MIAMI BEACH – Breast surgeons can help relieve a “medical education crisis” by advising breast cancer patients about the implications of genetic testing results. The crisis continues to worsen given the remarkable rise in precision medicine and the limited number of genetic counselors in the United States, Patrick W. Whitworth, MD, said at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource.

Breast surgeons are qualified to help counsel patients, and, in fact, already order more than half of breast cancer genetic sequencing, a specialist survey reveals, said Dr. Whitworth, director of the Nashville (Tenn.) Breast Center, in a video interview.

At the same time, the one genotype–one phenotype paradigm for cancer genetics is rapidly shifting to testing patients for a whole panel of mutations simultaneously. Breast surgeons can partner with genetic counselors to support and expand the reach of this vital medical testing and counseling to more patients, he added.

Dr. Whitworth receives research grant support from and is a shareholder in Targeted Medical Education. He is also a shareholder in Advantage Consulting and Education.

MIAMI BEACH – Breast surgeons can help relieve a “medical education crisis” by advising breast cancer patients about the implications of genetic testing results. The crisis continues to worsen given the remarkable rise in precision medicine and the limited number of genetic counselors in the United States, Patrick W. Whitworth, MD, said at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource.

Breast surgeons are qualified to help counsel patients, and, in fact, already order more than half of breast cancer genetic sequencing, a specialist survey reveals, said Dr. Whitworth, director of the Nashville (Tenn.) Breast Center, in a video interview.

At the same time, the one genotype–one phenotype paradigm for cancer genetics is rapidly shifting to testing patients for a whole panel of mutations simultaneously. Breast surgeons can partner with genetic counselors to support and expand the reach of this vital medical testing and counseling to more patients, he added.

Dr. Whitworth receives research grant support from and is a shareholder in Targeted Medical Education. He is also a shareholder in Advantage Consulting and Education.

MIAMI BEACH – Breast surgeons can help relieve a “medical education crisis” by advising breast cancer patients about the implications of genetic testing results. The crisis continues to worsen given the remarkable rise in precision medicine and the limited number of genetic counselors in the United States, Patrick W. Whitworth, MD, said at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource.

Breast surgeons are qualified to help counsel patients, and, in fact, already order more than half of breast cancer genetic sequencing, a specialist survey reveals, said Dr. Whitworth, director of the Nashville (Tenn.) Breast Center, in a video interview.

At the same time, the one genotype–one phenotype paradigm for cancer genetics is rapidly shifting to testing patients for a whole panel of mutations simultaneously. Breast surgeons can partner with genetic counselors to support and expand the reach of this vital medical testing and counseling to more patients, he added.

Dr. Whitworth receives research grant support from and is a shareholder in Targeted Medical Education. He is also a shareholder in Advantage Consulting and Education.

MIAMI BEACH – Hormonal ablation is a mainstay of therapy for women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. A significant proportion of patients, however, are either initially refractory to hormonal therapy or acquire resistance to it over time.

The difficulty for patients with breast cancer and for the physicians who treat them is that there are no simple answers to the question of which patients can continue to benefit from endocrine monotherapy. Are there adequate biomarkers for optimal follow-on therapy when a patient experiences disease progression, and what is the optimal sequence of targeted therapy with endocrine inhibitors, disrupters, or other agents?

In a video interview at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource, William J. Gradishar, MD, of Northwestern University, Chicago, discusses strategies for combating resistance to endocrine ablative therapy, and describes how new therapies and new treatment strategies are being incorporated into National Comprehensive Cancer Network breast cancer guidelines.

Dr. Gradishar reported having no clinical disclosures.

MIAMI BEACH – Hormonal ablation is a mainstay of therapy for women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. A significant proportion of patients, however, are either initially refractory to hormonal therapy or acquire resistance to it over time.

The difficulty for patients with breast cancer and for the physicians who treat them is that there are no simple answers to the question of which patients can continue to benefit from endocrine monotherapy. Are there adequate biomarkers for optimal follow-on therapy when a patient experiences disease progression, and what is the optimal sequence of targeted therapy with endocrine inhibitors, disrupters, or other agents?

