VOLUME 26, ISSUE 2
Following a midday break, a second Education Session was held from 2:30 PM until 5:00 PM and included facilitated roundtable groups in a “strategic planning session” on future issues and models by DSI Consultants. This group has been working with the ASA Strategic Planning Workgroup in an ongoing relationship for the past year.
Mr. Paul Pomerantz, ASA CEO presented his first yearly recap of activities at the administrative level and within the two offices. He recounted the extensive growth of the AQI with more than 15 million patient entries. Also, NACOR is now certified to report PQRS measures and Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI) has submitted a number of new quality measures to NQF. He described work on our updated ASA webpage with new entry portals specifically for education content and advocacy.
Lastly, he talked about the ASA continuing work on social media content using Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Soon component societies and members will be able to access aspects of When Seconds Count templates for educational and public relations efforts.
He finished by congratulating Dr. Steven Sween (GA), Speaker of the House on the building project for the new ASA Headquarters in Schaumberg. The project is ahead of schedule and there is a planned ribbon-cutting ceremony concurrent with the August Annual Board Meeting.
Mr. Bonilla returned for further discussion of the SGR Repeal and Reform issue but concentrated the majority of his time on the VA Nursing Policy Manual. They are utilizing a three-pronged strategy of focused discussions with the VA Secretary and physician leaders, applying Congressional pressures via the leaders of the committees of jurisdiction and lastly failing all else, beginning a public relations campaign to educate the veterans and their families of the removal of physician oversight and the Anesthesia Care Team model approach.
The Board of Directors met at 8:00 AM on Sunday, March 2rd.
Items of interest included:
310-1 Administrative Affairs: President: Addendum Report; there was extensive testimony and discussion of the subject of the report at the Review Committee, the pending SGR Repeal Legislation. Ultimately, the members agreed that the ASA should not take a formal position on the bill. The ASA Washington Office staff will continue to work with Congressional leaders and provide input to hopefully improve the legislation.
630-1 Professional Affairs: New Hampshire Society of Anesthesiologists: Interim Report; this report contained a request for the ASA to actively engage and create a physician liaison position with Anthem to assist in state, regional and “national” policy making decisions that affect our members. It was modified at the suggestion of Dr. Stead to create a permanent staff position in the Washington office to work this and similar carrier type issues.
505-1 Scientific Affairs: Committee on Professional Education Oversight; Interim Report; this report contained the recommendation that the ASA create an Excellence in Education award similar to the ones which already exist for Research and Government. This passed and will be awarded beginning in 2015 at the Annual Meeting.
