Society News

The CHEST Foundation is proud to announce the completion of the 2018 NetWorks Challenge Giving Month! Through your generous contributions, we reached our ambitious fundraising goal of $60,000 over the course of just 1 month.

This year, every NetWork was eligible to win travel grants to CHEST 2018 by donating in their NetWorks name during the month of June.

The highest contributing NetWork, Pulmonary and Vascular Disease NetWork, and the NetWork with highest percentage of participation, the Practice Operations NetWork, each receive additional travel grants and session time at CHEST 2018! Additionally, the Transplant NetWork raised over $5,000 through their efforts and will be receiving a travel grant to CHEST 2018 for their strong support of our clinical research grants, patient education initiatives, and community service events.

Thank you to all who contributed during the NetWorks Challenge Giving Month!

The CHEST Foundation is proud to announce the completion of the 2018 NetWorks Challenge Giving Month! Through your generous contributions, we reached our ambitious fundraising goal of $60,000 over the course of just 1 month.

This year, every NetWork was eligible to win travel grants to CHEST 2018 by donating in their NetWorks name during the month of June.

The highest contributing NetWork, Pulmonary and Vascular Disease NetWork, and the NetWork with highest percentage of participation, the Practice Operations NetWork, each receive additional travel grants and session time at CHEST 2018! Additionally, the Transplant NetWork raised over $5,000 through their efforts and will be receiving a travel grant to CHEST 2018 for their strong support of our clinical research grants, patient education initiatives, and community service events.

Thank you to all who contributed during the NetWorks Challenge Giving Month!

The CHEST Foundation is proud to announce the completion of the 2018 NetWorks Challenge Giving Month! Through your generous contributions, we reached our ambitious fundraising goal of $60,000 over the course of just 1 month.

This year, every NetWork was eligible to win travel grants to CHEST 2018 by donating in their NetWorks name during the month of June.

The highest contributing NetWork, Pulmonary and Vascular Disease NetWork, and the NetWork with highest percentage of participation, the Practice Operations NetWork, each receive additional travel grants and session time at CHEST 2018! Additionally, the Transplant NetWork raised over $5,000 through their efforts and will be receiving a travel grant to CHEST 2018 for their strong support of our clinical research grants, patient education initiatives, and community service events.

Thank you to all who contributed during the NetWorks Challenge Giving Month!

NAMDRC will host its 42nd Annual Educational Conference March 14-16, 2019, in Sonoma, California, with a blue chip program featuring nationally recognized speakers. Keynote speakers include Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP; E. Wesley Ely Jr., MD, FCCP; and a special “Conversation on Health Care Strategies” with Troyen Brennan, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health.

The NAMDRC conference format is unlike other pulmonary focused conferences. All sessions are plenary, and speakers are encouraged to take advantage of our wireless audience response system by simply texting their responses to questions. Sessions begin by 8:00 AM each day and conclude by 12:30 PM to provide ample time for all attendees to enjoy the Napa Sonoma region.

Details regarding registration, lodging, and more specifics regarding the program, social events, and related matters are available at the NAMDRC website at www.namdrc.org.



A few highlights:

• Thursday, March 14

Wesley Ely, MD – ICU Liberation and the ABCDEF Bundle – New Data; and ICU Delirium in Ventilated Patients – New Data

Neil MacIntyre, MD – Managing Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: The Ever Expanding Evidence Base

Samuel Hammerman, MD – Role of Long Term Acute Care

A Panel with Drs. Ely and MacIntyre – Challenges in Critical Care: Spontaneous Ventilation in Lung Injury, ECMO and Other.

Troyen Brennan, MD – A Conversation on Health Care Strategies



• Friday, March 15

Peter Gay, MD, FCCP – Heart Failure in Central Sleep Apnea

Susan Jacobs, RN, Christine Garvey, FNP, MSN, Phil Porte – Optimizing Oxygen Therapy

Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP – Changing the Natural Course of COPD

Alan Plummer, MD, FCCP – Coding Update, 2019

Steve Peters, MD, FCCP – Practice Management Update

Phillip Porte – Legislative and Regulatory Updates



• Saturday, March 16

Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP -- Pharmacological Therapy of COPD: Reasons for Optimism

Richard Channick, MD – Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: New Approaches

Colleen Channick, MD – The Role of Interventional Pulmonology in the Management of Cancer: From Diagnosis to Palliation

Stanley Yung-Chuan Lui, MD – Surgical Approach to OSA

Daniel Culver, DO, FCCP – Sarcoidosis
 

Regulatory proposals from CMS trigger NAMDRC responses

CMS has released several proposed rules to take effect January 1 that, if implemented as proposed, will impact patients, as well as physicians. The first regulation recommends important changes in the durable medical equipment competitive bidding program in general, with specific recommendations related to improving availability of liquid oxygen. CMS acknowledges that access to liquid oxygen has become problematic and is seeking comment on a proposal that would bump payment for liquid oxygen, including high flow, approximately 50%.

While the acknowledgement is important, the proposed solution falls far short of what virtually everyone in the industry believes is workable. For perspective, allowable charges for 2016 for liquid portable systems was just over $2 million, less than 2% of all outlays for portable equipment. Statutory language would require “budget neutrality,” thereby reducing payment for all other oxygen systems to bump liquid payment. Experts in the field agree that the proposed 50% bump is nowhere near the bump necessary to address the costs to suppliers to provide oxygen. Just as most oxygen modalities fit into the “nondelivery business model” that has reduced direct contact with patients, liquid fits into a “delivery business model” that necessitates constant refills by the supplier. That added cost needs to be reflected in any payment, and competitive bidding has eviscerated that payment.

NAMDRC and other societies recommend a “carve out” for liquid oxygen, removing it entirely from competitive bidding. While this approach would revert to a 1986 payment methodology, adjusted over time, it could be enough incentive for some suppliers to re-enter the liquid arena.

The second proposal espoused by CMS reduces payment for Level 4 and Level 5 office visits, with extra dollars going to lower intensity visits. Depending on a physician’s particular practice, the impact could be minimal or, at the other end of the spectrum, quite damaging. The proposal has its origins with the family practice community, long frustrated by the relatively low payment for Level 1 and level 2 visits. CMS ostensibly refers to reduced paperwork, but most physician groups see the real impact affecting their memberships.

