Gary Tzeng, MD
ISA President 2017-2018
As always, the ASA Annual Meeting was full of meaningful educational, workshop and networking opportunities. SF remains a beautiful city that surprised this year’s attendees with great weather and yet challenged us with a labor dispute/strike within the Marriott/SPG community.
But for those that are unaware, this meeting also serves as the hard-working governance meeting for your ASA—where policy & positions are decided and monies & energies are allocated. Many housekeeping issues are performed including continued funding of the the AQI. But many controversial issues are also debated and attempted to be resolved in a unified manner.
So for those who are unaware of what ASA did, here are my highlights:
1. Dr. Stan Stead was formally acknowledged for his years of service and leadership as he steps down from the Board. His contribution as our specialty’s advocator for fair compensation is greatly appreciated.
2. The ASA Series on Medical Ethics was retired for the future but the publication “Guidelines for the Ethical Practice of Anesthesiology” was approved and published while the content of the ASA Series on Medical Ethics will be moved to their respective chapters in the Committee on Ethics Syllabus as non-CME questions.
3. ASA Practice Parameters were updated per its usual cycle.The following Performance Measures from CPOM were approved:
- Avoidance of Cerebral Hyperthermia for Procedures Involving Cardiopulmonary Bypass
- Functional Status Assessment and Goal Setting for Chronic Opioid Users
- Neuromuscular Blockade: Documented Assessment of Neuromuscular Function Prior to Extubation
- Neuromuscular Blockade: Reversal Administered
- Consultation for Frail Patients
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Mitigation Strategies
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Patient Education
5. ASA will partner with Social Finance, Inc. to offer members easy access and discounted loan rates.
6. ASA’s “Statement on the Anesthesia Care Team” has been and continues to be difficult to update as the ASA membership struggles to come to a consensus related to multiple definitions. The Statement has been referred back to Committee again for further refinement.
Lastly, in honor of those members who passed this year and especially our Past Presidents, the Illinois Delegation chartered a Sunset Cruise on the Bay and toasted our past colleagues as we sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a wonderful tribute and wished all of our members could have been present.