Society News Now, Issue #8
A monthly update on activities occurring on behalf of the members of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
Issue 8 April 2015
In this Issue:
Medical Laboratory Professional Week (MLPW) │ Patient Safety Committee (PSC)
Abstract Proposal and Review Committee (APRC) │ Government Affairs Committee (GAC)
Membership Committee (MC) │ Viral Video Contest Winner
ASCLS Spring Meetings are like a Family Reunion │ CLIAC Committee Proceedings
Medical Laboratory Professional Week (MLPW)
I hope all of you celebrated MLPW with activities to promote the value of laboratory services in your workplace – and had some fun as well! Thanks goes to Shelby Currier, Chair, and the Promotion of the Profession Committee for their hard work in promoting MLPW including their original social media campaign.
Patient Safety Committee (PSC)
Cathy Otto, Chair, and the Patient Safety Committee are working on a position paper on the medical laboratory science profession and our importance and contribution to patient safety. The paper will be presented to the House of Delegates at the Annual Meeting in Atlanta for approval by the delegates.
Abstract Proposal and Review Committee (APRC)
The APRC is actively working on reviewing abstracts that have been submitted for either a poster or for oral presentation at the Annual Meeting in Atlanta. When you attend the Annual Meeting, don’t forget to view the posters on Wednesday morning, and consider attending the Member Submitted Papers session on Wednesday afternoon.
Government Affairs Committee (GAC)
Those of us who attended the Legislative Symposium in March were aware that a bi-partisan bill was going to be introduced into the House to “fix” the sustainable growth rate (SGR) legislation which was used to control the growth rate of payments for physician services. Every six months, Congress had been extending the SGR, but this time they were able to agree on a permanent solution. The SGR will be replaced with an annual 0.5% physician pay increase over the next 5 years, and was signed into law by President Obama on April 16. The best news about this legislation is that it did not include further cuts to laboratory reimbursement. Our collective laboratory voice was heard!
Membership Committee (MC)
ASCLS is pleased to report that our membership numbers are increasing, thanks to the hard work of the Membership Committee, ASCLS staff, and our members who have been actively recruiting new members. Current numbers list ASCLS membership at 8500, which is up over 1000 from last year at this time. The best news is that as we increase members, we are also able to expand the services we provide to our members so please keep up the good work! Now is the time to start your renewal campaigns, too.
In addition, Holly Weinberg, Chair, and the Membership Committee has been busy developing a way to highlight young professionals in a Young Professional Spotlight.
Viral Video Contest Winner
Cullen James, a MLS student from Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan, has been named the winner of the 2015 ASCLS Video Contest. Cullen created and produced the entire footage, including the audio and musical track. Congratulations, Cullen! Check out the winning video and the other submissions on the ASCLS website.
ASCLS Spring Meetings are like a Family Reunion
ASCLS constituent society spring educational meetings are winding down. As ASCLS President, I had the opportunity to present and attend meetings in Denver, Houston, Twin Falls, Idaho and Missoula, MT. These meetings are so much more than just continuing education – attendees get to visit with vendors, network with colleagues, reconnect with friends, and most importantly have some fun! I went bowling as a fundraiser, danced to a DJ, watched the Flight of the Butterflies at a planetarium, and participated in a laboratory version of Amazing Race. These annual Spring Meetings are events not to be missed!
CLIAC Committee Proceedings
During the April 15-16, 2015 meeting of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC), one discussion topic was Laboratory Safety and Quality: Lessons Learned Through the Ebola Response. ASCLS, represented by Executive Vice President Elissa Passiment, provided comments that expressed our concerns about the disparities in information and poor professional reactions that occurred during the Ebola challenge. Our major concern is that science did not seem to prevail over the hysteria, and credibility was lost in all sectors, public health and clinical settings. We applauded the efforts of the CDC to appropriately address concerns during the Ebola event, and believe that this is a great time for clinical and public health laboratorians to work together to address our biosafety issues, and to implement a strong safety culture throughout all sectors. Read the entire statement at http://www.ascls.org/cdc-information .
- Susan Beck of North Carolina and Scott Aikey of Pennsylvania have been re-elected to the ASCP Board of Certification Board of Governors for three year terms, beginning in November 2015. Thanks to Sue and Scott for their continued commitment to the work of the Board of Certification.
- April 30 is also the deadline for naming Key to the Future awardees. Every constituent society should recognize and reward at least one of their state ASCLS members who have demonstrated their leadership potential to the organization.