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A new society.
Greetings,
It’s time to start an organization which supports the majority of credential sleep lab personnel. The current national organization no longer supports the majority of its members. The Executive branch of the AAST has openly embraced the AASM and their special interest.
Some background:
Once the AASM became the management group for the AAST, the AAST board members became complacent. Under the guise of cooperation, the AAST board and committee members eagerly performed task to assist the AASM. They relinquished more and more control of the daily duties of the AAST to the AASM “management” group. With the AASM performing the daily operations of the AAST, it gave the AAST board members plenty of time to pursue other interest.
To maintain their interest, they ensured certain individuals did not get a chance to run for office. Think 2010. Various AAST board members controlled the election process. This was done with the blessing of the AASM. In the recent 2011 election, the announcement from the AASM, concerning the creation of its new sleep exam, was intentionally delayed until the end of the nomination period for AAST elections. They wanted to ensure they maintained control of the AAST for at least 12 more months. Why?
Time matters and money matters. In 2010 the fee for AAST approval of CEC’s for the CSS was around $250. In 2011 the fees were increased by 7 times, to around $1700. I call it price gouging. Did your rates go up?
The AASM has decided they want to control the sleep credential completely. The AASM, with the assistance of the AAST, has developed and formed a new exam for sleep techs. The goal, as stated by Dr. Watson, is to have a 100% pass rate. That will saturate the market and bring down the cost of labor simply by the process of supply and demand.
Currently:
The AASM has openly changed their focus with the state sleep societies. They no longer pretend to support any kind of standards. They are going to blatantly use the sleep societies to change the previously incorporated Polysomnography Acts, getting rid of the RPSGT by creation of the RST.
As stated in Minneapolis, the new test was written by some of the AAST board members, specifically Cindy Kistner and Melinda Trimble. As stated in Minneapolis, this new exam is not intended to supplement the RPSGT, it is meant to be a replacement. http://www.brpt.org/default.asp?contentID=165
As a sleep society officer, you were elected to represent the interest of your members. Most of your members are RPSGT’s and RRT’s. They will not benefit from the new AASM exam, as a matter of fact; it is detrimental to their welfare. If your sleep society is controlled by physicians, they are most likely going to do the same thing to your society the AASM did to the AAST. Ruin it.
It is time for the RPSGT’s and RRT’s in sleep to separate from the AASM. We have the ability to govern ourselves; we can no longer afford to be manipulated by special interest. It is time for a new voice.
Support Yourself, Support Your Members, Support Your Credential. Encourage everyone you know to disregard the new ABSM/AASM test.
Support Yourself, Support Your Members, Support Your Credential. Make sure your sleep society does not support any AASM sponsored legislation to incorporate a new “clause” or test in the Polysomnography Act.
If you cannot get rid of the AASM dominated board members, just start a new state sleep society. It really is just that easy.
The BRPT now offers a free system for registered techs to track their educational credits. So we don’t need the AAST for that.
The BRPT now offers CEC’s for educational programs. So we don’t need the AAST for that.
The AAST is supporting the AASM sleep credential. We definitely don’t need that.
So, what do we need the AAST for? Nothing.
A new international society is being formed that will support the national sleep societies, state sleep societies, and the individually registered technologists / therapist. If you are interested in being part of this new initiative please feel free to contact me on how you can support yourself, your credential and your profession.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Randy Townsend
superherozero@aol.com
It’s time to start an organization which supports the majority of credential sleep lab personnel. The current national organization no longer supports the majority of its members. The Executive branch of the AAST has openly embraced the AASM and their special interest.
Some background:
Once the AASM became the management group for the AAST, the AAST board members became complacent. Under the guise of cooperation, the AAST board and committee members eagerly performed task to assist the AASM. They relinquished more and more control of the daily duties of the AAST to the AASM “management” group. With the AASM performing the daily operations of the AAST, it gave the AAST board members plenty of time to pursue other interest.
To maintain their interest, they ensured certain individuals did not get a chance to run for office. Think 2010. Various AAST board members controlled the election process. This was done with the blessing of the AASM. In the recent 2011 election, the announcement from the AASM, concerning the creation of its new sleep exam, was intentionally delayed until the end of the nomination period for AAST elections. They wanted to ensure they maintained control of the AAST for at least 12 more months. Why?
Time matters and money matters. In 2010 the fee for AAST approval of CEC’s for the CSS was around $250. In 2011 the fees were increased by 7 times, to around $1700. I call it price gouging. Did your rates go up?
The AASM has decided they want to control the sleep credential completely. The AASM, with the assistance of the AAST, has developed and formed a new exam for sleep techs. The goal, as stated by Dr. Watson, is to have a 100% pass rate. That will saturate the market and bring down the cost of labor simply by the process of supply and demand.
Currently:
The AASM has openly changed their focus with the state sleep societies. They no longer pretend to support any kind of standards. They are going to blatantly use the sleep societies to change the previously incorporated Polysomnography Acts, getting rid of the RPSGT by creation of the RST.
