Apply for the ASMF Bridge to K Grant by Jan. 25
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation Bridge to K Research Award provides funding for sleep researchers that have applied for a K grant from the NIH, but are unlikely to be within the NIH cutoff. The ASMF will award up to two $75,000 Bridge to K Research Grants per year. Scientists who receive the award will have additional time and funding to collect further data and respond to NIH feedback. Applications for the award are due on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Information on how to apply for the Bridge to K Research Award is available on the ASMF website.
AASM launches fully revised A-STEP Self-Study Modules – includes free module
Since 2006, the AASM’s Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) has provided sleep technicians new to the field with the opportunity to received standardized education as they begin their careers in sleep technology. In an effort to ensure that this program covers information about the essential duties and core competencies of sleep technologists at today’s sleep center, the AASM has fully revised its online self-study module program!
The 23 new modules are now available on the A-STEP website and feature several improvements from the previous program. Each 30-minute module is now formatted as an audio-visual presentation which may be viewed on-demand from your A-STEP account. Upon completion of each module, there is a post-module self-assessment exam. Also updated is the pricing for the A-STEP self-study modules…module pricing has been reduced, and there is no longer a registration fee for the program! Additionally, individuals who wish to preview the program can view the first module, Welcome to Sleep Technology, for free. To learn more about the A-STEP self-study modules, including a listing of topics and to begin the program, visit the A-STEP website at www.aasmnet.org/astep.
Try the new AASM Inter-scorer Reliability Testing Program
The AASM is pleased to announce a full program upgrade to the testing software for its online Inter-scorer Reliability (ISR) Testing Program! Now available on the January exam and recent exams, the new testing program will provide users with a significantly improved exam experience through multiple scoring and viewing options. A sample of 20 epochs using the new testing program is now available on the ISR website along with a 9-minute video tutorial. Centers currently using the ISR testing program can begin scoring using the new program immediately and centers that have not used the program may sign up for a free 30-day trial.
Poor sleep linked to increased health, behavior problems in young diabetics
A new study suggests that young diabetics may be struggling to get a good night’s sleep, resulting in worse control of their blood sugar, poorer school performance and misbehavior.
NHLBI grant announcement re-issued for research on prevention and treatment of sleep disordered breathing
The NIH National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) re-issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) to support research dissemination and implementation studies (R18). The purpose of the grants is to test the effectiveness, sustainability and cost effectiveness of well-developed behavioral interventions in real-world settings that aim to reduce the risk factors and enhance the prevention and treatment of heart, lung and blood diseases and sleep disordered breathing. Submission begins on January 2, 2012; the application follows the standard due dates for NIH grants.
NHLBI posts Executive Summary of September workshop on sleep deficiency and sleep disorders
In September 2011, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) held a two-day workshop to discuss and identify opportunities for research to reduce disparities in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality coupled to sleep health. The workshop also aimed to advance the scientific understanding of the role of sleep in realizing optimal health outcomes. An executive summary with recommendations from the workshop was recently posted on the NHLBI website. Recommendations for future research ranged studies that effects of sleep impairment and sleep disorders across different populations to research to identify and understand the barriers to health care, diagnosis and treatment for sleep disorders.
Sleep disorders in police officers
A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) looked at nearly 5,000 police officers in North America and found that 40.4% screened positive for some kind of sleep disorder, most commonly OSA. A smaller percentage of officers screened positive for insomnia and shift work sleep disorder. The study found that those officers who reported symptoms of a sleep disorder were more likely than those who didn’t to experience a variety of problems, including physical and mental illnesses, such as diabetes and depression; “uncontrolled anger” toward suspects; falling asleep while driving; and absenteeism.
Department of Transportation issues new rule to ensure truck driver rest time
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a final rule that employs the latest research in driver fatigue to make sure truck drivers can get the rest they need to operate safely when on the road. The new rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revises the hours-of-service (HOS) safety requirements for commercial truck drivers. FMCSA's new HOS final rule reduces the maximum number of hours a truck driver can work within a seven-day period by 12 hours. Under the new rule, a driver's work week is limited to 70 hours. In addition, truck drivers cannot drive after working eight hours without first taking a break of at least 30 minutes. The rule also requires truck drivers who maximize their weekly work hours to take at least two nights' rest when their 24-hour body clock demands sleep the most - from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
FAA issues rule on pilot fatigue
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently announced a final rule that overhauls commercial passenger airline pilot scheduling to ensure pilots have a longer opportunity for rest. The final rule includes varying flight and duty requirements based on what time the pilot's day begins, establishment of a "flight duty period", flight time limits of eight or nine hours, a 10-hour minimum rest period, cumulative flight duty and flight time limits and a congress-mandated fatigue risk management system (FRMP). An FRMP provides education for pilots and airlines to help address the effects of fatigue which can be caused by overwork, commuting, or other activities. Required training updates every two years will include fatigue mitigation measures, sleep fundamentals, the potential effects of commuting and the impact to a pilot’s performance.