In a video interview at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource, William J. Gradishar, MD, of Northwestern University, Chicago, discusses strategies for combating resistance to endocrine ablative therapy, and describes how new therapies and new treatment strategies are being incorporated into National Comprehensive Cancer Network breast cancer guidelines.

Dr. Gradishar reported having no clinical disclosures.

MIAMI BEACH – Hormonal ablation is a mainstay of therapy for women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. A significant proportion of patients, however, are either initially refractory to hormonal therapy or acquire resistance to it over time.

The difficulty for patients with breast cancer and for the physicians who treat them is that there are no simple answers to the question of which patients can continue to benefit from endocrine monotherapy. Are there adequate biomarkers for optimal follow-on therapy when a patient experiences disease progression, and what is the optimal sequence of targeted therapy with endocrine inhibitors, disrupters, or other agents?

In a video interview at the annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference, held by Physicians’ Education Resource, William J. Gradishar, MD, of Northwestern University, Chicago, discusses strategies for combating resistance to endocrine ablative therapy, and describes how new therapies and new treatment strategies are being incorporated into National Comprehensive Cancer Network breast cancer guidelines.

Dr. Gradishar reported having no clinical disclosures.

Mass shootings

There are multiple definitions for a mass shooting. Some definitions require a certain number of people be killed. Some definitions require a certain number of people be shot. Some definitions do not include gang violence. Regardless of the definition used, the number of mass shootings in the United States is increasing.

There are also multiple definitions of what qualifies as a medical disaster. These definitions can be summarized with the statement that a medical disaster is an event that produces a number of casualties that overwhelms the local health system.

MACRA: Reincarnation of Medicare physician reimbursement model

In April 2015, President Obama signed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) eradicating the detested sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. If this is your first dive into MACRA as an eligible professional (EP), it may be a bit baffling trying to understand its impact on your practice.

Under MIPS, rules are divided into four categories. During the first year, each category will make up a certain percentage to the physician’s overall score, which will result in a penalty or payment as a lump sum in 2019. If you are an Advanced APM in 2017 and receive 25% of Medicare payments or see 20% of your Medicare patients through this model, you can earn up to a 5% incentive payment in 2019.

The performance period started on January 1, 2017. Submission of performance data is due by March 31, 2018. MACRA is complicated and here to stay. Learn and educate yourself to avoid downward payment adjustment. For full details, please visit https://qpp.cms.gov/docs/QPP_Executive_Summary_of_Final_Rule.pdf.

References

1. CMS MACRA Proposed Rule. http://1.usa.gov/1PpBpMt

2. CMS MACRA Executive Summary. https://qpp.cms.gov/docs/QPP_Executive_Summary_of_Final_Rule.pdf

3. American Medical Association. http://bit.ly/1miEtBD

4. Policy and Medicine. MACRA http://bit.ly/1PTLkKa. MIPS http://bit.ly/20RoMzZ. APMs http://bit.ly/1OlxoxH

Frailty in lung transplantation

Two of the greatest challenges in lung transplantation are to identify optimal transplant candidates and to help those transplant recipients thrive in the years following surgery. Frailty is emerging as a marker of increased posttransplant morbidity and may represent an area where both the recipient selection process and posttransplant outcomes can be optimized. Described by some as “biologic age” rather than “chronologic age,” frailty is a syndrome of functional impairment and weakness that predisposes to adverse health outcomes. The adverse effects of frailty have been described in multiple clinical scenarios, including the ICU, chronic lung diseases, heart failure, liver transplant, kidney transplant, geriatrics, and others.

Asthma treatment during pregnancy

Asthma is common in pregnancy, occurring in 3% to 8% of pregnant women. While the course of asthma during pregnancy is variable, the objectives of asthma treatment do not change and aim to prevent acute exacerbations and optimize management. Uncontrolled asthma is associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity. Published guidelines on pharmacologic therapies during pregnancy recommend the same step-wise approach as in nonpregnant women.

The diagnosis of asthma, the use of other concurrent medications, and medication compliance may all be potential confounders. ICS use in pregnancy was associated with endocrine and metabolic disturbances in the offspring in a national cohort (Tegethoff M et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012;185[5]:557-63). However, this study did not report on systemic steroid use, asthma severity, or details of these disturbances.

