December 6 , 2004

 

Candid Discussions on Difficult Issues by AANA and ASA Leadership—November 2004

The AANA and ASA leadership met once again at the O’Hare Hilton Hotel, November 7-8, 2004. Present were Frank T. Maziarski, CRNA, Brian D. Thorson, CRNA, and Jeffery M. Beutler, CRNA, from the AANA; Eugene P. Sinclair, MD, Orin F. Guidry, MD, Mark J. Lema, MD, and Ron Bruns from the ASA.  Irma Tyler-Wood and Katharine Tyler-Scott represented the ThoughtBridge Co.

The group had candid discussions on the financial condition of educational programs for anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists.  The AANA and ASA leaders agreed to discuss these issues further.  

In addition, the Leadership Coalition (LC) also discussed issues related to the Medicare Anesthesia Payment System and Medical Direction Rules, and the possibility of working together on these issues.

The LC continued a discussion on concerns about the ASA Statement on the Anesthesia Care Team.

A meeting was scheduled for January 9-10, 2005 at the O’Hare Hilton, Chicago. Another meeting was tentatively scheduled for February 26, 2005, in conjunction with the AANA Assembly of School Faculty, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, pending confirmation at the January meeting. The AANA Board of Directors and the ASA Administrative Council will join the Assembly of School Faculty attendees for lunch and participation in a round-table discussion.