ACS CRS CME Subscription

ACS Case Reviews in Surgery offers in-depth analyses of current and unique surgical cases. Each 10-article issue will teach surgeons effective ways to use the highest-quality surgical research to achieve patient care excellence.

Member Price: $150

It Pays for Your Patients to Quit Smoking Before Surgery: Outcomes, Interventions, and Reimbursement

Our e-learning program for surgical practitioners details the effects of nicotine and smoking on surgical outcomes, the benefits of counseling and pharmacotherapy, the appropriate codes and reimbursement benefits for smoking cessation counseling, and resources for surgeons and patients.

Participants can earn a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Price:

Fellows, Associate Fellows, Affiliate MD/DO Members: $40
Resident Members, Medical Students: $25
Nonmembers: $65

ACS Surgery Resident Objective Structured Clinical Examination DVD

The ACS Surgery Resident Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) was developed as a tool for assessing the entry-level knowledge and skills of PGY-1 surgery residents in delivering safe care to surgery patients with critical and life-threatening conditions. The OSCE is intended as a formative evaluation tool for providing residents with constructive feedback regarding their management of critical situations that they are likely to encounter, particularly when they are on call. Ten scenarios have been developed that unfold during a 10-minute clinical encounter and a 5-minute written post-encounter. Cases include the traditional use of standardized patients (SPs), as well as telephone conversations and encounters with standardized nurses and medical students.

The OSCE is designed for use by any residency program, regardless of previous experience with OSCEs or availability of a SP training program or facility. This program includes two parts: a CD that provides all the written materials and instructions needed to prepare for and administer the OSCE, and a DVD that provides a gold standard performance of each clinical scenario being portrayed by a SP and resident.

This project was supported by grant number U18 HS12021 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Developed by the American College of Surgeons Division of Education. 2008.

Price: Free

Communicating with Patients about Surgical Errors and Adverse Outcomes (DVD)

This educational DVD (Windows and Mac platform) addresses the essential principles of communicating with patients about surgical errors and adverse outcomes. Research has revealed that physicians and patients have very different perspectives regarding these issues, and this DVD presents viewpoints of each group. Critical concepts for understanding and approaching conversations regarding surgical errors and adverse outcomes are presented by Drs. Thomas Gallagher and John Banja during surgical grand rounds at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA. In addition, three vignettes involving a retained sponge, an operating room burn, and a common bile duct injury depict surgeons interacting with patients in these scenarios using a variety of strategies and approaches. Discussion points for each vignette are provided.

The content does not provide legal advice, nor does it establish a standard of care for disclosing surgical error. It is also a valuable tool for teaching and group discussion purposes with surgeons, residents, or medical students. This project was supported by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Grant number U 18 HS12021. Developed by ACS Division of Education. Please note continuing education (CME) credit is not available for this product.

Price: Free

Disclosing Surgical Error: Vignettes for Discussion (DVD)

This educational DVD (Windows and Mac platforms) provides teaching tools to stimulate dialogue regarding strategies for communicating effectively about surgical errors and adverse outcomes with patients and their families. The vignettes on the DVD involve a surgeon who encountered major arterial bleeding after inserting a Veress needle to insufflate the patient’s abdomen during a routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The scenes depict the surgeon discussing the error and current status of the patient with the family, and may be used as the basis of discussion regarding the disclosure of errors and adverse events, as well as effective and ineffective approaches to disclosure.

The DVD vignettes—the first of which illustrates an interaction in which the disclosure could be improved significantly, while the second vignette demonstrates strategies for breaking bad news more effectively—may be used as freestanding trigger tapes for small group discussions with surgeons, surgical residents, or medical students, or may be incorporated into a comprehensive course.

The content does not provide legal advice, nor does it establish the standard of care on disclosing surgical error. This project was supported by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality Grant U18 HS12021 and is free of charge. Developed by the ACS Division of Education.

Price: Free

Feeding Tube Home Skills Kit

The Surgical Patient Education Feeding Tube Home Skills Kit is a simulation-based, multimedia program that supports self-paced learning and safe self-management following discharge. Each skill kit contains practice equipment, a DVD with skill demonstration, an instruction booklet with images, discharge guidelines, references for additional support, and a step-by-step checklist to guide performance and evaluation of skill acquisition. The Feeding Tube Home Skills Kit was developed with multi-association consensus and is funded in part by a grant from Applied Medical Technology, Inc.

For more information about the Feeding Tube Home Skills Program, visit the ACS website.

Price:

ACS Members: $20 per kit
Non-Members: $40 per kit

*Skills Kits should be eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Guidelines for Optimal Ambulatory Surgical Care and Office-Based Surgery

Developed by the Board of Governors Committee on Ambulatory Surgical Care. A set of optimal educational guidelines to help the surgeon in the office practice of surgery provide this service to patients in an appropriate manner and in a safe environment. (May 2000).