Mass shootings

There are multiple definitions for a mass shooting. Some definitions require a certain number of people be killed. Some definitions require a certain number of people be shot. Some definitions do not include gang violence. Regardless of the definition used, the number of mass shootings in the United States is increasing.

There are also multiple definitions of what qualifies as a medical disaster. These definitions can be summarized with the statement that a medical disaster is an event that produces a number of casualties that overwhelms the local health system.

MACRA: Reincarnation of Medicare physician reimbursement model

In April 2015, President Obama signed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) eradicating the detested sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. If this is your first dive into MACRA as an eligible professional (EP), it may be a bit baffling trying to understand its impact on your practice.

Under MIPS, rules are divided into four categories. During the first year, each category will make up a certain percentage to the physician’s overall score, which will result in a penalty or payment as a lump sum in 2019. If you are an Advanced APM in 2017 and receive 25% of Medicare payments or see 20% of your Medicare patients through this model, you can earn up to a 5% incentive payment in 2019.

The performance period started on January 1, 2017. Submission of performance data is due by March 31, 2018. MACRA is complicated and here to stay. Learn and educate yourself to avoid downward payment adjustment. For full details, please visit https://qpp.cms.gov/docs/QPP_Executive_Summary_of_Final_Rule.pdf.

References

1. CMS MACRA Proposed Rule. http://1.usa.gov/1PpBpMt

2. CMS MACRA Executive Summary. https://qpp.cms.gov/docs/QPP_Executive_Summary_of_Final_Rule.pdf

3. American Medical Association. http://bit.ly/1miEtBD

4. Policy and Medicine. MACRA http://bit.ly/1PTLkKa. MIPS http://bit.ly/20RoMzZ. APMs http://bit.ly/1OlxoxH

Frailty in lung transplantation

Two of the greatest challenges in lung transplantation are to identify optimal transplant candidates and to help those transplant recipients thrive in the years following surgery. Frailty is emerging as a marker of increased posttransplant morbidity and may represent an area where both the recipient selection process and posttransplant outcomes can be optimized. Described by some as “biologic age” rather than “chronologic age,” frailty is a syndrome of functional impairment and weakness that predisposes to adverse health outcomes. The adverse effects of frailty have been described in multiple clinical scenarios, including the ICU, chronic lung diseases, heart failure, liver transplant, kidney transplant, geriatrics, and others.

Asthma treatment during pregnancy

Asthma is common in pregnancy, occurring in 3% to 8% of pregnant women. While the course of asthma during pregnancy is variable, the objectives of asthma treatment do not change and aim to prevent acute exacerbations and optimize management. Uncontrolled asthma is associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity. Published guidelines on pharmacologic therapies during pregnancy recommend the same step-wise approach as in nonpregnant women.

The diagnosis of asthma, the use of other concurrent medications, and medication compliance may all be potential confounders. ICS use in pregnancy was associated with endocrine and metabolic disturbances in the offspring in a national cohort (Tegethoff M et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012;185[5]:557-63). However, this study did not report on systemic steroid use, asthma severity, or details of these disturbances.

Mass shootings

There are multiple definitions for a mass shooting. Some definitions require a certain number of people be killed. Some definitions require a certain number of people be shot. Some definitions do not include gang violence. Regardless of the definition used, the number of mass shootings in the United States is increasing.

There are also multiple definitions of what qualifies as a medical disaster. These definitions can be summarized with the statement that a medical disaster is an event that produces a number of casualties that overwhelms the local health system.

MACRA: Reincarnation of Medicare physician reimbursement model

In April 2015, President Obama signed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) eradicating the detested sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. If this is your first dive into MACRA as an eligible professional (EP), it may be a bit baffling trying to understand its impact on your practice.

Under MIPS, rules are divided into four categories. During the first year, each category will make up a certain percentage to the physician’s overall score, which will result in a penalty or payment as a lump sum in 2019. If you are an Advanced APM in 2017 and receive 25% of Medicare payments or see 20% of your Medicare patients through this model, you can earn up to a 5% incentive payment in 2019.

The performance period started on January 1, 2017. Submission of performance data is due by March 31, 2018. MACRA is complicated and here to stay. Learn and educate yourself to avoid downward payment adjustment. For full details, please visit https://qpp.cms.gov/docs/QPP_Executive_Summary_of_Final_Rule.pdf.

