Postgraduate Didactic Courses

Sunday, October 7 | Monday, October 8 | Tuesday, October 9 | Wednesday, October 10

Sunday, October 7, 2007

PG01: Medical Malpractice: Understanding the Relevant Issues and Potential Risk Mitigation Strategies for the Practitioner

4 credits, Verification Level I
Sunday, October 7 1:00-5:00 pm
Chair: Lewis M. Flint, MD, FACS, Tampa, FL

The purpose of this course is to educate the surgeon on the complexities and subtleties associated with medical liability. The goal is to provide tools for the clinician to take home and deploy in his or her practice. The curriculum is data driven and provides a comprehensive overview with implemental solutions. Physicians are exposed to medical liability every day of their careers. Yet, little is understood regarding the process of managing a case, the actual data surrounding this field, and what are the critical institutional drivers of this complex process. Surgeons are in need of enhanced understanding of this critical topic, which is often shrouded in secrecy.

Sponsored by the Committee on Perioperative Care

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PG02: Meeting the Requirements for the Maintenance of Certification in General Surgery

4 credits, Verification Level I
Sunday, October 7 1:00-5:00 pm
Co-Moderators:
James C. Hebert, MD, FACS, Burlington, VT
Michael S. Nussbaum, MD, FACS, Cincinnati, OH

The goals of this course are to provide participants with the necessary knowledge and information to adequately prepare for all parts of Maintenance of Certification (MOC). Specifically, the course will review how to develop a course of self-learning, how to assess and provide documentation of professionalism, and how to develop a plan to monitor outcomes in a meaningful way using available resources that are offered by the ACS and others.

Sponsored by the Committee on Continuous Professional Development

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Monday, October 8, 2007

PG03: General Surgery Review Course—SOLD OUT

12 credits, Verification Level III
Monday, October 8 10:00 am-5:30 pm
Tuesday, October 9 10:00 am-5:30 pm
Chair: John A. Weigelt, MD, FACS, Milwaukee, WI
Vice-Chairs:
Robert C. McIntyre, MD, FACS, Denver, CO
Eugene F. Foley, MD, FACS, Charlottesville, VA

This course will provide a broad review of essential content areas in general surgery in preparation for the certification and recertification examinations and for Maintenance of Certification. The course is jointly sponsored by the ACS and the Southeastern and Southwestern Surgical Congresses. A distinguished faculty will use an interactive case-based format that will cover all the core elements of general surgery as defined by the American Board of Surgery. The course will use a modular system to include: abdomen, gastrointestinal tract, trauma, critical care, breast, endocrine, skin, and head/neck. A pre- and post-test will be used to allow attendees to assess their learning.

Sponsored by the Program Committee in collaboration with the Southeastern and Southwestern Surgical Congresses

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PG04: Urology Review for Recertification Candidates

6 credits, Verification Level II
Monday, October 8 10:00 am-5:30 pm
Co-Chairs:
Judd W. Moul, MD, FACS, Durham, NC
Robert R. Bahnson, MD, FACS, Columbus, OH

This course will help participants prepare for the recertification examination in urology. The faculty will review the five domains of urology: (1) pediatric urology; (2) oncology and urinary diversions; (3) obstruction calculus disease and trauma; (4) impotence, infertility, and infection; and (5) incontinence and voiding dysfunction.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for Urology

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Tuesday, October 9, 2007

PG05: Prevention and Treatment of Complications in the Trauma Patient

5 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 9 8:00 am-1:15 pm
Co-Chairs:
Lawrence M. Gentilello, MD, FACS, Dallas, TX
Joseph P. Minei, MD, FACS, Dallas, TX

Clinical benchmarking of trauma centers has traditionally focused on mortality statistics. However, trauma care has evolved to the point where most patients who die have injuries that are not survivable, and preventable deaths are rare. This scenario has led to increasing focus on the incidence of complications, rather than comparisons based on preventable deaths. Hospitals are also being asked to submit data on the incidence of certain complications, such as infections, to allow consumers to make choices about the health care they receive. The objective of this course is to provide a detailed analysis of the most common complications observed in trauma center patients. Detailed algorithms and evidence-based practices to avoid complications, and to appropriately treat them when they occur, will also be provided.

Sponsored by the Committee on Trauma

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PG06: Introduction to CPT, ICD-9-CM, and Evaluation and Management Coding (Basic)

7 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 9 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Chair: Albert Bothe, MD, FACS, Danville, PA

This course is an introduction to CPT and ICD-9-CM coding principles. Attendees will use office and hospital notes to determine the appropriate components of the three required elements for evaluation and management reporting: history, physical examination, and medical decision making. Avoid making costly coding mistakes, know when to appeal inappropriate denials, and submit clean claims to reduce your accounts receivable. At the conclusion, participants will be able to identify and prevent mistakes made in ICD-9-CM coding, understand the importance of LCDs and NCDs to minimize denials for medical necessity, choose the correct category and level of evaluation and management service, ensure the evaluation and management documentation meets the requirements for the level of service and category reported, and appropriately apply modifiers to evaluation and management services.

