Last Chance to Register for Upcoming AASM Courses
Registration for the AASM Sleep Education Series course, Interpreting Sleep Studies, will close Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010. The course, to be held Oct. 22–24, 2010, at the AASM national office in Darien, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), will include discussion of polysomnography, portable monitoring and actigraphy.
The AASM Recognizes Its Top Member Recruiters – October 2010
Congratulations to the AASM’s top Member-Get-A-Member Campaign recruiters for the month of September. These individuals are contributing to the growth of the organization by reaching out to their professional colleagues and encouraging them to join the AASM.
Nov. 1 Deadline for SLEEP 2011 Session Proposal Review by Section Steering Committees
The APSS Program Committee is soliciting proposals for the following sessions at SLEEP 2011: postgraduate courses, symposia, discussion groups and clinical workshops. The deadline for proposals to be submitted for review has been extended to Monday, Nov. 1.
AAMC Releases New Physician Shortage Estimates
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Center for Workforce Studies has released new physician shortage estimates, projecting that in 2015 there will be a deficit of 62,900 physicians.
Medicare Participation Guide: Know Your Options
From mid-November through Dec. 31, 2010, physicians will have their annual opportunity to review and perhaps change their participation status with the Medicare program. The American Medical Association (AMA) has developed the “Know your options: Medicare participation guide” to help physicians prepare for this opportunity and review their options carefully.
New Enrollment Fact Sheets from the Medicare Learning Network
The Medicare Learning Network (MLN) has released several fact sheets designed to educate Fee-For-Service (FFS) providers and suppliers about important Medicare enrollment information, including how to use Internet-based Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) to enroll in the Medicare Program and maintain your enrollment information.
Sale for Month of October: Personalized Brochure Orders Discounted
During the month of October 2010, members can take advantage of discounted pricing on all personalized brochure orders; orders placed during this time will receive a $20/pack discount (a savings of greater than 30%)! For more information about personalized brochures, including design guidelines, visit the AASM Online Store.
AASM Opens Registration for Several 2011 Educational Courses
Registration is now open for the following AASM Sleep Education Series courses to be held in 2011: Board Review for the Sleep Specialist, Current Topics in Sleep Medicine and The Business of Sleep Medicine
OIG 2011 Work Plan Includes Projects Related to Sleep Medicine
A number of projects relate to the practice of sleep medicine, including a review of Medicare payments for sleep studies and a review of the compliance of independent diagnostic testing facilities (IDTFs) with Medicare standards.
AASM and SRS Nominate Chesson and Weaver for U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
The AASM and Sleep Research Society (SRS) have nominated Andrew L. Chesson, Jr., MD, and Terri E. Weaver, PhD, RN, to serve as members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel of non-Federal experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine.
Study in October SLEEP Receives Extensive Media Coverage
The study “Associations of early pregnancy sleep duration with trimester-specific blood pressures and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy,” which was published in the October issue of SLEEP, received wide coverage from media outlets such as CNN, HealthDay and UPI.
Apply for ASMF Awards by Oct. 15: Physician Scientist Training & ABSM Junior Faculty Research
The American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) is committed to supporting the education and training of sleep scientists and is pleased to offer the Physician Scientist Training Award (PSTA) and the ABSM Junior Faculty Research Award as part of the ASMF 2011 grant cycle. Candidates applying for either of these awards must complete the application process by Oct. 15, 2010.
Online Application Now Required for AASM Sleep Center Accreditation
The AASM now accepts applications for sleep center accreditation exclusively online. The online Application for Accreditation, which has been available since March 2010, allows sleep facilities to begin the application process and save their progress as they collect necessary information and materials for accreditation.
Study Finds a High Rate of Restless Legs Syndrome in Adults with Fibromyalgia
Participants with fibromyalgia were 11 times more likely to have RLS than healthy controls.
Renew Your AASM Membership Online
AASM members can renew their 2011 membership online on the AASM website.
Save on All AASM Products for Sleep Technologists in October
Order any AASM products for technologists during the month of October 2010 and receive 25 percent off these items.
AAST Sleep Technologist Appreciation Week is Oct. 4-10
Sponsored by the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST), Sleep Technologist Appreciation Week 2010 will be recognized across the country by special events held at sleep disorders centers and laboratories for sleep-related breathing disorders.
Several Health Care Reform Provisions Take Effect
Several provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act took effect September.
New Policy Brief Explains Standards and Certification of Electronic Health Records
A new health policy brief from Health Affairs and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation explains the new federal Electronic Health Record Standards. Hospitals, doctors, and other clinicians can soon start receiving incentive payments under Medicare and Medicaid for making "meaningful use" of electronic health records (EHRs).
Physician Reimbursement Cut: Expect Another Postponement after November Elections
Rather than seeking a long-term solution for the physician reimbursement crisis, Congress will likely postpone the looming 23-percent cut from Dec. 1 to either Feb. 1 or March 1, Medscape Medical News reports.
ACGME Approves Graduated Standards for Duty Hours
The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) announced that its board of directors has approved "a set of requirements that are a comprehensive approach to patient care, quality improvement, supervision, professionalism, transitions in care, and resident well-being.
Earn CME Credit Online: October Issue of SLEEP
AASM members have access to the full text of each article in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP when you log in on the website.
AASM Publishes Updated Practice Parameters for Adult OSA Surgeries
The Oct. 1 issue of SLEEP includes new “Practice parameters for the surgical modifications of the upper airway for obstructive sleep apnea in adults” from the AASM.
New SLEEP Website Launches
The Associated Professional Sleep Societies launched a redesigned website for SLEEP Friday in preparation for the transition of the journal to a digital publication beginning in 2011 with volume 34.
Study Links Short and Long Sleep Durations in Early Pregnancy with Elevated Blood Pressure in the Third Trimester
A study in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal SLEEP found that getting too little or too much sleep in early pregnancy is associated with elevated blood pressure in the third trimester. The study suggests that improving prenatal sleep hygiene may provide important health benefits.