April 1, 2009
A World of Hurt: Exams of Injured Workers Fuel Mutual Mistrust |
|
A New York Times examination of New York State's workers' compensation system uncovered a universe of delays, suspicion and questionable rulings (Kleinfield, The New York Times, March 31, 2009 ).
.
The New York Times |
Review Course in Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty and Sacroplasty |
|
On May 15-17, 2009, ASIPP will hold a specialty review course and cadaver workshop in Verbebroplasty, Kyphoplasty,and Sacroplasty.
This intensive review course and hands-on workshop is a CME activity designed to prepare physicians seeking credentialing and as an in-depth review of vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and sacroplasty. The 3-day event is an excellent way to begin learning new skills or to assist you in improving your existing skills.
The course offers an excellent opportunity for educational and professional enhancement. At the conclusion of the course, in addition to your CME certificate, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Accommodations are at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. Call 901-527-7300 or 888-557-8740 and inform your booking agent you are booking under the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians to receive a discounted group rate of $169 per night (discount ends April 23).
Enrollment is limited and the early registration discount price ends on April 23.
Online Registration |
Comprehensive Review Course in Controlled Substance Management |
|
Online registration is now open for the Competency Review Course and Examination in Controlled Substance Management. The course will be held in Memphis, TN at the Memphis Downtown Marriott on May - 15-17. The review course will be held on May 15-16 with an optional exam on May 17.
This intensive review course is planned as a CME activity to prepare physicians seeking competency certification and also to provide Interventional Pain Management Specialists and other healthcare providers an in-depth review of the important topic of controlled substance management.
Accommodations are at the Memphis Marriott Downtown. Call 901-527-7300 or 888-557-8740 and inform your booking agent you are booking under the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians to receive a discounted group rate of $169 per night (discount ends April 23).
Online Registration |
Drug-Related Deaths: Legal Drugs Are Problem Too |
|
Despite pleas from tearful mothers who lost their children to overdoses, concerned pharmacists and ethical experts in pain management, the Florida Legislature refused again last year to authorize a system to monitor the prescription of high-powered and addictive drugs.
One result of that failure was not surprising: Drug- related deaths rose again, as they have over the past six years, according to the latest available figures.
The Ledger |
Registration Now Open for ASIPP 11th Annual Meeting |
|
The ASIPP Annual Meeting is the premier Educational Forum for Evidence-based Medicine for Interventional Pain Management! This is a first-time opportunity to learn about the importance of evidence medicine as it applies to you, your patients, and your practice. In addition, this year we offer an extensive program that covers the essential elements of practice management including extensive presentation on Billing and Coding. Learn from the experts in these fields; learn about cutting-edge research and the importance of guidelines, IPM techniques as they apply to evidence-based medicine. Discover many important "pearls" for Billing and Coding. Hear how you can run your ASC or office more efficiently through best practices. Interventional Pain Management is continually growing and evolving, and there is no better time to stay abreast of the field and learn about emerging issues.
We welcome and encourage all ASIPP members and guests to attend the 11th Annual Meeting. This program offers something for everyone; physicians, administrators, nurses, educators, etc. We also invite you to attend the ASIPP Business Dinner Meeting on Saturday evening. The night will hold dinner, awards, entertainment, and dancing. Stay through Tuesday to hear our distinguished speakers address how the changing economy and administration will affect healthcare and Interventional Pain Management in particular.
Our host hotel is the Crystal Gateway Marriott , 1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22202. Phone: (703) 920-3230. When making your reservations ask for the ASIPP discounted rate.
You won't want to miss the 2009 ASIPP Annual Meeting! Join us on June 27-30, 2009, in Washington, DC.
Brochure (subject to change)
Online Registration |
Doctors raise doubts on digital health data |
|
The federal government plans to spend $19 billion to spur the use of computerized patient records, but two articles in the New England Journal of Medicine point to the formidable obstacles to achieving the policy goal. The studies point to problems of not only installing electronic health records, but also using them to improve care and curb cost (Lohr, The New York Times, March 26, 2009).
The New York Times |
With success comes scrutiny: ASCs face legal obstacles |
|
When Georgia general surgeon Christopher Smith, MD, made plans in 1991 to open an ambulatory surgery center with his partners at Albany Surgical PC, he envisioned having a less-hectic schedule, sending patients home instead of to the hospital, and reducing costs for his practice and his patients (Sorrel, AMNews, March 30, 2009).
amednews.com |
Nonprofit Hits JAMA Editors, Urges Inquiry |
|
nonprofit group that monitors industry links to medical research called for the suspension of the top two editors of the Journal of the American Medical Association, and an investigation into allegations that they threatened a researcher who criticized a study published in the journal (Armstrong, The Wall Street Journal, March 27, 2009).
The Alliance for Human Research Protection, which is often critical of industry-academic ties, made the requests in a letter it sent Wednesday to the AMA and the journal, known as JAMA.
The Wall Street Journal |
Organized medicine pushes Congress for clean slate on Medicare payment formula |
|
As lawmakers earlier in March prepared to launch the annual budget process for the upcoming year, physician organizations urged them to take a longer view when it comes to fixing the Medicare payment system (Silva, AMnews, March 30, 2009).
Establishing a new budget baseline for physicians' Medicare pay could increase the chances that Congress can pass a comprehensive solution this year.
amednews.com |
Net Set For New Wrinkle From Conficker Worm |
|
The fast-moving Conficker computer worm, a scourge of the Internet that has infected at least 3 million PCs, was set to spring to life in a new way today- April Fools' Day (Associated Press, NPR)
That's when many of the poisoned machines will get more aggressive about "phoning home" to the worm's creators over the Internet. When that happens, the bad guys behind the worm will be able to trigger the program to send spam, spread more infections, clog networks with traffic, or try to bring down Web sites.
NPR |
FDA Recalls Pistachio Products |
|
The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products. In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.
FDA |
Physicians Wanted |
|
Visit the ASIPP Web site to find available positions for IPM physicians.
Physicians Wanted |
|
All contents
Copyright © 2008
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians ®
81 Lakeview Drive, Paducah, KY 42001
Phone 270.554.9412, Fax 270.554.5394
E-mail asipp@asipp.org
|
