Research supports new measure for restorative sleep
A study in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine suggests that the Restorative Sleep Questionnaire (RSQ) may be a valid, reliable assessment for the quality of sleep. Findings show that the measures in the questionnaire have a strong link with health-related quality of life segments related to non-restorative sleep.
JCSM study looks at prevalence and impact of RLS in adolescents and young adults
The findings of a new study suggest younger patients with restless legs syndrome have a similar prevalence and quality of life as adult with the sleep disorder. The study published in the July issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reported that among the subjects aged 12-20 years, about 8 percent had restless legs syndrome.
The AASM welcomes three new Fellow Members
Congratulations to Lourdes Del Rosso, MD, David DuBose, MD and Zinobia Khan, MD for achieving AASM Fellow Member status (FAASM). The title recognizes exceptional competency in sleep medicine and significant contributions to the field of sleep.
Worldsleep2015 to be held in Istanbul, Turkey
The World Sleep Federation has announced that Worldsleep2015, the 7th World Congress of the WSF, will be held Oct. 31 – Nov. 3, 2015, in Istanbul, Turkey.
A-CEP: Learn the basics of coding and billing
Make sure your employees are up-to-speed on the basics of coding and billing from the first and only online coding, insurance and reimbursement education program developed specifically for sleep center staff.
AASM Rewards for Referrals: Help advance sleep medicine
Share your commitment to advancing the field of sleep medicine by helping the AASM grow through Rewards for Referrals! As an active member, you know the value that your membership provides.
Receive MOC credit for attending the National Sleep Medicine Course
The 2014 National Sleep Medicine Course offers a variety of sessions from didactic style lectures to case and question based sessions suitable for all attendees. National Sleep Medicine Course attendees will take part in three, hour-long MOC-oriented sessions to test their knowledge of general sleep disorders and obstructive sleep apnea while earning MOC credits.
Sunshine Act: complete your two-phase enrollment today
Physician Payment Sunshine Act requires manufacturers of drugs, devices, biologicals or medical suppliers to report annual certain payments or transfers of value to physicians and teaching hospitals. This data will become public on Sept. 1, 2014. Physicians do have the opportunity to review reports on payment and transfers of value and have the right to challenge reports that may be false, inaccurate or misleading.
AASM advocacy results in CMS recognition of capnography
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed adding capnography to the practice expense for pediatric polysomnography codes 95782 and 95783 starting in 2015. The proposal is a direct result of AASM advocacy efforts. This proposal is outlined in the 2015 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule.
Poor sleep quality linked to lower physical activity in people with PTSD
A new study shows that worse sleep quality predicts lower physical activity in people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Call for volunteers: Sleep & transportation safety
The AASM is engaging on various projects related to sleep, health and performance with transportation stakeholders, including the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The AASM is forming a task force to work on projects related to sleep and transportation, and invites interested members to apply.
Estimated 20 million Americans gain health care coverage under ACA
As of May 1, 2014, an estimated 20 million Americans have gained health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act through its insurance exchanges and other coverage provisions, according to a Commonwealth Fund health policy report published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The authors warn that the sustainability of the ACA health care coverage expansion will depend largely on controlling the costs of care to prevent premiums from becoming unaffordable.
Sleep Medicine Trends 2014 online learning modules now available
The 2014 Emerging Clinical and Business Trends in Sleep Medicine online learning modules are now available for purchase. Topics highlight emerging trends in several areas, including legal, regulatory and business aspects of sleep medicine; diagnosing and managing sleep disorders; and models of care.
AASM Rewards for Referrals: What are the rewards?
The AASM Rewards for Referrals program is now available for active AASM members. For every five people you refer, you’ll have the choice of an Amazon or AASM gift card.
Advanced course equips physician assistants and nurse practitioners in sleep medicine
The advanced Sleep Disorders for the Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner course is intended for physician assistants and nurse practitioners with 2-4 years of sleep experience who are seeking to further their practice in sleep medicine.
Earn CME and MOC credits at the National Sleep Medicine Course
Earn CME and MOC Part II credits during the two-and-a-half-day National Sleep Medicine course hosted at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont, IL, from Sept. 11-14, 2014.
AASM objects to CMS DME prior authorization proposal
On May 28 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule recommending a prior authorization process for certain durable medical equipment including both CPAP and RAD. On July 8, the AASM submitted a comment letter discouraging CMS from implementing the proposed rule.
Extreme obesity may reduce life expectancy by up to 14 years
A pooled analysis of 20 prospective studies from the U.S., Sweden and Australia examined the risk of death and years of life expectancy lost associated with class III obesity. Compared with normal-weight BMI, class III obesity was estimated to be associated with up to 14 years of life lost.
Study identifies mediators between stress exposure and insomnia
A study in the July issue of the journal SLEEP shows that coping with a stressful event through behavioral disengagement, using alcohol or drugs, or self-distraction each significantly mediated the relationship between stress exposure and insomnia development.
Nominate speakers for SLEEP 2015
Submit your recommendations for speakers for SLEEP 2015, the 29th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC, which will be held June 6-10, 2015, at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, Washington. Speaker nominations must be submitted by Friday, August 1.
AASM members discuss insufficient sleep on TODAY
Last week AASM members Andrew Varga, MD, PhD, and Monica Mallampalli, PhD, discussed insufficient sleep on NBC’s TODAY show. They emphasized the importance of making sleep a top health priority and the necessity of following good sleep hygiene.
Join the growing community following the AASM on Facebook and Twitter
More than 5,000 people have connected with the AASM on Facebook, and the AASM’s following on Twitter is quickly approaching the 5,000 milestone.
New CDC analysis links risk behaviors to drowsy driving
A new analysis published online on July 4 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified risk behaviors associated with drowsy driving. Results show a higher drowsy driving prevalence of 5.2 percent among binge drinkers and 6.6 percent among drivers who were less likely to wear seatbelts while driving or riding in a car.
USA Today article examines the complex causes of insomnia
A USA Today article posted online on July 6 describes the complex nature of insomnia. Featuring the insight of AASM Past President Safwan Badr, MD, and AASM member David Neubauer, MD, the article explains how insomnia can be associated with a variety of causes.
How you cope with stress may increase your risk for insomnia
A new study is the first to identify specific coping behaviors through which stress exposure leads to the development of insomnia.