References

1. CMS MACRA Proposed Rule. http://1.usa.gov/1PpBpMt

2. CMS MACRA Executive Summary. https://qpp.cms.gov/docs/QPP_Executive_Summary_of_Final_Rule.pdf

3. American Medical Association. http://bit.ly/1miEtBD

4. Policy and Medicine. MACRA http://bit.ly/1PTLkKa. MIPS http://bit.ly/20RoMzZ. APMs http://bit.ly/1OlxoxH

Frailty in lung transplantation

Two of the greatest challenges in lung transplantation are to identify optimal transplant candidates and to help those transplant recipients thrive in the years following surgery. Frailty is emerging as a marker of increased posttransplant morbidity and may represent an area where both the recipient selection process and posttransplant outcomes can be optimized. Described by some as “biologic age” rather than “chronologic age,” frailty is a syndrome of functional impairment and weakness that predisposes to adverse health outcomes. The adverse effects of frailty have been described in multiple clinical scenarios, including the ICU, chronic lung diseases, heart failure, liver transplant, kidney transplant, geriatrics, and others.

Asthma treatment during pregnancy

Asthma is common in pregnancy, occurring in 3% to 8% of pregnant women. While the course of asthma during pregnancy is variable, the objectives of asthma treatment do not change and aim to prevent acute exacerbations and optimize management. Uncontrolled asthma is associated with an increased risk of perinatal morbidity. Published guidelines on pharmacologic therapies during pregnancy recommend the same step-wise approach as in nonpregnant women.

The diagnosis of asthma, the use of other concurrent medications, and medication compliance may all be potential confounders. ICS use in pregnancy was associated with endocrine and metabolic disturbances in the offspring in a national cohort (Tegethoff M et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2012;185[5]:557-63). However, this study did not report on systemic steroid use, asthma severity, or details of these disturbances.

Build your network and access the CHEST Member and Leader Directory. Use the directory to search for members and leaders. Easily search by name, specialty, location, or CHEST committee name to find others in the CHEST community. All members current in their dues are included in the directory.

Access to the directory is an exclusive CHEST member benefit. To view the directory, visit the following address: https://www.chestnet.org/Get-Involved/Membership/Member-Directory.

Build your network and access the CHEST Member and Leader Directory. Use the directory to search for members and leaders. Easily search by name, specialty, location, or CHEST committee name to find others in the CHEST community. All members current in their dues are included in the directory.

Access to the directory is an exclusive CHEST member benefit. To view the directory, visit the following address: https://www.chestnet.org/Get-Involved/Membership/Member-Directory.

Build your network and access the CHEST Member and Leader Directory. Use the directory to search for members and leaders. Easily search by name, specialty, location, or CHEST committee name to find others in the CHEST community. All members current in their dues are included in the directory.

Access to the directory is an exclusive CHEST member benefit. To view the directory, visit the following address: https://www.chestnet.org/Get-Involved/Membership/Member-Directory.

Sylvan Lee Weinberg, MD, FCCP, MACC, a Past President of the American College of Chest Physicians (1983-1984), died Jan 17, 2017, in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Weinberg was born in Nashville, TN, and received both his bachelor of science and doctor of medicine degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He spent his time as an intern, medical resident, and fellow in cardiology at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and went on to serve as a physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, for more than 40 years, ultimately becoming chief of cardiology and founder of the first coronary care unit in Ohio. Dr. Weinberg was also a clinical professor of medicine at the Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, and led a group cardiology practice until his retirement in 2000.

Sylvan Lee Weinberg, MD, FCCP, MACC, a Past President of the American College of Chest Physicians (1983-1984), died Jan 17, 2017, in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Weinberg was born in Nashville, TN, and received both his bachelor of science and doctor of medicine degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He spent his time as an intern, medical resident, and fellow in cardiology at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and went on to serve as a physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, for more than 40 years, ultimately becoming chief of cardiology and founder of the first coronary care unit in Ohio. Dr. Weinberg was also a clinical professor of medicine at the Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, and led a group cardiology practice until his retirement in 2000.

