Preparing for Quality Payment Program Year Four
(NOTE: This is a longer version of an article that appeared in the May 2020 issue of Vascular Specialist.)
Articles & Press Releases
Recent Articles
New Collection of Articles Available on Impact of COVID-19 in Treating Vascular Disease
Journal of Vascular Surgery: Vascular Experts Collectively and Continuously Share Best Practices in Care Amid Pandemic
VAM 2020 canceled, summer interactive forums planned
BY BETH BALES AND BRYAN KAY
Citing the health and the safety of SVS members, constituents and their patients as its chief concern, the SVS Executive Board on April 9 canceled the 2020 Vascular Annual meeting in Toronto as a live event.
Leadership figures ruminate on redeployment of vascular surgeons during viral surge
BY BRYAN KAY
For a time, it was an issue increasingly knocking on the door of program directors and section chiefs in hospitals across the country as COVID-19 cases escalated in their areas: the redeployment of vascular surgeons and trainees to other areas of care.
Preparing for arrival of CMS Quality Payment Program year 4
It’s here: 2020 is year four of the Quality Payment Program (QPP), established by the Medicare Access and Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (MACRA) in 2015.
SVS remains nimble in face of pandemic, pivots to focus on priorities and needs of membership
BY BETH BALES
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) started 2020 with plans intensifying for the Vascular Research Initiatives Conference (VRIC) in May, the Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) in June, the launch of the branding initiative and a host of other SVS priorities.
VESAP5 debuting by Aug. 1
BY BETH BALES
THE FIFTH EDITION of the Vascular Educational Self-Assessment Program (VESAP) will be available before the beginning of August, when VESAP4 expires.
Stress Less: Reduce Health Risks to Maintain Overall, Vascular Health
ROSEMONT, Ill., April 20, 2020 – Americans’ stress levels are through the roof – from healthcare workers on the front lines to essential service workers to seniors at home to parents coping with upside-down work schedules and e-learning. April marks Stress Awareness Month, making it a fitting time to understand the impact of stress on the body and address stress management techniques to help navigate through difficult times and maintain health in the process.
VAM adds Career Fair for 2020
Looking into job opportunities? Just want to see what’s out there in terms of career moves to another part of the country?
What has SVS PAC ever done for you?
BY PETER CONNOLLY, MD, AND MARK MATTOS, MD
Imagine that you are telling your lay friends about what you do for a living. You have to explain the difference between arteries and veins. And then you find that you need to clarify that you do not, in fact, operate on the heart.
Technology drives vascular future
BY BETH BALES
Decades ago, “picture” phones were an idea straight out of science fiction.
As the saying goes, the future is now. FaceTime and Skype are common; similar technology permits doctors to visit patients via telemedicine.
Journal watch: Open-source papers on deck
The Journal of Vascular Surgery (JVS) and JVS: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders (JVS-VL) have a number of open-source articles available in the April and May issues. A sampling follows.
Quality: Global Vascular Guidelines now available in pocket guide format
BY BETH BALES
The Global Vascular Guidelines (GVG), extensively researched and written by an international committee of leading vascular experts, are now available as a pocket guide.
Vascular Trainee Program redesigned for VAM 2020
BY BETH BALES
Helping vascular trainees successfully transition from education and training to clinical or academic practice is the central goal for the Vascular Trainee Program at the 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM).
Gender Differences in Vascular Disease Require Personalized Approach in Care
ROSEMONT, Ill., March 9, 2020 – Women’s heart health takes center stage as American Heart Month ends and National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day are observed. The Society for Vascular Surgery shares the latest news on what women — and the people who love them — should know. Vascular surgeons are specialists who treat conditions of the vascular system, which impact heart health.
Purchase tickets today for 2020 VAM ‘Spectacular’ Gala
Get ready for another “Spectacular” evening at the 2020 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM).
Ticket sales began in February for the second annual Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Foundation “Vascular Spectacular Gala: Northern Lights.”
Recent Articles
Foundation work continues during year of challenges
Despite it being a year unlike any other, the increased generosity of the SVS Foundation donors allowed for the mission work to continue as planned.
New officers named to office-based lab section
New officers are in place with the SVS Section on Outpatient and Office Vascular Care (SOOVC) Executive Committee.
The Society for Vascular Surgery Valuation Work Group Publishes New Report Highlighting the Value of Vascular Surgeons to the Health Care System
Report Finds the Role of Vascular Surgeons May be Underappreciated and an Investment in Vascular Surgeons will Provide a Substantial Return for the Health Care System
ACC and SVS Begin 2021 with a United Vascular Registry
Existing registries have now combined into a single resource focused on improving care and outcomes of patients with vascular disease
SVS PAC recaps 2020, offers goals for 2021
By Hasan Aldailami, MD, and Andrew Barleben, MD,
It is difficult to put 2020 into words. However, despite everything bad that has gone on in the U.S. and nationally, the SVS PAC was lucky to have some successes.