CMS will publish final rules, reflecting public comment, around November 1, with an implementation date of January 1, 2019.

NAMDRC will host its 42nd Annual Educational Conference March 14-16, 2019, in Sonoma, California, with a blue chip program featuring nationally recognized speakers. Keynote speakers include Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP; E. Wesley Ely Jr., MD, FCCP; and a special “Conversation on Health Care Strategies” with Troyen Brennan, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health.

The NAMDRC conference format is unlike other pulmonary focused conferences. All sessions are plenary, and speakers are encouraged to take advantage of our wireless audience response system by simply texting their responses to questions. Sessions begin by 8:00 AM each day and conclude by 12:30 PM to provide ample time for all attendees to enjoy the Napa Sonoma region.

Details regarding registration, lodging, and more specifics regarding the program, social events, and related matters are available at the NAMDRC website at www.namdrc.org.



A few highlights:

• Thursday, March 14

Wesley Ely, MD – ICU Liberation and the ABCDEF Bundle – New Data; and ICU Delirium in Ventilated Patients – New Data

Neil MacIntyre, MD – Managing Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: The Ever Expanding Evidence Base

Samuel Hammerman, MD – Role of Long Term Acute Care

A Panel with Drs. Ely and MacIntyre – Challenges in Critical Care: Spontaneous Ventilation in Lung Injury, ECMO and Other.

Troyen Brennan, MD – A Conversation on Health Care Strategies



• Friday, March 15

Peter Gay, MD, FCCP – Heart Failure in Central Sleep Apnea

Susan Jacobs, RN, Christine Garvey, FNP, MSN, Phil Porte – Optimizing Oxygen Therapy

Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP – Changing the Natural Course of COPD

Alan Plummer, MD, FCCP – Coding Update, 2019

Steve Peters, MD, FCCP – Practice Management Update

Phillip Porte – Legislative and Regulatory Updates



• Saturday, March 16

Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP -- Pharmacological Therapy of COPD: Reasons for Optimism

Richard Channick, MD – Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: New Approaches

Colleen Channick, MD – The Role of Interventional Pulmonology in the Management of Cancer: From Diagnosis to Palliation

Stanley Yung-Chuan Lui, MD – Surgical Approach to OSA

Daniel Culver, DO, FCCP – Sarcoidosis
 

Regulatory proposals from CMS trigger NAMDRC responses

CMS has released several proposed rules to take effect January 1 that, if implemented as proposed, will impact patients, as well as physicians. The first regulation recommends important changes in the durable medical equipment competitive bidding program in general, with specific recommendations related to improving availability of liquid oxygen. CMS acknowledges that access to liquid oxygen has become problematic and is seeking comment on a proposal that would bump payment for liquid oxygen, including high flow, approximately 50%.

While the acknowledgement is important, the proposed solution falls far short of what virtually everyone in the industry believes is workable. For perspective, allowable charges for 2016 for liquid portable systems was just over $2 million, less than 2% of all outlays for portable equipment. Statutory language would require “budget neutrality,” thereby reducing payment for all other oxygen systems to bump liquid payment. Experts in the field agree that the proposed 50% bump is nowhere near the bump necessary to address the costs to suppliers to provide oxygen. Just as most oxygen modalities fit into the “nondelivery business model” that has reduced direct contact with patients, liquid fits into a “delivery business model” that necessitates constant refills by the supplier. That added cost needs to be reflected in any payment, and competitive bidding has eviscerated that payment.

NAMDRC and other societies recommend a “carve out” for liquid oxygen, removing it entirely from competitive bidding. While this approach would revert to a 1986 payment methodology, adjusted over time, it could be enough incentive for some suppliers to re-enter the liquid arena.

The second proposal espoused by CMS reduces payment for Level 4 and Level 5 office visits, with extra dollars going to lower intensity visits. Depending on a physician’s particular practice, the impact could be minimal or, at the other end of the spectrum, quite damaging. The proposal has its origins with the family practice community, long frustrated by the relatively low payment for Level 1 and level 2 visits. CMS ostensibly refers to reduced paperwork, but most physician groups see the real impact affecting their memberships.

CMS will publish final rules, reflecting public comment, around November 1, with an implementation date of January 1, 2019.

NAMDRC will host its 42nd Annual Educational Conference March 14-16, 2019, in Sonoma, California, with a blue chip program featuring nationally recognized speakers. Keynote speakers include Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP; E. Wesley Ely Jr., MD, FCCP; and a special “Conversation on Health Care Strategies” with Troyen Brennan, MD, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health.

The NAMDRC conference format is unlike other pulmonary focused conferences. All sessions are plenary, and speakers are encouraged to take advantage of our wireless audience response system by simply texting their responses to questions. Sessions begin by 8:00 AM each day and conclude by 12:30 PM to provide ample time for all attendees to enjoy the Napa Sonoma region.

Details regarding registration, lodging, and more specifics regarding the program, social events, and related matters are available at the NAMDRC website at www.namdrc.org.



A few highlights:

• Thursday, March 14

Wesley Ely, MD – ICU Liberation and the ABCDEF Bundle – New Data; and ICU Delirium in Ventilated Patients – New Data

Neil MacIntyre, MD – Managing Severe Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure: The Ever Expanding Evidence Base

Samuel Hammerman, MD – Role of Long Term Acute Care

A Panel with Drs. Ely and MacIntyre – Challenges in Critical Care: Spontaneous Ventilation in Lung Injury, ECMO and Other.

Troyen Brennan, MD – A Conversation on Health Care Strategies



• Friday, March 15

Peter Gay, MD, FCCP – Heart Failure in Central Sleep Apnea

Susan Jacobs, RN, Christine Garvey, FNP, MSN, Phil Porte – Optimizing Oxygen Therapy

Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP – Changing the Natural Course of COPD

Alan Plummer, MD, FCCP – Coding Update, 2019

Steve Peters, MD, FCCP – Practice Management Update

Phillip Porte – Legislative and Regulatory Updates



• Saturday, March 16

Bartolome Celli, MD, FCCP -- Pharmacological Therapy of COPD: Reasons for Optimism

Richard Channick, MD – Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: New Approaches

Colleen Channick, MD – The Role of Interventional Pulmonology in the Management of Cancer: From Diagnosis to Palliation

Stanley Yung-Chuan Lui, MD – Surgical Approach to OSA

Daniel Culver, DO, FCCP – Sarcoidosis
 

Regulatory proposals from CMS trigger NAMDRC responses

CMS has released several proposed rules to take effect January 1 that, if implemented as proposed, will impact patients, as well as physicians. The first regulation recommends important changes in the durable medical equipment competitive bidding program in general, with specific recommendations related to improving availability of liquid oxygen. CMS acknowledges that access to liquid oxygen has become problematic and is seeking comment on a proposal that would bump payment for liquid oxygen, including high flow, approximately 50%.

