October 25, 2017
Severinghaus Lecture: EEG a key to understanding anesthesiaMany mysteries about the brain and its workings remain to be solved, and anesthesiologists play a big role in increasing that understanding. Emery N. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., is a leader in that effort, and one of his key tools is the EEG. Wednesday, he used the John W. Severinghaus Lecture on Translational Science to explain what we have learned through EEGs.Read More
‘Swimming with the Sharks’ is a big success“Swimming With the Sharks” showcased to a packed audience the medical device or drug products of five anesthesiologist inventors. The first session of its kind at the ANESTHESIOLOGY meeting, the Tuesday session simulated how pharmaceutical and medical devices are developed and brought to market in real life. No winner was selected from the presentations.Read More
Better monitoring, guidelines key to reducing complicationsPostoperative complications are a problem area in anesthesia, but studies define a road to help reduce them. During Tuesday’s “Neuromuscular Physiology, Pharmacology and Monitoring: Debunking the Myths,” four anesthesiologists examined the need for better guidelines, the use of scientific methods to assess anesthesia recovery, objective monitoring and debunking myths about operating conditions to improve treatment.Read More
Colorado Society takes action to help Veterans receive timely careLast week, several articles were published reporting that “since early August” the Denver VA Medical Center has cancelled or postponed “65-90 non-emergent surgeries” because of a “shortage of staff, specifically anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists.” ASA is committed to ensuring our nations’ Veterans have access to safe, high-quality care and was deeply concerned by these claims.Read More- Dec. 31 is the deadline to claim CME creditsDue to new claiming requirements, all credits for live meetings now must be claimed in the calendar year in which the meeting took place. That means that your credits from ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017 must be claimed by midnight on Dec. 31, 2017.Read More
Celebration of Research recognizes best and brightestSponsored by the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research and the journal Anesthesiology, the 2017 Celebration of Research honored individuals who have made notable contributions to the science that drives our specialty.Read More
‘What has been the highlight of your ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017?’“The hands-on workshops. I have taken more advantage of them this year than in previous years. There were some difficult airway workshops as well as thoracic anesthesia and lung isolation workshops. They had equipment my hospital doesn’t have or have access to, so I was able to touch that for the first time.”Read More- Limited resources a challenge during inflight medical emergenciesAny medical emergency is challenge, but if it occurs on a plane, the challenges are multiplied. What medical equipment is available? Is an experienced health care professional available to assist you? What is your professional liability? What is your ethical responsibility?Read More
- Ethics review: How to deal with disruptive behaviorsBad behavior in the workplace is difficult to manage, but it becomes more problematic when it has the potential to affect patient outcomes. A Wednesday ethics session will use scenarios and presentations to examine how to deal with disruptive behavior.Read More
October 24, 2017
Rovenstine Lecture: Moving beyond measurementUsing measurement to improve outcomes is all the rage in modern medicine. Many medical specialties, including anesthesia, are collecting data, so the next step is to coordinate those measurements and include the feedback of patients, said Lee A. Fleisher, M.D., on Monday during the Emery A. Rovenstine Memorial Lecture.Read More
Future of specialty does not lie in status quoDuring the question-and-answer portion of Monday’s “Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Anesthesiology” session, former ASA Vice President for Scientific Affairs Arnold J. Berry, M.D., M.P.H., began his comments by paraphrasing Ronald Reagan: “Status quo is Latin for ‘what got us into this mess.’”Read More
Improving O.R. efficiency means reducing over-utilizationIn the O.R., time is money. To run an O.R. efficiently, “reduce your hours of over-utilization,” said Franklin Dexter, M.D., Ph.D. In other words, do what you can to avoid ending later than scheduled.Read More
Anesthesia adjustments needed when treating the elderlyThe perioperative treatment of geriatric patients is a challenge because increases in frailty and comorbidities affect how the elderly react to anesthesia and the insult of surgery. Two speakers examined the effects of aging on patients and how to deal with them during Monday’s education session, “The Quick and Dirty on Anesthesia Care for the Complex Geriatric Patient.”Read More
Worthy CAWS: Lecture on workforce data and research seeks questions and answers“All numbers being presented are wrong.”
