Today’s Top Story
AAOS Board approves obesity position statement, patient safety information statements.
Among other things, the AAOS Board of Directors approved a position statement on the impact of obesity on bone and joint health and two patient safety information statements at its meeting on Monday. The statement encourages orthopaedic surgeons and patients “to maintain an open dialogue about the detrimental effects of obesity on musculoskeletal health and the increased risks of obesity on orthopaedic pre- and postsurgical complications and inferior outcomes.” It also provides several recommended steps for patients and physicians. In addition, the AAOS Board adopted two information statements developed by the AAOS Patient Safety Committee on the use of surgical checklists and surgical site and procedure confirmation. Read more…
Other News
Visit the AAOS OGR advocacy booth and speak out for SGR repeal.
With bipartisan support for repeal of the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula growing in the U.S. Congress, now is the time to stop by the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) office of government relations (OGR) advocacy booth and make your voice heard. The House of Representatives is expected to vote on repeal tomorrow, March 26. Visitors to the OGR advocacy booth can use the AAOS legislative action center to tweet, email, and phone lawmakers with their concerns SGR and other issues. In addition, Association staff and volunteer fellows will be on hand to answer questions about AAOS advocacy. The OGR advocacy booth is located in space 2222, Hall B, at the Venetian Sands Expo Center. Read more in AAOS Now…
Read more in AAOS Advocacy Now…
Visit the AAOS legislative action center…
Ben Carson, MD, to speak tomorrow at AAOS Annual Meeting.
Presidential Guest Speaker Benjamin S. Carson, MD, holds more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees, and has been honored with hundreds of awards and citations. In 2001, CNN and Time magazine named him one of the nation’s 20 foremost physicians and scientists. He was appointed by George W. Bush to serve on the President’s Council on Bioethics in 2004. And in 2008, he received the Presidential Medal of Honor—the nation’s highest civilian honor. He has since become well-known for his politically conservative and sometimes controversial viewpoints. He writes a weekly opinion column for The Washington Times and serves as a FOX News contributor. Dr. Carson will speak tomorrow, Thursday, March 26, at 11 a.m. in Venetian Ballroom E, at the Venetian/Sands EXPO Center. Read more…
AAOS Now forum participants prognosticate the future of orthopaedic practice economics.
During Monday’s AAOS Now forum: “Orthopaedic Economics: A Look into the Future,” an invited group of experts in practice management discussed their predictions regarding the fate of orthopaedic practices in coming years. Presenters provided a historical perspective on the business of orthopaedics, covered the impact of government initiatives, forecast the look of private practices, examined new payment models and the role of hospitals, and reviewed ways to maintain practice profitability in 2020. Among other things, participants agreed that in the future, orthopaedic surgeons will need to learn to partner effectively with other physicians and health systems, and to manage risk and procedure-specific global patients. Read more…
FDA seeks surgeon experience on cervical disc systems.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) seeks surgeon input regarding the use of cervical disc systems, which are used in artificial disc replacement procedures. The agency is particularly interested in speaking with orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons who use (or have used) Medtronic’s Prestige cervical disc. The information will help FDA better understand users perspectives and any issues or concerns that may be present in the clinical environment. Interested parties must submit a conflict of interest (COI) document and current curriculum vitae to FDA no later than Tuesday, March 31. For more information and a copy of the COI form, please contact Katherine Sale, at sale@aaos.org.
Learn more about the CDRH Network of Experts program…
Residents encouraged to attend inaugural meeting of the Resident Assembly.
The AAOS Resident Assembly (RA) is a new, democratic group instituted to increase resident engagement and give residents a greater voice within the AAOS. “AAOS has a phenomenal number of opportunities, including leadership opportunities,” says Nathan W. Skelley, MD, current chair of the RA. “Although residents are considered members of the AAOS, it’s not until we finish our training that most of us are recruited to join and get involved in the Academy. The Resident Assembly will help get residents involved in Academy initiatives and learn more about the organization—how it runs, the services that it provides, and the opportunities for involvement—several years earlier than before.” The first meeting of the RA will take place Thursday, March 26, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., in room 3301 of the Venetian/Sands EXPO Center. Read more…