While the acknowledgement is important, the proposed solution falls far short of what virtually everyone in the industry believes is workable. For perspective, allowable charges for 2016 for liquid portable systems was just over $2 million, less than 2% of all outlays for portable equipment. Statutory language would require “budget neutrality,” thereby reducing payment for all other oxygen systems to bump liquid payment. Experts in the field agree that the proposed 50% bump is nowhere near the bump necessary to address the costs to suppliers to provide oxygen. Just as most oxygen modalities fit into the “nondelivery business model” that has reduced direct contact with patients, liquid fits into a “delivery business model” that necessitates constant refills by the supplier. That added cost needs to be reflected in any payment, and competitive bidding has eviscerated that payment.

NAMDRC and other societies recommend a “carve out” for liquid oxygen, removing it entirely from competitive bidding. While this approach would revert to a 1986 payment methodology, adjusted over time, it could be enough incentive for some suppliers to re-enter the liquid arena.

The second proposal espoused by CMS reduces payment for Level 4 and Level 5 office visits, with extra dollars going to lower intensity visits. Depending on a physician’s particular practice, the impact could be minimal or, at the other end of the spectrum, quite damaging. The proposal has its origins with the family practice community, long frustrated by the relatively low payment for Level 1 and level 2 visits. CMS ostensibly refers to reduced paperwork, but most physician groups see the real impact affecting their memberships.

CMS will publish final rules, reflecting public comment, around November 1, with an implementation date of January 1, 2019.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) hosted a Capitol Hill briefing July 23 featuring a panel of experts on military surgical care—John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS; Arthur Kellerman, MD, MPH; CAPT Eric Elster, MD, FACS, USN; and COL Frederick Lough, MD, FACS, USA. The panelists focused on themes from the recent publication, Out of the Crucible: How the U.S. Military Transformed Combat Casualty Care in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the role military-civilian trauma partnerships play in maintaining trauma care readiness.

Attendees learned that the prolonged conflicts in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom saw an unprecedented improvement in military combat casualty care and the creation of the Joint Trauma System (JTS), allowing for the development and dissemination of best trauma practices across the Department of Defense. Preserving the JTS and establishing a fully integrated military-civilian trauma system are among the primary efforts of the Military Health System Strategic Partnership American College of Surgeons.

For more information about this briefing, contact Carrie Zlatos, ACS Senior Congressional Lobbyist, at [email protected] or 202-672-1508.
 

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) hosted a Capitol Hill briefing July 23 featuring a panel of experts on military surgical care—John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS; Arthur Kellerman, MD, MPH; CAPT Eric Elster, MD, FACS, USN; and COL Frederick Lough, MD, FACS, USA. The panelists focused on themes from the recent publication, Out of the Crucible: How the U.S. Military Transformed Combat Casualty Care in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the role military-civilian trauma partnerships play in maintaining trauma care readiness.

Attendees learned that the prolonged conflicts in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom saw an unprecedented improvement in military combat casualty care and the creation of the Joint Trauma System (JTS), allowing for the development and dissemination of best trauma practices across the Department of Defense. Preserving the JTS and establishing a fully integrated military-civilian trauma system are among the primary efforts of the Military Health System Strategic Partnership American College of Surgeons.

For more information about this briefing, contact Carrie Zlatos, ACS Senior Congressional Lobbyist, at [email protected] or 202-672-1508.
 

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) hosted a Capitol Hill briefing July 23 featuring a panel of experts on military surgical care—John H. Armstrong, MD, FACS; Arthur Kellerman, MD, MPH; CAPT Eric Elster, MD, FACS, USN; and COL Frederick Lough, MD, FACS, USA. The panelists focused on themes from the recent publication, Out of the Crucible: How the U.S. Military Transformed Combat Casualty Care in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the role military-civilian trauma partnerships play in maintaining trauma care readiness.

Attendees learned that the prolonged conflicts in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom saw an unprecedented improvement in military combat casualty care and the creation of the Joint Trauma System (JTS), allowing for the development and dissemination of best trauma practices across the Department of Defense. Preserving the JTS and establishing a fully integrated military-civilian trauma system are among the primary efforts of the Military Health System Strategic Partnership American College of Surgeons.

For more information about this briefing, contact Carrie Zlatos, ACS Senior Congressional Lobbyist, at [email protected] or 202-672-1508.
 

If you are not already a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) or you know an interested non-member colleague who is attending the Clinical Congress 2018 in Boston, MA, visit the Become a Member booth to apply for ACS membership. The membership application fee will be waived for individuals who apply at the meeting.

The Become a Member booth will be located in the Registration Area of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and will be open the same hours as registration, which are as follows:



• Sunday, October 21: 7:00 am–6:00 pm

• Monday, October 22: 6:30 am–5:00 pm

• Tuesday, October 23: 7:00 am–4:00 pm

• Wednesday, October 24: 7:00 am–4:00 pm

• Thursday, October 25: 7:00–10:00 am



Plan ahead to apply at the meeting for one of the following membership categories and have access to the documents listed to support and speed up your application process:



• Fellows (U.S. and Canada): Copy of board certification document, current curriculum vitae (CV), and names of five ACS Fellows to serve as references. Watch the video about the domestic application process at www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VUqvveNYf8&.

• International Fellows: Copy of medical license, board/country certification document, current CV, and names of three ACS Fellows to serve as references. Watch the video about the international application process at www.youtube.com/watch?v=djoMUAUTA4I.

• Associate Fellows: Copy of residency completion document or an official board/country certification document.

• Residents: Letter verifying training status.

• Medical Students: Letter verifying educational status.

• Affiliate Members: The name of a Fellow as a reference.



