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Georgia Sleep Controversy
from Randy Townsend RPSGT:
Subject: The AASM Agenda
With the announcement of the “new” sleep certificate/credential, (or whatever the AASM is going to claim it is), you’ve got to have a plan for implementation. Making a declaration and announcement is no good without active marketing to encourage participation.
Interestingly enough, this new pathway for sleep comes on the heels of the AASM’s 3 to 5 year plan for setting up and starting a sleep society in every state. The AAST and BRPT were active partners and team players for the set up and placement of these state societies, to include facilitating accredited Polysomnographic programs and passage of Polysomnographic / licensure laws.
This is where you say, “A funny thing happened…” The three agencies, working together, were able to get Polysomnographic laws passed in numerous states. Some of these laws specify the RPSGT credential as the acceptable license for sleep testing. Other state laws incorporated the RPSGT and RRT, RRT-SDS as acceptable credentials for sleep testing. In numerous states, Medicare specifies the RPSGT credential as the license to be held by individuals who perform testing in the sleep lab.
The “new” certificate/credential being promoted by the ABSM/AASM doesn’t fall into any of these categories. So what are they going to do? First step: visit all the states where Polysomnographic laws have not been passed. Start with Georgia. They have a meeting April 30th, 2011. http://www.facebook.com/l/c79fbX0cmnWDqQch_Ye1Ot14-EQ/gasleep.org/
The Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals (GASP) was formed 2-3 years ago. This sleep society has ABSM/AASM physicians on their governing board. The sleep society has not been able to get active legislation into or passed by their respective government. It’s not from a lack of trying though, now the ABSM/AASM will try to get their “new” sleep license written into the Georgia state law, if and when they get it added to a bill.
Who’s on the GASP agenda and what are they talking about?
Out of Center Testing for Sleep Apnea - Nancy Collop, MD
New DME Accreditation Program and New Home Testing Accreditation Program - Jerry Barrett, AASM Executive Director
New AASM Technologist Credentialing Program - Jerry Barrett
Yep, more home testing which is well suited for a lower certificate / credential. Why pay RPSGT’s / RRT’s top dollar to mail out home testing kits, the results of which the AASM declares can be auto scored by a computer.
You also have the first presentation to discuss and convince RPSGT’s the new ABSM/AASM test is going to be the best thing for them.
My suggestion? RPSGT’s, who currently make up the bulk of membership with GASP, should request a vote for new directors of the board. Can they do that? Yep, it’s right here in their by-laws.
Georgia
5.2 (d) A Director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed with or without cause by vote of a majority of the members entitled to vote at an election of Directors.
Once they get members on the board that supports the RPSGT credential, they can change this wonderful by-law:
3.3 Qualifications.
Officers and Directors must be GASP voting members in good standing, working full-time in the Sleep Medicine profession. Officers must also be members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) or American Association of Sleep Technologist (AAST).
It’s time to stand up and be heard. You have to do it, or you can sit there and let them decide what’s best for you. Has the ABSM/AASM/AAST been doing what’s best for you?
Randy T.
Interestingly enough, this new pathway for sleep comes on the heels of the AASM’s 3 to 5 year plan for setting up and starting a sleep society in every state. The AAST and BRPT were active partners and team players for the set up and placement of these state societies, to include facilitating accredited Polysomnographic programs and passage of Polysomnographic / licensure laws.
This is where you say, “A funny thing happened…” The three agencies, working together, were able to get Polysomnographic laws passed in numerous states. Some of these laws specify the RPSGT credential as the acceptable license for sleep testing. Other state laws incorporated the RPSGT and RRT, RRT-SDS as acceptable credentials for sleep testing. In numerous states, Medicare specifies the RPSGT credential as the license to be held by individuals who perform testing in the sleep lab.
The “new” certificate/credential being promoted by the ABSM/AASM doesn’t fall into any of these categories. So what are they going to do? First step: visit all the states where Polysomnographic laws have not been passed. Start with Georgia. They have a meeting April 30th, 2011. http://www.facebook.com/l/c79fbX0cmnWDqQch_Ye1Ot14-EQ/gasleep.org/
The Georgia Association of Sleep Professionals (GASP) was formed 2-3 years ago. This sleep society has ABSM/AASM physicians on their governing board. The sleep society has not been able to get active legislation into or passed by their respective government. It’s not from a lack of trying though, now the ABSM/AASM will try to get their “new” sleep license written into the Georgia state law, if and when they get it added to a bill.
Who’s on the GASP agenda and what are they talking about?
Out of Center Testing for Sleep Apnea - Nancy Collop, MD
New DME Accreditation Program and New Home Testing Accreditation Program - Jerry Barrett, AASM Executive Director
New AASM Technologist Credentialing Program - Jerry Barrett
Yep, more home testing which is well suited for a lower certificate / credential. Why pay RPSGT’s / RRT’s top dollar to mail out home testing kits, the results of which the AASM declares can be auto scored by a computer.
You also have the first presentation to discuss and convince RPSGT’s the new ABSM/AASM test is going to be the best thing for them.
My suggestion? RPSGT’s, who currently make up the bulk of membership with GASP, should request a vote for new directors of the board. Can they do that? Yep, it’s right here in their by-laws.
Georgia
5.2 (d) A Director, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed with or without cause by vote of a majority of the members entitled to vote at an election of Directors.
Once they get members on the board that supports the RPSGT credential, they can change this wonderful by-law:
3.3 Qualifications.
Officers and Directors must be GASP voting members in good standing, working full-time in the Sleep Medicine profession. Officers must also be members of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) or American Association of Sleep Technologist (AAST).
It’s time to stand up and be heard. You have to do it, or you can sit there and let them decide what’s best for you. Has the ABSM/AASM/AAST been doing what’s best for you?
Randy T.
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