- Email: [email protected]
Newsview-AAAAI
NEW SVIEW newsview A Monthly Update of Developments from the AAAAI
ASTHMA IQ: managing asthma, improving quality care
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To help physicians better understand and apply the new National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) asthma guidelines, the AAAAI created the Asthma Specialist Tool to Help Manage Asthma and Improve Quality (ASTHMA IQ). The new Web-based tool will be available on the AAAAI Web site later this year. ASTHMA IQ is one of the initiatives of President Thomas B. Casale, MD, FAAAAI. He is co-chairing the ASTHMA IQ Task Force with Michael Schatz, MD, MS, FAAAAI. ASTHMA IQ has four main components: 1. Asthma guideline implementation d Enhance knowledge of the new asthma guidelines using patient data d Assess a patient’s asthma severity and level of control, and develop asthma action plans d Review how guideline criteria are currently met and examine areas for improvement d Create patient education tools 2. Educational tools d NAEPP asthma guidelines module d Pay for performance (P4P) module 3. Quality improvement measures and reports d Assist allergists in meeting American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements d Document P4P targets 4. Data collection, reporting, and research on patient outcomes d Build a central AAAAI repository to examine potential outcome differences based on patient and physician characteristics Nearly 200 delegates previewed ASTHMA IQ at the Annual Meeting, and AAAAI members will have an added opportunity to beta test it after the new asthma guidelines are finalized this summer. Casale believes this initiative will also play an important role in helping AAAAI members achieve pay-for-performance goals and requirements for the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) Maintenance of Certification (MOCÓ) process. ASTHMA IQ combines the necessary measures for pay for performance, and the objectives of the ABAI MOC program for the management of patients with asthma and allergic diseases. The initiative will aide in the AAAAI’s achievement of two critical initiatives articulated in the 2006-2009 Strategic Plan: d
Providing advocacy and support for patients and the allergy/immunology specialists who provide their care.
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL
d
Provide information and education about allergy/ immunology for its members, other healthcare professionals, patients, and the public.
ASTHMA IQ is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech, Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Workshop adds more track learning, networking time
n
AAAAI members will gain ideas to help expand and grow their practices during the 2007 Practice Management Workshop. Designed for new physicians and seasoned professionals, participants will find pre-workshop sessions on basic coding and other introductory practice management issues, as well as added track learning sessions and more opportunities to network with colleagues. Register online in the Members Center at www.aaaai.org. Workshop participants will earn a maximum of 12.75 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits or 15.3 Continuing Education (CE) contact hours. The workshop will be held July 20-22 in Bellevue, WA (greater Seattle area). The workshop is designed for both new and established allergist/immunologists, practice administrators, office managers and Fellows-in-Training (FITs). New and improved sessions include: d
Pre-workshop ‘‘Basics in Coding’’ session
This session is designed for FITs and new managers/ administrators with minimal exposure to coding terminology and theory. It will be held Friday, July 20. Participants will then be ready for the Plenary Session on Saturday, ‘‘Coding and Compliance for the Allergy/Immunology Practice.’’ d
Track learning
Back by popular demand, this year’s workshop will have four tracks. On Saturday afternoon, participants will split into self-selected groups: d d d d
Office managers/administrators Physicians starting in practice Physicians established in practice Physicians employed in large institutional or multispecialty practices
Presentation topics will be geared toward the specific needs of each group, and extensive time will be allotted for questions and discussion. d
Additional informal networking opportunities
Workshop feedback shows that members want added opportunities to learn from each other informally between sessions. This year’s workshop
May 2007 Page 35A
NEW SVIEW newsview A Monthly Update of Developments from the AAAAI
offers more networking time for the attendees and faculty. The 2007 AAAAI Practice Management Workshop will be held at the Westin Bellevue Hotel. Registration fees are $350 for AAAAI members, Fellows and office managers/ administration staff; $450 for non-members; and $50 for FITs. A limited number of FITs will be accepted on a firstcome, first-served basis. More information is available on the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org. Visit the Members Center and choose the 2007 Practice Management Workshop link, located in the Practice & Policy section. The workshop is sponsored by the AAAAI, and cosponsored by the Oregon Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; the Washington State Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; and the Western Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
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Gail G. Shapiro Clinical Faculty Transition Award Endowment
An Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Education and Research Trust (ART) endowment, the Gail G. Shapiro Clinical Faculty Transition Award Endowment, honors Shapiro’s commitment to patients and the allergy/ immunology specialty. The endowment will support a perpetual, two-year clinical faculty transition award. Award recipients will receive $75,000 annually, with an anticipated match by the awardee’s institution to provide $150,000 in annual salary support for the awardee to pursue a career as a clinician educator at an academic institution. Patients and colleagues from around the world remember Gail G. Shapiro, MD, FAAAAI, who passed away in 2006, as a physician who made each patient feel special and as a visionary leader in pediatric asthma and allergy care. Donations can be made online via the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org/art, or by contacting Chris Barden at the AAAAI executive office at (414) 272-6071.