Price:

Single copies: Free
Additional: $5 each
10 or more copies: $4.50 each

Nuances of patient characteristics demand a sophisticated approach to pain management.

Master the complexities of perioperative pain management with the real-life strategies highlighted in this new online program. Challenging patient scenarios across preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods are used to demonstrate the array of pain management approaches essential for effective surgical care.

After completing Optimizing Pain Management:  An Evidence-Based Approach, learners will be able to:

• Outline the array of pain management approaches essential for effective surgical care, including multimodal therapies and pain management with and without the use of opioids.
• Describe differences in appropriate pain management approaches for straightforward and complex patient profiles across preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative, and end-of-life periods.
• Discuss the implications of opioid use in perioperative patients and the strategies to manage patients with profiles ranging from opioid naïve, to opioid use for chronic pain, and to opioid dependency.

Ostomy Home Skills Kit: Spanish Adult Colostomy/Ileostomy

The Surgical Patient Education Ostomy Home Skills Kit provides Spanish-speaking patients with comprehensive, interactive materials to enable learning and practicing of the skills needed for optimal postoperative recovery. Each skill kit contains: practice equipment (pouch, scissors, stoma model, measurement guide, surgical marker), a DVD with skill demonstration, an instruction booklet with images, a self-assessment checklist, and references for additional support. Kits are available for purchase as single kits or in groups of five. The Ostomy Home Skills Kit was developed by a multidisciplinary program of the American College of Surgeons Division of Education and has been funded in part by a grant from Coloplast Corp. View the Spanish Adult Colostomy/Ileostomy Skills Kit .

Price:

ACS Members: $5 per kit
Non-Members:  $40 per kit

*Skills Kits should be eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Ostomy Home Skills Kit: Spanish Adult Urostomy

The Surgical Patient Education Ostomy Home Skills Kit provides Spanish-speaking patients with comprehensive, interactive materials to enable learning and practicing of the skills needed for optimal postoperative recovery. Each skill kit contains: practice equipment (pouch, scissors, stoma model, measurement guide, surgical marker), a DVD with skill demonstration, an instruction booklet with images, a self-assessment checklist, and references for additional support. Kits are available for purchase as single kits or in groups of five. The Ostomy Home Skills Kit was developed by a multidisciplinary program of the American College of Surgeons Division of Education and has been funded in part by a grant from Coloplast Corp. View the Spanish Adult Urostomy kit . 

Price:

ACS Members: $5 per kit
Non-Members:  $40 per kit

*Skills Kits should be eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Ostomy Home Skills Kit: Pediatric Colostomy/Ileostomy

The Surgical Patient Education Ostomy Home Skills Kit provides patients with comprehensive, interactive materials to enable learning and practicing of the skills needed for optimal postoperative recovery. Each skill kit contains: practice equipment (pouch, scissors, stoma model, measurement guide, surgical marker), a DVD with skill demonstration, an instruction booklet with images, a self-assessment checklist, and references for additional support. Kits are available for purchase as single kits or in groups of five. The Ostomy Home Skills Kit was developed by a multidisciplinary program of the American College of Surgeons Division of Education and has been funded in part by a grant from Coloplast Corp. View the Pediatric Colostomy/Ileostomy Skills Kit .

Price:

ACS Members: $5 per kit
Non-Members: $40 per kit

*Skills Kits should be eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Ostomy Home Skills Kit: Adult Colostomy/Ileostomy

The Surgical Patient Education Ostomy Home Skills Kit provides patients with comprehensive, interactive materials to enable learning and practicing of the skills needed for optimal postoperative recovery. Each skill kit contains: practice equipment (pouch, scissors, stoma model, measurement guide, surgical marker), a DVD with skill demonstration, an instruction booklet with images, a self-assessment checklist, and references for additional support. Kits are available for purchase as single kits or in groups of five. The Ostomy Home Skills Kit was developed by a multidisciplinary program of the American College of Surgeons Division of Education and has been funded in part by a grant from Coloplast Corp. View the Adult Colostomy/Ileostomy Home Skills Kit .

Price:

ACS Members: $5 per kit (limit 100 kits)
Non-Members: $40 per kit

*Skills Kits should be eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Ostomy Home Skills Kit: Adult Urostomy

The Surgical Patient Education Ostomy Home Skills Kit provides patients with comprehensive, interactive materials to enable learning and practicing of the skills needed for optimal postoperative recovery. Each skill kit contains: practice equipment (pouch, scissors, stoma model, measurement guide, surgical marker), a DVD with skill demonstration, an instruction booklet with images, a self-assessment checklist, and references for additional support. Kits are available for purchase as single kits or in groups of five. The Ostomy Home Skills Kit was developed by a multidisciplinary program of the American College of Surgeons Division of Education and has been funded in part by a grant from Coloplast Corp. View the Adult Urostomy Skills Kit .