Congress passes two-month Medicare extension
Last week, the President signed a measure which provides a two-month extension that delays a 27% cut to physician Medicare reimbursement rates. The measure cleared the Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives by unanimous consent, a procedural move allowing the measure to pass even though most members of Congress are home for the holiday recess. Among other things, the measure also includes a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut and emergency federal unemployment benefits.
Over the past few months, this issue has been fiercely debated in Congress. The AASM has actively followed this debate and encouraged members to speak out. The AASM sent multiple Special Updates to members about the status of the issue, with directions on how members can contact their Representative and a template letter to inform Representatives of the dire consequences if the cuts were enacted. House and Senate members will resume negotiations on a year-long extension of the “doc fix”, payroll tax and unemployment benefits when Congress reconvenes in January. AASM plans to keep members updated and will again provide information members can use to take action.
CMS announces extension of 2012 Annual Participation Enrollment
In an announcement on December 22, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid notified health professionals of an extension of the 2012 Annual Participation Enrollment Period. The enrollment period will now run Mon Nov 14, 2011 through Tues Feb 14, 2012. Participation elections or withdrawals post-marked on or before Tue Feb 14, 2012 will be accepted. Participation status changes submitted during the extension period (Jan 1 – Feb 14, 2012) will have an effective date of Sun Jan 1, 2012 and will be in force for the entire year.
Education for new sleep center managers
Individuals new to or interested in becoming involved in the management of a sleep center now have the opportunity to register for a new course through the AASM which will cover the topics necessary to begin a career in sleep center management. Basics of Sleep Center Management will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the AASM National Office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). During this one-day course, faculty will present a broad overview of sleep center managemnt topics. Members of the AASM and the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) receive discounted pricing and can register on or before the advanced registration deadline of February 3, 2012 to save on registration fees.
AASM Inter-Scorer Reliability Testing program upgrade scheduled for January
Beginning in January, the AASM Inter-scorer Reliability Testing Program will receiving a full system upgrade to more closely resemble professional scoring software. The systems offers a greatly improved testing experience with larger records, the ability to score from a 120-second view and keyboard commands for faster scoring. For a closer look at the changes effective on January 1, 2012, try the Free Demo on the ISR website.
Holiday HypnoGram
Happy Holidays! The AASM has been quite busy on numerous initiatives during this holiday season. We are working diligently on the proposal that the AASM will be submitting for the CMS Health Care Innovation Challenge. We also have had a Nominating Committee meeting during which a new president-elect and board member were proposed. Those names will be presented to the board of directors in January for approval. The SAD task force (Sleep Apnea Definitions) has been examining the current respiratory definitions in the scoring manual.
CMS announces it will hold 2012 claims for 10 business days
In a special announcement published earlier this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported that Medicare claims administration contractors will be instructed to hold claims for services provided in 2012. The claims hold, which will last from Sunday, January 1 through Tuesday, January 17, will impact claims for services provided in 2012 only. Claims for services provided on or before December 31, 2011 will not be affected by this hold. This announcement comes as Medicare providers anticipate the 27.4% cut to payment outlined in the 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which is expected to take effect on January 1, 2012. CMS has reported that they expect the claims hold will have a minimal impact on provider cash flow.
NIH grant opportunity announced for health outcomes related to maternal nutrition and pre-pregnancy obesity
A Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the NIH's National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) calls for Research Project grant (R01) applications for Maternal Nutrition and Pre-pregnancy Obesity: Effects on Mothers, Infants and Children. The FOA will facilitate research focused on improving health outcomes for women, infants and children. The FOA states that this can include interventions that target modifiable factors in the maternal pre- and post-natal environment which may modulate genetic susceptibility to obesity, such as sleep habits. Standard date and deadlines for NIH R01 grants apply for this funding opportunity.
Sleep disorders common among police officers
Untreated sleep disorders among police officers may be adversely affecting their health and safety and posing a risk to the public, according to study appearing in today’s issue of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). Nearly 5,000 officers were surveyed, with 40 percent screening positive for at least one sleep disorder, most of them previously undiagnosed.
