Minutes - February 13, 1998

The Florida Society of Neonatologists
Meeting Minutes
February 13, 1998
Contemporary Hotel, Orlando

TOPIC	DISCUSSION	RECOMMENDATIONS	FOLLOW-UP
1. Minutes of last meeting. Return to Menu.	The minutes from the Sept 17, 1997 meeting were submitted.	Approved as submitted.	None.
Secretary-Treasurer’s Report 2a. Account Balance Return to Menu.	The current balance is $10,501 up from $7396 at last meeting. Increase in revenues is attributable to 1998 dues paid and a $2000 grant from Ross Corp.	None.	None.
2b. Membership. Return to Menu.	87 active members currently on roles (based on dues paid for 1997 or 1998).	Information Only.	None.
3. Old Business
3a. Bylaws Revisions Return to Menu.	Proposed changes to FSN bylaws were voted on by mail, but the number of members who returned ballots (34) was short of the 2/3 affirmative vote of the entire membership needed to ammeend the current bylaws. Additional changes to the bylaws were discussed.	Include full-time neonatologists who are not board-certified to the Special Membership category. Members in this category would have voting privileges , but would not be able to become officers. Reduce the requirement for FMA membership (now 90%) to the lowest number which will still allow FMA recognition.	A bylaws committee headed by Dr Jeane McCarthy will draft new proposed bylaws and these will be distributed to the FSN membership for discussion and voting.
3b. Web Site Update Return to Menu.	Dr Kairalla reported that the FSN web site is up and running, but that very few FSN members are using the site. Virtually none of our members are posting comments or opinions in the discussion section of the web. The Address of the FSN web site is www.neonotes.com/fsn. Less than half of our membership have internet access (based on email addresses submitted).	Encourage members to sign up with an internet service provider , and to inform us of their email address. It was mentioned that free email services can be obtained through juno.com or hotmail.com of physicians online (po.com) or possible through your medical centers. Encourage members to visit the FSN web site frequently to keep abreast of current issues. Send email to fsn-net@neonotes.com for broadcasting to the entire FSN membership.	Dr. Kairalla will report on progress with the web site and member participation at the next meeting.
3c. Data Collection Form Return to Menu.	Dr. Mark Hudak presented a suggested data collection form that could be used to track outcomes in level II and III NICUs. This was done at the request of ACHA who will collect the data. Participation in this data collection will be voluntary on the part of the hospitals. Several changes to the form were suggested by the members present.	Form committee headed by Dr. Hudak will make suggested changes to the data collection form. New form will be distributed to the active FSN membership by mail for informational purposes. It will also be posted on our web site. Since participation in this data collection is voluntary, no vote was deemed necessary.	Dr. Hudak will report on progress with this data collection program at our next meeting.
4. New Business
4a. PPTF Specialty Society Service Program. Return to Menu.	SSSP is a program sponsored by PPTF which offers free administrative and management services to FMA-recognized specialty societies. Ms. Wanda Callahan of SSSP gave an informational briefing on how the program works, and potential benefits to the society if we participate. She also provided fererence names and phone numbers of other Florida medical societies that currently participate in the program. There was a general agreement among the members present that this service could significantly benefit our society, but that further investigation was warranted before signing up.	Dr. Napolitano would call the presidents of the other societies currently serviced by SSSP and ask if they are pleased with the service. Any FSN members who have any knowledge of SSSP or its programs are encouraged to contact an FSN officer with your opinion / comments. You may also respond via email to fsn-net@neonotes.com, or in the discussion section of our web site. It is anticipated that unless we have significant negative feedback about this program, we will accept their services on a trial basis within the next few weeks.	Dr. Napolitano will report on the status of our association with SSSP at our next meeting.
4b. FMA Report Return to Menu.	Dr. Shahnaz Duara attended the quarterly FMA meeting and updated us on current legislative issues being addresed by FMA.	FSN Members are asked to consider any legislative issues which concern neonatal care which might benefit from FMA support. Dr. Duara will present these issues to the FMA leadership for consideration.	Dr. Duara will attend these quarterly meetings and keep the FSN membership up to date on current legislative issues which might affect our practice of neonatology.
4c. FPS Report. Return to Menu.	Dr Napolitano and Dr. McCarthy attended a meeting on 11/17/97 with Dr. Curran and Dr Williams (president of the Florida Pediatric Society) to discuss ways that FPS and FSN might work together more effectively. It was proposed the the FSN board become the committee of the fetus and newborn of FPS, with our president becoming the chairman of that committee. It was also proposed that a page in the FPS newsletter (The Florida Pediatrician) be contributed by FSN to keep Florida Pediatricians informed about neonatal issues. Dr. Jeane McCarthy will represent FSN and FPS at the AAP legislative conference in April 1998. The possibility of changing our annual meeting from February to May (in conjunction with the FPS meeting) was discussed.	Information Only.	None.
4d. Neonatal Transport Guidelines. Return to Menu.	Dr. Napolitano reported that most of the regulations that concerned neonatal transport (formerly Section 10D-66) have now been resurrected in a new regulation (64E) which has recently been approved.	Information only.	None.
4e. Inpatient Pediatric Standards for Hospitals. Return to Menu.	ACHA has recently revised ifs Inpatient Pediatric Standards for Hospitals, and the new standards were mailed to hospitals in December 1997. This document establishes 4 levels of pediatric services for hospitals, and outlines the necessary requirements to be able to offer these services.	Members are encouraged to obtain a copy of this document from their hospitals and review it. Any comments or concerns about these requirements should be directed to Debbie Walters at ACHA or to Dr . Jeane McCarthy. If Possible, feedback should be submitted by 2/22/98.	None.
4f. New FSN Membership Form and application Process. View New Application form. Return to Menu.	Dr. Kairalla presented a simplified one page application form for FSN membership which would only require proof of board certification of eligibility and a copy of the applicant’s CV as supporting documentation. No longer will 2 letters from current FSN members be required. The New application form was approved with minor changes.	Dr. Kairalla will make the necessary changes to the form and it will be distributed to the membership. Members will be encouraged to copy the form and give it to any eligible neonatologist who might be interested in joining the society. Dr. Kairalla will place the form on our web site so it can be downloaded by anyone interested in applying for membership.	The latest version of the FSN application form will be presented at the next meeting.
5. Meeting Adjourned. Return to Menu.

Respectfully Submitted on February 23, 1998
by Andrew B. Kairalla MD
Secretary-Treasurer, FSN

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