Familiarize yourself with the ACS Member Benefits (facs.org/member-services/benefits) and make time to apply for membership while at the meeting. For additional information, contact Member Services at [email protected] or 800-621-4111. We look forward to assisting you.

If you are not already a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) or you know an interested non-member colleague who is attending the Clinical Congress 2018 in Boston, MA, visit the Become a Member booth to apply for ACS membership. The membership application fee will be waived for individuals who apply at the meeting.

The Become a Member booth will be located in the Registration Area of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and will be open the same hours as registration, which are as follows:



• Sunday, October 21: 7:00 am–6:00 pm

• Monday, October 22: 6:30 am–5:00 pm

• Tuesday, October 23: 7:00 am–4:00 pm

• Wednesday, October 24: 7:00 am–4:00 pm

• Thursday, October 25: 7:00–10:00 am



Plan ahead to apply at the meeting for one of the following membership categories and have access to the documents listed to support and speed up your application process:



• Fellows (U.S. and Canada): Copy of board certification document, current curriculum vitae (CV), and names of five ACS Fellows to serve as references. Watch the video about the domestic application process at www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VUqvveNYf8&.

• International Fellows: Copy of medical license, board/country certification document, current CV, and names of three ACS Fellows to serve as references. Watch the video about the international application process at www.youtube.com/watch?v=djoMUAUTA4I.

• Associate Fellows: Copy of residency completion document or an official board/country certification document.

• Residents: Letter verifying training status.

• Medical Students: Letter verifying educational status.

• Affiliate Members: The name of a Fellow as a reference.



Familiarize yourself with the ACS Member Benefits (facs.org/member-services/benefits) and make time to apply for membership while at the meeting. For additional information, contact Member Services at [email protected] or 800-621-4111. We look forward to assisting you.

If you are not already a member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) or you know an interested non-member colleague who is attending the Clinical Congress 2018 in Boston, MA, visit the Become a Member booth to apply for ACS membership. The membership application fee will be waived for individuals who apply at the meeting.

The Become a Member booth will be located in the Registration Area of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and will be open the same hours as registration, which are as follows:



• Sunday, October 21: 7:00 am–6:00 pm

• Monday, October 22: 6:30 am–5:00 pm

• Tuesday, October 23: 7:00 am–4:00 pm

• Wednesday, October 24: 7:00 am–4:00 pm

• Thursday, October 25: 7:00–10:00 am



Plan ahead to apply at the meeting for one of the following membership categories and have access to the documents listed to support and speed up your application process:



• Fellows (U.S. and Canada): Copy of board certification document, current curriculum vitae (CV), and names of five ACS Fellows to serve as references. Watch the video about the domestic application process at www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VUqvveNYf8&.

• International Fellows: Copy of medical license, board/country certification document, current CV, and names of three ACS Fellows to serve as references. Watch the video about the international application process at www.youtube.com/watch?v=djoMUAUTA4I.

• Associate Fellows: Copy of residency completion document or an official board/country certification document.

• Residents: Letter verifying training status.

• Medical Students: Letter verifying educational status.

• Affiliate Members: The name of a Fellow as a reference.



Familiarize yourself with the ACS Member Benefits (facs.org/member-services/benefits) and make time to apply for membership while at the meeting. For additional information, contact Member Services at [email protected] or 800-621-4111. We look forward to assisting you.

The American Medical Association (AMA) Annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting took place June 9–13 in Chicago, IL. Approximately 600 delegates representing state medical societies, national specialty societies, and national medical societies gathered to discuss a variety of policies and issues that affect patients and physicians.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) sent a six-member delegation to the meeting (see sidebar, page 84). In addition to serving on the College’s delegation, some of the ACS delegates serve in other capacities in the HOD, on the AMA Council on Medical Education, in the AMA Young Physicians Section, and in the AMA Resident and Fellow Section. All three of these entities convene during the broader HOD meeting, providing further opportunities to influence the adoption of health care policy.

Issue highlights

During the HOD meeting, delegates discuss and adopt policies as presented in reports and resolutions. The HOD considered more than 64 reports and 200 resolutions at the June meeting, including the following:

• Colorectal cancer screening: A joint report of the Council on Medical Service and the Council on Science and Public Health focused on policy updates related to coverage for colorectal cancer screening. As adopted, this report directs the AMA to seek to eliminate cost-sharing in all health care plans for the full range of colorectal cancer screening and all associated costs, including colonoscopies that include a diagnostic intervention (such as the removal of a polyp or biopsy of a mass), as defined by Medicare. In addition, the AMA now recognizes colon cancer as a leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and encourages appropriate screening programs to detect colorectal cancer.

• Obesity treatment: The ACS cosponsored Resolution 201, Barriers to Obesity Treatment, which the HOD adopted. It directs the AMA to work with appropriate stakeholders to remove out-of-date restrictions at the state and federal level that prohibit health care providers from providing the accepted standard of care to patients affected by obesity.

• Kidney transplantation: The ACS cosponsored Resolution 219, which asked the AMA to work with professional and patient-centered organizations to advance patient- and physician-directed coordinated care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and to actively oppose the Dialysis Patient Access to Integrated-care, Empowerment, Nephrologists, and Treatment Services (PATIENTS) Demonstration Act of 2017. The College and other organizations opposed this federal legislation as introduced, partly due to infringement on the patient-physician relationship and the disruption of care by prohibiting nephrologists who are not part of preferred networks from caring for their patients receiving care in units owned by an ESRD integrated care organization participating in the model. The resolution was referred to the AMA Board of Trustees.

The HOD also amended AMA policy regarding living organ donation. The amended policy supports removing financial barriers to living organ donation, such as provisions for expenses incurred after the donation as a consequence of donation, and prohibiting the use of living donor status to limit disability and long-term care coverage. In addition, the AMA will advocate that live organ donation operations be classified as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Firearms: After extensive debate, the HOD adopted a new policy regarding firearms. The new policy supports a ban on the sale of firearms and ammunition from licensed and unlicensed dealers to those younger than 21 years old (excluding certain categories of individuals, such as military and law enforcement personnel); opposes “concealed carry reciprocity” federal legislation; and supports a ban on the sale and ownership of all assault-type weapons, bump stocks and related devices, high-capacity magazines, and armor-piercing bullets.

