Articles & Press Releases

Update on the Medicare Value-Based Payment Modifier and Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Requirements

 

SVS Quality and Performance Measures Committee Provides Information on National Changes

CHICAGO, Illinois - Previous studies have shown that women are more likely than men to die after vascular surgery, but a new study shows that they are far more likely to be readmitted to the hospital after aortic aneurysm surgery as well.

A letter to members from SVS President Dr. Bruce A. Perler and SVS PAC Steering Committee Chair Dr. Randall DeMartino:

CHICAGO, Illinois, March 31, 2016 - For some vascular surgery patients, starting an antiplatelet and a cholesterol medication after surgery can significantly extend their lives, even if they don’t have

A recent review of patients who had undergone carotid, lower extremity bypass, or abdominal aortic aneurysm surgeries found that patients who received both statins and antiplatelet medications were far more likely to be alive five years later. Patients placed on both an antiplatelet agent and cholesterol medication had an adjusted 40 percent reduced risk of death at five years compared to those who received neither drug. Being on either one of these medications was also important, and was associated with an adjusted 30 percent reduced risk of death compared to those on neither medication. When considered differently, an extra 14 of every 100 patients were alive at five years if on both medications.

Executive search firm conducting national search for new director

CHICAGO, Illinois - Society for Vascular Surgery Executive Director Rebecca Maron has announced her retirement, effective the end of May. She has served in that position for 13 years.

All too often patients say they are "blindsided" by unexpected outcomes of surgery. SVS member Dr. Margaret "Gretchen" Schwarze has won a prestigious PCORI grant to study ways to help patients understand what major surgery will mean to them.

A three-year study, which gives patients a better way to talk to their surgeon, has earned a $2.1 million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Initiative (PCORI).

A recent pilot study funded by a grant from the Society for Vascular Surgery Foundation has found that patients succeed in quitting smoking before surgery if they are offered the right kind of assistance.

The Society for Vascular Surgery, the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Society for Vascular Medicine collaboratively have published their first-ever set of clinical practice guidelines for treating the diabetic foot, based on a meta-analysis of the available literature. The guidelines, “The Management of the Diabetic Foot,” were developed after three years of study and were published online in late January and in print in the February 2016 edition of Journal for Vascular Surgery.

Sign up for the Open Payments System under the Physician Payment Sunshine Act

As of mid-December, researchers have activated the first 10 medical sites and enrolled the first nine patients in a study that will determine the safety and effectiveness of inferior vena cava filters, small, cage-like devices implanted to prevent life-threatening blood clots from reaching the heart or lungs. While vein filters have been in use for years, PRESERVE (Predicting the Safety and Effectiveness of Inferior Vena Cava Filters), is the first large-scale, multispecialty, prospective clinical research trial that will evaluate their real world safety and effectiveness. The inferior vena cava is the main vessel returning blood from the lower half of the body to the heart.

The K08 Award is unlike other NIH research award programs (i.e., R-series awards), in that it is specifically intended to promote mentored research training for early career stage clinician-scientists.

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Diabetics face more than food restrictions to regulate the disease. In some cases, diabetics have increased risk of losing a toe, foot or leg. Here’s why:

CHICAGO, Ill.— As he completed his term as president of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), Peter F. Lawrence, MD, began his term as chair of the SVS Foundation at the society’s 2015 annual meeting in Chicago in June.

CHICAGO, Ill. —R. Clement Darling III, MD, was elected vice president of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) at the society’s 2015 annual meeting in June.

CHICAGO, Ill.—Ronald M. Fairman, MD, was elected president-elect of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) at the organization’s 2015 annual meeting in June.

CHICAGO, Ill.—Bruce A. Perler, MD, MBA, was elected president of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) at the society’s 2015 annual meeting in June.

Prepared by Timothy Wu, MD and Rabih A. Chaer, MD on behalf of the SVS Young Surgeons Committee and Nichol L. Salvo, DPM on behalf of the APMA Young Physicians’ Leadership Panel 

This practice memo, a collaborative effort between the Young Physicians Programs of the American Podiatric Medical Association and the Young Surgeons Committee of the Society for Vascular Surgery, is intended to aid podiatrists and vascular surgeons in the early years of their respective careers, especially those involved in the care of patients with DFUs. During these formative years, learning how to successfully establish an inter-professional partnership is crucial in order to provide the best possible care to this important patient population.

In your last year and half of training, you will need to give serious thought to your future vascular surgery career. This practice memo briefly describes the steps involved in a job search, such as the interview process, tips on finding the right practice fit, as well as contract expectations and the preparation needed to be credentialed after you have secured a job.

Depending upon your practice location, your involvement in the management of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients will vary. However, for most vascular surgeons entering private practice, the management of these complex patients will be a significant portion of your caseload, which can directly affect the growth of your practice. This practice memo explores this topic in more depth.

Prepared by Stephen P. Murray, MD, FACS^a and Bhagwan Satiani, MD, MBA^b on behalf of the SVS Community Practice Committee

This practice memo is intended to aid vascular surgeons contemplating or in the process of a practice merger/acquisition with the business questions and decisions involved in the process.