2007 AAAAI ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE
n
Access 2007 Annual Meeting handouts online
Handouts for the 2007 Annual Meeting are available on the Annual Meeting Web site, www.annualmeeting.aaaai.org. Delegates may view, download and print any available session handouts. Online access to handouts will be available for up to one year following the meeting. Handouts on CD-ROM are not available this year.
Page 36A May 2007
Recordings Many of the scientific sessions were audio recorded and are available for purchase and download from the Annual Meeting Web site, www.annualmeeting.aaaai.org.
n
AAAAI Annual Meeting dates and sites 2008—Philadelphia, PA, March 14-18 2009—Washington, DC, March 13-17 2010—New Orleans, LA, February 26-March 2 2011—San Francisco, CA, March 18-22 2012—Orlando, FL, March 2-6
AAAAI WEB SITE RESOURCES
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Countdown to 2008: metered-dose inhalers transition to HFA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring that manufacturers of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) reformulate these inhalers to no longer use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and instead use hydrofl uoroalkane (HFA), by December 31, 2008. Physicians are encouraged to talk to their patients now about transitioning to HFA-based asthma inhalers so they can successfully make the switch. The AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org, offers useful information for both physicians and patients regarding the transition. Visit the Members Center for details, and click on the inhaler button.
n
Pay for performance Webinar
A pay for performance Web-based seminar, or Webinar, is available on the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org, to help members learn about pay for performance and how it affects their practices. The free, 20-minute Webinar includes a PowerPoint presentation and narration. The Webinar was created by the Joint Task Force on Quality and Performance Measures, a partnership of the AAAAI, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (JCAAI). The task force is cochaired by Michael Schatz, MD, MS, FAAAAI, and Michael S. Blaiss, MD, FAAAAI.
n
AAAAI offers enhanced job placement center
Members will benefit from enhanced recruitment resources, including a resume bank, through the new AAAAI Job Placement Center, www.careers.aaaai.org. The new AAAAI Job Placement Center better connects employers and job seekers. Employers may access the most qualified candidates with experience to fulfill staffing needs. Job seekers may showcase
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL
NEW SVIEW newsview A Monthly Update of Developments from the AAAAI
their skills and work experience to prospective employers to find the best job opportunities. Benefits of the new AAAAI Job Placement Center include:
help placing an ad or posting your resume, contact AAAAI Membership Services at (414) 272-6071.
Employers d Post jobs quickly and easily d Search resume bank for qualified candidates d Buy or sell a practice
AAAAI MISSION STATEMENT
Job seekers d Post a resume d Search the job bank For more information about the AAAAI Job Placement Center or to place an ad, visit www.careers.aaaai.org. For
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL
The mission of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is the advancement of knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology for optimal patient care. For more information about the AAAAI, contact the executive office, 555 E. Wells Street, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823; phone (414) 272-6071; fax (414) 272-6070; e-mail [email protected]; or visit the Web site, www.aaaai.org.
