Delaware passes legislation to license sleep technologists
Congratulations to the Delaware Sleep Society! Senate Bill 194 (SB 194), which establishes licensure for sleep technologists, was recently passed by both legislative chambers and has been submitted to the Governor for signature! The bill will require that on July 1, 2014, any person who is engaged in the practice of sleep technology must be licensed.
DoT launches Railroaders’ Guide to Healthy Sleep website
U.S. Department of Transportation launched an interactive, multimedia website intended to reduce on-the-job fatigue among railroad employees by advising them on the importance of obtaining healthy sleep to maintain individual well-being, safety and workplace performance. The Railroaders’ Guide to Healthy Sleep website features an anonymous self-test to screen for possible sleep disorders, a sleep and wake diary for tracking sleep and various tailored and effective strategies for improving the amount and quality of sleep obtained.
Help promote sleep within NINDS’s stroke research plan
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the main institute for stroke at the National Institutes of Health, is in the second phase of reviewing new or unmet challenges and opportunities in stroke research.
Nominate speakers for SLEEP 2013
Submit your recommendations for speakers for SLEEP 2013 27th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC which will be held June 1-5, 2013 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. This is your opportunity to influence programming for SLEEP 2013!
Submit your AASM Membership survey by Friday
The AASM Board of Directors is asking for AASM members' assistance in guiding the strategic priorities for the organization and the field of sleep medicine as a whole. Last month, a group of randomly selected AASM members ranked their top five priorities. The AASM Board of Directors extended the survey to include all regular members last week.
Registration now open for AASM Fall courses
Online registration is now available for all four AASM courses offered this Fall. In each of these courses, expert faculty will provide sleep medicine practitioners and allied health professionals interested in learning more about sleep medicine with in-depth, timely and relevant information that will improve their knowledge and understanding of sleep medicine disorders and other issues related to the field. A full schedule for each of these courses, including session listings, is available in the AASM Fall Course Brochure.
RST exam application deadline extended to July 16
The American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) has extended the application deadline for the Sleep Technologist Registry Examination to July 16, 2012. The exam will be offered during a testing window of Aug. 11 – Sept. 7. The fee for the examination is $250.
Report: recent regulations to limit tired air traffic controllers repeatedly violated
The Washington Post reports recent regulations intended to keep air traffic controllers from falling asleep on the job have been violated nearly 4,000 times. The regulations require controllers have at least nine hours off between shifts. Internal Federal Aviation Administration documents show that more than half of the airport control towers violated this rule at least once.
Materials available from NTSB SLEEP 2012 keynote “From Bench to Planes Trains and Automobiles”
At the SLEEP 2012 Plenary Session, Mark Rosekind, PhD, a National Transportation Safety Board Member, delivered a memorable keynote speech on the dangers of fatigue across all modes of transportation. Materials from Dr. Rosekind's speech are now available through the NTSB. This includes a full powerpoint of his presentation, and a call to action on the NTSB Director's blog.
CMS Announces New Refill Requirements for DMEPOS
In simultaneous announcements distributed by all four DME MACs, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced a change to the refill requirements for DMEPOS items and supplies provided on a recurring basis. The new requirements cover a number of different types of DMEPOS including but not limited to CPAP.
Version 5010 implementation and eRx hardship exemptions due June 30
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that on June 30, 2012 it will begin enforcement of the required transition to Version 5010 for all HIPAA covered transactions. CMS has announced that on that same date it will begin enforcement of the required transition to Version 5010 for all HIPAA covered transactions.
Findings showcased at SLEEP 2012 make national news
Research highlighted at SLEEP 2012, the 26th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, generated headlines all week.
Commemorate your time in Boston with SLEEP 2012 polo shirts
Commemorate SLEEP 2012 by ordering a SLEEP 2012 shirt TODAY! The red polo shirts are identical to the shirts worn by AASM staff throughout the week. Orders will be accepted through Friday, June 29. Complete the order form and submit it via fax to 630-737-9789.
Join us for SLEEP 2013 in the Baltimore Inner Harbor
Next year, the Associated Professional Sleep Societies will return to Baltimore, Maryland, for the first time since 2008. SLEEP 2013 will be held June 1-5, 2013 at the Baltimore Convention Center, located in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The headquarter hotel for SLEEP 2013 will be the Hilton Baltimore. The APSS will begin accepting abstracts and session proposals later this fall.
Purchase digital access to SLEEP 2012 course books
The latest findings from the SLEEP 2012 postgraduate courses are now accessible even if you could not attend these sold-out sessions. Course books from all 12 SLEEP 2012 postgraduate courses, held on June 9-10 in Boston, are available for purchase in a downloadable pdf format. This includes the most popular courses that sold out early, such as "Year in Review", "Hot Topics and Controversies in Pediatric Sleep Medicine" and "State of the Art for Clinical Practitioners." Save 50 percent by purchasing the SLEEP 2012 Course Book Bundle, which includes all of the course books.
Claim Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit for attending SLEEP 2012
In order to claim credit for sessions attended at SLEEP 2012, the Annual Meeting of the Professional Sleep Societies, in Boston, you must enter your information on the SLEEP 2012 Continuing Education Credit page on or before October 1, 2012.
New class of sleep medication debuts in SLEEP 2012 presentation
Findings based on efficacy trials using suvorexant, a new class of sleep medications, to treat insomnia made a splash during a late-breaking abstract session Wednesday at SLEEP 2012, the 26th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies. Researchers and the drug manufacturer Merck report suvorexant significantly reduced the time it took for patients to fall asleep and increase the amount of time patients stayed asleep compared to a placebo.
Pivotal evidence shows potential for new class of sleep medicines
A potential new class of sleep medicines that target and block the chemical messengers in the brain that help keep people awake was presented today at SLEEP 2012 with new pivotal efficacy trials.
SLEEP 2012 coverage continues on a national level
On Tuesday, SLEEP 2012, the 26th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC, received attention from numerous national media outlets.
Research shows how exposure to violence impacts children’s sleep
Victimization, witnessing homicide have greater effects on quality and quantity of sleep.
OSA linked to increased risk for carbohydrate craving among diabetics
Authors of study encourage physicians to screen diabetics for obstructive sleep apnea
Men using CPAP see improvement in sexual function, satisfaction
Study shows erectile dysfunction common in sleep apnea sufferers under age 60
Studies show sleep times influenced by race, ethnicity and country of origin
White, American-born adults sleep longer than blacks, Hispanics, Indians and Asians
Obesity, depression found to be root causes of daytime sleepiness
Three studies put obesity and depression at the top, higher than not getting enough sleep
Studies show connection between sleepiness and careers of pro athletes
Sleepier NFL, MLB players get cut or retire early at rates higher than average