Sylvan Lee Weinberg, MD, FCCP, MACC, a Past President of the American College of Chest Physicians (1983-1984), died Jan 17, 2017, in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Weinberg was born in Nashville, TN, and received both his bachelor of science and doctor of medicine degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He spent his time as an intern, medical resident, and fellow in cardiology at the Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago and went on to serve as a physician at Good Samaritan Hospital in Dayton, Ohio, for more than 40 years, ultimately becoming chief of cardiology and founder of the first coronary care unit in Ohio. Dr. Weinberg was also a clinical professor of medicine at the Wright State University School of Medicine in Dayton, and led a group cardiology practice until his retirement in 2000.

Patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis who switched to tocilizumab showed no increased cardiovascular risk when compared with those who switched to a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in a large cohort study.

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to approximately double the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality partly because of its associated chronic systemic inflammation. Several small trials and observational studies have reported that tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist typically used as a second-line treatment for RA, elevates serum lipids, including LDL cholesterol. These serum lipid elevations caused by tocilizumab have brought concerns that the drug may further heighten CV risk in people with RA, said Seoyoung C. Kim, MD, ScD, of the division of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics and the division of rheumatology, immunology, and allergy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and her associates.

Patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis who switched to tocilizumab showed no increased cardiovascular risk when compared with those who switched to a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in a large cohort study.

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to approximately double the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality partly because of its associated chronic systemic inflammation. Several small trials and observational studies have reported that tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist typically used as a second-line treatment for RA, elevates serum lipids, including LDL cholesterol. These serum lipid elevations caused by tocilizumab have brought concerns that the drug may further heighten CV risk in people with RA, said Seoyoung C. Kim, MD, ScD, of the division of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics and the division of rheumatology, immunology, and allergy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and her associates.

Patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis who switched to tocilizumab showed no increased cardiovascular risk when compared with those who switched to a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor in a large cohort study.

Rheumatoid arthritis is known to approximately double the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality partly because of its associated chronic systemic inflammation. Several small trials and observational studies have reported that tocilizumab, an interleukin-6 receptor antagonist typically used as a second-line treatment for RA, elevates serum lipids, including LDL cholesterol. These serum lipid elevations caused by tocilizumab have brought concerns that the drug may further heighten CV risk in people with RA, said Seoyoung C. Kim, MD, ScD, of the division of pharmacoepidemiology and pharmacoeconomics and the division of rheumatology, immunology, and allergy at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, and her associates.

About PREP

The CHEST PREP Clinical Immersion program is an unbranded, disease-state program that educates industry members and partners to advance their knowledge into understanding that builds their confidence for engagement in clinical

conversations with health-care teams. We are seeking faculty for the following initiatives:

1. The CHEST PREP program is embarking on a curriculum and content development initiative and is seeking interested faculty members to consider participating in the development of content in the areas of CTEPH, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, and Bronchiectasis.

2. The CHEST PREP program is seeking interested CHEST members in Chicago-based institutions to consider participating as faculty presenters in the following disease areas: COPD, Asthma, PAH, CTEPH, IPF, SCLC, and NSCLC.

Requirements for participation

1. PREP welcomes faculty who would be interested in creating two or more presentations and/or cases on an assigned topic using a flipped classroom, interactive design. A minimum of four faculty experts will be needed per disease state indicated previously. Honorarium provided.

2. PREP welcomes faculty from Chicago-based institutions who would be interested in participating as faculty presenters in the disease states indicated previously. Honorarium provided.

Selection criteria

To be considered, please indicate the disease area in which you are interested in participating as content developer or faculty presenter, as well as providing the best way to contact you. For the asthma curriculum, we have a specific need for expertise/interest in moderate to severe asthma and the use of biologics in treatment.

If you are interested in participating in this initiative, please contact Jasmine Turner ([email protected]). Thank you.

About PREP

The CHEST PREP Clinical Immersion program is an unbranded, disease-state program that educates industry members and partners to advance their knowledge into understanding that builds their confidence for engagement in clinical

conversations with health-care teams. We are seeking faculty for the following initiatives:

1. The CHEST PREP program is embarking on a curriculum and content development initiative and is seeking interested faculty members to consider participating in the development of content in the areas of CTEPH, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, and Bronchiectasis.

2. The CHEST PREP program is seeking interested CHEST members in Chicago-based institutions to consider participating as faculty presenters in the following disease areas: COPD, Asthma, PAH, CTEPH, IPF, SCLC, and NSCLC.

