CMS Implementation of Provider Enrollment Provisions
The Feb. 2, 2011, edition of the Federal Register outlined a number of new requirements for CMS providers and suppliers. The final rule, which took effect March 25, 2011 included new requirements for the screening process, application fees and temporary moratoria.
Crash rates may be higher for teen drivers who start school earlier
Early school start times may promote sleep loss and daytime sleepiness, which can reduce the alertness of teen drivers. Chronic sleep restriction is a common problem among teens. During adolescence, a biological change shifts the typical onset of sleepiness later at night. This delay can make it a challenge for teens to get enough sleep when they have to wake up early for school.
Worldsleep 2011 to go Ahead as Planned in Kyoto, Japan
World Sleep 2011 will be held October 16-20, 2011, in Kyoto, Japan. In a special message last week, Ron Grunstein, MD, PhD, President of the World Sleep Federation, reassured the sleep medicine community about the perceived risks associated with travel to Japan.
New Free Online Learning Module: “Interpretation of Non-Respiratory Sleep Studies”
The second multimedia presentation included in the AASM Online Learning Center April preview - “Interpretation of Non-Respiratory Sleep Studies” - provides sleep medicine professionals with an understanding of methods for interpretation of non-respiratory sleep studies. Using a case-based format, Dr. Phyllis Zee of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine describes the use of sleep studies to diagnose patients with non-respiratory sleep disorders and recognize non-respiratory abnormalities.
Poll Finds Strong Public Support for Research Funding
Results of a poll commissioned by Research!America show that 78 percent of Americans think federal funding for health research is important for job creation and the economy.
NIH and AHRQ Focus on Obesity Research and Prevention
The National Institutes of Health released a new Strategic Plan for NIH Obesity Research to combat the obesity epidemic by encouraging diverse scientific investigations. The plan emphasizes the development of practical solutions by moving science from the laboratory to clinical trials, and it is designed to help target efforts and resources in areas most likely to help.
CMS Open Forum on the Physician Quality Reporting System is April 14
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will host a Special Open Door Forum on the 2011 Physician Quality Reporting System and E-Prescribing Incentive programs. The live conference call will take place on Thursday, April 14, 2011 and will feature three presentations that focus on success stories.
AMA Report Examines Economic Impact of Office-Based Physicians
The American Medical Association's Advocacy Resource Center has released a report that examines the impact that office-based physicians have on the economy.
AASM Congratulates New Fellow Members – April 2011
Fellow status in the AASM is a unique honor that recognizes special competency in sleep medicine and significant contributions to the field. The AASM is pleased to welcome new Fellow Members.
SALE: 25% Discount on Several Top Selling Products for Sleep Technologists
Equip sleep technologists and technicians at your facility with the resources needed for them to excel by purchasing discounted educational material from the AASM during the month of April. Discount items include the AASM Scoring Manual, The Essentials of Sleep Technology manual, Essentials of Sleep Technology lecture slide sets and more.
Final Days to Register for Full-Day AASM Workshop on Scoring
On Saturday, April 16, 2011, the AASM will host a Scoring of Sleep Workshop at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois. This comprehensive workshop will provide participants with the necessary background and explanations to understand the rules of the AASM Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events. The workshop is ideal for both sleep technicians and technologists as well as physicians who wish to gain a basic review of scoring.
IN THE NEWS: Infant Sleep, OSA & Mortality, and Short Sleepers
Studies in the April issue of the journal SLEEP received media attention recently. Time and Consumer Reports reported on a new Web-based program that can help parents get their infants and toddlers to sleep. WebMD covered a study about sleep-disordered breathing and daytime sleepiness. And the Wall Street Journal brought attention to short sleepers.
Make the Most of SLEEP 2011 & Extend your Stay in Minneapolis
Plan to take some extra time before or after SLEEP 2011 to enjoy activities found in Minneapolis, Minn. and the greater Twin Cities region. Attractions include an internationally recognized theater scene, the Mall of America and the Minnesota Twins Major League Baseball team at the brand-new Target Field.
