New Resource to Evaluate Scoring Skills Added to AASM Website
Individuals interested in evaluating their sleep study scoring ability may now take advantage of a new resource available in the AASM Online Learning Center: 200-Epoch Scoring Reviews. These sets of 200 consecutive epochs from a clinical sleep recording (originally released through the AASM’s online Inter-scorer Reliability Testing Program), allow the user to practice scoring sleep stage, arousals, limb movements and respiratory events. Users will have the opportunity to compare their results with ISR program participants and to view a one-hour record review presentation that guides users through the most challenging epochs from that record.
SALE on Board Review Products in July!
Planning to take the Nov. 10, 2011, American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) sleep medicine certification exam? With just more than four months remaining to prepare, the AASM has discounted several products that are essential for board review! Visit the AASM Online Store during the month of July to take 20% off of resources including the ICSD-2, Scoring Manual, Case Book, webinar archives and more!
SELL OUT ALERT: AASM Board Review Course in Reston is SOLD OUT; Limited Seats Remain in Denver
2011 will be the final opportunity for physicians to apply for the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) sleep medicine certification exam under the Practice Pathway, allowing individuals to take the exam without completion of a sleep medicine fellowship program. In order to provide physicians planning to take this exam with preparation resources, the AASM has scheduled two comprehensive Board Review for the Sleep Specialist courses in Denver, Colo., Aug. 12–14, 2011, and in Reston, Va. (a suburb of Washington, D.C.), Sept. 9–11, 2011.
AASM Releases Two New Children’s Books Promoting Healthy Sleep
As part of a recent campaign to promote increased education about sleep to children of all ages, the AASM has published two new children’s bedtime stories that will not only delight children with tales of the sleeping habits of animals from around the world, but will also teach them about the importance of a good night’s sleep. I See the Animals Sleeping: A Bedtime Story and The Animals Sleep: A Bedtime Book of Biomes both utilize colorful illustrations and rhythmic text to entertain children as they prepare for bed.
AASM Requests that CMS Exempt Sleep Physicians from eRx Penalties
The AASM’s letter outlines the potential difficulties that sleep specialists will run into when prescribing hypnotics and stimulants in states that do not allow these medications to be prescribed electronically.
HypnoGram: Current AASM Projects
Hello everyone and welcome to the second installment of the Hypnogram. This week I want to update you on some of the current projects the AASM is working on. Out of center sleep testing for sleep apnea is currently a vexing issue for many centers. We are trying to help centers in their deployment of OCST.
NIH Announces Research Project Grant for SIDS Interventions
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a funding opportunity announcement to encourage research project grant (R01) applications to improve the design, implementation and effectiveness of preventive interventions for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and unintentional injury infant deaths associated with the sleep environment.
NHLBI Considering a New Mentored Scientific & Career Enhancement Award in Sleep
At the June 15, 2011, meeting of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council (NHLBAC), NHLBI staff presented 15 new initiatives that had been reviewed in May by the Board of External Experts (BEE). One of the proposed initiatives was a Mentored Scientific and Career Enhancement Award in Sleep and Circadian Health and Biology (K18), which would improve the capacity of established investigators to develop trans-disciplinary research programs that integrate the latest concepts in sleep and circadian biology.
AASM Working to Have Sleep Testing Included in the “Welcome to Medicare” Benefit
The AASM has been working with legislators in Washington, D.C., on a draft bill that would incorporate sleep disorders testing into the "Welcome to Medicare" benefit, which allows individuals entering the Medicare program to receive an initial preventive physical examination and other screening services without a copayment. Some of the other services included in this benefit are various cancer screening tests, cardiovascular screening blood tests, diabetes screening tests, and an electrocardiogram.
Extended sleep improves the athletic performance of collegiate basketball players
A study in the July 1 issue of the journal SLEEP shows that sleep extension is beneficial to athletic performance, reaction time, vigor, fatigue and mood in collegiate basketball players. The study is the first to document sleep extension and the athletic performance of actively competing athletes.
AASM Recognizes Sixth Comprehensive Academic Sleep Program of Distinction
The AASM congratulates the University of Washington Medicine Sleep Program, which was recently recognized as the sixth AASM Comprehensive Academic Sleep Program of Distinction. This program recognizes academic sleep programs that have demonstrated excellence though compliance with rigorous standards in the areas of clinical service, educational mission and research accomplishments.
Registration is Open for Six Fall 2011 Courses to be Held at the AASM National Office
This fall, the AASM will host several educational courses at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). View the course brochure. Registration is now open and space is limited; with many courses expected to sell out as physicians prepare to take the November sleep medicine certification exam, be sure to register early to reserve your space and save on registration fees.
