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April 23, 2008 |
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Welcome to ACAAI eNews
— a bi-weekly aggregated news service from the American
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Distance Learning |
2007 ACAAI Annual Meeting Vodcasts
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2007 ACAAI Annual Meeting CME Webcast
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Periodicals |
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Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Current issue
• AllergyWatch
Current issue
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Calendar |
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MAY
EPA National Asthma Forum
May 1-2, Washington, DC
Contact: Katrin Kral
Tel: 202-343-9454
Email
Link
AAISG 2008 Meeting
Allergy Asthma & Immunology Society of Georgia
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
May 2-3, Pine Mountain, Ga.
Contact: Leslie Morris
Tel: 770-534-0534
Email
Asthma Awareness Conference
Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
May 5-7, Washington, D.C.
Contact: Mary McGowan
Tel: 703-641-9595
Email
JUNE
XXVII EAACI Congress
June 7-11, Barcelona, Spain
Tel: +46 8 459 66 00
Fax: +46 8 661 91 25
Email
Link
AUGUST
The Alabama Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology's
29th Annual Postgraduate Course
Aug. 8-10, Destin, Fla.
Contact: Richard Carson
Tel: 334-954-2577
Email
OCTOBER
Northwest Allergy Forum 2008
Washington State Society of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology
Pending ACAAI Joint Sponsorship
Oct. 3-5, Seattle, Wash.
Contact: Hannah Scott
Tel: 206-341-1353
Email
ONGOING
World Allergy Organization Society Meetings
ACAAI
CME Website
Contact: Mary Campbell
Tel: 847-427-1200
Email
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Sponsored
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Top
Stories |
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Study: Dust mite prevention methods don't improve asthma
No dust control strategies are adequately effective to reduce dust mite exposure enough to improve asthma, according to a study in The Cochrane Library. Researchers at The Nordic Cochrane Centre in Copenhagen, Denmark, reviewed 54 studies, looking at methods such as using pillow and mattress cases, laundering linens in hot water or bleach, and removing plush toys, plants and furniture. The authors said the allergen levels in most homes are so high that what remains after these methods are employed is still high enough to trigger asthma attacks. For example, even a 90-percent elimination was inadequate to help a mite-sensitive asthma sufferer. 
Joint Commission aims to prevent drug errors involving hospitalized kids
The Joint Commission, a group that accredits most U.S. hospitals, recently issued guidelines to help prevent medication errors involving children who are hospitalized. The commission’s recent Sentinel Event Alert addresses pediatric medication errors, and suggests more attention to drug precautions, better medication identification and improved communication, as well as weighing in kilograms children who are admitted to help calculate proper drug dosages. The guidelines come on the heels of a recent study in Pediatrics that found that medication errors, including accidental overdoses and adverse reactions, affect about 7 percent of hospitalized children.
Small gene mutation may increase asthma risk, study shows
Just a minor change in one gene, called CHI3L1, may increase a person's risk of developing asthma, according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers at the University of Chicago and Yale University studied YKL-40 levels among an isolated religious community in South Dakota, the Hutterites. Settled in 1874, the group lives communally, sharing food, education and socioeconomic status. Approximately 11 percent of Hutterites have asthma, and 12 percent have hyperactive airways. Researchers found that among Hutterites with asthma or hyperactive airways all had elevated YKL-40 levels. After searching the Hutterites’ genetic code, the study’s authors also found that one small change in the CHI3L1 gene was slightly different among the Hutterites with asthma. |
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A message from ACAAI President Dr. Jay M. Portnoy
How can I become more active in the College?
This is one of the most common questions that I hear. While many College members are quite satisfied attending the ACAAI Annual Meeting — possibly presenting at that meeting, receiving its numerous communications, taking comfort that the College leadership advocates for allergists with regulatory agencies and health plans, and enjoying the camaraderie that membership provides — there comes a time when they want to participate more actively. Yet how does one break through into the “active circle” of College members who become its leaders?
One way is to join a committee and be an active participant. Though the College committee structure may seem complicated at first, it really is not hard to understand. Committees are divided into:
(A) Those that report directly to the Board of Regents, composed of the officers and selected members-at-large; and
(B) Those committees that report to the Communications, Scientific and Professional Education Councils. Many College members belong to one of the Scientific Council committees, since those tend to involve specific diseases in which they have a particular interest. These committees provide an opportunity to review and to contribute to practice parameters, to initiate disease-specific projects and to revise information used for public and professional education.
Advancement in the College
More important, committees serve as proving grounds where you can show you have the necessary qualities needed for advancement. Members of the Board of Regents are usually selected from among individuals who have shown their stuff at the committee level. One word of caution: committee members who are found to be hard workers are usually asked to do more work, which can become overwhelming, so you need to know your limits.
So how do you join a committee in which you are interested? Simply complete the “Committee Interest” form on the College Web site. You are likely to be invited to participate at the next opportunity.
Annual Meeting involvement
Another way to become more active is to propose a workshop or Meet the Professor Breakfast for the next Annual Meeting. A template for proposals can be obtained from the College office. The program committee is always searching for innovative program ideas that would be of interest to College members.
Perhaps the best way to become more active is to network with friends and colleagues who are already involved with College leadership. Consider the Annual Meeting to be more than just a forum for attending state-of-the-art plenary sessions, symposia and workshops; it is also a place for meeting with colleagues who can help in building your leadership, as well as your professional skills. It is the ongoing relationships that we develop with each other that enable the College community to thrive and expand over time.