May 2007 Page 37A
ASTHMA IQ: managing asthma, improving quality care
n
To help physicians better understand and apply the new National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) asthma guidelines, the AAAAI created the Asthma Specialist Tool to Help Manage Asthma and Improve Quality (ASTHMA IQ). The new Web-based tool will be available on the AAAAI Web site later this year. ASTHMA IQ is one of the initiatives of President Thomas B. Casale, MD, FAAAAI. He is co-chairing the ASTHMA IQ Task Force with Michael Schatz, MD, MS, FAAAAI. ASTHMA IQ has four main components: 1. Asthma guideline implementation d Enhance knowledge of the new asthma guidelines using patient data d Assess a patient’s asthma severity and level of control, and develop asthma action plans d Review how guideline criteria are currently met and examine areas for improvement d Create patient education tools 2. Educational tools d NAEPP asthma guidelines module d Pay for performance (P4P) module 3. Quality improvement measures and reports d Assist allergists in meeting American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements d Document P4P targets 4. Data collection, reporting, and research on patient outcomes d Build a central AAAAI repository to examine potential outcome differences based on patient and physician characteristics Nearly 200 delegates previewed ASTHMA IQ at the Annual Meeting, and AAAAI members will have an added opportunity to beta test it after the new asthma guidelines are finalized this summer. Casale believes this initiative will also play an important role in helping AAAAI members achieve pay-for-performance goals and requirements for the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) Maintenance of Certification (MOCÓ) process. ASTHMA IQ combines the necessary measures for pay for performance, and the objectives of the ABAI MOC program for the management of patients with asthma and allergic diseases. The initiative will aide in the AAAAI’s achievement of two critical initiatives articulated in the 2006-2009 Strategic Plan: d
Providing advocacy and support for patients and the allergy/immunology specialists who provide their care.
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL
d
Provide information and education about allergy/ immunology for its members, other healthcare professionals, patients, and the public.
ASTHMA IQ is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Genentech, Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Workshop adds more track learning, networking time
n
AAAAI members will gain ideas to help expand and grow their practices during the 2007 Practice Management Workshop. Designed for new physicians and seasoned professionals, participants will find pre-workshop sessions on basic coding and other introductory practice management issues, as well as added track learning sessions and more opportunities to network with colleagues. Register online in the Members Center at www.aaaai.org. Workshop participants will earn a maximum of 12.75 Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits or 15.3 Continuing Education (CE) contact hours. The workshop will be held July 20-22 in Bellevue, WA (greater Seattle area). The workshop is designed for both new and established allergist/immunologists, practice administrators, office managers and Fellows-in-Training (FITs). New and improved sessions include: d
Pre-workshop ‘‘Basics in Coding’’ session
This session is designed for FITs and new managers/ administrators with minimal exposure to coding terminology and theory. It will be held Friday, July 20. Participants will then be ready for the Plenary Session on Saturday, ‘‘Coding and Compliance for the Allergy/Immunology Practice.’’ d
Track learning
Back by popular demand, this year’s workshop will have four tracks. On Saturday afternoon, participants will split into self-selected groups: d d d d
Office managers/administrators Physicians starting in practice Physicians established in practice Physicians employed in large institutional or multispecialty practices
Presentation topics will be geared toward the specific needs of each group, and extensive time will be allotted for questions and discussion. d
Additional informal networking opportunities
Workshop feedback shows that members want added opportunities to learn from each other informally between sessions. This year’s workshop
May 2007 Page 35A
NEW SVIEW newsview A Monthly Update of Developments from the AAAAI
offers more networking time for the attendees and faculty. The 2007 AAAAI Practice Management Workshop will be held at the Westin Bellevue Hotel. Registration fees are $350 for AAAAI members, Fellows and office managers/ administration staff; $450 for non-members; and $50 for FITs. A limited number of FITs will be accepted on a firstcome, first-served basis. More information is available on the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org. Visit the Members Center and choose the 2007 Practice Management Workshop link, located in the Practice & Policy section. The workshop is sponsored by the AAAAI, and cosponsored by the Oregon Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; the Washington State Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; and the Western Society of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
n
Gail G. Shapiro Clinical Faculty Transition Award Endowment
An Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Education and Research Trust (ART) endowment, the Gail G. Shapiro Clinical Faculty Transition Award Endowment, honors Shapiro’s commitment to patients and the allergy/ immunology specialty. The endowment will support a perpetual, two-year clinical faculty transition award. Award recipients will receive $75,000 annually, with an anticipated match by the awardee’s institution to provide $150,000 in annual salary support for the awardee to pursue a career as a clinician educator at an academic institution. Patients and colleagues from around the world remember Gail G. Shapiro, MD, FAAAAI, who passed away in 2006, as a physician who made each patient feel special and as a visionary leader in pediatric asthma and allergy care. Donations can be made online via the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org/art, or by contacting Chris Barden at the AAAAI executive office at (414) 272-6071.