That’s the disclosure attendees will receive at the opening of today’s Refresher Course Lecture titled “U.S. Anesthesia Workforce and Group Practice Trends: Data Sources and Research Questions.”Read More
Battling burnoutPhysicians are expected to improve or save the lives of their patients, yet a growing number of physicians are struggling to enhance their own lives. It is estimated that 400 U.S. physicians a year commit suicide and thousands of others struggle with burnout. An interactive Tuesday workshop aims to address these issues and provide tools for resilience at work.Read More
Assessing physician fitness a challengeGauging a physician’s competency does not end with residency. Supervisors must assess fitness to practice whether an anesthesiologist is just beginning residency training or approaching retirement. Tips to improve the assessment process will be presented during a Tuesday panel assembled by the Society for Education in Anesthesia.Read More
Processes should not change for NORAAnesthesia is increasingly being used outside the operating room in suites designed for less invasive procedures. The change of scenery still requires the use of standard anesthesiology processes and creates new challenges, which will be explored in a Tuesday education session.Read More
October 23, 2017
Marx Lecture: Data key to improving obstetric anesthesiology outcomesIn 1939, when Gertie Marx, M.D., the “mother of obstetric anesthesia,” practiced medicine, obstetric anesthesiology didn’t exist. She pioneered the practice. She also was an early advocate of saddle block, the use of caudal catheters and a supporter of permitting fathers in the delivery room. What were the complications rates back then? We can assume they were much higher than today. But no one was keeping track.Read More
Wright Lecture: Neuroscience, anesthesia need to work togetherResearch on how the brain works is the realm of anesthesiologists and neuroscientists who often interact but do not work together to share their knowledge. Renowned anesthesia researcher Emery N. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., wants that to change.Read More
Journal Symposium: Strategies primed to tackle opioid crisisDespite efforts to curb opioid prescriptions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that synthetic opioid related fatalities increased 22 percent in 2016, surpassing deaths related to heroin or prescription opioids.Read More
Last-chance MACRA reporting questions answered at Industry TheaterPractices that have not yet determined how to meet 2017 MACRA reporting requirements are not alone. More important, they are not too late to learn about last-minute reporting options through the Anesthesia Quality Institute’s (AQI’s) National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry (NACOR).Read More
‘What interesting or useful products have you seen in the Connection Center?’“For me, it is a lot of the small things. It’s great that there are machines and ultrasound etc., but the average practicing anesthesiologist does not purchase the big equipment. I like seeing items like pre-made bite blocks or I.V. extension things that are small and easily obtained but can make big differences in our daily workflow.”Read More
ACE & SEE Live: Changing your practiceGet the latest updates on a variety of patient safety issues Tuesday during a fast-paced, interactive session led by editors of ASA’s ACE and SEE education programs.Read More
Severinghaus Lecture: Role of EEG, future of brain researchThe electroencephalogram (EEG) has been foundational for the study of the effects of anesthesia on the brain for 80 years, since the publication of a landmark study of its use. In Tuesday’s John W. Severinghaus Lecture, renowned anesthesiologist and researcher Emery N. Brown, M.D., Ph.D., will examine the history of EEG, its impact on science and the future of studying the effects of anesthesia.Read More
FAER-Helrich Lecture: Learning from consciousness at near-deathWhat happens to humans in the moments surrounding death might be one of the most intriguing mysteries of life. Monday’s FAER-Helrich Research Lecture will explore that mystery as well as the role anesthesiologists could play in solving it.Read More
Interventions can help prevent PTSDRecurrent exposure to violence and life-threatening situations can link physicians with soldiers, firefighters and police officers in the form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It also can link physicians with patients who have experienced traumatic illness or injury.Read More
Preparing for emergencies in smaller facilitiesA growing number of surgical procedures are performed on healthy children in ambulatory surgery centers and satellite hospitals where emergencies are rare. Emergencies do happen, so anesthesiologists need to be prepared.Read More
October 22, 2017