• Prostate cancer screening: Resolution 226 proposed that the AMA develop model state legislation for screening asymptomatic men ages 55–69 for prostate cancer after informed discussion between patients and their physician without annual deductible or copayment. Testimony both for and against this resolution was offered, and the HOD referred the resolution so that the various facets of the issue can be studied.

• Maintenance of Certification: The AMA Council on Medical Education submitted its annual report on Maintenance of Certification (MOC), detailing the status of revisions by specialty boards to the MOC process and discussing council interactions with the boards and the American Board of Medical Specialties. The HOD adopted this report.



Two additional MOC-related resolutions were introduced. Resolution 320 asked the AMA to support young physician involvement in MOC, and Resolution 316 asked the AMA to oppose the Part 4 Improvement in Medical Practice requirement for MOC. The HOD adopted Resolution 320 and referred Resolution 316.
 

AMA elections

During the annual meeting of the HOD, officers and councils are elected. Patrice Harris, MD, a psychiatrist from Atlanta, GA, was elected president-elect, and Russell Kridel, MD, FACS, a facial plastic surgeon from Houston, TX, who was endorsed by the ACS, was reelected to the Board of Trustees. Following the conclusion of the HOD, Dr. Kridel also was elected to serve as Secretary of the Board. For a summary of the AMA election results, go to the AMA Wire article at wire.ama-assn.org/ama-news/patrice-harris-md-wins-office-ama-president-elect.
 

Surgical Caucus

Founded almost 30 years ago, the Surgical Caucus gives surgeon delegates and alternates the opportunity to meet to discuss HOD business from the surgical perspective. Part of the regular business of the caucus involves sponsoring an educational session. Titled Ready or Not, Here We Come: Transitioning to Practice in a Modern Healthcare System, this program focused on the transition from surgical residency to practice and how the profession can enhance this process, as well as the effects of current training program requirements on preparedness for independent practice.

Future meeting

The Interim Meeting of the HOD will take place November 10–13 at National Harbor, MD, and the ACS delegation will be well-prepared to represent surgical perspectives. Surgeons with thoughts about potential resolutions or questions about the HOD may contact [email protected] or visit the HOD web page at www.ama-assn.org/hod-annual-overview.
 

ACS Delegation at the AMA HOD

• Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS (Delegation Chair), general surgery, Chicago, IL; Director, ACS Division of Member Services; member and immediate past-chair, AMA Council on Medical Education

• David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, general surgery, Chicago, IL; ACS Executive Director

• Brian J. Gavitt, MD, MPH (also Young Physicians Section delegate), general surgery, Cincinnati, OH

• Jacob Moalem, MD, FACS, general surgery, Rochester, NY

• Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, general surgery, Tucson, AZ; Chair, ACS Board of Regents

• Naveen F. Sangji, MD (also Resident and Fellow Section delegate), general surgery resident, Boston, MA



Dr. Turner is Director, ACS Division of Member Services, Chicago, IL.

Mr. Sutton is Manager, State Affairs, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, Washington, DC.
 

The American Medical Association (AMA) Annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting took place June 9–13 in Chicago, IL. Approximately 600 delegates representing state medical societies, national specialty societies, and national medical societies gathered to discuss a variety of policies and issues that affect patients and physicians.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) sent a six-member delegation to the meeting (see sidebar, page 84). In addition to serving on the College’s delegation, some of the ACS delegates serve in other capacities in the HOD, on the AMA Council on Medical Education, in the AMA Young Physicians Section, and in the AMA Resident and Fellow Section. All three of these entities convene during the broader HOD meeting, providing further opportunities to influence the adoption of health care policy.

Issue highlights

During the HOD meeting, delegates discuss and adopt policies as presented in reports and resolutions. The HOD considered more than 64 reports and 200 resolutions at the June meeting, including the following:

• Colorectal cancer screening: A joint report of the Council on Medical Service and the Council on Science and Public Health focused on policy updates related to coverage for colorectal cancer screening. As adopted, this report directs the AMA to seek to eliminate cost-sharing in all health care plans for the full range of colorectal cancer screening and all associated costs, including colonoscopies that include a diagnostic intervention (such as the removal of a polyp or biopsy of a mass), as defined by Medicare. In addition, the AMA now recognizes colon cancer as a leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and encourages appropriate screening programs to detect colorectal cancer.

• Obesity treatment: The ACS cosponsored Resolution 201, Barriers to Obesity Treatment, which the HOD adopted. It directs the AMA to work with appropriate stakeholders to remove out-of-date restrictions at the state and federal level that prohibit health care providers from providing the accepted standard of care to patients affected by obesity.

• Kidney transplantation: The ACS cosponsored Resolution 219, which asked the AMA to work with professional and patient-centered organizations to advance patient- and physician-directed coordinated care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and to actively oppose the Dialysis Patient Access to Integrated-care, Empowerment, Nephrologists, and Treatment Services (PATIENTS) Demonstration Act of 2017. The College and other organizations opposed this federal legislation as introduced, partly due to infringement on the patient-physician relationship and the disruption of care by prohibiting nephrologists who are not part of preferred networks from caring for their patients receiving care in units owned by an ESRD integrated care organization participating in the model. The resolution was referred to the AMA Board of Trustees.

The HOD also amended AMA policy regarding living organ donation. The amended policy supports removing financial barriers to living organ donation, such as provisions for expenses incurred after the donation as a consequence of donation, and prohibiting the use of living donor status to limit disability and long-term care coverage. In addition, the AMA will advocate that live organ donation operations be classified as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Firearms: After extensive debate, the HOD adopted a new policy regarding firearms. The new policy supports a ban on the sale of firearms and ammunition from licensed and unlicensed dealers to those younger than 21 years old (excluding certain categories of individuals, such as military and law enforcement personnel); opposes “concealed carry reciprocity” federal legislation; and supports a ban on the sale and ownership of all assault-type weapons, bump stocks and related devices, high-capacity magazines, and armor-piercing bullets.

• Prostate cancer screening: Resolution 226 proposed that the AMA develop model state legislation for screening asymptomatic men ages 55–69 for prostate cancer after informed discussion between patients and their physician without annual deductible or copayment. Testimony both for and against this resolution was offered, and the HOD referred the resolution so that the various facets of the issue can be studied.