Price:

ACS Members: $5.00 per kit
Non-Members: $40 per kit

*Skills Kits should be eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Ostomy Home Skills Kit: Pediatric Urostomy 

The Surgical Patient Education Ostomy Home Skills Kit provides patients with comprehensive, interactive materials to enable learning and practicing of the skills needed for optimal postoperative recovery. Each skill kit contains: practice equipment (pouch, scissors, stoma model, measurement guide, surgical marker), a DVD with skill demonstration, an instruction booklet with images, a self-assessment checklist, and references for additional support. Kits are available for purchase as single kits or in groups of five. The Ostomy Home Skills Kit was developed by a multidisciplinary program of the American College of Surgeons Division of Education and has been funded in part by a grant from Coloplast Corp. View the Pediatric Urostomy Skills Kit .

Price:

ACS Members: $5 per kit
Non-Members: $40 per kit

*Skills Kits should be eligible for reimbursement with flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HRA).

Professionalism in Surgery: Challenges and Choices - 2nd Edition (DVD

The second edition of Professionalism in Surgery: Challenges and Choices presents 12 new vignettes in addition to the original 12 vignettes, the American College of Surgeons "Code of Professional Conduct," and "Medical Professionalism in the New Millennium: A Physician Charter." The 24 lively vignettes depict realistic dilemmas that surgeons face in everyday practice, present possible courses of action, and highlight the principles of professionalism underlying various actions. New vignettes include titles such as "Dropped Pass," "Industry Temptations," "Molecular Mischief," and "Expert Excesses."

The first edition met with wide acclaim for teaching purposes, whether used with small groups of residents or for Grand Rounds with practicing surgeons. The engaging and sometimes humorous vignettes always prompt stimulating and productive discussions. Developed by the ACS Division of Education. 2008. Please note continuing medical education (CME) credit is not available for this product.

Price:

Fellow, Affiliate MD-DO: $99
Non-Fellow: $150
Resident and Society (RAS) Members: $45
Surgical Resident, Non-RAS*: $75
Medical Student Members: $25
Medical Student Nonmembers, Other Affiliate Members: $45

* Non-RAS residents must supply a letter confirming status as a resident from a program director or administrator and are limited to one CD-ROM. Fax number: 312-202-5001.

The Breast Diseases issue of Selected Readings in General Surgery (SRGS) reviews surgical diseases of the breast. Detailed discussions of problems frequently encountered in surgical practice include breast neoplasia, breast infections, nipple discharge, and breast pain.

Topic List

• Selected Aspects of Breast Physiology
• Diagnosing Breast Disease
• Benign Breast Disorders
• Breast Cancer

This issue includes a self-assessment test that offers the opportunity to earn up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

This issue of Selected Readings in General Surgery (SRGS) begins a three-part series. This issue reviews bowel preparation for reducing the risk of infectious complications after elective colon resection, diseases of the appendix, diverticular disease, colon obstruction, hemorrhoid disease, and perirectal infection (with an emphasis on anal fistulas and fissures).

The goal of this issue is to provide evidence-based updates on the most common abdominal operations performed by general surgeons, diagnostic process refinements, and the health burden imposed by disease complications.

Topic List

• Bowel Preparation for Elective Colon Procedures
• Surgery of the Appendix
• Diverticular Disease of the Colon
• Colon Obstruction and Volvulus
• Rectal Prolapse and Fecal Incontinence
• Hemorrhoid Disease
• Perirectal Infection, Anal Fistula, and Anal Fissure
• Pilonidal Disease

This issue includes a self-assessment test that offers the opportunity to earn up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

The Colon, Rectum, and Anus, Part II issue of Selected Readings in General Surgery (SRGS) is the second of a three-part series. It specifically addresses neoplastic diseases of this region, refinements in surgical techniques, and the use of effective adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy to help reduce mortality rates.

The goal of this issue is to help improve surgeons' understanding of the malignant potential of colorectal adenomas, and the implementation of programs for cancer prevention through early detection (such as fecal blood analysis) and the removal of premalignant lesions. This issue will also provide guidance for diagnosing and operatively managing colon, rectal, and anal cancer, and it will help surgeons better manage complicated presentations of colon cancer as well as understand the differences in managing cancer, rectal cancer, and anal cancer.