Keynote Address: Teamwork a foundation for improved outcomesAnesthesia and sterile environments are seen as the first two foundations of improved outcomes in surgery, but teamwork is establishing itself as an equally important part of that foundation. Atul Gawande, M.D., explained that vision Saturday during his ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017 Keynote Address.Read More
Non-pharmacologic options still mainstay for delirium managementDelirium is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in older surgical patients, and its causes and treatments are not well understood. Recent research, though, has produced advances in recognition of the condition.Read More
Self-awareness helps manage implicit bias in health careAll Italian moms are wonderful cooks; girls aren’t good at math; older people aren’t proficient with technology. Those are just a few of the examples of how implicit bias exists in society and affects how we perceive and treat others. Implicit bias is an unconscious assumption about someone based on race, ethnicity, gender, weight, ability, age or sexual orientation.Read More
Private versus academic practice: Which track will you choose?Medical students and residents got a realistic glimpse of the triumphs and challenges of an anesthesiologist in private versus academic practice Saturday during “A Day in the Life of a Physician Anesthesiologist.” The contrast is stark.Read More
Rovenstine Lecture: Expand measurementQuality measurement in anesthesiology began in 1935 with the launch of the Anesthesia Study Commissions, and it has grown as quality has become linked to reimbursement. Still, there are gaps in measurement — and in the response to patient requests.Read More
‘What did you take away from the Keynote Address by Dr. Gawande?’“As a medical student, it was good to hear his insight on the future as well as how important safety is to the operating room environment. His whole discussion of checklist implementation, the development and all the countries that are using it.”Read More
5K offers healthiest of competitionIn the span of about an hour, the eighth annual Hope For The Warriors — Run For The Warriors 5K Run/Walk was history. The brevity of this popular charity event stood in direct contrast to the lasting and far-reaching effects it leaves behind each year.Read More
Developing a good O.R. cardiac teamGood chemistry is required in medicine — not just in pharmaceutical treatments but among the members of the treatment team. The qualities of a good team and how they can be developed will be examined in a Refresher Course session Sunday.Read More
Workshop to explain MACRA reporting requirementsThe collection and reporting of practice data as required by MACRA has raised questions and concerns among physicians who need to update their reporting processes for reimbursement. A Sunday seminar is geared to answer the questions of anesthesiologists and help them learn to meet the new requirements.Read More- Is evening elective surgery safe?In an era where quality measurements are used to grade and reimburse physicians, perioperative teams are in the spotlight if outcomes are less than optimal. One area drawing attention is elective surgeries performed late in the day, when perioperative teams could be tired and resources may be relatively scarce.Read More
October 21, 2017
Pierce Lecture: Improving patient safetyA founding father of the patient safety movement, Robert K. Stoelting, M.D., will review the origins of the movement, discuss why it is still relevant and examine today’s challenges and steps needed to improve safety when he presents the Pierce Lecture.Read More
Measuring performance a key to reimbursementWith national health expenditures topping $3.35 trillion in 2016, the U.S. leads the world in health care costs, yet is just 26th in the world for life expectancy and ranks poorly on other quality of life indicators.Read More
Using preoperative clinics to improve outcomesAnesthesiologists are expanding their perioperative role to improve patient care. A Saturday session will explore how they can establish preoperative clinics to proactively manage complex medical problems that contribute to risk in the operating room.Read More
What are you most looking forward to at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017?“I am looking to learn about upgrades in technology, the Perioperative Surgical Home and corresponding with colleagues as I get closer to retirement."Read More- Dec. 31 is the deadline to claim CME creditsDue to new reporting requirements, all credits for live meetings now must be claimed in the calendar year in which the meeting took place. That means that your credits from ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017 must be claimed by midnight on Dec. 31, 2017.Read More