Sponsored by the General Surgery Coding and Reimbursement Committee

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PG07: Benign Anorectal Disease

6 Credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 9 9:30 am-5:00 pm
Chair: Theodore J. Saclarides, MD, FACS, Chicago, IL

This course will cover the management and treatment of benign anorectal disease, including fistulas, fissures, hemorrhoids, pilonidal disease, and other anorectal conditions.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for Colon and Rectal Surgery

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PG08: Review Course in Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery for Certification and Maintenance of Certification Candidates

13 credits, Verification Level II
Tuesday, October 9 9:30 am-5:00 pm
Wednesday, October 10 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Co-Chairs:
Robert J. Cerfolio, MD, FACS, Birmingham, AL
Glenn J.R. Whitman, MD, FACS, Philadelphia, PA

This review course will cover a broad range of topics in cardiac and thoracic surgery for learners preparing for certification and Maintenance of Certification examinations.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for Cardiothoracic Surgery

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PG09: Accreditation of Education Institutes by the American College of Surgeons: A New Program to Support Acquisition and Verification of New Surgical Skills

4 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 9 1:00-5:00 pm
Chair: Carlos A. Pellegrini, MD, FACS, Seattle, WA

This interactive, didactic course will provide attendees the background information regarding the new program for accreditation of education institutes by the American College of Surgeons, address the accreditation requirements, and provide information on the benefits of accreditation. Innovative directions to address acquisition and verification of knowledge and skills in new procedures and emerging technologies will be discussed. The use of simulations and simulators will be covered. The role of American College of Surgeons Accredited Education Institutes in providing regional support for acquisition and maintenance of competence and for Maintenance of Certification will be outlined.

Sponsored by the Program Committee

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PG10: Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)

6.5 credits, Verification Level I
Tuesday, October 9 1:30-4:30 pm
Wednesday, October 10 8:30 am-12:00 noon
Chair: David A. Krusch, MD, FACS, Rochester, NY

This hands-on computer course will highlight the role of personal digital assistants (PDAs) and the use of interactive information for the surgeon’s daily practice. The workshop session is designed for beginners who have never owned or used a PDA and will feature hands-on use of PDAs by the participants. A PDA will be provided to each participant.

Sponsored by the Committee on Informatics

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Wednesday, October 10, 2007

PG11: 2007 Surgical and Office-Based Coding and Reimbursement (Advanced)

7 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 10 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Chair: John T. Preskitt, MD, FACS, Dallas, TX

Building on principles discussed in Introduction to CPT, ICD-9-CM, and Evaluation and Management Coding (Basic), the attendee will learn how to apply the coding principles to surgical scenarios. Lack of a modifier and use of the wrong modifier are the greatest reasons for claims denials. This course will address the modifiers important before, during, and after the surgical procedure. Attendees will code several cases and apply the most appropriate modifier for the case. Attendees will learn how to review an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). At the conclusion of the course, attendees will be able to ensure accurate reporting of surgical and nonsurgical services around the global period, understand AMA and Medicare surgical package definitions, apply surgical modifiers in a series of complex clinical scenarios, and assess payer application of coding rules.

Sponsored by the General Surgery Coding and Reimbursement Committee

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PG12: Innovations in the Management of Maxillofacial Trauma

6 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 10 9:00 am-4:30 pm
Chair: Seth R. Thaller, MD, FACS, Miami, FL

This course will discuss the current, state-of-the-art methods to evaluate and treat facial injury. Topics of discussion will include imaging techniques, biodegradable fixation, new bone substitutes, and the use of glues and growth factors to enhance and accelerate bony repair.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery

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PG13: Minimally Invasive Surgery: The Next Steps

6 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 10 9:00 am-4:30 pm
Chair: Bruce D. Schirmer, MD, FACS, Charlottesville, VA
Co-Chair: B. Todd Heniford, MD, FACS, Charlotte, NC

This course is designed for practicing surgeons who are increasingly incorporating or contemplating incorporating minimally invasive techniques into their practices. An introductory session on gaining safe access and port placement in the previously operated abdomen will be followed by four sessions devoted to the areas of foregut surgery, hernia repair, bariatric surgery, and colorectal surgery. In each of these areas, the use of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques will be discussed. Presentations will focus on patient selection, appropriateness for an MIS approach, controversies and contraindications of using such an approach, and data-driven results of the use of MIS approaches for various operative procedures in these areas. The potential complications specific to MIS approaches in these areas and avoiding common pitfalls will also be discussed.

Sponsored by the Committee on Emerging Surgical Technology and Education

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PG14: The Business Aspects of Health System Management: The Surgeon’s Role in Health System Leadership

6.5 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 10 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Chair: Paul A. Taheri, MD, MBA, FACS, Burlington, VT

This course is designed to deliver fundamental business and managerial tools for the practicing physician. The course introduces the first-year MBA curriculum into a tightly packed curriculum and applies lessons learned to integrated health systems. Topics will include economics, cost accounting, financial accounting, reimbursements and risk management, operations management, physician leadership, and management activities. The program is a condensed version of a four-day management training program delivered in various formats to more than 2,000 physicians across the country. The program’s roots are derived within an academic setting, but design and content focus on practice in diverse clinical environments. The goal of this curriculum is to provide the clinician and administrator with the real tools to promote change within their current delivery system.

Sponsored by the Committee on Perioperative Care

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PG15: Vascular Surgery: Open and Endovascular, Controversies and Results

6 credits, Verification Level I
Wednesday, October 10 9:30 am-5:00 pm
Chair: Bruce A. Perler, MD, FACS, Baltimore, MD

This course will provide a comprehensive review of the new endovascular procedures developed for managing vascular disease, including hybrid procedures, highlighting controversies and results compared with conventional open surgical procedures. Emphasis will also be placed on the practical issues associated with selecting the optimal treatment of common arterial and venous problems.

Sponsored by the Advisory Council for Vascular Surgery

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