Supreme Court schedules oral arguments addressing health care reform for March
The Supreme Court announced its schedule for oral arguments to determine the constitutionality of the federal health reform law. The court will devote a total of five-and-a-half hours to the case from March 26 to March 28, 2012. The court will hear aguments addressing such aspects of the law as the Anti-Injuction Act, the individual mandate and the issue of severability. A ruling could be issued in June.
AASM opens registration for Spring and Fall A-STEP introductory courses
On March 5–16, 2012 and October 8–19, 2012, the AASM will provide up to 20 sleep technicians with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of sleep technology at the updated An Introduction to Sleep Technology: An A-STEP Course. The two-week program, which will be held at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), will provide participants with the practical skills that are essential for a successful career in the profession of sleep technology and will include a mixture of didactic lectures, online learning, practical exercises and observation at a sleep center. Accredited by the AASM as an Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) Introductory Course, the program’s curriculum has been developed to align with the core competencies required in a sleep technologist’s daily duties. And because the program will be limited to 20 participants, each technician will receive personalized training and hands-on experience in addition to over $1,100.00 worth of course material included with their registration fees!
AASM Accredited Centers: Deadline for Out of Center Sleep Testing Attestations is December 31, 2011
In February 2011, the AASM introduced an accreditation program for Out of Center Sleep Testing (OSCT) for Adult Patients. Facilities currently accredited by the AASM as a sleep disorders center are eligible to be awarded accreditation as an OCST provider by completing an Out of Center Sleep Testing Accreditation Participation Attestation Form by December 31, 2011. All AASM accredited centers must complete this form; if your center does not currently perform OCST, completion of this form is still required.
The AASM requests that centers complete their forms based on your facility’s current status as an OCST provider:
Earn CME online for the December 15 issue of JCSM
The December 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine is now available on the recently revamped JCSM website. AASM members can login and earn continuing medical education (CME) credits by reading the full articles designated for CME and passing an online post-test within one year of the date of publication. Studies designated for CME credit in the October issue are: "The Effects of Altitude Associated Central Apnea on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Comparative Data from Three Different Altitude Locations in the Mountain West" and "Zolpidem Ingestion, Automatisms, and Sleep Driving: A Clinical and Legal Case Series"
NHLBI Funding Opportunity Announcement to establish Centers for Accelerated Innovations
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recently announced it will publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) to establish Centers for Accelerated Innovations (CAI). According to the NHLBI, the Centers are intended to tackle problems that hinder the critical, early steps necessary to translate novel scientific advances and discoveries into commercially viable diagnostics, devices, therapeutics and tools that improve patient care and advance public health. The Funding Opportunity Announcement will be published in Spring 2012 in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts. The receipt date is expected to be in Fall 2012.
New ASMF award provides sleep researchers with bridge to NIH K grant funding
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation recently announced the Bridge to K Research Award, a funding opportunity for sleep researchers that have applied for a K grant from the NIH, but are unlikely to be within the NIH funding cutoff. The Bridge to K Research Award increases the likelihood of a successful resubmission by providing scientists with additional time and funding to collect further data and respond to the NIH critique. The ASMF will award up to two $75,000 Bridge to K Research Grants per year. The deadline to apply for the Bridge to K Research Award is Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
Growth in health care spending, costs and employment declined in October
U.S. health care industry spending, price inflation and employment growth are trending downward, according to the December Health Sector Economic Indicators briefs released last week by the Altarum Institute's Center for Sustainable Health Spending. According to the briefs, total health care spending growth in October fell to 5%, from 5.2% in September because of reductions in hospital, physician services and nursing home spending. Health care spending as a share of the total economy, which is currently at 18.1%, shows signs of dropping to around 18% from its all-time high of 18.2% in June 2011.
House GOP extension of tax break includes two-year Medicare “doc fix”
House Republicans submitted a plan extending a $1,000 payroll tax break -- set to expire at the end of 2011 -- that includes a two-year "doc fix" to stave off scheduled cuts to Medicare physician reimbursement rates. The GOP plan includes a 1% increase for reimbursement rates over the next two years. The plan would pay for the $38 billion fix in part by limiting Medicare benefits for high-income beneficiaries. It also would offset the cost by redirecting funding from the federal health reform law that was intended for prevention and public health services. Also, CMS could briefly delay the impending Medicare physician payment rate cut if Congress appears to be on pace to reach an agreement on a doc fix before January 1. CMS previously has held physician payments for a brief period while lawmakers finalized deals to delay rate cuts.