Board Meeting Minutes

American Academy of Emergency Medicine
Minutes of Board of Directors Meeting
Las Vegas, Nevada
March 11, 2007

In Attendance:  Tom Scaletta, MD; Larry Weiss, MD, JD; Howard Blumstein, MD; Joseph Wood, MD, JD; Robert McNamara, MD; Tracy Boykin, MD; Anthony DeMond, MD; Stephen Hayden, MD; David Kramer, MD; James Li, MD; Kevin Rodgers, MD; Richard Shih, MD; Andy Walker, MD; Mark Reiter, MD; Brian Potts, MD. Staff: Kathi Ream, Kay Whalen and Janet Wilson.

Dr. Scaletta welcomed the board members as well as guests to this open meeting of the board of directors in Las Vegas. He then turned everyone’s attention to the first agenda item.

Approval of January 8, 2007 Conference Call Minutes

Dr. Scaletta asked if there were any corrections to the draft minutes. There being none, Dr. Reiter moved and Dr. Rodgers seconded that the January 8, 2007 minutes be approved as written.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

President’s Report

Dr. Scaletta reported that he had recently received a number of invitations to speak at residency programs. He is already scheduled to speak at Ohio State, Arizona, Drexel and the University of Maryland. In addition, in April, he will be speaking at the inaugural meeting of the New York state chapter.

Executive Director’s Report

Ms. Whalen reported that AAEM is 23% ahead of the previous year’s pace in paid full voting membership. AAEM’s membership has doubled every four years in the last two cycles.

The board then addressed the issue of maintenance of ABEM or AOBEM certification in order to maintain fellowship or membership in AAEM. After much discussion, Dr. DeMond moved and Dr. Rodgers seconded that the issue of maintenance of board certification be referred to the membership committee for discussion and possible bylaws revision.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Legislative Report

Ms. Ream then reported on AAEM’s legislative efforts as well as the current landscape in Washington. Medical liability reform will not pass this year.

AAEM needs to determine if we agree with the recent AMA position statement. Ms. Ream will work well with Dr. McNamara as chair of the government relations committee to decide if AAEM should lend support to this.

Ms. Ream also reported on the recent IOM summit to discuss the IOM Report facilitated by ACEP. A number of specialties were represented at that summit. Unfortunately, because ACEP was the facilitator, they could not speak on behalf of emergency medicine to the extent that AAEM and ENA were able to speak. The issue of boarding in the ED was in danger of being marginalized. The governmental relations staff of AAEM, ENA and ACEP will be meeting to facilitate raising the boarding issue to a higher level.

MEMC

Dr. Philip Anderson, executive chair of the MEMC, reported that the next Congress will be held at the Hilton Sorrento Palace in Italy from September 15-19, 2007. The MEMC executive committee and the MEMC scientific committee are beginning preparations for the meeting. Dr. Scaletta thanked Dr. Anderson for his efforts.

MESH

Dr. Scaletta reported that he, Dr. Wood, Dr. Weiss, Dr. Reiter and Dr. Potts had just participated in the first Members of Emergency Medicine Stakeholders (MESH) meeting. Those in attendance had found it to be a positive forum to discuss issues of common interest in emergency medicine. The group was already discussing the next meeting and had determined to invite additional stakeholders to the group.

ACEP Response to Unity Proposal

Dr. Todd Taylor, speaker of the ACEP Council, presented ACEP’s response to AAEM’s Unity Proposal. Rather than accept AAEM’s proposal, ACEP proposed that the two organizations establish some type of liaison relationship and collaborate only where appropriate.

After much discussion, Dr. Wood moved and Dr. DeMond seconded that Drs. Scaletta and Keaton meet to discuss a liaison relationship between the two organizations. Dr. Scaletta will seek the counsel of the executive committee while doing so.  MOTION FAILED 5-10.

Dr. Scaletta stated that he would consult the executive committee on this issue.

Treasurer’s Report

Dr. Blumstein reported that AAEM was in good financial health. His greatest concern was the need for the organization to continuously monitor its expenses.

CPOM

Dr. McNamara reported that the case in Texas was proceeding. In addition, the AAEM Delaware Valley Chapter had learned of a case that has been forwarded to the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

AAEM Policy Manual

The board then discussed the draft policy manual that had been drafted by staff. A few revisions were suggested. Staff will make these revisions and provide a final draft to the board for approval in May.

tPA for Stroke Educational Tool

Dr. Scaletta presented a tool that AAEM members can use in their practice to help educate patients. Dr. Scaletta moved and Dr. DeMond seconded that the tPA education tool be linked to the position statement on the AAEM website.  MOTION PASSED 9-4.

Dr. Reiter moved and Dr. DeMond seconded that AAEM have a legal review of the language defining consent.  MOTION PASSED UANIMOUSLY.

Certificate of Excellence Process

The board then reviewed the process for awarding the AAEM certificate of Excellence. Dr. Li moved and Dr. DeMond seconded that the following process be approved:

Certificate of Excellence in Emergency Department Workplace Fairness

Application Process:

• The guidelines for consideration as an emergency department with workplace fairness will be included in Common Sense on a regular basis and will be posted on the website at http://www.aaem.org/membership/workplacefairness.pdf.
• When an application is received, membership of the applicant will be verified.
• If the applicant is not a member, an email will be sent that states that the program is a member’s only benefit. Information on how to join AAEM will be provided. They will also be given the option of having a member sign the application.

Review Process:

• The list of applicants will be provided to the executive committee for review.
• The list of applicants under consideration will be posted on the website and listed in Common Sense. The listing will include the following statement – “Emergency physicians are encouraged to contact AAEM (anonymously if desired) to report a listed group that they believe is not in compliance along with an explanation.”
• A broadcast message will be sent listing the applicants under consideration. The statement provided above will be included.
• If there are no compliance concerns brought to AAEM’s attention within 30 days of posting, the ED will be deemed as in compliance.
• If AAEM is notified of non-compliance at any time, the ED will be sent a letter requesting further information and informing the ED that they are under review. The ED will be given 30 days to reply.
• If the ED is deemed to fall outside fairness criteria, a letter from the AAEM president will be sent requesting further information and given 30 days to comply.
• Misrepresentation by the AAEM member that completed the application may result in an ethics investigation and appropriate sanctions.
• The executive committee (or designated working group) will review the additional information and determine if the ED is in compliance.

PR:

• The ED will be sent a certificate of excellence with a letter of congratulations.
• The list of EDs will be highlighted in Common Sense and on the website.
• A press release will be sent to EM News and EP Monthly.

Annual Review:

• Verify that the applicant is still an AAEM member.
• Send an annual letter that asks them to let us know if the status has changed.

MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

EDIS Proposal

Dr. Handley then requested that the board approve an AAEM institutional membership in EDIS. Dr. Kramer moved and Dr. Boykin seconded that AAEM fund up to $3,700 for one year’s fees and travel expenses (following AAEM guidelines) to EDIS.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

Amazon Bookstore

Dr. LeWitt then requested that the board approve an affiliate relationship with Amazon.com. Dr. Reiter moved and Dr. Kramer seconded that AAEM implement an affiliate relationship with Amazon.com.  MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

May Board Meeting

Dr. Scaletta stated that in addition to the in-person board meeting in Chicago, the board will also have a mini strategic planning meeting and dinner.

Dr. Weiss reminded the board to return their signed attestations that they had reviewed the antitrust policy and readings.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kay Whalen
Executive Director