As stated in Minneapolis, the new test was written by some of the AAST board members, specifically Cindy Kistner and Melinda Trimble. As stated in Minneapolis, this new exam is not intended to supplement the RPSGT, it is meant to be a replacement. http://www.brpt.org/default.asp?contentID=165
As a sleep society officer, you were elected to represent the interest of your members. Most of your members are RPSGT’s and RRT’s. They will not benefit from the new AASM exam, as a matter of fact; it is detrimental to their welfare. If your sleep society is controlled by physicians, they are most likely going to do the same thing to your society the AASM did to the AAST. Ruin it.
It is time for the RPSGT’s and RRT’s in sleep to separate from the AASM. We have the ability to govern ourselves; we can no longer afford to be manipulated by special interest. It is time for a new voice.
Support Yourself, Support Your Members, Support Your Credential. Encourage everyone you know to disregard the new ABSM/AASM test.
Support Yourself, Support Your Members, Support Your Credential. Make sure your sleep society does not support any AASM sponsored legislation to incorporate a new “clause” or test in the Polysomnography Act.
If you cannot get rid of the AASM dominated board members, just start a new state sleep society. It really is just that easy.
The BRPT now offers a free system for registered techs to track their educational credits. So we don’t need the AAST for that.
The BRPT now offers CEC’s for educational programs. So we don’t need the AAST for that.
The AAST is supporting the AASM sleep credential. We definitely don’t need that.
So, what do we need the AAST for? Nothing.
A new international society is being formed that will support the national sleep societies, state sleep societies, and the individually registered technologists / therapist. If you are interested in being part of this new initiative please feel free to contact me on how you can support yourself, your credential and your profession.
I look forward to hearing from you,
Randy Townsend
superherozero@aol.com
Views: 314
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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I just don't see it that way. Comparing yourself to a group that feels superior to you is a waiste of time. A great majority of techs have already made the decision. I see this as a huge waiste of funds. These funds could have been allocated to something more beneficial in the strengthening of the RPSGT credential. The AASM already has too many supporters due to the BRPTs past regressions. If the BRPT continues to throw money and themselves into this finger pointing campaigne they will continue to lose ground. I feel that unless the BRPT invest in thmeselves and their members that the RPSGT will no longer be the "gold standard"
Not investing in the $25 opportunity could be a huge financial mistake.
In the meantime more and more competition is popping up as everyone views the BRPT as weak:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2011
Media Contact:
Tracy Hinman
919-785-1214 ext. 221, thinman@achc.org
For all other inquiries, general questions, etc.:
919-785-1214, customerservice@achc.org
Palmetto GBA (J11) & CGS (J15) Approves ACHC's Sleep Accreditation Program
RALEIGH, NC- The Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc. (ACHC) is pleased to announce that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service's Jurisdiction 11 and 15 have added ACHC as an approved entity that may credential a free standing sleep lab. Sleep testing facilities will have the option to choose ACHC accreditation to satisfy their Medicare intermediary's requirement for Sleep Lab Accreditation. Palmetto Government Benefits Administrator (GBA) (J11) includes the states of NC, SC, VA and WV and CGS (J15) includes the states of OH and KY. By January 2012 Palmetto GBA will require sleep testing facilities to either be accredited or in the process of accreditation by an approved accreditor.ACHC's Sleep Accreditation Program has earned approval from TrailBlazer Health Enterprises (J4) that includes the states of TX, CO, OK and NM. ACHC is also approved by Blue Cross Blue Shield of AL, AZ, CA, ID, KS, LA and TX, as well as Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of CO and Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of IA. ACHC continues to work with the other Medicare intermediaries and many private insurance companies in regard to sleep facility accreditation.
ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986. This year they celebrate their 25th anniversary of accrediting home and community based health care organizations. They are ISO 9001:2008 certified and have CMS Deeming Authority for Home Health, Hospice and DMEPOS. ACHC offers personal Account Managers, relevant and realistic standards, competitive pricing and a friendly, consultative approach to accreditation. Accreditation by ACHC reflects an organization's dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.
If you would like to find out more information about ACHC's sleep accreditation program please call 919-785-1214. You may also visit www.achc.org or send an email to tsafley@achc.org.
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The next step for this organization is tech certification. The BRPT is being assaulted from all sides. The AARC will be next.
Mike said:sorry -- just saw this. i'm not speaking for the BRPT when I say this, but the purpose is to answer questions many RPSGTs are asking as they decide what to do, if anything at all, about the new ABSM credential.
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While all of this money and energy is being spent and waisted the insurance companies and many lab owners are having a field day. Kaiser continues to build medical facilities. Both Kaiser and United Health Care have begun their own sleep programs and certify their own physicians. Fraud runs rampant through this field. This argument continues to hurt the present and future members of this forum.
I do not believe that the BRPT is presenting themselves as the "Gold Standard". They seem to be stagnant while the rest of the sleep industry moves forward. Yes the AAST is in the pocket of the AASM. This does cause a conflict of interest. What we tend to forget is that the BRPT had been in the other pocket right up until the announcement of the new credential. The BRPT has spent the last two years developing A minor credential and raising the pass rate on the exam at the request of the AASM. Everyone is complaining about the AASM watering down the test, lowering pay, and weakening our credential. What everyone fails to realize is that the BRPT had already gone a long way in doing this themselves.
Fire Mr. Ganoe and his management company. Support state licensure and education. Do SOMETHING ANYTHING TO WIN BACK YOUR SUPPORTERS.
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