Archive for December, 2017
Looking forward – December 2017
In this month’s column, Dr. Hoyt summarizes ACS achievements in 2017.
Presidential Address: The joy and privilege of a surgical career
Barbara Lee Bass, MD, FACS, FRCS(Hon), describes the rewards and challenges of a surgical career in the Presidential Address she delivered at Clinical Congress 2017.
ACS leaders visit Cuba, discover opportunities for collaboration
Members of the ACS delegation that traveled to Cuba last spring outline the strengths and challenges of the country’s health care system.
Blockchain technology in health care: A primer for surgeons
The challenges of implementing blockchain technology in health care are described, as is its potential role in enhancing EHR interoperability.
2017 state legislative year in review and a look toward 2018
State legislative priorities for 2017, including scope of practice, Maintenance of Certification, and opioids, are identified as are key issues for 2018.
Executive Director’s annual report: 2016–2017: A year of transformational growth
ACS Executive Director David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, provides a detailed summary of the College’s activities and notable accomplishments in 2017.
The 2018 Inpatient Prospective Payment System final rule
Explains how the 2018 CMS Inpatient Prospective Payment System final rule affects surgeons, and describes the changes made to the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing program that are relevant to surgical care.
ACS Surgical Coding Workshops help improve profit margins
An overview of ACS coding workshops, including topics covered at the sessions and registration information, is provided in this column.
ACS Health Policy Scholar reports on the value of small acts
The 2016 recipient of the ACS Health Policy Scholarship reports on her experiences since completing the program.
Present and future cancer staging with the eighth edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual
Updates to the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, including revisions to breast cancer staging content, are provided as is information on the manual’s second printing, including clarification of histologic codes.
Are handoff communications a common problem for your OR team?
The factors contributing to handoff communication failures are defined as are practical solutions for curbing handoff miscommunication.
You’re in trouble: Urethral injuries
This month’s column uses the National Trauma Data Bank® (NTDB®) research dataset to examine the occurrence of urethral injuries.
Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS, is 2017−2018 President-Elect
Ronald V. Maier, MD, FACS, was elected President-Elect of the ACS during the Annual Business Meeting of Members at Clinical Congress 2017; two Vice-Presidents-elect also were elected at the meeting.
New Regents, Board of Governors Executive Committee members elected
New ACS Regents were elected and new Board of Governors’ Executive Committee members were installed during the Annual Business Meeting of Members.
Nominations for 2018 volunteerism and humanitarian awards due February 28
The ACS, in association with Pfizer, Inc., is accepting nominations for the 2018 Surgical Volunteerism Award and Surgical Humanitarian Award.
ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC 2017–2018 election cycle update
An update on ACSPA-SurgeonsPAC fundraising and disbursement activities is provided.
Medicare participation: Know your options
The three options for surgeons who participate in Medicare Part B are summarized, as are the steps for achieving participating in this program.
Making quality stick: Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety: The SQSC and credentialing and privileging processes ensure sustainability of standards
This excerpt from the Optimal Resources for Surgical Quality and Safety manual describes the role of the surgical quality and safety committee and the importance of standardized credentialing processes.
Call for nominations for the ACS Board of Regents and ACS Officers-Elect
The 2018 Nominating Committee of the Fellows and the Nominating Committee of the Board of Governors will select nominees for pending leadership vacancies in the College.
Coming next month in JACS and online now: Burnout and stress among U.S. surgery residents: Psychological distress and resilience
A study published in an upcoming issue of JACS describes burnout and distress symptoms that are experienced in general surgery training.
