News items from CAP
Several newsworthy items in this recent mailing from CAP.
Of note, a couple items pertinent to digital pathology including dermatopathology survey, a pre-conference workshop at the upcoming Futurescape meeting on digital pathology and early announcements for CAP '09.
CAP Member Wins American Cancer Society’s Star of
Hope Award
Richard N. Eisen, MD, FCAP, was awarded the American Cancer Society’s Star of Hope award, which honors doctors who "demonstrate excellence in providing compassionate and skilled care for people facing cancer and their unyielding contribution in the cancer fight." The article illustrates how pathologists are an integral part of the medical team. The chief of oncology at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut, said he’s worked with Dr. Eisen for 15 years and couldn’t image working without him at their hospital. Dr. Eisen’s recognition of his work is a great example of transformation of the specialty.
Read the full article
Revised Cancer Protocols—Coming Soon
Cancer protocols containing the 7th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)/International Union Against Cancer (UICC) cancer staging elements will be released by the CAP mid- to late- summer 2009. Let your IT staff know now to prepare for these upcoming changes.
Learn more about the Cancer Protocols
CAP ’09 Abstracts Program — Deadline Is March 27, 2009
With the deadline fast approaching, consider submitting an abstract or case study. Submissions to the Abstracts Program will be accepted through Friday, March 27, 2009, at 11:59 PM. The CAP ’09 Abstracts Program is a competitive program that is designed to promote a broad range of research in pathology. The program provides a unique opportunity to enhance research skills and contribute to the literature and advancement of pathology. Everyone is encouraged to submit abstracts, and CAP Junior Members are eligible for cash awards for their presentations. Visit the CAP ’09 website for more information.
New Addition to the CAP Transformation
Web Site
Don’t miss the latest pathologist story of
Dennis D. Reinke, MD, FCAP, whose dedication to the specialty of pathology led him to receive the Pathologist Spotlight Award from the College.
Stay tuned for new photos and additions to the Real Story featuring Yvonne R. Hearn, MD, FCAP.
New Dermatopathology Survey
The CAP online digital slide program in dermatopathology offers valuable benefits to assess and improve your diagnostic abilities:
- Two releases, each with five diagnostic challenges—earn 5.0 CME credits per year
- Digital image technology, simulates the use of a microscope and allows scanning and magnification changes
- Challenges are completed online, on your terms, when and where you want
- Instant feedback—you’ll know immediately whether or not your diagnosis is correct
- First release in June
Enroll in the Dermatopathology CAP Survey today. Call 800-323-4040
option 1.
Save the Date: Lab Week Is
April 19–25, 2009
National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 19–25, 2009) is a special time set aside to recognize the important role that pathologists and other medical laboratory professionals play in treating patients. This year's theme is "Laboratory Professionals Get Results." Important information to help you promote National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in your community and to your co–workers will be featured at the CAP website in April. Stay tuned to the CAP website for more information.
The CAP Foundation
Thinking about Digital Imaging for
Your Practice?
Attend the Digital Imaging Pre-Conference Workshop at Futurescape III—Transforming Pathology: Information as a Disruptive Technology, June 12–14 in Rosemont, Illinois. This hands-on experience will reveal how these systems can be used in your practice. For more information, contact Arlene Strong at 800-323-4040 ext. 7324.
New Pilot Program Available for Resident Research Grant Projects
A one-year pilot program created to provide financial resources for basic science and clinical research projects for residents and those in fellowships has been launched.
Learn more.
Call for Nominations Lansky Award for Leadership—Deadline:
May 1, 2009
Know a great candidate for the Lansky Award for Leadership? The CAP Foundation is currently accepting nominations.
Learn more.
Download the March NewsPath® Podcast and Article
Listen to the March NewsPath® podcast on "The Role of KRAS Mutation Testing in the Management of Colorectal Cancer," by special contributor, Mark D. Pool, MD, FCAP, and presented by CAP Spokesperson, Soon Bahrami, MD, FCAP. Both the article and podcast were based on the CAP POET report on the same topic. Share the information with your clinical colleagues during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness month in March.
Sign Up for CAP '09 and Take Advantage of the Early Bird Savings
Sign up now for CAP '09 – THE Pathologists' Meeting™, October 11–14 at the Gaylord National Resort in Washington, DC, and receive the best price guaranteed! Pay $899 and save 20% off the $1,125 global fee. No deposit required. Visit cap2009.org today and save!
CMS Technical Problem with New PQRI Code
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has identified a technical problem with the new PQRI 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) CPT II code. For pathologists, the PQRI code affected is 3250F, which non-primary site specimens for the Breast and Colorectal Cancer reporting measures. CMS carriers rejected these line items as unprocessable. More information is available on the CMS website.
View the New and Updated Practice Management Resources
The following is a list of new and updated practice management resources and each resource is listed by practice management topic area.
- Compliance and Risk Management
- CMS Fraud & Abuse Resource List — A four-page summary of Fraud & Abuse topics and available resources.
- HIPAA Privacy Rule and Health Information Technology — guidance documents that discuss how the Privacy Rule can facilitate the electronic exchange of health information
- Medicolegal Issues in Pathology
- Liability and Payment Issues in the Selection of Pathology Assays
- National Provider Identifier (NPI) — Apply or Update your NPI on the National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES)
Suite of SNOMED CT Courses Now Available in Self–Directed Format
SNOMED Terminology Solutions™ (STS™) now offers many of the popular, core SNOMED CT classes—SNOMED CT: An Introduction; SNOMED CT: Concept Model; SNOMED CT: Data Structure (Relational) Model, and SNOMED CT: An Introduction to Nursing Content in the new self–directed format. The new platform allows users a convenient way to learn about SNOMED CT at their own pace (or when their motivation is at its highest), without being tied to a scheduled time or place. It also gives students an economical option for learning, since it eliminates the traditional costs associated with travel and instructor expenses. To enroll in the self–directed courses, users should visit the STS online course catalog and create an account to register. STS also offers classroom sessions and Web teleconferences, and all education services can be customized.
Please note: The CAP Education activities will be unavailable March 14 through March 22 while the learning management system is upgraded. Please enroll after March 23, 2009.
SNOMED CT in Pathology and Cancer Work Registry Scheduled for May
The SNOMED CT in Pathology and Cancer Work Registry Web Teleconference will be offered 10:00–11:30 AM CST, May 18, 2009. This introductory 90–minute Web–based program will address SNOMED CT's structure and content coverage and its use in the surgical pathology cancer checklists as adapted from the College of American Pathologist's Cancer Protocols. The presenter also will review US government initiatives in biomedical informatics as related to SNOMED CT. For more information, call 800-323-4040 ext. 7700 or 847–832–7700, or contact snomedsolutions@cap.org.
Please note: The CAP Education activities will be unavailable March 14 through March 22 while the learning management system is upgraded.
Residents Forum Meeting in Boston–Resounding Success
Resident colleagues headed to Boston the weekend of March 6–7 to the Welcome Reception on Friday evening and for the all-day Saturday session. Transformation was a key theme. Visit CAP for Residents at the CAP website for the latest information.
SPOKESPERSONS NETWORK IN THE MEDIA AND
IN THE COMMUNITY
Pathologist Takes Steps to Keep Local Hospital Free from MRSA Infections
James R. Miller, MD, FCAP, is featured by the Salem Times Commoner Newspaper in Salem, Illinois, demonstrating a new technology, GeneXpert, which he is using to keep his local hospital free from MRSA infections. The article is a great example of how a pathologist is recognized for using technology to help transform the role of specialty in the media as well as in preventing the spread of MRSA.
Read the full article.