Topic List

• The Genetic and Molecular Biology of Colon Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors
• Prevention of Colon Cancer
• Screening for Cancer Prevention and Early Diagnosis
• Familial or Genetically Determined Colorectal Neoplasia
• Diagnosis and Staging of Colon Cancer
• Operative Management of Colon Cancer
• Management of Complicated Colon Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Anal Cancer

This issue includes a self-assessment test that offers the opportunity to earn up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

The Colon, Rectum, and Anus, Part III issue of Selected Readings in General Surgery (SRGS) is the third of a three-part series. This review will open with Hirschsprung disease and will then continue the discussion on inflammatory diseases involving the colon that was begun in Part II of the Colon, Rectum, and Anus series. Two additional diseases that are diagnosed with increasing frequency will be explored: Clostridium difficile colitis and ischemic colitis.

The goal of this issue is to teach surgeons new surgical treatment pathways for Hirschsprung disease and to help prevent the significant disabilities and improve quality of life through an enhanced understanding of the epidemiology, biology, clinical aspects, and treatment guidelines associated with inflammatory colon diseases.

Topic List

• Hirschsprung Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Involving the Colon
• Clostridium Difficile Colitis
• Ischemic Colitis

This issue includes a self-assessment test that offers the opportunity to earn up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

The Ethics, Patient Safety, and the Business of Medicine issue of Selected eadings in General Surgery (SRGS) reviews recent literature on topics that are important to surgeons, including the increase of certain health care trends like patient's personal freedom and autonomy and increased patient involvement in seeking, consenting to, and even refusing surgical care.

The goal of this issue is to help surgeons become more familiar with the fundamentals of ethical surgical practices in light of these new health care trends. Additionally, this issue aims to help surgeons learn new ways of controlling heart care costs and to better formulate strategies to create successful and sustainable health care institutions.

Topic List

• Surgical Ethics
• Patient Safety in Surgical Practice
• The Business of Medicine

This issue includes a self-assessment test that offers the opportunity to earn up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

The Geriatrics and Palliative Care issue of Selected Readings in General Surgery (SRGS) discusses articles relevant to the care of geriatric patients who require surgical interventions as well as features of palliative care that surgeons can use for optimum control of symptoms and quality of life for patients with diseases that cannot be cured.

The goal of this issue is to help surgeons understand methods of evaluating when surgical management is necessary in elderly patients, how to quantify and manage surgical risk (particularly with regards to chronic conditions that may influence operative risk), how to determine when palliative care is indicated, how to effectively communicate available surgical and palliative options to patients, the patient's family, and surrogate caregivers, and how to embrace a team approach to palliative care.

Topic List

• Clinical Assessment of the Geriatric Patient
• Surgical Outcomes in Geriatric Patients
• Perioperative Management of Geriatric Patients
• Education and Training in Geriatric Care
• Injury Management in Geriatric Patients
• Palliative Care for Surgical Patients

This issue includes a self-assessment test that offers the opportunity to earn up to 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

Due to recent declarations from health leaders around the globe, including the World Health Organization, there will be an increased emphasis on providing quality surgical care in austere and underserved regions. This special issue of Selected Readings in General Surgery will explore key rural surgery issues to help gain an enhanced perspective on the current status of high-quality health care access in rural regions, including the health risks faced by rural-area residents, data on health outcomes for rural patients, important aspects of maintaining a thriving rural surgeon workforce, rural surgeon training models, and important differences in the volume and variety of clinical problems experienced by rural vs. urban surgeons.

Rural Surgery Single Issue Topic List

• Rural Surgery – Global Perspectives
• Important Characteristics of Contemporary Rural Surgery
• Rural Surgery & Health Systems Issues
• Rural Surgeon Recruitment & Retention
• Training for Rural Surgery Practice
• Clinical Challenges in Rural Surgery

The issue includes self-assessment test that, upon completion, can earn the participant 10 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Surgeon Specific Registry (SSR) is an easily accessible and user-friendly registry which allows the individual surgeon to track his/her cases and outcomes in a convenient manner. Data entry takes a few minutes to complete per patient and can be performed on a number of devices, including personal computers, tablets, and smartphones. To keep data entry burden at a minimum, only the essential variables are required for collection. This system allows surgeons to compare their outcomes to others in a confidential way.

In addition, the Surgeon Specific Registry (SSR) offers features to help you meet regulatory requirements and track your cases and outcomes when it’s convenient for you.

• Submit surgical measures for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Physician Quality Reporting System (CMS PQRS).
• Meet American Board of Surgery Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Part 4 and Recertification requirements.
• Use case logging for the individual surgeon.
• Enter and edit cases online and on your mobile device (iPhone, iPad, and Android).
• Complete cases within a matter of minutes based on key clinical data variables.
• Review benchmark and real-time online reports.

Visit the ACS website or more information about the Surgeon Specific Registry or e-mail SSR@facs.org.