Article describes the history and future of the AASM international mini-fellowship
A special article in the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine describes the 12-year history of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s mini-fellowship for international scholars, an annual training program that supports the establishment of sleep medicine in developing countries.
Four physicians receive AASM Fellow Member status
The AASM is pleased to welcome Vikas Jain, MD, Khurshid A. Khurshid, MD, Tomasz J. Kuzniar, MD, PhD and Bilal Saulat as the newest Fellow Members of the AASM.
Stream the AASM’s “Navigating Reimbursement” course on your desktop
Visit the AASM online store today to check out the new online learning module bundle: Successfully Navigating Reimbursement for Sleep Medicine.
Renew your Scoring Manual subscription, don’t wait!
Your Scoring Manual subscription might be expired. Subscriptions for the AASM Scoring Manual run on a calendar year basis (January 1 - December 31). Individuals who subscribe now will have access through December 2014.
SLEEP 2014 early-bird registration ends April 16
Only three weeks remain to save with the SLEEP 2014 early-bird registration pricing! Early-bird registration only runs until April 16, 2014.
Final call for journal SLEEP Editor-in-Chief candidates
The APSS is seeking qualified candidates to serve as editor-in-chief of the journal SLEEP.
Participate in a free Inter-scorer Reliability webinar on April 9
Join the AASM on Wednesday, April 9th 2014, at 2pm CDT in a free webinar to learn about the newly updated Inter-scorer Reliability assessment system. Version 4.0 of AASM ISR features hypnogram functionality, an interactive record review video and numerous interface improvements
AASM resources to assist members in navigating state exchanges and ACA
The AASM has assembled a series of online resources to help members navigate the state exchange system and other key provisions in the Affordable Care Act.
AASM co-signs letters to encourage lawmakers to repeal and replace SGR
A bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers introduced legislation (H.R.4015/ S.2000) to repeal and replace Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula and gradually implement a value-based payment system.
Texas Board of Dental Examiners
On Friday, February 28, the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners (TSBDE) considered approving a proposed regulation that would have effectively let dentists practice medicine.
AASM PAC
During our conversations, legislative staffers communicated the importance of having a productive political action committee (PAC).
NHTSA commentary discusses drowsy driving
On February 19, the AASM submitted a commentary to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) responding to the agency's request for organizations to submit recommendations for its 2014-2018 strategic plan.
AASM moving forward with two federal legislative initiatives
The AASM continues to move forward with two federal initiatives: the Stark-Law Exception and Seniors Sleep 2014.
Hypnogram: Reminder to cast your vote today
With less than one week remaining in the 2014 AASM Leadership Election cycle, I encourage you to participate in this vital process by casting your vote today.
JCSM study: outcomes better for sleep apnea patients under specialist care
A study in the March issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that treatment outcomes were improved when patients received care from board certified sleep specialists and accredited sleep centers.
Enrollment into ACA ends on March 31
The enrollment period allowing individuals to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) ends on March 31. Under the ACA, individuals must be covered this year or face a penalty of $95 per person or 1 percent of the individuals income, whichever is higher.
Visit the AASM PAC booth and register for the PAC Breakfast at SLEEP 2014
Members are encouraged to visit the AASM Political Action Committee (AASM PAC) booth at SLEEP 2014 to learn about our two federal initiatives: the Stark exception and Senior Sleep. These initiatives will benefit our Medicare patients and are vital for ensuring the future of the sleep medicine profession.
March 31 deadline for meaningful use attestation
The EHR Incentive Program meaningful use registration and attestation deadline is March 31, 2014. Attestation must be completed by 11:59pm ET on March 31 in order to receive an incentive for 2013 participation.
New online course: Managing the Complex Patient with Co-morbid Conditions
Visit the AASM online store today for the new online learning module series: Managing the Complex Patient with Co-morbid Conditions. This series provides physicians with the knowledge of when and how patients with co-morbidities should be treated for their sleep disorders.
SLEEP 2014 ticketed sessions quickly selling out
Many of the SLEEP 2014 ticketed sessions are sold-out or in limited supply. Meet the Professor Sessions are especially popular during pre-registration this year.
New standards establish OCST stand-alone program for physician practices
Stand-alone practices that provide home sleep testing services but not in-lab sleep studies now have the opportunity to obtain out of center sleep testing (OCST) program accreditation.
Clarification: Patient evaluations and the AASM Standards for Accreditation
The new Standards for Accreditation do not include a standard related to direct referral of patients. Consultations prior to diagnostic testing and treatment, which enable patients to benefit from the expertise of sleep specialists and the facility’s sleep team, are recommended by the AASM to promote high quality, patient-centered care. However, this general recommendation, which is described in the introduction to the new Standards for Accreditation, is not a mandatory standard or requirement for accreditation.
Specialized care improves treatment outcomes in patients with sleep apnea
A new study of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) found that treatment outcomes were better when patients received care from sleep specialists and accredited sleep centers.
Low-dose, middle-of-the-night zolpidem poses only minimal driving risk
Middle-of-the-night use of low-dose, 3.5 mg zolpidem in a buffered sublingual formulation has a minimal risk of impairing driving performance in the morning when taken at least four hours in advance, according to a study in the March issue of SLEEP that utilized an on-the-road driving test.
Modafinil improves driving performance in people with hypersomnia
A study in the March issue of SLEEP reports that modafinil improves driving performance in patients with narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.