SVS Foundation’s new initiative to address disparities in vascular health
By Beth Bales
Significant disparities in healthcare services in the United States result in unnecessary limb loss, stroke and death. Vascular health professionals are developing new programs to address these inequities, through the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Foundation.
Q&A: Education Committee chair drills down on the details
SVS Education Committee chair Kellie Brown, MD, sits down with Beth Bales to answer some questions about the new SVS education platform.
Q. Portal? Website? SVS OnDemand? I keep hearing these terms. What’s what?
VAM shifted to August amid COVID pandemic, vaccination rollout
By Beth Bales
To enhance the chances of being able to hold the 2021 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) in-person, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has moved the conference, lock, stock and barrel to mid-August.
Foundation donors meet challenge
By Beth Bales
The SVS Foundation received an extra infusion of contributions in late 2020, thanks to more than 40 new donors and the generosity of four members who matched a portion of these donations.
Journal supplement outlines updated guidelines, reporting standards
By Beth Bales
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is starting 2021 with updated guidelines and reporting standards for three vascular conditions.
New study provides more support for minimally invasive treatments for great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence
Researchers compared three techniques in the treatment of varicose pathology: radiofrequency ablation (RFA), high ligation and stripping (HLS) and conservative hemodynamic correction of venous insufficiency (CHIVA) to determine superior intervention
Study of patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair suggests screening guidelines may be inadequate
ROSEMONT, Ill., January 5, 2020 – A retrospective study analyzing approximately 55,000 patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair suggests current AAA screening guidelines may be inadequate in detecting a significant number of new cases.
Cover Story: Ronald L. Dalman, MD, SVS President
While there is little doubt the pandemic has impacted each vascular surgeon and the SVS as a Society in numerous ways, the commitment and dedication of SVS committee, council and task force members to deliver on the mission has remained undaunted.
Recent Articles
Foundation work continues during year of challenges
Despite it being a year unlike any other, the increased generosity of the SVS Foundation donors allowed for the mission work to continue as planned.
New officers named to office-based lab section
New officers are in place with the SVS Section on Outpatient and Office Vascular Care (SOOVC) Executive Committee.
The Society for Vascular Surgery Valuation Work Group Publishes New Report Highlighting the Value of Vascular Surgeons to the Health Care System
Report Finds the Role of Vascular Surgeons May be Underappreciated and an Investment in Vascular Surgeons will Provide a Substantial Return for the Health Care System
ACC and SVS Begin 2021 with a United Vascular Registry
Existing registries have now combined into a single resource focused on improving care and outcomes of patients with vascular disease
SVS PAC recaps 2020, offers goals for 2021
By Hasan Aldailami, MD, and Andrew Barleben, MD,
It is difficult to put 2020 into words. However, despite everything bad that has gone on in the U.S. and nationally, the SVS PAC was lucky to have some successes.
SVS Foundation’s new initiative to address disparities in vascular health
By Beth Bales
Significant disparities in healthcare services in the United States result in unnecessary limb loss, stroke and death. Vascular health professionals are developing new programs to address these inequities, through the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Foundation.
Q&A: Education Committee chair drills down on the details
SVS Education Committee chair Kellie Brown, MD, sits down with Beth Bales to answer some questions about the new SVS education platform.
Q. Portal? Website? SVS OnDemand? I keep hearing these terms. What’s what?
VAM shifted to August amid COVID pandemic, vaccination rollout
By Beth Bales
To enhance the chances of being able to hold the 2021 Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) in-person, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) has moved the conference, lock, stock and barrel to mid-August.
Foundation donors meet challenge
By Beth Bales
The SVS Foundation received an extra infusion of contributions in late 2020, thanks to more than 40 new donors and the generosity of four members who matched a portion of these donations.
Journal supplement outlines updated guidelines, reporting standards
By Beth Bales
The Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) is starting 2021 with updated guidelines and reporting standards for three vascular conditions.
New study provides more support for minimally invasive treatments for great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence
Researchers compared three techniques in the treatment of varicose pathology: radiofrequency ablation (RFA), high ligation and stripping (HLS) and conservative hemodynamic correction of venous insufficiency (CHIVA) to determine superior intervention
Study of patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair suggests screening guidelines may be inadequate
ROSEMONT, Ill., January 5, 2020 – A retrospective study analyzing approximately 55,000 patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair suggests current AAA screening guidelines may be inadequate in detecting a significant number of new cases.
Cover Story: Ronald L. Dalman, MD, SVS President
While there is little doubt the pandemic has impacted each vascular surgeon and the SVS as a Society in numerous ways, the commitment and dedication of SVS committee, council and task force members to deliver on the mission has remained undaunted.