Summer 2009

ASA has launched a campaign to increase public awareness of the central role anesthesiologists play in modern medicine. Called the Lifeline Campain, it stresses that highly trained physician anesthesiologists provide a lifeline to modern medicine because they are involved at the most important points of a person's life: at childbirth, during surgery, in critcal care, chronic pain and palliative care. Anesthesiologists work throughout the hospital taking care of all kinds of patients. Without important developments in the safety of anesthesia care and in the techncal capabilities of anesthesiologists, many of the modern miracles of medicine would not be possilbe.

The Obstetric Hemorrhage Education Project was a topic of discussion at the ISA House of Delegates meeting on May 30, 2009. Questions were raised about the program's origin and implementation. Several delegates who had completed the training reported improved teamwork in subsequent obstetric hemorrhage situations.

Learn how it affects anesthesiologists.

The annual ISA House of Delegates meeting took place at the ISMS offices at 20 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL on May 30, 2009. The day began with district caucus meetings in which delegates and alternates met with their district directors and discussed the day’s agenda and issues related to their districts. This was followed by the first session of the House of Delegates in which current President, Dr Wendy Binstock reviewed the year’s activities, particularly the membership initiative.  Dr Ralph Glasser then laid out his vision for ISA’s priorities for the upcoming year. The reference committee, a brief address by Dr James Miliam, President of the Illinois State Medical Society and a presentation on Anesthesiologist Assistants followed. After a lunch, the second session of the House of Delegates was held. Ralph Glasser, MD was sworn in as President of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists for 2009-10 by outgoing President, Wendy Binstock, MD. Dr Binstock was thanked for her year of service to the society.

Twenty-seven ISA members visited Washington D.C. to attend the 30th Annual ASA Legislative Conference from May 4-6, 2009.

The nursing associations have introduced SB 1600 – which amends the Nurse Practice Act to remove references to a written collaborative agreement throughout the Act. It also does away with the requirement for physician presence, availability and participation in anesthesia care. On March 4th a group of the Illinois Society of Anesthesiologists Board and several other members traveled to Springfield to oppose SB 1600. We met with the sponsor of the bill and members of the Licensed Activities Committee and were assured that the committee does not support SB 1600 and that they understood the threat it would impose on patient safety. However, nurses have lobbied to get a subcommittee of the Licensed Activities Board formed and a subject matter only hearing will take place on Wednesday, March 11th. ISA leadership will attend this meeting and provide testimony on the critical need for physician presence, availability and participation in anesthesia care. The citizens of our state deserve no less.  Of critical importance is that we inform legislators about the profound threat to patient safety that SB1600 would create by removing the requirement for physician presence, participation, availability and approval of the anesthesia plan whenever an anesthesia nurse is involved in the delivery of anesthesia services.
 
It is critical that you take a moment and send a message that implores your state senator and members of the Licensed Activities Committee to vote against SB1600 and to preserve the highest standards for the safety of patients in Illinois who need anesthesia services.

Licensed Activities Committee

Use ASA Cap Wiz to contact your legislator.

On December 18, Governor Blagojevich signed legislation (S.B. 2179) to extend the sunset date of the Illinois Medical Practice Act for two years. The extension runs from Jan. 1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010.

ISA has initiated a membership recruitment campaign for 2008-9. ISA is the leading voice for anesthesiologists in the state of Illinois. ISA is committed to its mission of representation, advocacy and education for the Illinois anesthesiologist. Be sure you are a member of ISA. Our strength is in our numbers and in our commitment to our patients. Join us today, by signing up on line or by calling the ISA offices at 312-853-2244.

 
ISA was represented by twenty six members who traveled to Orlando, FL October 18-23 for the ASA Annual Meeting. These members attended both House of Delegates meetings as well as caucusing as a state component and with the midwest caucus. Members also attended reference committee meetings where testimony was heard regarding the various issues contained in the delegates manual. Jeffrey Apfelbaum, MD was thanked for his tireless work as ASA President for the past year. The following members attended as delegates and alternates:

DELEGATES
Wendy Binstock, MD
Ralph Glasser, MD
George Hefner, MD
W. Stephen Minore, MD
Glenn Murphy, MD
Usharani Nimmagadda, MD
David Rothenberg, MD
John Szewczyk, MD
Joseph Szokol, MD
Kenneth Tuman, MD
Eric Werner, MD
Ted Yaghmour, MD

ALTERNATES
Asokumar Buvanendran, MD
Norbert Duttlinger, MD
William Frame, MD
Ori Gottlieb, MD
Helena Gunnerson, MD
Jon Jacoby, MD
Tripti Kataria, MD
Charles Kim, MD
Mark Krause, MD
Timothy Starck, MD
Gary Tzeng, MD
Robert Whitcomb, MD