Don’t miss the March 13th PQRS submission deadline
Submit your 2013 PQRS measures by March 13th, 2014 to be eligible for 0.5% financial incentive payment
Late-breaking abstract submissions now open for SLEEP 2014
The APSS is now accepting late-breaking abstract submissions for presentation at SLEEP 2014. Late-breaking abstracts should include high quality emerging data found between December 2013 and March 2014.
Sleep apnea related to worse stroke outcomes
A new literature review reports that obstructive sleep apnea is a risk factor for recurrence and mortality following stroke or transient ischemic attack.
Women experience longer delay in narcolepsy diagnosis
A study of 109 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed narcolepsy reports that patients were delayed in their diagnosis by a median of 8 years.
AASM and SRS identify strategic opportunities in sleep research
A new white paper by a joint AASM and SRS task force identified the most time-sensitive research priorities in the 2011 NIH Sleep Disorders Research Plan.
AASM teams with PBS NewsHour for Twitter chat
A PBS NewsHour Twitter chat with AASM experts on Thursday, Feb. 6, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST will focus on the link between sleep and depression.
Physicians’ income structures make new compensation methods complicated
A new American Medical Association (AMA) report depicts how shifting the nation's health care system from a fee-for-service, payment-based model to another model could be difficult because nearly one-third of all physician compensations are based on personal productivity, which might incentivize quantity over quality
Take advantage of exclusive practice management tools for members
The AASM offers a range of practice management resources, including the PQRSwizard, coding support, Practice Parameters and Clinical Guidelines and a Media Relations Toolkit.
Buy your tickets for the SLEEP 2014 Welcome Reception
All SLEEP 2014 attendees are invited to attend the Pizza with a Purpose Welcome Reception. Join your friends and colleagues on Sunday, June 1st from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.
We hope to see you in Phoenix on Feb 21-23
As sleep medicine physicians, we know that the ever-changing landscape of sleep medicine and the health care system has left many colleagues with uncertainty.
Studies find new links between sleep duration and depression
A genetic study of adult twins and a community-based study of adolescents both report novel links between sleep duration and depression. A study of 1,788 twins is the first to demonstrate a gene by environment interaction between self-reported habitual sleep duration and depressive symptoms. Another study of 4,175 individuals between 11 and 17 years of age is the first to document reciprocal effects for major depression and short sleep duration among adolescents using prospective data. The studies are published in the Feb. 1, 2014, issue of the journal Sleep.
Hypnogram: Supporting sleep research
As a physician scientist, I recognize that sleep science is foundational to the AASM mission of improving sleep health and promoting high quality patient centered care. I believe that the clinical practice of sleep medicine always will be guided by scientific discovery.
Study finds link between periodic limb movements and cardiac arrhythmia
A study in the January issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine involved 2,793 community-dwelling older men who underwent polysomnography with measurement of limb movements and EKG.
Study evaluates new Paris Arousal Disorders Severity Scale
A study in the January issue of SLEEP evaluated the new Paris Arousal Disorders Severity Scale. Results suggest that the PADSS could be a valid and reliable tool for monitoring and measuring the clinical symptoms and severity of parasomnias such as sleepwalking and sleep terrors.
Meta-analysis examines brain changes related to sleep apnea
A neuroimaging meta-analysis published in the January issue of SLEEP identifies specific brain regions in which significant reductions in gray matter occur in patients with sleep apnea.
Grant deadline: PSTA applications due to ASMF by Feb. 3
The application deadline for the 2014 grant cycle of the American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) Physician Scientist Training Award (PSTA) is Monday, Feb. 3, 2014.
AASM advocates for improved sleep payments
On Jan. 24, 2014 the AASM submitted a comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule.
SGR fix to cost $121B
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the House Ways and Means Committee's bill (HR 2810) to repeal and replace Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula would cost $121.1 billion over 10 years. According to CBO, the estimate makes the House Ways and Means proposal less costly than the House Energy and Commerce Committee or Senate Finance Committee proposals.
New Clinical Practice Guidelines
In 2012 the AASM’s member driven Task Force published three new Clinical Practice Guidelines. There are currently seven guidelines in the process of review and one new guideline in development.
Buy a sheep to support sleep at SLEEP 2014
The Buy a Sheep to Support Sleep campaign is a fun and unique way for sleep medicine professionals to make donations to the ASMF and SRSF.
Join us in Phoenix on Feb 21-23
Register for the Sleep Medicine Trends 2014: Emerging Clinical and Business Topics course today. In addition to the excellent sessions offered, this course also includes: 19.25 CME credits; nine exhibitors; an Industry Supported Event by Jazz Pharmaceuticals; and a networking reception!
Act now, sign the Seniors Sleep Pledge
Over the last several years, lawmakers have made significant changes to the way that you deliver health care to seniors, without fully understanding the financial, intellectual and physical demands of your profession. To further educate lawmakers on sleep medicine and the challenges you encounter, the AASM has created the Seniors Sleep Pledge.
AASM invests $2 million to support ASMF initiatives
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is continuing its longstanding commitment to the advancement of sleep science and healthy sleep. The AASM is investing $2 million to support American Sleep Medicine Foundation initiatives in 2014 as part of a five-year, $10 million commitment.
AASM seeks new editor for Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine
The AASM is seeking qualified candidates for editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. The editor-in-chief will be responsible for continuing to ensure the highest possible scientific and editorial quality for JCSM while promoting a rapid review and publication process.
Aging reduces the stimulating effect of blue light in some brain regions
A study published in the January issue of SLEEP is the first to report that the effect of light on cognition may be reduced in healthy aging. Results of the Canadian study show that the effect of blue light on brain responses of elderly individuals is diminished in key regions for alertness regulation and higher executive processes.