VOLUME 26, ISSUE 1
Professional Affairs
409-1 Committee on Standards and Practice Parameters: Parameters Under Development or Revision. Dr. Girish Joshi, TX extracted this report that contained the Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Management of Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. He recommended referral of this guideline back to the Committee to consider changing it to a Practice Advisory and to eliminate all references to brand name devices. The updated Guideline was approved and not referred back.
674-4 Vice President of Professional Affairs: Annual Report. This report was received for information only and was the last by Dr. Norman A. Cohen who retired this year due to ongoing health concerns of his wife. (Editorial comment: He was a true friend to Texas and will be sorely missed).
412-1 Committee on Expert Witness Testimony Review: Five-Year Review Program. The HOD approved changes to the Administrative Procedures for this Committee and modified to allow members of the Committee or the Judicial Council to send “letters of concern” to respondents. It was argued that this allows the ASA to acknowledge problems with testimony in a filed complaint but not to the level of sanctioning the member by suspension or expulsion.
Scientific Affairs
534-1 Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists: Annual Report. The HOD affirmed BOD decision to NOT support the request from SCA to support ABA sub-specialty certification.
605-1 Director, California Society of Anesthesiologists: Annual Report. This report contained a resolution amended by the BOD that recommended the ASA look at the operational business models of simulation centers relative to MOCA requirements. There were many concerns that access to simulation centers is currently quite limited and the costs of the courses unduly impact younger members. The HOD accepted the decision of the BOD to refer this resolution to the Committee on Simulation.
645-1 Director, Washington State Society of Anesthesiologists: Annual Report. This was the second report containing a resolution involving MOCA, in particular the Part 4 requirements and the impact on ASA members. This resolution was also referred to a committee of the President’s choice.
Finance
321-1 President Elect: Draft 2014 Budget. The amended budget included a recommendation from Dr. Fitch to support funding of a model for the Perioperative Surgical Home and “collaboratives” to serve as pilot projects. The fiscal note for this item was greater than $900K. The BOD passed this and the House supported this important entity and the ensuing costs.
688-2 Treasurer: 2014 Draft Operating Fund Budget: Revenue and Expense Assumption. The Reference Committee had recommended that dues not be further increased to $695 per year, in large part due to the cost of the Perioperative Surgical Home project. Instead dues were increased to $665 per year which represented a slightly greater than 2% increase over the previous years.
With the completion of business of the House, Dr. Sween turned the remainder of the business back to Dr. Zerwas. The Office of the President was transferred from Dr. John Zerwas to Dr. Jane Fitch.
As well as a bestowing of the usual Former President’s medal, she also presented John a special memento of a crystal gavel for his lifetime of leadership in Texas, the ASA and his family. The meeting of the House of Delegates adjourned at 12:10 PM.