Requirements for participation

1. PREP welcomes faculty who would be interested in creating two or more presentations and/or cases on an assigned topic using a flipped classroom, interactive design. A minimum of four faculty experts will be needed per disease state indicated previously. Honorarium provided.

2. PREP welcomes faculty from Chicago-based institutions who would be interested in participating as faculty presenters in the disease states indicated previously. Honorarium provided.

Selection criteria

To be considered, please indicate the disease area in which you are interested in participating as content developer or faculty presenter, as well as providing the best way to contact you. For the asthma curriculum, we have a specific need for expertise/interest in moderate to severe asthma and the use of biologics in treatment.

If you are interested in participating in this initiative, please contact Jasmine Turner ([email protected]). Thank you.

About PREP

The CHEST PREP Clinical Immersion program is an unbranded, disease-state program that educates industry members and partners to advance their knowledge into understanding that builds their confidence for engagement in clinical

conversations with health-care teams. We are seeking faculty for the following initiatives:

1. The CHEST PREP program is embarking on a curriculum and content development initiative and is seeking interested faculty members to consider participating in the development of content in the areas of CTEPH, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, and Bronchiectasis.

2. The CHEST PREP program is seeking interested CHEST members in Chicago-based institutions to consider participating as faculty presenters in the following disease areas: COPD, Asthma, PAH, CTEPH, IPF, SCLC, and NSCLC.

Requirements for participation

1. PREP welcomes faculty who would be interested in creating two or more presentations and/or cases on an assigned topic using a flipped classroom, interactive design. A minimum of four faculty experts will be needed per disease state indicated previously. Honorarium provided.

2. PREP welcomes faculty from Chicago-based institutions who would be interested in participating as faculty presenters in the disease states indicated previously. Honorarium provided.

Selection criteria

To be considered, please indicate the disease area in which you are interested in participating as content developer or faculty presenter, as well as providing the best way to contact you. For the asthma curriculum, we have a specific need for expertise/interest in moderate to severe asthma and the use of biologics in treatment.

If you are interested in participating in this initiative, please contact Jasmine Turner ([email protected]). Thank you.

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) launched its Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center (PHCC) initiative 2 years ago. This initiative was designed to raise the quality of care, as well as long-term outcomes for this disease that is often misdiagnosed and progressive. The PHCC program has designated 41 adult and 6 pediatric sites as Comprehensive Care Centers with ongoing accreditation of new sites. As part of this program, the PHA Registry was established to provide input to improve the care of PH patients. The PHA Registry (PHAR) is a multicenter, prospective observational registry of newly evaluated patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and has enrolled 200 patients to date. PHAR participation is open to any PHCC-accredited center.

PHCC accreditation has two pathways: Comprehensive Care Centers and Regional Care Centers. Accreditation is based on adherence “to consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH, the scope of PH-related services provided at the center, and the expertise of the center’s PH Care Team members.” PHCC accreditation is potentially available to all PH centers that meet the established criteria that can be found at the PHCC website.

Additional information may be found at the PHCC website (https://phassociation.org/PHCareCenters).

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) launched its Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center (PHCC) initiative 2 years ago. This initiative was designed to raise the quality of care, as well as long-term outcomes for this disease that is often misdiagnosed and progressive. The PHCC program has designated 41 adult and 6 pediatric sites as Comprehensive Care Centers with ongoing accreditation of new sites. As part of this program, the PHA Registry was established to provide input to improve the care of PH patients. The PHA Registry (PHAR) is a multicenter, prospective observational registry of newly evaluated patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and has enrolled 200 patients to date. PHAR participation is open to any PHCC-accredited center.

PHCC accreditation has two pathways: Comprehensive Care Centers and Regional Care Centers. Accreditation is based on adherence “to consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH, the scope of PH-related services provided at the center, and the expertise of the center’s PH Care Team members.” PHCC accreditation is potentially available to all PH centers that meet the established criteria that can be found at the PHCC website.

Additional information may be found at the PHCC website (https://phassociation.org/PHCareCenters).

