Archive for January, 2020
Looking forward – January 2020
In this month’s column, Dr. Hoyt and his co-author describe the College’s strategies, including defining its Values and engaging in leadership skills assessments, to promote culture change in the organization and enhance the programs and services members need to thrive in today’s health care environment.
Winning the lottery
The benefits of exhibiting gratitude and humility in providing care to the surgical patient are described.
AHRQ Safety Program for ISCR expands scope to include emergency general surgery in 2020
This month’s cover story describes the origin and future direction of the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery and summarizes findings from three hospitals that have successfully implemented the program.
Clinical Congress 2019 highlights
This Clinical Congress 2019 wrap-up summarizes key events at the annual meeting, Convocation, Named Lectures, and award winners and honorees.
First recipient of Clinical Congress Travel Award for Student Members reflects on his experience
The experiences of the inaugural Medical Student Clinical Congress Travel Award recipient are summarized.
The 2020 Medicare physician fee schedule: An overview of provisions that will affect surgical practices
This article reviews provisions in the 2020 Medicare physician fee schedule final rule that are relevant to general surgery and its related specialties.
2020 CPT coding changes
Changes to Current Procedural Terminology codes and an overview of related reporting information are summarized.
What to expect from the 2020 Quality Payment Program
The finalized policies for the 2020 QPP are described as is the College’s position on select portions of the final rule, including MIPs Value Pathways, which is a new participation option for 2021.
Genetic testing for all breast cancer patients: Is this becoming a reality?
The evolution of genetic testing for breast cancer patients is outlined, including the American Society of Breast Surgeons consensus guidelines and the potential implications of germline genetic mutation detection on surgical management.
ACS Officers, Regents, and Board of Governors’ Executive Committee
The 2019-2020 Officers, Regents, and Governors’ Executive Committee are listed.
ERAS leads to reduced length of stay for geriatric joint replacement patients
The results of a quality improvement initiative to reduce length of stay for arthroplasty patients at the Kaiser Westside Medical Center (KWMC), Hillsboro, OR, are summarized.
Modified FOLFIRINOX is superior to gemcitabine as adjuvant therapy for resected pancreatic cancer: The PRODIGE 24/CCTG PA6 Trial
The study design and findings of the PRODIGE 24/CCTG PA6 Trial are outlined, which showed improved survival with modified FOLFIRINOX for resected pancreatic cancer patients.
New Speak Up campaign focuses on patients’ rights
A new Speak Up campaign educates individuals on patient rights and how to be their own best advocates.
Jennie Smillie Robertson, MD: One of Canada’s first women surgeons
One of Canada’s first women surgeons, Jennie Smillie Robertson, MD, is profiled.
Dateline DC: Congress Passes Spending Bills and Prepares for 2020
Before adjourning in December, Congress passed two spending bills to keep most health care programs and federal agencies funded through October 1, 2020, with some monies directed specifically to firearm injury and cancer research.
Dr. Beth H. Sutton elected Chair of ACS Board of Regents
Beth H. Sutton, MD, FACS, and L. Scott Levin, MD, FACS, were elected Chair and Vice-Chair of the ACS Board of Regents at Clinical Congress 2019.
ACS Clinical Scholars in Residence benefit from access to outcomes measures and mentors
The ACS Clinical Scholars in Residence program is accepting applications for the 2021–2023 positions.
ACS and APSA address pain control after surgery for children and teens
The development of the Safe and Effective Pain Control After Surgery for Children and Teens brochure, a collaborative effort between the AC S and the American Pediatric Surgical Association, is described.
ACS NSQIP recognizes 88 hospitals for meritorious outcomes for surgical patient care
ACS NSQIP recognized 88 hospitals for meritorious outcomes in surgical patient care in 2018.
Submit abstracts for 2020 ACS Quality and Safety Conference by February 2
The deadline for submitting abstracts for the 2020 ACS Quality and Safety Conference is February 2.