Conferences On-Line
In addition to the Annual Meeting, there also are opportunities for us to network with each other throughout the year. The new Conferences On-Line for Allergy (COLA) initiative is one example. This free program places conferences from allergy fellowship programs online for anyone to join. A list of programs and connection information can now be found on the ACAAI Web site. Given the expanding number of topics and times, there will almost certainly be a conference that you would find convenient and that would be enlightening for you to attend.
The College is a nurturing environment in which any member can rise to be a leader. You don’t need to publish in medical journals or receive federal grants to do this. You only need to demonstrate your interest and commitment to the specialty of allergy and, most important, to get involved. If you have any questions about how to become more active in the College or if you wish to join a committee, let me know by sending an e-mail to president@acaai.org. We are looking forward to your increased participation.
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Association
News |
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 Experience “Cirque Ingenieux” at ACAAI Fundraiser Dinner
You will enter the surreal conjuring of a dream filled with mystery, suspense, comedy and dance – with some of the most amazing acrobatic presentations ever performed on stage – at the ACAAI Annual Meeting annual Fundraising Dinner in Seattle, Nov. 9.
The Sunday evening event’s award-winning production of Cirque Ingenieux is among the most original, inventive theatrical and acrobatic stage shows for audiences worldwide.
Neil Goldberg’s Cirque shows have won critical acclaim while performing around the country. Their signature style of inventive performance incorporates the most creative and original artistry with the finest costumes, choreography, music and attention to detail. You’ll marvel as contortionists, equilibrists and prop manipulators turn motion into emotion while reinventing themselves on stage.
The fundraising event includes a reception, dinner and Cirque Ingenieux production. Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the Foundation to support The Consortium on Children’s Asthma Camps, Scholars Return Programs and Young Faculty Support Awards.
Mark your calendar to attend the ACAAI Annual Meeting, Nov. 6-11, and Fundraising Dinner, Nov. 9, in Seattle.
Online abstract submission is open: Deadline is July 15
You can now submit your abstract online for the ACAAI Annual Meeting in Seattle, Nov. 6-11. The deadline is 11:59 p.m., Tuesday, July 15. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
To submit an abstract, go to the ACAAI Web site and click on the headline “2008 Annual Meeting Abstract Submission.” On-screen prompts will take you through the submission process.
If you have already begun to enter an abstract into the system -- but did not actually hit the "submit" button -- you must go back into the system and submit. After the abstract is submitted, you will receive an e-mail confirmation. Abstracts not officially submitted cannot be considered.
View new vodcasts of the Named Lectures
Presentations from the Named Lectures at the 2007 ACAAI Annual Meeting, are vodcast weekly.
The new vodcasts include:
- “Bela Schick Lecture: Mixing Science, Medicine and Politics” – by Honorable Dr. Steven L. Kagen (D-WI – 8th District)
- “Lester Mittelstaedt Lecture: Prediction of Future Tolerance to IgE-Mediated Cow Milk Allergies” – by Dr. Alessandro Fiocchi
Each vodcast contains the original audio and presentation slides. Future vodcasts will feature other named lectures and the symposium, “Allergic Rhinitis and the Allergist.” Previous programs are archived for continued viewing.
The ACAAI vodcast program is sponsored by an unrestricted educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.
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AMA Corner |
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Welcome to the AMA Corner prepared by Dr. Alnoor A. Malick, ACAAI Delegate to the AMA House of Delegates, to keep you abreast of important AMA news and developments affecting allergy-immunology.
Call Congress to support S. 2785
On July 1, Medicare will slash physician payments 10.6 percent. Time is running out. Call your members of Congress and let them know how important the Save Medicare Act of 2008 (S. 2785) is for seniors and their doctors. The bill would prevent the 10.6 percent cut in Medicare physician payments planned for July 1, retain current payment levels for the remainder of 2008 and enact a 1.8-percent increase for 2009. Call the AMA Grassroots Hotline at (800) 833-6354 to be connected to your members of Congress and urge them to co-sponsor and pass S. 2785. Download the AMA’s Medicare Physician Payment Action Kit.
Important NPI date approaching for claims and cash flow
Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), old legacy numbers will not be accepted on any electronic claims after May 23. Claims will only be accepted with a National Provider Identification (NPI) number. That deadline applies to all payers — public and commercial.
Physicians are strongly urged to test sending their claims with just their NPI as soon as possible to avert claims processing and cash flow interruptions that could occur after May 23. Physicians also should ensure that all of their information in the NPI database is up-to-date. Incorrect information in the NPI database can affect a payer’s ability to identify a physician and pay his or her claims. Physicians can change or update their information by visiting the Web site or calling (800) 465-3203.
Medicare has taken several steps to prepare for the May 23 deadline. As of March 1, claims sent to Medicare must not contain a legacy number alone: they must contain an NPI or both an NPI and a legacy number.
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Fellows-in-Training |
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Board Review Corner
Welcome to the Board Review Corner prepared by Drs. Bret R. Haymore and Jennifer W. Mbuthia, Senior and Junior Representatives of ACAAI’s fellows-in-training (FITs) to the Board of Regents. The Board Review Corner is an opportunity to help hone your Board preparedness.
To refer to a previous Board Review Corner, click the “FIT Archive” link in the left column.
Review Questions: Chapter 25 of Pediatric Allergy: Principles & Practices, edited by Donald Y.M. Leung, et al. Review questions were written by Drs. Bret Haymore and Jiun Yoon, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
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