AASM Board of Directors Election Results
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine thanks all of the members who voted in the 2011 AASM election congratulates members who were elected by membership to the board of directors. Board of directors will begin their terms in June at SLEEP 2011 in Minneapolis, Minn.
NIH Grant Opportunity Involves Circadian Rhythms & Alcohol-Induced Tissue Damage
A funding opportunity announcement (FOA) issued by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) encourages Research Project Grant (R01) applications (PA-11-178) and Exploratory/Developmental Grant (R21) applications (PA-11-179) that propose to conduct mechanistic studies of the circadian rhythms involved in alcohol-induced organ damage
AMA Introduces New CPT E/M Quick Reference Mobile App
The American Medical Association introduced a new mobile application that helps you easily determine the appropriate CPT Evaluation and Management (E/M) code for use for billing. Featuring both decision-tree logic and quick search options, the application allows you to digitally track codes and email them anywhere.
SLEEP 2011: Spotlight on Scientific Oral Presentations and Invited Lecturer Presentations
SLEEP 2011 will feature more than 1,000 scientific abstracts presented throughout the meeting in oral and poster format. During the scientific oral presentations, investigators will give 15-minute presentations covering their latest research and new ideas. In addition, several senior level investigators/clinicians present one-hour lectures covering their area of expertise in invited lecturer presentations at SLEEP 2011.
Apply for Recognition as an AASM Comprehensive Academic Sleep Program of Distinction
AASM Comprehensive Academic Sleep Programs of Distinction recognizes academic sleep programs that have demonstrated excellence though compliance with rigorous standards in the areas of clinical service, educational mission and research accomplishments. Recognized programs can compete, on an annual basis, for a one-year grant from the American Sleep Medicine Foundation that supports a fellow for training in sleep medicine research. All recognized programs also will receive, on an annual basis, a grant that provides travel assistance to the SLEEP meeting for one fellow.
CNN Examines the Sleep and Alertness Challenges of Night-Shift Workers
A recent article on CNN.com described how night-shift workers struggle to sleep during the day and stay awake at night. Interest in the subject soared last week when an air-traffic controller at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport admitted that he fell asleep on the job, forcing two airplanes to land after midnight with no assistance from the control tower.
Earn CME Credit Online: April Issue of SLEEP
The April 1 issue of the journal SLEEP will be available Friday and AASM members have access the full text of each article. Members may earn continuing medical education (CME) credits online by reading designated articles and taking the online CME exams within one year of the date of publication.
FREE Online Learning Module “Insomnia: Etiology, Evaluation and Treatment” Available in the AASM Online Learning Center
The AASM is offering select streaming multimedia presentations for FREE, as part of a month-long AASM Online Learning Center preview. The first online learning module available through this offer will be The Basics of Sleep Medicine – Insomnia: Etiology, Evaluation and Treatment. Developed and presented by Dr. Richard Rosenberg, PhD, AASM Director of Professional Education and Training, this presentation reviews the fundamentals of insomnia including pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment.
New CD-ROM Recording of AASM Board Review Course Available
Now available from the AASM and SRS is a CD-ROM archive of the full content from recent courses. The three courses - Board Review for the Sleep Specialist, Intensive Scoring Review and Basic Science of Sleep for the Sleep Specialist - are ideal for physicians planning to take the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) sleep medicine certification exam this November.
ANALYSIS: Medicare Payments for Physician Services in 2012
Between now and Jan. 1, 2012, physicians can anticipate frequent speculation from industry analysts about how Congress will address the next scheduled reduction to physician Medicare payments. With the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula scheduled to cut the 2012 payments by approximately 29.5 percent, Congress will have to impose another short-term fix or develop a permanent solution.
Risk of Death is High in Older Adults with Sleep Apnea and Daytime Sleepiness
Longitudinal study suggests that sleep apnea and excessive daytime sleepiness combine to cause an elevation in mortality risk.
Safety and Efficacy of Hypnotic Drugs Workshop is May 10-11
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Division of Neurology Products, in conjunction with the Pharmaceutical Education & Research Institute Inc. (PERI), will host the Safety and Efficacy of Hypnotic Drugs workshop May 10-11, 2011, at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel in Bethesda, Md.