American Society of Anesthesiologists Information & American Society of Anesthesiologists Links at HealthHaven.com

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is an association of physicians, primarily anesthesiologists, that share a common goal of raising the standard of the medical specialty of anesthesiology and the improvement of patient care by fostering and encouraging education through research and scientific progress.

In 2008, the organization claimed a membership of 43,000 members and has over 100 full time employees.

[edit] History

The group was founded in 1905 by a group of nine colleagues as the Long Island Society of Anesthetists. Its founders held meetings in the Long Island College Hospital. In 1911, the name changed to New York Society of Anesthetists.

As membership grew, the Society changed its name to the American Society of Anesthetists in 1935. It adopted its current name in 1945 and moved its facilities to rent-free accommodations in the E. R. Squibb & Sons Building in New York City. In 1947, ASA's headquarters moved to Chicago. Since 1960 it has been located in Park Ridge, Illinois.

ASA designated the ASA's Division of Scientific Affairs as the major continuing educational component of the Society, and the Committee on Professional Education Oversight has overall responsibility for the programs. To achieve its goal of raising standards of the medical practice of anesthesiology, ASA sponsors the world's largest annual educational program for anesthesiologists, to provide anesthesiologists with information on the newest developments in anesthesiology and other related medical fields. ASA also offers formal refresher courses of continuing education for the practicing anesthesiologist at the Annual Meeting and in regional courses throughout the year.

Educational Products Include:

Self-Education and Evaluation Program (SEE) - A self-assessment which practitioners can complete at their own convenience. SEE enables anesthesiologists to gain an objective measure of their professional knowledge and provides guidance for continuing education
Anesthesiology Continuing Education Program (ACE) – facilitates lifelong learning by allowing practitioners to assess their status of knowledge, identify any areas of improvement and prepare for the written anesthesiology recertification examination
Patient Safety CME - provides case based instruction on Patient Safety
ASA Refresher Courses in Anesthesiology
Anesthesiology’s Journal-Based Programs
Annual Meetings
Simulation Education Web Site
Ambulatory Surgical Centers: A Manual for Anesthesiologists

[edit] Membership

Membership is open to holders of Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees who are licensed practitioners and have successfully completed a training program in anesthesiology approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Members must maintain the high standards required by the Society throughout their careers. Within the membership, the Society has a special section for residents in training in anesthesiology. Resident members must be physicians in a full-time anesthesiology residency program accredited by ACGME or AOA.

[edit] Governance

ASA is governed by its House of Delegates. The House of Delegates is composed of ASA delegates and directors (designated by geographic distribution), ASA officers, all past presidents, the Editor-in-Chief of the journal, the chairs of all sections, the chair of the ASA delegation to the American Medical Association House of Delegates and each member of the Resident Component Governing Council not to exceed five members and a non-voting member of the Medical Student component. The House of Delegates meets each year during the Society's Annual Meeting.

During the interim between the meetings of the House of Delegates, the ASA Board of Directors exercises authority to manage the business and financial affairs of the Society, and superintends and directs the publication and distribution of all official documents, journals and reports consistent with policies of the House of Delegates. The Board of Directors meet three times each year. The Society also has many special committees. In addition, 55 component societies work to implement and complement the Society's goals at the community level.

The current president is Dr. Alexander A. Hannenberg. The President-Elect is Mark A. Warner, M.D., the secretary is Arthur M. Boudreaux, M.D. and the treasurer is Dr. John M. Zerwas.

[edit] Meetings

Meetings are held annually and are based on scientific progress in the anestisiology field. Link to ASA Annual Meeting Homepage

[edit] Publications

The Society publishes multiple academic resources within the following categories:

Practice Management
Practice Parameters
Continuing Education
Patient Education
Patient Safety/Risk Management and Quality Improvement
General Publications
- ASA Bylaws
- ASA Standards
- Guidelines and Statements
- The Medical Specialty of Anesthesiology
- Challenge, Diversity, Flexibility, Rewards
Periodicals
- ASA newsletter
- The Journal Anesthesiology
Physician Booklets

[edit] Related Organizations

[edit] External links

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