• Maintenance of Certification: The AMA Council on Medical Education submitted its annual report on Maintenance of Certification (MOC), detailing the status of revisions by specialty boards to the MOC process and discussing council interactions with the boards and the American Board of Medical Specialties. The HOD adopted this report.



Two additional MOC-related resolutions were introduced. Resolution 320 asked the AMA to support young physician involvement in MOC, and Resolution 316 asked the AMA to oppose the Part 4 Improvement in Medical Practice requirement for MOC. The HOD adopted Resolution 320 and referred Resolution 316.
 

AMA elections

During the annual meeting of the HOD, officers and councils are elected. Patrice Harris, MD, a psychiatrist from Atlanta, GA, was elected president-elect, and Russell Kridel, MD, FACS, a facial plastic surgeon from Houston, TX, who was endorsed by the ACS, was reelected to the Board of Trustees. Following the conclusion of the HOD, Dr. Kridel also was elected to serve as Secretary of the Board. For a summary of the AMA election results, go to the AMA Wire article at wire.ama-assn.org/ama-news/patrice-harris-md-wins-office-ama-president-elect.
 

Surgical Caucus

Founded almost 30 years ago, the Surgical Caucus gives surgeon delegates and alternates the opportunity to meet to discuss HOD business from the surgical perspective. Part of the regular business of the caucus involves sponsoring an educational session. Titled Ready or Not, Here We Come: Transitioning to Practice in a Modern Healthcare System, this program focused on the transition from surgical residency to practice and how the profession can enhance this process, as well as the effects of current training program requirements on preparedness for independent practice.

Future meeting

The Interim Meeting of the HOD will take place November 10–13 at National Harbor, MD, and the ACS delegation will be well-prepared to represent surgical perspectives. Surgeons with thoughts about potential resolutions or questions about the HOD may contact [email protected] or visit the HOD web page at www.ama-assn.org/hod-annual-overview.
 

ACS Delegation at the AMA HOD

• Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS (Delegation Chair), general surgery, Chicago, IL; Director, ACS Division of Member Services; member and immediate past-chair, AMA Council on Medical Education

• David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, general surgery, Chicago, IL; ACS Executive Director

• Brian J. Gavitt, MD, MPH (also Young Physicians Section delegate), general surgery, Cincinnati, OH

• Jacob Moalem, MD, FACS, general surgery, Rochester, NY

• Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, general surgery, Tucson, AZ; Chair, ACS Board of Regents

• Naveen F. Sangji, MD (also Resident and Fellow Section delegate), general surgery resident, Boston, MA



Dr. Turner is Director, ACS Division of Member Services, Chicago, IL.

Mr. Sutton is Manager, State Affairs, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, Washington, DC.
 

The American Medical Association (AMA) Annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting took place June 9–13 in Chicago, IL. Approximately 600 delegates representing state medical societies, national specialty societies, and national medical societies gathered to discuss a variety of policies and issues that affect patients and physicians.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) sent a six-member delegation to the meeting (see sidebar, page 84). In addition to serving on the College’s delegation, some of the ACS delegates serve in other capacities in the HOD, on the AMA Council on Medical Education, in the AMA Young Physicians Section, and in the AMA Resident and Fellow Section. All three of these entities convene during the broader HOD meeting, providing further opportunities to influence the adoption of health care policy.

Issue highlights

During the HOD meeting, delegates discuss and adopt policies as presented in reports and resolutions. The HOD considered more than 64 reports and 200 resolutions at the June meeting, including the following:

• Colorectal cancer screening: A joint report of the Council on Medical Service and the Council on Science and Public Health focused on policy updates related to coverage for colorectal cancer screening. As adopted, this report directs the AMA to seek to eliminate cost-sharing in all health care plans for the full range of colorectal cancer screening and all associated costs, including colonoscopies that include a diagnostic intervention (such as the removal of a polyp or biopsy of a mass), as defined by Medicare. In addition, the AMA now recognizes colon cancer as a leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and encourages appropriate screening programs to detect colorectal cancer.

• Obesity treatment: The ACS cosponsored Resolution 201, Barriers to Obesity Treatment, which the HOD adopted. It directs the AMA to work with appropriate stakeholders to remove out-of-date restrictions at the state and federal level that prohibit health care providers from providing the accepted standard of care to patients affected by obesity.

• Kidney transplantation: The ACS cosponsored Resolution 219, which asked the AMA to work with professional and patient-centered organizations to advance patient- and physician-directed coordinated care for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and to actively oppose the Dialysis Patient Access to Integrated-care, Empowerment, Nephrologists, and Treatment Services (PATIENTS) Demonstration Act of 2017. The College and other organizations opposed this federal legislation as introduced, partly due to infringement on the patient-physician relationship and the disruption of care by prohibiting nephrologists who are not part of preferred networks from caring for their patients receiving care in units owned by an ESRD integrated care organization participating in the model. The resolution was referred to the AMA Board of Trustees.

The HOD also amended AMA policy regarding living organ donation. The amended policy supports removing financial barriers to living organ donation, such as provisions for expenses incurred after the donation as a consequence of donation, and prohibiting the use of living donor status to limit disability and long-term care coverage. In addition, the AMA will advocate that live organ donation operations be classified as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

• Firearms: After extensive debate, the HOD adopted a new policy regarding firearms. The new policy supports a ban on the sale of firearms and ammunition from licensed and unlicensed dealers to those younger than 21 years old (excluding certain categories of individuals, such as military and law enforcement personnel); opposes “concealed carry reciprocity” federal legislation; and supports a ban on the sale and ownership of all assault-type weapons, bump stocks and related devices, high-capacity magazines, and armor-piercing bullets.

• Prostate cancer screening: Resolution 226 proposed that the AMA develop model state legislation for screening asymptomatic men ages 55–69 for prostate cancer after informed discussion between patients and their physician without annual deductible or copayment. Testimony both for and against this resolution was offered, and the HOD referred the resolution so that the various facets of the issue can be studied.

• Maintenance of Certification: The AMA Council on Medical Education submitted its annual report on Maintenance of Certification (MOC), detailing the status of revisions by specialty boards to the MOC process and discussing council interactions with the boards and the American Board of Medical Specialties. The HOD adopted this report.