The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) launched its Pulmonary Hypertension Care Center (PHCC) initiative 2 years ago. This initiative was designed to raise the quality of care, as well as long-term outcomes for this disease that is often misdiagnosed and progressive. The PHCC program has designated 41 adult and 6 pediatric sites as Comprehensive Care Centers with ongoing accreditation of new sites. As part of this program, the PHA Registry was established to provide input to improve the care of PH patients. The PHA Registry (PHAR) is a multicenter, prospective observational registry of newly evaluated patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and has enrolled 200 patients to date. PHAR participation is open to any PHCC-accredited center.

PHCC accreditation has two pathways: Comprehensive Care Centers and Regional Care Centers. Accreditation is based on adherence “to consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of PH, the scope of PH-related services provided at the center, and the expertise of the center’s PH Care Team members.” PHCC accreditation is potentially available to all PH centers that meet the established criteria that can be found at the PHCC website.

Additional information may be found at the PHCC website (https://phassociation.org/PHCareCenters).

On December 14, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) announced an alternative to the 10-year Internal Medicine recertification exam, effective 2018. Currently, ABIM board–certified physicians can participate in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) by earning 100 MOC points every 5 years and passing a maintenance of certification exam every 10 years.

Beginning in 2018, physicians who are certified by the ABIM in Internal Medicine will have the option to take a lower-stakes exam every 2 years, rather than taking the current high-stakes exam every 10 years. The low-stakes exam option provides greater flexibility to the diplomate by allowing one to complete the examination at a convenient time set by the physician at home or in the office. While this new option will initially be available only to Internal Medicine diplomates, the ABIM intends to extend this alternative recertification model to subspecialties in the future.

CHEST is exploring how our education will evolve to address these key changes. For additional information, please visit ABIM’s website.

On December 14, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) announced an alternative to the 10-year Internal Medicine recertification exam, effective 2018. Currently, ABIM board–certified physicians can participate in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) by earning 100 MOC points every 5 years and passing a maintenance of certification exam every 10 years.

Beginning in 2018, physicians who are certified by the ABIM in Internal Medicine will have the option to take a lower-stakes exam every 2 years, rather than taking the current high-stakes exam every 10 years. The low-stakes exam option provides greater flexibility to the diplomate by allowing one to complete the examination at a convenient time set by the physician at home or in the office. While this new option will initially be available only to Internal Medicine diplomates, the ABIM intends to extend this alternative recertification model to subspecialties in the future.

CHEST is exploring how our education will evolve to address these key changes. For additional information, please visit ABIM’s website.

On December 14, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) announced an alternative to the 10-year Internal Medicine recertification exam, effective 2018. Currently, ABIM board–certified physicians can participate in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) by earning 100 MOC points every 5 years and passing a maintenance of certification exam every 10 years.

Beginning in 2018, physicians who are certified by the ABIM in Internal Medicine will have the option to take a lower-stakes exam every 2 years, rather than taking the current high-stakes exam every 10 years. The low-stakes exam option provides greater flexibility to the diplomate by allowing one to complete the examination at a convenient time set by the physician at home or in the office. While this new option will initially be available only to Internal Medicine diplomates, the ABIM intends to extend this alternative recertification model to subspecialties in the future.

CHEST is exploring how our education will evolve to address these key changes. For additional information, please visit ABIM’s website.

cfDNA screening failures occur in 1% to 12% of samples, a rate that has an inverse relationship to gestational age. Recent studies have shown an increased risk for screening failures among obese women. To determine the optimal gestational age for cfDNA testing among obese women, Mary C. Livergood, MD, and colleagues at the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, performed a retrospective cohort study of those undergoing cfDNA testing at one center from 2011 through 2016. Study results recently were published online in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.¹

Details of the study

Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for a cfDNA screening failure (referred to as a “no call” in the study) were determined for each body mass index (BMI) weight class (TABLE). Each BMI weight class also was compared with the aOR of normal-weight women (BMI <25.0 kg/m²). The predicted probability of a no call was determined for each week of gestational age for normal weight and obese women and the results were compared.¹

Among the 2,385 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 4.4% (n = 105) received a no call. Compared with normal weight women, the aOR of no call increased as weight increased from overweight (aOR, 2.31 [95% CI, 1.21–4.42]) to obesity class III (aOR, 8.55 [95% CI, 4.16–17.56]).¹

