To receive the Quick Scan Monthly Report via email, or if you would prefer a different method of communicating, please call Pam Passman at NJ-ACEP (609-392-1213).

For Quickscans from the past two months, visit the News Archive.

ATTENTION - All NJ -ACEP members are invited to the March 9 Board of Directors Meeting.  9:30 am at the NJ Hospital Association Conference Center, 760 Alexander Rd in Princeton.  Dr. Steven Marcus will present challenges to the NJ Poison Control Center.  Join us!   Please RSVP so we can provide adequate breakfast and seating.  609-392-1213

NJ-ACEP is looking for a few good men and women....
Have some good ideas to make NJ-ACEP better and stronger?  Have just a little spare time to support your profession?  If so, consider a run for the Board of Directors.  The Board meets in January, March, July, September and November.  Interested?   Send NJ-ACEP a short bio for distribution to the members with the ballot, e-mail Lauren at lmyers@blynchassociates.com. Deadline:  March 15, 2010

From the President...Bruce Bonanno, MD

Spring is almost here, but as I write this during ANOTHER snowstorm, it seems a long way off. I know it is coming because I notice the sun starting to appear during the drive to my morning shifts, and there is still some daylight as I report for the overnight.

The activity in Trenton is also heating up with most of the activity concerning the budget. We are involved in the debate on what to do about out of network billing practices/charges. Be alert and get educated on the subject. The insurance companies want to limit what physicians can charge to take care of patients when the physicans do not participate with the insurance company. Remember the legislation in California made it illegal to bill patients for what wasn't covered by the insurance company. We will fight for what we call "fair payment."  We in EM give out the most uncompensated care of all physicians.

We will also be looking at a new comprehensive bill dealing with EMS in NJ.

Nationally, the Universal Healthcare debate continues. No one knows where it will lead. Internationally, the earthquake in Haiti occupied the news. It was great to see how the EM community responded with several people from NJ participating. Thanks to all of you who did, as well as those who helped cover their shifts.

My year as President will be winding down soon. We are looking for people to be involved with running for the Board of Directors. We have the Scientific Assembly coming up in May, as well as our annual Leadership and Legislative meetings in Washington. Make plans to attend both. They are both great ways to participate in ACEP, and learn what might be new in EM, and to learn what the political process is about. And don't to forget to send money for STATPAC if you haven't already. It goes a long way to helping our voice in EM be heard in Trenton, and NEMPAC so we are heard in DC as well. Stay warm!!!

Take time to recognize the best! 
The NJ-ACEP Awards Committee is looking for nominees for its 2010 winners....you know you work with the best....take a minute and complete the nomination form (available at www.njacep.org ) in any category:  Distinguished Service, EMS, Educator of the Year, "Good Government," Clinical Expertise, Resident and Medical Student.  It's a terrific way to say thanks! Deadline is April 20th.

From the Statehouse...Beverly J. Lynch

The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee debated and released a new measure (S-377, sponsored by Committee Chairwoman Senator Loretta Weinberg, D-Teaneck), that makes various changes to the membership and duties of the State Board of Medical Examiners (BME).

Specifically, the bill:

• Provides that the three public members of the BME include one person who represents a senior citizen advocacy group, one who represents a child advocacy group, and one who represents a Statewide consumer advocacy group. 

• Specifies that at least one of the 12 physician members of the BME shall be a pediatrician.

• Specifies that a member of the BME is eligible for reappointment for one additional term of office, but no member shall serve more than two consecutive terms of office.  

• To ensure that the BME takes timely disciplinary action to protect the public, when appropriate, the bill provides that:

• the Medical Practitioner Review Panel of the BME is required to investigate notices or complaints it receives from health care facilities and health maintenance organizations regarding a licensee in order to make a recommendation to the BME, and to make its recommendation within 90 days after receipt of the complaint, rather than to investigate "promptly," as the law currently provides.  If the review panel requires additional time due to extenuating circumstances, it shall so notify the board, indicating the reason and the amount of additional time required to make its recommendation, and transmit a copy of the notice to the Attorney General and the complainant.

• within 60 days upon receipt of notification from a physician of any action taken against the physician's medical license by any other state licensing board or any action affecting the physician's privileges to practice medicine by any out-of-State hospital, health care facility, health maintenance organization or other employer, the BME shall investigate the information received and obtain any additional information that may be necessary in order to make a determination whether to initiate disciplinary action against the physician.

Some in the physician community argued that specifying the representation of three public members and a pediatrician would restrain the work of the Board.   The bill can now be considered by the full Senate, at the discretion of the Senate President.

For information on these or any legislative measures, please contact me at BLYNCH@BLYNCHASSOCIATES.COM or 609-392-7553.

Attention Residents and Residency Directors
NJ-ACEP will feature an Emergency Medicine Resident abstract contest at the start of the NJ-ACEP Scientific Assembly.  We encourage all the New Jersey residencies to be represented.   Please consider sending at least one resident to compete in this fun and educational session (prizes to the winners!).   All participating residents are invited to display their research projects in our Research Poster area.  For more information or to submit your abstract contact Lauren at (609) 392-1213 or lmyers@blynchassociates.com.

New Publication: Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings--US EPA Region 2 
Written by physicians, this publication is intended to be used by health care professionals in a variety of medical venues who may need to recognize and treat instances of pesticide poisonings.   Pesticide poisoning may manifest with symptoms similar to a number of other acute or chronic illnesses.

For example:

• Acute exposure to pesticides may cause short-term effects such as: headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, tingling sensations, and muscle twitching.

• Long-term exposure may cause serious health effects such as: birth defects, learning disabilities, behavioral changes, organ damage, asthma symptoms, and various forms of cancer.
  
  Pesticides can adhere to the clothing of persons who use these chemicals in their place of work, for example: the landscaper, the pest control operator, the chemical factory worker, and the farmer, to name a few.  Work clothing can contaminate areas of a person's home unless they are removed before the person leaves his place of work.

Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, 5th Edition, is available on the US EPA website at this web address: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/safety/healthcare

Interested in serving on an ACEP Committee? Committee Interest is now open!
The 2010-11 Committee Interest Form can be downloaded at http://www.acep.org/CommitteeInterest.aspx. It must be completed and submitted along with your current CV file to Rochelle Ross at ACEP headquarters, rross@acep.org.  All applications must be received by May 17, 2010. The selection process will occur in mid-June and applicants will be notified by the end of July. 

Chapter input is invaluable to this process and you may also want to submit a letter of support from your chapter.  

© 2003 NJACEP