Submit Membership Section Chair Applications by Wednesday, March 16
The AASM is accepting interest forms for the chair of the following eight membership sections: Childhood Sleep Disorders and Development, Circadian Rhythms, Insomnia, Movement Disorders, Narcolepsy, Parasomnias, Sleep Deprivation and Sleep Related Breathing Disoders.
Coding Corner: New Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Search Guide
The AASM Coding page has been expanded to include a Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Search Guide. This illustrated guide includes step-by-step instructions for looking up pricing information for a single HCPCS code or a series of HCPCS codes.
AASM Urges Congress to Maintain Appropriate NIH Funding Levels
Implementing across-the-board budget cuts could stop prominent, patient-oriented research in mid-stream, creating a gap in the research field. The AASM supports funding for the National Institute of Health that will allow the careful continuation of the current research agenda, and urged Congress to recognize the value of the NIH as an incubator for advancing scientific and health-care knowledge.
SLEEP 2011: Spotlight on Postgraduate Courses
Prior to the SLEEP 2011 general session, 13 full-day and half-day postgraduate courses will be presented to provide attendees with comprehensive coverage of important topics in sleep medicine and sleep research.
Out of Center Sleep Testing Accreditation Fee Structure Explained
The AASM has received questions requesting clarification of the fee structure for the Out of Center Sleep Testing Accreditation program and has provided more details about the fee structure for both centers that are accredited by the AASM as well as sleep service entities pursuing accreditation as a provider of OCST.
Invitation to Participate in the International Collaboration of Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Trials (INCOSACT) Researchers
The INternational COllaboration of Sleep Apnea Cardiovascular Trials (INCOSACT) Researchers is a newly formed collaboration of investigators interested in conducting randomized controlled clinical trials of sleep apnea treatment interventions that aim to adjudicate cardiovascular disease (CVD) event information.
House Oversight Subcommittee Examines Medicare Fraud
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations examined a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, which noted that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has estimated fiscal year 2010 improper payments for Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage of almost $48 billion.
AASM Congratulates New Fellow Members & Recognizes Top Member
The AASM also congratulates the top Member-Get-A-Member Campaign recruiters for the month of February. These individuals are contributing to the growth of the organization by reaching out to their professional colleagues and encouraging them to join the AASM. For each new member recruited, these individuals will receive a $15 Recognition of Excellence Money (REM) Voucher that can be used toward AASM resources including product purchases, course registrations and more.
Last Chance to Register for the AASM’s A-STEP Introductory Course
On March 21-April 1, 2011, the AASM will host its first Accredited Sleep Technologist Education Program (A-STEP) Introductory Course at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). This 80-hour program is ideal for technicians new to the field who wish to receive a comprehensive review of the information required to begin a successful career in the profession of sleep technology.
March SALE on AASM Patient Education Products
During the month of March 2011, AASM members can save 20% on patient education products including Patient Education Brochure Packs, Welcome to the Sleep Lab videos and Patient Surveys.
CDC Issues Reports on Unhealthy Sleep-Related Behaviors & Short Sleep Duration
In Friday's issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on an analysis of data from a new sleep module added to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2009.
Earn CME Credit Online: March Issue of SLEEP
AASM members have access to the full text of each article in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP when you log in on the website. You also can 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.
AASM Comments on Washington State Health Technology Assessment of Sleep Apnea
The AASM noted that there is an essential patient care benefit in identifying people with OSA and providing the related treatment for this chronic medical condition, outlined some of the connections between OSA and comorbid conditions, and emphasized that the sleep physician has an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment of OSA.
Advanced Registration Deadline for New AASM Sleep Center Manager Boot Camp is Monday, March 7
Sleep center managers and senior-level technologists interested in learning more about the unique business practices associated with running a sleep center should attend the AASM’s new 3½-day interactive and tool-driven course, Sleep Center Manager Boot Camp, to be held April 4-7, 2011, at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois.
AASM & SRS Urge U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs to Focus on Sleep Disorders in Gulf War Veterans
a representative of the AASM and the Sleep Research Society (SRS) appeared before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses and submitted a letter urging the Committee to focus on sleep care research associated with the nation’s veterans.
SLEEP 2011: Spotlight on Symposia
Leaders in the sleep field are slated to present symposia sessions, which are two-hour sessions focusing on the latest data and ideas in sleep research and sleep medicine. Click ahead to see a listing of some of the symposia being offered at SLEEP 2011.
Vote for AASM Board of Directors Before Monday, March 7
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine invites member to vote online for the 2011 election for AASM leadership. This year, members will determine the AASM President-elect and four directors at-large on the AASM Board of Directors
Moderate Sleep Loss Impairs Vigilance and Sustained Attention in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
A new study in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP indicates that the ability of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to remain vigilant and attentive deteriorated significantly after losing less than one hour of nightly sleep for a week. The study suggests that even moderate reductions in sleep duration can affect neurobehavioral functioning, which may have a negative impact on the academic performance of children with ADHD.
Poor Sleep Quality is a Pain for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis
A study in the Feb. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that poor sleep quality correlated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, greater pain severity, increased fatigue, and greater functional disability in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. WebMD reports that the findings are consistent with previous studies that suggested sleep disruption may lower the threshold for pain. Read the AASM press release.
NIH Announces Availability of a Dataset from the Longitudinal Cleveland Family Study
The NIH database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP) resource program has announced the availability of a shared, controlled-access dataset from the longitudinal Cleveland Family Study for analyses by approved investigators. The dataset includes > 1,400 genotypes and > 2,300 data variables from as many as four sleep apnea evaluations over 16 years.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Stay Connected with the AASM
Stay connected with the AASM online and participate in ongoing discussions about sleep and sleep disorders by following the AASM on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the Sleep Education Blog. AASM members also can view and post comments in the Member’s Discussion Forum when you log in on the AASM website at www.aasmnet.org.
AASM Acknowledges February Contributions to the ISR Testing Program
Each month a new set of 200 consecutive epochs from a sleep record is posted online for the AASM Inter-scorer Reliability Testing Program. This convenient online program provides sleep centers, educational programs and research labs with the opportunity to compare the scoring ability of their staff and students with the AASM Gold Standard Scorer.
Final Days for SALE on Personalized Patient Education Brochure Orders
Until February 28, 2011, AASM individual and center members have the opportunity to save $20 on each pack of 100 personalized patient education brochures ordered from the AASM (a savings of more than 30 percent!).
AASM Announces Added Value for Individuals Registered for a Board Review Course
Individuals who register before March 14 for one of the AASM's Board Review for the Sleep Specialist courses will receive free access to three 200-Epoch Scoring Review online learning modules and Online Practice Exams.
SLEEP 2011 Networking Event to Celebrate the APSS 25th Anniversary Meeting
In celebration of its 25th Anniversary Meeting, the APSS will host the Silver Jubilee networking reception on the evening of Sunday, June 12, 2011, from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Tickets are $50 per person and include an extensive selection of hors d'oeuvres throughout the evening, two drink tickets and live music.