At 21 weeks’ gestation, a cut-point was identified for obesity class II/III women (ie, there was no longer a significant difference in the probability of no call when compared with normal-weight women). From 8 to 16 weeks’ gestation, there was a 4.5% reduction in the probability of a no call for obesity class II/III women (aOR, 14.9; 95% CI, 8.95–20.78 and aOR, 10.4; 95% CI, 7.20–13.61; P_trend<.01).¹

Although the authors conclude that a cut-point of 21 weeks’ gestation allowed for optimal sampling of cfDNA in obese women, they also acknowledge that this cut-point limits a woman’s reproductive choices. However, they say that delaying cfDNA testing in obese women is a reasonable strategy to reduce the probability of screening failure.¹

cfDNA screening failures occur in 1% to 12% of samples, a rate that has an inverse relationship to gestational age. Recent studies have shown an increased risk for screening failures among obese women. To determine the optimal gestational age for cfDNA testing among obese women, Mary C. Livergood, MD, and colleagues at the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, performed a retrospective cohort study of those undergoing cfDNA testing at one center from 2011 through 2016. Study results recently were published online in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.¹

Details of the study

Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for a cfDNA screening failure (referred to as a “no call” in the study) were determined for each body mass index (BMI) weight class (TABLE). Each BMI weight class also was compared with the aOR of normal-weight women (BMI <25.0 kg/m²). The predicted probability of a no call was determined for each week of gestational age for normal weight and obese women and the results were compared.¹

Among the 2,385 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 4.4% (n = 105) received a no call. Compared with normal weight women, the aOR of no call increased as weight increased from overweight (aOR, 2.31 [95% CI, 1.21–4.42]) to obesity class III (aOR, 8.55 [95% CI, 4.16–17.56]).¹

At 21 weeks’ gestation, a cut-point was identified for obesity class II/III women (ie, there was no longer a significant difference in the probability of no call when compared with normal-weight women). From 8 to 16 weeks’ gestation, there was a 4.5% reduction in the probability of a no call for obesity class II/III women (aOR, 14.9; 95% CI, 8.95–20.78 and aOR, 10.4; 95% CI, 7.20–13.61; P_trend<.01).¹

Although the authors conclude that a cut-point of 21 weeks’ gestation allowed for optimal sampling of cfDNA in obese women, they also acknowledge that this cut-point limits a woman’s reproductive choices. However, they say that delaying cfDNA testing in obese women is a reasonable strategy to reduce the probability of screening failure.¹

cfDNA screening failures occur in 1% to 12% of samples, a rate that has an inverse relationship to gestational age. Recent studies have shown an increased risk for screening failures among obese women. To determine the optimal gestational age for cfDNA testing among obese women, Mary C. Livergood, MD, and colleagues at the Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, performed a retrospective cohort study of those undergoing cfDNA testing at one center from 2011 through 2016. Study results recently were published online in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.¹

Details of the study

Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for a cfDNA screening failure (referred to as a “no call” in the study) were determined for each body mass index (BMI) weight class (TABLE). Each BMI weight class also was compared with the aOR of normal-weight women (BMI <25.0 kg/m²). The predicted probability of a no call was determined for each week of gestational age for normal weight and obese women and the results were compared.¹

Among the 2,385 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 4.4% (n = 105) received a no call. Compared with normal weight women, the aOR of no call increased as weight increased from overweight (aOR, 2.31 [95% CI, 1.21–4.42]) to obesity class III (aOR, 8.55 [95% CI, 4.16–17.56]).¹

At 21 weeks’ gestation, a cut-point was identified for obesity class II/III women (ie, there was no longer a significant difference in the probability of no call when compared with normal-weight women). From 8 to 16 weeks’ gestation, there was a 4.5% reduction in the probability of a no call for obesity class II/III women (aOR, 14.9; 95% CI, 8.95–20.78 and aOR, 10.4; 95% CI, 7.20–13.61; P_trend<.01).¹

Although the authors conclude that a cut-point of 21 weeks’ gestation allowed for optimal sampling of cfDNA in obese women, they also acknowledge that this cut-point limits a woman’s reproductive choices. However, they say that delaying cfDNA testing in obese women is a reasonable strategy to reduce the probability of screening failure.¹