What's new...
ASGE Comments on Proposed Changes to ASC Payment System and Fee Schedule
9/2/2008—ASGE submitted comments to CMS regarding the Proposed Changes to the ASC Payment System and the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and the CY 2009 Payment Rates. “ASGE believes that the proposed rule will accelerate the movement of Medicare patients back into the HOPD, increase costs, decrease patient satisfaction and delay needed medical services.” ASGE also submitted comments last week regarding proposed changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. ASGE, AGA and ACG continue to work together on issues impacting the patient-physician relationship. For more information, read ASGE's letter to CMS regarding ASC payment changes (pdf) and the letter that was submitted regarding the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (pdf).
Discounted registration available for ASGE members attending GI Cancers Course
The upcoming 7th Annual Symposium on Gastrointestinal Cancers will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2008, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, St. Louis, Missouri. The year’s symposium is co-sponsored by ASGE and Saint Louis University School of Medicine. This symposium features an exceptionally distinguished faculty of nationally and internationally recognized experts. ASGE members can register at a discounted fee of $150 dollars until September 9, 2008, by calling toll free at (800) 553-2712. For more information about the symposium and to download a registration form, visit the Web site: www.gicancers.org
ASGE Members Receive Discount on Boston International Live Web-cast
Boston International Live Endoscopy Course, September 25-27, will provide simultaneous live satellite transmissions featuring over 60 cases performed by an outstanding national and international faculty. This course is also available through a worldwide simultaneous web-cast. ASGE members will receive discounted registration for participating on-line. Login to members only and click here to learn how to access the discount. For more information about the course, visit www.bilec.com.
SedationFacts.org -- Have you visited this new Web site?
ASGE is pleased to announce the development of a new site, SedationFacts.org, a one-stop resource for endoscopic sedation news and information. A joint initiative of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the AGA Institute and the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc., this Web site provides the information you need to sustain and improve patient safety associated with endoscopic sedation. Explore this new sedation site today at www.SedationFacts.org!
SedationFacts.org is funded by an educational grant from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program
ASGE announces a new program dedicated to promoting quality in endoscopy, in all settings where it is practiced in the United States. This new program will recognize endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines and meet other program requirements. Read more. . .
ASGE Partners with The DAVE Project
ASGE announces an exciting new partnership with The DAVE Project, an extensive online resource for endoscopic videos. Through this partnership, ASGE will provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to physicians for participation in this unique, cutting-edge resource. Watch for details!
Updated Practice Guidelines
Two important guidelines, "Infection Control During Gastrointestinal Endoscopy" and "Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy" were recently updated and published in the May issue of GIE: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. View guidelines. . .
ASGE Launches Peter and Polly Polyp Birthday e-Card for Colon Cancer Awareness
Send an e-card today!
Colorectal Cancer:
Not Just a Man’s Disease
ASGE and other medical groups recently partnered with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to dispel the myth that colorectal cancer is a man’s disease. Screening awareness materials were mailed to nearly 50,000 ACOG physicians and the initiative was announced at ACOG’s scientific meeting in May. Read more and download materials.