Recovering from total knee arthroplastyJoint technology and aging baby boomers are driving the surge in knee replacement surgery. Speakers at a Saturday session will explore how following Perioperative Surgical Home processes can expedite recovery and improve outcomes for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.Read More
New approaches to pain managementNew classes of opioids, combinations of long-acting local anesthetics and analgesics, and pain monitors are being used to improve pain management. They will be examined in three presentations during a Saturday education session.Read More
Using epidural analgesia in infantsPain management in sick infants poses a challenge when the options all seem to have significant risks. Using continuous epidural analgesia is a consideration that will be explored Sunday during a Problem-Based Learning Discussion.Read More
Customized simulation key in retraining anesthesiologistsSimulation has become a popular and effective method of assessing the competency of anesthesiologists returning to practice after time off. It also is used to assess the skills of physicians whose professionalism is in question. An Anesthesiology 2017 Self-Study course explains how to develop a retraining simulator program.Read More- Director of ‘The Checklist Effect’ opens up about award-winning surgical/anesthesia documentaryOn Sunday, ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017 attendees are invited to attend a reception and screening of “The Checklist Effect,” which features this year’s meeting keynote speaker and Lifebox chair Atul Gawande, M.D.Read More
October 20, 2017
ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017 OnSite News: Information centralNo doubt you’ll be picking up lots of material over the course of ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017, and some of it will probably be left behind.Read More- Dec. 31 is the deadline to claim CME creditsDue to new reporting requirements, all credits for live meetings now must be claimed in the calendar year in which the meeting took place. That means that your credits from ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017 must be claimed by midnight on Dec. 31, 2017.Read More
ASA launches Perioperative Brain Health InitiativeDetails of the ASA’s new public safety campaign, the Perioperative Brain Health Initiative, will be explained during a special session Saturday afternoon. It will feature six presentations about the Society’s efforts to reduce cognitive changes and delirium following surgery.Read More
Keynote: Navigating the challenges of medicineHe has given inspirational commencement addresses at Stanford University, the University of Chicago, the California Institute of Technology and Williams College. He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1998. And he has written three best-selling books, one of which was a finalist for the National Book Award. Atul Gawande, M.D., is such a powerful communicator and tireless advocate for health and science that it’s easy to forget that he still finds time to practice surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.Read More
Self-Study program expands to 12 modulesThe ASA’s Self-Study program debuted at ANESTHESIOLOGY 2015 with just four modules. This year, there are 12 modules offering in-depth exploration of everything from multimodal therapy in pain management to the “Juggles and Struggles of Women in Anesthesiology.”Read More
Be recognized as an ASA FellowAre you dedicated to your profession and patients? Are you proud of your years of educational development? Do you see yourself as a leader in medicine? If so, then you deserve to be formally recognized as a Fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Read More
Lifebox Masterclasses offer global perspectives, and a word from Resident Challenge winnerFor the fourth year in a row, Lifebox will present its increasingly popular Masterclass series on global anesthesia at its booth in the ASA Resource Center, in the North Lobby of Level 1 in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.Read More
Run For The Warriors moves up to SaturdaySigning up for Saturday morning’s Run For The Warriors® 5K Run/Walk in Boston Common affords you some impressive bragging rights. You can say you ran in the oldest park in the United States within the city that hosts the world’s oldest annual marathon.Read More- Industry, meeting supporters offer Satellite SymposiaTen Satellite Symposia will be presented by ASA’s Industry Supporters, Annual Meeting Supporters and exhibitors from Saturday through Monday. All programs provide cutting-edge medical and scientific education and are not product-specific. The symposia are led by noted scientists and clinicians from leading institutions around the world and cover topics ranging from “Improving Patient Safety with […]Read More