Two additional MOC-related resolutions were introduced. Resolution 320 asked the AMA to support young physician involvement in MOC, and Resolution 316 asked the AMA to oppose the Part 4 Improvement in Medical Practice requirement for MOC. The HOD adopted Resolution 320 and referred Resolution 316.
 

AMA elections

During the annual meeting of the HOD, officers and councils are elected. Patrice Harris, MD, a psychiatrist from Atlanta, GA, was elected president-elect, and Russell Kridel, MD, FACS, a facial plastic surgeon from Houston, TX, who was endorsed by the ACS, was reelected to the Board of Trustees. Following the conclusion of the HOD, Dr. Kridel also was elected to serve as Secretary of the Board. For a summary of the AMA election results, go to the AMA Wire article at wire.ama-assn.org/ama-news/patrice-harris-md-wins-office-ama-president-elect.
 

Surgical Caucus

Founded almost 30 years ago, the Surgical Caucus gives surgeon delegates and alternates the opportunity to meet to discuss HOD business from the surgical perspective. Part of the regular business of the caucus involves sponsoring an educational session. Titled Ready or Not, Here We Come: Transitioning to Practice in a Modern Healthcare System, this program focused on the transition from surgical residency to practice and how the profession can enhance this process, as well as the effects of current training program requirements on preparedness for independent practice.

Future meeting

The Interim Meeting of the HOD will take place November 10–13 at National Harbor, MD, and the ACS delegation will be well-prepared to represent surgical perspectives. Surgeons with thoughts about potential resolutions or questions about the HOD may contact [email protected] or visit the HOD web page at www.ama-assn.org/hod-annual-overview.
 

ACS Delegation at the AMA HOD

• Patricia L. Turner, MD, FACS (Delegation Chair), general surgery, Chicago, IL; Director, ACS Division of Member Services; member and immediate past-chair, AMA Council on Medical Education

• David B. Hoyt, MD, FACS, general surgery, Chicago, IL; ACS Executive Director

• Brian J. Gavitt, MD, MPH (also Young Physicians Section delegate), general surgery, Cincinnati, OH

• Jacob Moalem, MD, FACS, general surgery, Rochester, NY

• Leigh A. Neumayer, MD, FACS, general surgery, Tucson, AZ; Chair, ACS Board of Regents

• Naveen F. Sangji, MD (also Resident and Fellow Section delegate), general surgery resident, Boston, MA



Dr. Turner is Director, ACS Division of Member Services, Chicago, IL.

Mr. Sutton is Manager, State Affairs, ACS Division of Advocacy and Health Policy, Washington, DC.
 

Don’t miss the CHEST Annual Meeting 2018 in San Antonio, Oct 6-10. Watch as CHEST 2018 Program Chair David A. Schulman, MD, MPH, FCCP, walks you through the vision of this year’s meeting. View complete details at chestmeeting.chestnet.org.

Don’t miss the CHEST Annual Meeting 2018 in San Antonio, Oct 6-10. Watch as CHEST 2018 Program Chair David A. Schulman, MD, MPH, FCCP, walks you through the vision of this year’s meeting. View complete details at chestmeeting.chestnet.org.

Don’t miss the CHEST Annual Meeting 2018 in San Antonio, Oct 6-10. Watch as CHEST 2018 Program Chair David A. Schulman, MD, MPH, FCCP, walks you through the vision of this year’s meeting. View complete details at chestmeeting.chestnet.org.

Coding. Practice expenses. Supervised Exercise Therapy. The vascular lab. Medicare reimbursement (including MACRA, MIPS, APMs and QPP). All these topics and more are part of a vascular surgeon's life and livelihood. Vascular surgery trainees interested in health policy and advocacy issues related to vascular surgery are encouraged to apply for the SVS Vascular Surgery Trainee Advocacy Travel Scholarship. Submissions are due by Oct. 31. The winner receives $1,500 to defray travel costs to Washington, D.C., to participate in Capitol Hill visits and learn more about SVS' health policy and advocacy activities.

Coding. Practice expenses. Supervised Exercise Therapy. The vascular lab. Medicare reimbursement (including MACRA, MIPS, APMs and QPP). All these topics and more are part of a vascular surgeon's life and livelihood. Vascular surgery trainees interested in health policy and advocacy issues related to vascular surgery are encouraged to apply for the SVS Vascular Surgery Trainee Advocacy Travel Scholarship. Submissions are due by Oct. 31. The winner receives $1,500 to defray travel costs to Washington, D.C., to participate in Capitol Hill visits and learn more about SVS' health policy and advocacy activities.

Coding. Practice expenses. Supervised Exercise Therapy. The vascular lab. Medicare reimbursement (including MACRA, MIPS, APMs and QPP). All these topics and more are part of a vascular surgeon's life and livelihood. Vascular surgery trainees interested in health policy and advocacy issues related to vascular surgery are encouraged to apply for the SVS Vascular Surgery Trainee Advocacy Travel Scholarship. Submissions are due by Oct. 31. The winner receives $1,500 to defray travel costs to Washington, D.C., to participate in Capitol Hill visits and learn more about SVS' health policy and advocacy activities.

It’s Vascular Nurses Week this week, and as part of the celebration, the SVS is inviting Society for Vascular Nursing members to join the SVS as affiliate members. Applicants will receive a 50 percent discount through Dec. 1. Email CVs and the completed membership form to [email protected].

It’s Vascular Nurses Week this week, and as part of the celebration, the SVS is inviting Society for Vascular Nursing members to join the SVS as affiliate members. Applicants will receive a 50 percent discount through Dec. 1. Email CVs and the completed membership form to [email protected].

It’s Vascular Nurses Week this week, and as part of the celebration, the SVS is inviting Society for Vascular Nursing members to join the SVS as affiliate members. Applicants will receive a 50 percent discount through Dec. 1. Email CVs and the completed membership form to [email protected].

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community forum to seek advice from fellow GIs on therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical cases shared in the forum recently:

1. Ulcerative colitis
A 24-year-old male with severe pancolitis is in remission and currently functioning well, but the attending GI is fearful that a relapse is impending based on a fecal calprotectin of 1258 in a “clinically stable patient on long term maximal therapy.”



2. Esophageal varices on Warfarin
A 64-year-old patient with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A cirrhosis had an upper endoscopy that showed large esophageal varices with no prior history of bleeding. View Dr. Miguel Malespin’s take on this popular case in the August issue of AGA Perspectives.



