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Volunteer's Note
Alert! FDA Issues Class I Recall on Synthes Hemostatic Bone Putty
Annual Meeting Video; Still Time to Register!
Don't Miss the Annual Meeting Symposium on Health Policy
Watch the Annual Meeting Mobile App Instructional Video
Sweet Home Chicago! Tour the New ASSH Central Office
Thank You to AFSH Donors
New Standard Aims to Cut Expense, Time Spent on Claims Payments
Volunteer's Note
In 2012, the Hand Society began its transition from offering the annual Self-Assessment Exam in print form to a system in which registrants take the exam exclusively online.
The exam was offered in both print and Web formats. In 2013, it will be Web-only.
The Self-Assessment Exam Committee is pleased to report that the response to the new Web format was overwhelmingly positive. Ninety-three percent of those who took the post-exam survey responded favorably when asked their impressions of the exam. Survey respondents particularly liked the immediate feedback they received, the convenience of the Web format, and the fact that they got three opportunities to reach the minimum passing score and claim CME credit hours.
The committee will meet during the Annual Meeting in Chicago to discuss the 2012 exam and look ahead to 2013. With a full exam year in the new system under our belt, we have identified several areas that can be improved/streamlined for next year.
Registration for the 2013 exam will open October 29, 2012, so be sure to mark your calendars. Registration can be done through the ASSH website, by phone, fax or mail. The deadline for registration is April 2, 2013.
The Self-Assessment Exam Committee thanks you for your feedback, and we look forward to providing a 2013 exam that continues the Hand Society’s tradition of excellence in upper extremity care education.
Jay Pomerance, MD
Chair, Self-Assessment Exam Committee
Alert! FDA Issues Class I Recall on Synthes Hemostatic Bone Putty
On Aug. 21, 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Class I recall for Synthes Hemostatic Bone Putty. There is the potential for Hemostatic Bone Putty to ignite if contacted with electrosurgical cautery systems under certain conditions.
Hemostatic Bone Putty stops bone bleeding by establishing a physical barrier along the edges of bones that have been damaged by trauma or cut during surgical procedures.
Class I recalls are the most serious type of recall and involve situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of these products will cause serious adverse health consequences or death.
The affected Hemostatic Bone Putty was manufactured from July 6, 2011, to December 14, 2011, and distributed from December 22, 2011, to June 25, 2012. The affected product includes all lots of the following product numbers:
- 08.901.001.97S
- 08.901.001.98S
- 08.901.001.99S
- 08.901.001D
- VB1025.10S
On July 5, 2012, Synthes issued a Medical Device Recall letter requesting medical facilities to examine their inventory and immediately stop using the identified part and lot numbers of the Hemostatic Bone Putty. Facilities that have the affected product in stock should call 1-800-479-6329 to obtain a Return Authorization Number, complete the verification form, and return both the form and identified product to Synthes.
Any adverse reactions or problems experienced with the use of this product can be reported through the FDA's MedWatch Program or by phone at 1-800-FDA-1088
- View the FDA Recall Notice for Synthes Hemostatic Bone Putty
- Synthes, Inc. Customer Service: 1-800-523-0322
- Synthes, Inc. USA Headquarters: 1-610-719-5450
Annual Meeting Video; Still Time to Register!
Check out the Hand Society's new video featuring ASSH Council members discussing the benefits of attending the Annual Meeting and inviting all professionals involved in the care of the hand and upper extremity to attend this year's meeting on September 6-8 in Chicago.
If you haven't already registered for this year's meeting, you can do so by downloading a registration form from the Annual Meeting website and faxing it to the Central Office (847-384-1435).
If you have questions, please call the Central Office at 312-880-1900.
Don't Miss the Annual Meeting Symposium on Health Policy
The Annual Meeting program will include a symposium titled Health Policy: Practicing Medicine with Increasing Governmental Regulation on Friday, September 7.
As the cost of health care approximates 20% of the US GDP, it has become more and more obvious that the present system is unsustainable. As a result, the federal government and the individual states are looking at many different methods for providing cost-effective care. The end result is that health care providers need to be aware of state and federal regulations.
Fortunately, the situation is still fluid, and the regulations can still be influenced by physicians willing to become involved in the political process.
An expert panel, moderated by Bruce Leslie, MD, will examine this topic and equip you with the knowledge and tools to influence legislation that directly affects you.
Watch the Annual Meeting Mobile App Instructional Video
Once again, the ASSH has provided a free mobile app to help you navigate the Annual Meeting – and it could completely replace your onsite guide book.
Download "ASSH AM 2012" to your iPhone, iPad or other mobile device to find everything you need to make the most of your time in Chicago.
The mobile app – which does not require an Internet connection – includes a complete Program listing with full session descriptions, a schedule builder you can export, conference center maps, exhibitor information, speaker details, access to all available handouts for symposia and instructional courses (and more coming soon), abstracts for clinical papers and posters, and access to the popular ePosters.
Sweet Home Chicago! Tour the New ASSH Central Office
This summer, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand moved from our rented space in Rosemont, Ill., to a home of our own in the up-and-coming West Loop neighborhood in downtown Chicago.
Members are always welcome to drop by, but this year during the Annual Meeting, we're throwing our doors wide open and offering staff-guided tours of our remodeled building and innovative workspace.
ASSH Central Office tours will be held on Wednesday, September 5, with buses departing from the Hyatt Regency at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Or, for more freedom to explore the West Loop neighborhood, arrange your own transportation, but please arrive at 822 West Washington Boulevard at 2:20 p.m. 3:20 p.m., 4:20 p.m. or 5:20 p.m. to participate in the 30-minute guided tour.
How exciting can an office be? You'd be surprised. In a 100-year-old building with the original maple floors, we have created a modern space with specialized areas to foster innovation, collaboration and excellence in member services. We're proud of our new home, and you should be too! Stop by to check it out.
Thank You to AFSH Donors
Roberto J. Acosta, MD
Roger W. Cameron, DO
Michael J. Muha, MD
Stefan V. Zachary, DO, FAOAO, MS
And to the following corporate donor in support of Resident/Fellow Conference Travelling Scholarships:
Did you know you can support the Foundation (AFSH) through automated monthly payments? Visit www.afsh.org/donate to complete an auto-pay form, or contact afsh@assh.org.
New Standard Aims to Cut Expense, Time Spent on Claims Payments - from AMA
Physicians are in a position to benefit from a new standard for the electronic payment of health care claims that is estimated to save as much as $9 billion over the next decade.
The standard, announced recently by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), adopts a set of operating rules for electronic funds transfers and electronic remittance advice and should save physicians considerable time and money while increasing patient satisfaction. Rather than waiting for days or weeks to learn a patient's financial responsibility for medical services, physicians will be able to determine the amount at the moment care is provided and settle payment before the patient leaves the office. Read more.
Have your voice heard: Join the AMA. If you have joined or rejoined the AMA since January 1, 2012, please let us know by emailing amitchell@assh.org.