2007 AAAAI ANNUAL MEETING UPDATE
n
Access 2007 Annual Meeting handouts online
Handouts for the 2007 Annual Meeting are available on the Annual Meeting Web site, www.annualmeeting.aaaai.org. Delegates may view, download and print any available session handouts. Online access to handouts will be available for up to one year following the meeting. Handouts on CD-ROM are not available this year.
Page 36A May 2007
Recordings Many of the scientific sessions were audio recorded and are available for purchase and download from the Annual Meeting Web site, www.annualmeeting.aaaai.org.
n
AAAAI Annual Meeting dates and sites 2008—Philadelphia, PA, March 14-18 2009—Washington, DC, March 13-17 2010—New Orleans, LA, February 26-March 2 2011—San Francisco, CA, March 18-22 2012—Orlando, FL, March 2-6
AAAAI WEB SITE RESOURCES
n
Countdown to 2008: metered-dose inhalers transition to HFA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is requiring that manufacturers of metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) reformulate these inhalers to no longer use chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and instead use hydrofl uoroalkane (HFA), by December 31, 2008. Physicians are encouraged to talk to their patients now about transitioning to HFA-based asthma inhalers so they can successfully make the switch. The AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org, offers useful information for both physicians and patients regarding the transition. Visit the Members Center for details, and click on the inhaler button.
n
Pay for performance Webinar
A pay for performance Web-based seminar, or Webinar, is available on the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org, to help members learn about pay for performance and how it affects their practices. The free, 20-minute Webinar includes a PowerPoint presentation and narration. The Webinar was created by the Joint Task Force on Quality and Performance Measures, a partnership of the AAAAI, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) and the Joint Council of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (JCAAI). The task force is cochaired by Michael Schatz, MD, MS, FAAAAI, and Michael S. Blaiss, MD, FAAAAI.
n
AAAAI offers enhanced job placement center
Members will benefit from enhanced recruitment resources, including a resume bank, through the new AAAAI Job Placement Center, www.careers.aaaai.org. The new AAAAI Job Placement Center better connects employers and job seekers. Employers may access the most qualified candidates with experience to fulfill staffing needs. Job seekers may showcase
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL
NEW SVIEW newsview A Monthly Update of Developments from the AAAAI
their skills and work experience to prospective employers to find the best job opportunities. Benefits of the new AAAAI Job Placement Center include:
help placing an ad or posting your resume, contact AAAAI Membership Services at (414) 272-6071.
Employers d Post jobs quickly and easily d Search resume bank for qualified candidates d Buy or sell a practice
AAAAI MISSION STATEMENT
Job seekers d Post a resume d Search the job bank For more information about the AAAAI Job Placement Center or to place an ad, visit www.careers.aaaai.org. For
J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL
The mission of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is the advancement of knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology for optimal patient care. For more information about the AAAAI, contact the executive office, 555 E. Wells Street, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823; phone (414) 272-6071; fax (414) 272-6070; e-mail [email protected]; or visit the Web site, www.aaaai.org.
May 2007 Page 37A