3. Does he have IBS or what?
A 37-year-old male with psoriatic arthritis and abdominal pain experiences rectal bleeding and abnormal findings during colonoscopy.



4. Chronic pancolitis
Quite a few GI experts commented on next steps for this 77-year-old pancolitis patient who has refused biologics based on cost.



5. Pouchitis
This 40-year-old patient developed diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and other symptoms, with observed ulceration and inflammation in the pouch and proximally.

More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community forum to seek advice from fellow GIs on therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical cases shared in the forum recently:

1. Ulcerative colitis
A 24-year-old male with severe pancolitis is in remission and currently functioning well, but the attending GI is fearful that a relapse is impending based on a fecal calprotectin of 1258 in a “clinically stable patient on long term maximal therapy.”



2. Esophageal varices on Warfarin
A 64-year-old patient with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A cirrhosis had an upper endoscopy that showed large esophageal varices with no prior history of bleeding. View Dr. Miguel Malespin’s take on this popular case in the August issue of AGA Perspectives.



3. Does he have IBS or what?
A 37-year-old male with psoriatic arthritis and abdominal pain experiences rectal bleeding and abnormal findings during colonoscopy.



4. Chronic pancolitis
Quite a few GI experts commented on next steps for this 77-year-old pancolitis patient who has refused biologics based on cost.



5. Pouchitis
This 40-year-old patient developed diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and other symptoms, with observed ulceration and inflammation in the pouch and proximally.

More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

Physicians with difficult patient scenarios regularly bring their questions to the AGA Community forum to seek advice from fellow GIs on therapy and disease management options, best practices and diagnoses.

In case you missed it, here are the most popular clinical cases shared in the forum recently:

1. Ulcerative colitis
A 24-year-old male with severe pancolitis is in remission and currently functioning well, but the attending GI is fearful that a relapse is impending based on a fecal calprotectin of 1258 in a “clinically stable patient on long term maximal therapy.”



2. Esophageal varices on Warfarin
A 64-year-old patient with Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class A cirrhosis had an upper endoscopy that showed large esophageal varices with no prior history of bleeding. View Dr. Miguel Malespin’s take on this popular case in the August issue of AGA Perspectives.



3. Does he have IBS or what?
A 37-year-old male with psoriatic arthritis and abdominal pain experiences rectal bleeding and abnormal findings during colonoscopy.



4. Chronic pancolitis
Quite a few GI experts commented on next steps for this 77-year-old pancolitis patient who has refused biologics based on cost.



5. Pouchitis
This 40-year-old patient developed diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and other symptoms, with observed ulceration and inflammation in the pouch and proximally.

More clinical cases and discussions are at https://community.gastro.org/discussions.

Congrats to AGA Research Foundation grantee Amir Zarrinpar, MD, PhD, from UC San Diego whose new microbiome research has been published in Nature Communications. Dr. Zarrinpar — a former AGA Microbiome Junior Investigator Research Award recipient — used his AGA funding to study cyclical fluctuations in the gut microbiome and its effects on host metabolism. This new study in Nature Communications is an unexpected finding resulting from Dr. Zarrinpar’s AGA research project with his collaborator Satchin Panda, PhD, and their colleagues in the Salk Institute.

The study, Antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion alters metabolic homeostasis by affecting gut signaling and colonic metabolism, finds that mice that have their microbiomes depleted with antibiotics have decreased levels of glucose in their blood and better insulin sensitivity. The research has implications for understanding the role of the microbiome in diabetes. It also could lead to better insight into the side effects seen in people who are being treated with high levels of antibiotics.

The next steps for Dr. Zarrinpar and his team are to better understand what bacterial metabolites can affect insulin sensitivity and to functionally manipulate the microbiome to alter gut signaling to treat diabetes and other metabolic diseases. We look forward to seeing additional research on this topic that can eventually translate into improvements in patient care.
 

[email protected]

Congrats to AGA Research Foundation grantee Amir Zarrinpar, MD, PhD, from UC San Diego whose new microbiome research has been published in Nature Communications. Dr. Zarrinpar — a former AGA Microbiome Junior Investigator Research Award recipient — used his AGA funding to study cyclical fluctuations in the gut microbiome and its effects on host metabolism. This new study in Nature Communications is an unexpected finding resulting from Dr. Zarrinpar’s AGA research project with his collaborator Satchin Panda, PhD, and their colleagues in the Salk Institute.

The study, Antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion alters metabolic homeostasis by affecting gut signaling and colonic metabolism, finds that mice that have their microbiomes depleted with antibiotics have decreased levels of glucose in their blood and better insulin sensitivity. The research has implications for understanding the role of the microbiome in diabetes. It also could lead to better insight into the side effects seen in people who are being treated with high levels of antibiotics.

The next steps for Dr. Zarrinpar and his team are to better understand what bacterial metabolites can affect insulin sensitivity and to functionally manipulate the microbiome to alter gut signaling to treat diabetes and other metabolic diseases. We look forward to seeing additional research on this topic that can eventually translate into improvements in patient care.
 

[email protected]

Congrats to AGA Research Foundation grantee Amir Zarrinpar, MD, PhD, from UC San Diego whose new microbiome research has been published in Nature Communications. Dr. Zarrinpar — a former AGA Microbiome Junior Investigator Research Award recipient — used his AGA funding to study cyclical fluctuations in the gut microbiome and its effects on host metabolism. This new study in Nature Communications is an unexpected finding resulting from Dr. Zarrinpar’s AGA research project with his collaborator Satchin Panda, PhD, and their colleagues in the Salk Institute.

The study, Antibiotic-induced microbiome depletion alters metabolic homeostasis by affecting gut signaling and colonic metabolism, finds that mice that have their microbiomes depleted with antibiotics have decreased levels of glucose in their blood and better insulin sensitivity. The research has implications for understanding the role of the microbiome in diabetes. It also could lead to better insight into the side effects seen in people who are being treated with high levels of antibiotics.

The next steps for Dr. Zarrinpar and his team are to better understand what bacterial metabolites can affect insulin sensitivity and to functionally manipulate the microbiome to alter gut signaling to treat diabetes and other metabolic diseases. We look forward to seeing additional research on this topic that can eventually translate into improvements in patient care.
 

[email protected]