For a Limited Time RPSGTs Can Receive the new RST Certificate from the ABSM
The new American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) Sleep Technologist Registry Examination will be offered for the first time Nov. 11, 2011. All practicing sleep technologists who have passed the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) examination prior to Dec. 31, 2011 - and are a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) in good standing - are eligible to apply for equivalency status and receive the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST) certification by the ABSM.
SLEEP and JCSM Studies Now Have DOI Numbers
Beginning with the current June issues of SLEEP and the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, all papers, letters, and commentaries published in both journals now have a unique Digital Object Identifier (DOI) assigned to them. A DOI number is a permanent identifier that enables you to quickly locate digital content. The DOI System makes it easy for you to find a study online when you enter the DOI number in a search on the CrossRef website.
Responding to Recent Medicare Comparative Billing Reports: Important Contact Information
The AASM has received feedback from a number of members regarding the recent memo from Dr. Strollo about the Comparative Billing Reports (CBRs) that have been issued on behalf of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). A number of members’ questions relate to how one can contact Medicare regarding the CBR content.
HypnoGram: Read the First Edition of Dr. Collop’s Blog for Members
During her term as 2011-2012 AASM president, Dr. Nancy Collop will be writing regular blog posts to keep members up to date on the latest initiatives and activities of the AASM. Her blog, “HypnoGram,” will provide updates from meetings of the AASM board of directors as well as her personal insights regarding the state of the sleep field.
AASM Thanks Members for Making SLEEP 2011 a Success
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine board of directors appreciates the participation of all AASM members who gathered in Minneapolis, Minn., to attend SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS). Special thanks are extended to the numerous members who contributed to the premier scientific meeting in the sleep field by chairing or speaking at a session or course, presenting new science, leading a membership section or lending their expertise
AASM Submits Comments to NACOSH on Sleep and Workplace Safety
The AASM recently submitted comments on the importance of effective sleep as a vital element in achieving the goal of developing and maintaining safe workplaces. The AASM urged NACOSH and its Subgroup on Injury and Illness Prevention Programs to take a serious look at the undisputed implications between fatigue and workplace safety.
Welcome to the HypnoGram Blog
Hello to all AASM members, and welcome to the first edition of the HypnoGram. This blog updates members on the workings of the board of directors and highlight activities of the AASM. I suspect that some weeks it will be full of board related information, such as those weeks following our board meetings and executive committee phone calls, and other weeks it will be more editorial in nature with musings of mine on the state of our field.
OIG Advisory Opinion Addresses DME and IDTF Contracts
On June 21, 2011, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) posted Advisory Opinion No. 11-08 in response to a request for clarification regarding an existing arrangement and a proposed arrangement involving contracts between a durable medical equipment (DME) supplier and various independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTF).
Receive Continuing Medical Education Credit for SLEEP 2011
Attendees of SLEEP 2011, the 25th Anniversary Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies LLC (APSS) may claim Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit by completing an online evaluation at www.sleepmeeting.org/credits. In order to receive credit, the online evaluation must be completed on or before October 3, 2011.
Close-Out Sale on Single Webinar Archive CD-ROMs
All non-series AASM webinar archive CD-ROMs are now 50% off through the AASM Online Store, where you can review a full description of more than 50 presentations that are currently available. Webinars will be available only while inventory lasts, and all sales are final.
Attend Your Membership Section Meeting at SLEEP 2011
All SLEEP 2011 attendees are invited to attend the AASM section meetings, which provide members with a means to share focused interests, discuss ideas, develop methodologies, recommend programs, promote education through the AASM, stimulate research and express concerns.
AASM Releases New Edition of S.A.F.E.R.
Recently, in an effort to ensure that SAFER provides institutions with updated information to meet Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) standards for resident duty hours, an AASM Task Force was established to review and revise the presentation. Now available in a convenient self-study multimedia format, the 25-minute, 2nd edition of SAFER is an essential tool for all teaching hospitals and institutions that wish to provide their staff with education about sleep deprivation in the health-care setting.
Attend the AASM General Membership Meeting at SLEEP 2011
Make plans to attend the AASM General Membership Meeting Monday, June 13, 2011 from 12:30 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. at SLEEP 2011 in room 101B at the Minneapolis Convention Center. President Patrick Strollo, MD, and incoming President Nancy Collop, MD, will provide updates on AASM initiatives, and the recipients of the 2011 AASM Awards will be recognized. This meeting is open to all AASM members.