ASA offers recommendations to FDA on Drug Shortages Task Force and strategic plan
ASA offered formal recommendations to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the agency's Drug Shortages Task Force and strategic plan. The Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act (FDASIA) is the legislative package of important FDA provisions that includes a section dedicated solely to preventing and mitigating national drug shortages and directs the FDA to form a Drug Shortages Task Force to develop and implement a strategic plan for enhancing the agency's response to drug shortages. Read ASA's recommendations and learn more.

ASA and the Anesthesia Quality Institute continue to address drug shortages
ASA and the Anesthesia Quality Institute (AQI) are committed to developing solutions and gathering data to help alleviate drug shortages of anesthetics. To report drug shortages at your hospital or surgery center, please submit a report to AQI's Anesthesia Incident Reporting System (AIRS).

ASA invites you to participate in the MGMA 2013 Cost Survey
ASA members are invited to participate in the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) 2013 Cost Survey. Read about the benefits of participating and take the survey today.

Congressional chambers release dueling budget framework resolutions for FY 2014
The House and Senate Budget committees released dueling budget framework resolutions for fiscal year 2014. The proposals offer competing views on many budget policies, including major health care items such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and Medicare. The resolutions are not legislation that appropriate money, nor do they require a presidential signature. They are frameworks for other congressional committees to use when determining the levels of spending within their jurisdictions. Read more.

Latest Anesthesiology podcast now available
Listen to a podcast with Anesthesiology Editor-in-Chief James C. Eisenach, M.D., discussing highlights from the April issue, including a review article on the 2012 Rovenstine Lecture presented by ASA Past President Jeffrey A. Apfelbaum, M.D. on the development of ASA's practice parameters.

ASA dispels a common media myth
ASA member Paul H. Ting, M.D. contributed a guest column to KevinMD.com on behalf of ASA this month to address an anesthesiologist stereotype so often portrayed in the media - that anesthesiologists have it easy! Dr. Ting explains that his care extends well beyond the procedure room and stresses the importance of having a physician in charge of anesthesia.

Call for patient stories
As a physician, your advanced education and training never played a more critical role than when your split-second decisions made the difference between life and death. ASA is encouraging all members to share your most powerful stories - stories that humanize the profession, that demonstrate how your unique skill set enabled you to care for your patients. These stories will reinforce the importance of physician-led care to both policymakers and patients. Send your stories to ASA at communications@asahq.org today.

Basic Perioperative TEE online course now available
The Basic Perioperative TEE course has been designed to provide a thorough knowledge base in Basic Perioperative TEE and fulfills the education component of the Extended CME Pathway for the National Board of Echocardiography (NBE) certification in Basic Perioperative TEE. This course is offered through a partnership between ASA and the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA). Earn up to 100 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Order now.

Catch an 'insider's' view of advocacy at ASA's Legislative Conference
Stay up to date on key issues impacting anesthesiology and obtain strategies to influence your local members of Congress and state lawmakers. Plan to attend ASA's Legislative Conference - "Focus on the Future," April 29-May 1, 2013, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. Register now for ASA's Legislative Conference through your state component society.

Evaluate and improve your practice with ASA's PPAI modules
Practice Performance Assessment and Improvement (PPAI) modules fulfill the case evaluation requirements of Part 4 of MOCA^® as well as help you evaluate and implement improvements in your practice. Visit the Education Center for more information and to order.

Reduce lawsuits by minimizing risk
ASA's Managing Clinical Risk Through Communication and Teamwork online course provides best practices to improve patient safety and strategies to minimize risk in your anesthesia practice. Order now.

Educational resources for your patients
ASA offers a variety of educational resources that are perfect for distributing to your patients. Best sellers include Planning Your Childbirth: Pain Relief During Labor and Delivery, and Anesthesia for Ambulatory Surgery. Learn more and order now.

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ASALifeline, March 13, 9:44 a.m., via HootSuite
ASA is encouraging its members and #patients to share their most powerful #anesthesia stories at communications@asahq.org.

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To re-tweet, but add your own thoughts, feel free to shorten the original tweet to give you enough characters, but don't forget to change that "RT" to an "MT"- this means "modified tweet."

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Roy Winkler
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