexler, director of the documentary “Who Needs Sleep?”
Two-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler, who also directed the 2006 documentary “Who Needs Sleep?”, died Dec. 27 at the age of 93.
NHLBI invites applications for new R35 investigator award
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is inviting applications for a new R35 funding opportunity that is intended to support a research program, rather than a research project, by providing the primary and most likely sole source of NHLBI funding on individual grant awards.
Analysis shows a decrease in NIH-funded clinical trials
From 2006 to 2014, the number of NIH-funded clinical trials decreased by 24 percent, while the number of industry-funded trials increased by 43 percent, based on data examined according to the first received date.
Competitive bidding rates set nationwide by CMS
Recently the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the fee schedule for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). suppliers previously unaffected by competitive bidding will see a significant cut to payment for certain equipment, including CPAP.
U.S. spending bill halts two Obamacare taxes
Last week the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate teamed together to delay both the Medical Device Tax - a 2.3% tax on certain medical devices - and the Cadillac Tax, a tax on high-end health insurance plans. President Obama signed the bipartisan legislation, stalling the implementation of both taxes by two years.
AASM commends sleep advocates for supporting Zadroga Act
On Dec. 10, the AASM urged members to contact your lawmakers to pass the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Reauthorization Act, a bill guaranteeing health care for 9/11 first responders. The Zadroga Act, attached to Congress’ new $1.1 trillion dollar spending bill, passed in bipartisan fashion and was promptly signed by President Obama last Friday.