July 1999
Volume 63 |
Number 7
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ASA NEWS
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| Office Anesthesia
Workshop Scheduled |
In response to a growing shift of procedures in the outpatient
setting to office-based practices, the Workshop on Office-Based
Anesthesia will address key issues related to clinical and administrative
practices for anesthesiologists, presented by experts in the field.
The program will be held on November 13-14, 1999, at the Hotel
Inter-Continental in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Program objectives are: to provide the anesthesiologist with
an understanding of the differences and similarities in office
anesthesia; to discuss monitoring, equipment and emergency care
needed in offices; to discuss appropriate anesthesia techniques
in general and specifically for cosmetic, plastic surgery and
dental anesthesia; to explain the management of postoperative
problems and recovery criteria; to provide an update of regulations,
guidelines and accreditation initiatives currently under way in
various states and to discuss quality improvement processes in
the office practice.
Participants will be given ample time for questions and interaction
during breakout sessions and panel discussions.
Rebecca S. Twersky, M.D., is the program chair. She will speak
on "Update on Standards, Guidelines and Office Accreditation"
and will moderate a panel discussion on "In the Real World Cases."
The other faculty and their topics are:
- Randall C. Cork, M.D., "Dial 911: Are You Prepared? Safety
in the Office" and "Appropriate Pain Techniques";
- Richard Finder, D.M.D., "Taking Your Anesthesia Practice
on the Road: A View From the Trenches" and "Anesthesia for the
Dental Patient";
- Louis M. Guzzi, M.D., "Let's Get Started: ABCs of Office-Based
Anesthesia (OBA)" and "Is This Really a MAC Case? Creative General
Anesthesia Techniques";
- Walter G. Maurer, M.D. "Challenges in Patient and Procedure
Selection" and "Recovering From Office Anesthesia";
- David B. Mayer, M.D., "The Business Side of OBA: Present
and Future" and "How Can I Track CQI in the Office?"
ASA is approved by the Accreditation Council for Continuing
Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education
programs for physicians.
ASA designates this continuing medical education program for
11 credit hours in category 1 of the Physician's Recognition Award
of the American Medical Association.
Registration is suggested by October 4, 1999. Registration fees
are $300 for ASA active members, $125 for resident members and
$650 for nonmembers.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hotel Inter-Continental
New Orleans until October 22, 1999. A room reservation form will
be sent upon registration for the meeting. The form should be
returned to the hotel by the above date. The hotel is at 444 St.
Charles Street and is close to the French Quarter.
Overseas Teaching Program Web Site Goes Live!
The Overseas
Teaching Program (OTP) Web site debuted on June 2, 1999. The
Web site will serve to extend OTP's goal of providing support
to existing anesthesia training programs in developing countries.
OTP has worked with the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in
Moshi, Tanzania, since 1991, providing volunteers in support of
the anesthesia training program there.
OTP will launch a new program at the University of Ghana Medical
School in Accra in the fall of this year. In addition, OTP is
working with the World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists
to design refresher courses in Central America. This program should
be in place by December 1999.
The OTP Web site provides current information about OTP's activities
as well as a growing list of links to other medical volunteer
opportunities in developing countries. Visit the OTP
Web site and see what volunteers can do!
ABA Announces ... Dates for Upcoming
Recertification Exam
All certificates awarded by the American Board of Anesthesiology
(ABA) on or after January 1, 2000, will expire at the end of the
10th year following the year in which the candidate passed the
certifying examination. The ABA recertification program is voluntary
for ABA diplomates whose certification is not time-limited.
ABA diplomates may take the examination by computer at more
than 200 test centers during a two-week period, May 6-20, 2000.
The ABA will inform applicants of the test sites when the list
is available.
Diplomates may obtain an application from the ABA Web site <www.ABANES.org>
or by writing the ABA at 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 510, Raleigh,
NC 27607-7506. The ABA must receive completed recertification
applications by November 15, 1999.
OSI/WFSA Fellowships in Palliative Care
Michael Rosen, M.B., Treasurer World Federation of Societies
of Anaesthesiologists
The World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists (WFSA)
has adopted a proactive policy of targeting efforts toward fundraising
for major objectives that have been outside our own resources.
For instance, by approaching the World Health Organization (WHO),
national governments for major educational framework project grants,
the British government has made an initial grant and indicated
that there will be a favorable response to our request. We will
now seek help from other governments.
On a recent visit to the United States, I approached the Open
Society Institute, New York (OSI) (Soros Foundation) about supporting
anesthesiologist fellowships. The Directors, Dr. K. Foley and
Dr. S. Matic, expressed interest in encouraging palliative care
in eastern European countries. We have now agreed upon a joint
OSI/WFSA fellowship program this year from 10 eastern European
countries (neither the poorest nor richest) for 10 fellowships
for four months. The OSI has offices in each country and will
identify approximately 20 candidates from whom we will make the
final choice. They must have at least three years of experience
in palliative care.
The OSI and WFSA have agreed to jointly fund this program to
a total of $100,000 (about $10,000 per fellow) for travel and
maintenance. WFSA is underwriting half, but we intend to raise
the funds for the program.
The fellows will be tested thoroughly in English, German, Spanish
or French to be eligible and will be placed appropriately. I imagine
most will wish to come to English-speaking countries, so, we are
looking for placements. Although not a condition, it is suggested
that a pairing of fellows might offer social advantages. We are
also looking for financial support, although that is not a condition
of placement.
Would those who can place a fellow or fellows in a four-month
program for palliative care, please contact me? Also, those who
are willing to raise $5,000 (or any part) for a fellow, through
community activities or from industrial companies, please contact
Michael Rosen, M.B., Treasurer, WFSA, Level 8, Imperial House,
15-19 Kingsway, London, WC2B 6TH United Kingdom, Telephone: (011)
44 171 836 5652, Fax: (011) 44 171 836 5616, e-mail: <wfsa@compuserve.com>
or <mirosen@compuserve.com>.
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