Minutes - September 27, 1997 - Hotel Sofitel, Miami

The Florida Society of Neonatologists
Meeting Minutes
September 17, 1997
Hotel Sofitel, Miami

TOPIC	DISCUSSION	RECOMMENDATIONS	FOLLOW-UP
1. Minutes of last meeting.	The minutes from the June 18, 1997 meeting were submitted.	Approved as submitted.	None.
Secretary -Treasurer’s Report 2a. Account Balance	The current balance is $7346.	None.	None.
2b. Membership.	115 members currently on roles. It has been recommended that an inactive status be established for members who are >2 years behind on dues or who have moved out of state.	Bylaws being revised to reflect inactive status. Attempts will be made to determine accurate membership roles, and to boost membership and member participation. Membership application form to be made available on FSN web site. Membership approval and notification process to be formalized.	Dr. Kairalla will report on progress with membership at next meeting.
Old Business
3a. Anencephalic organ donors	The Bioethics Committee of the Florida Pediatric Society has issued a statement endorsing the use of anencephalic patients as organ donors if the parents request it. The FSN has been asked to add its endorsement to their statement.	While there was agreement with most of the members present with this statement, it was decided to put this question to a written vote of the entire membership.	A mailing will be sent out to the FSN membership including the statement, members will be asked to vote by mail. The Florida Pediatric Society will be informed of the outcome of the vote.
3b. FSN Web Site	Dr. Andy Kairalla provided a demonstration of the new FSN web site. The Internet address for this web site is: www.neonotes.com/fsn.	Members were encouraged to set up an account with an Internet service provider such as America Online or Physicians online, and to send their email address to Dr Kairalla for inclusion in the web site. We hope to be able to conduct much of our FSN business on the web in the future. Security features will be added to the web site in the near future, so passwords will be needed for access to the Members-only section of the web.	Dr. Kairalla will report on progress with the web site at the next meeting.
3c. Level II/III Guidelines	ACHA has decided to wait 1 year before revising the guidelines on level II and III NICU’S. During this period , FSN members are being asked to submit outcome date from their level II and III nurseries. Dr. Mark Hudak presented samples of the current RPICC data collection form and the Vermont Oxford data collection form as examples of possible forms to use for this data. The members picked pertinent data fields from these forms.	Dr. Hudac will compile the selected data fields into a form to use for this data collection. The form will be published on the FSN web site when available.	The status of the implementation of this data collection will be reported on at the next meeting.
3d. Herpes Practice Parameter	Dr. Hutchinson is reviewing his herpes practice parameter .	Vote on approval tabled pending his revisions.	None.
3e. Revision of FSN Bylaws	Dr. Jeane McCarthy has been working on revising the FSN bylaws. The most significant change is the establishment of 5 member districts in the state of Florida with board members elected from each district.	Proposed changes to the bylaws will be published on the web site.	Members will be polled by mail to vote on the new bilaws.
3f. Report from Tallahessee	Dr. Jeane McCarthy, acting as a consultant to ACHA, reported on several "Hot Topics" of interest to neonatologists that are currently being discussed by the agency. These include: New standards for pediatric care in hospitals that specify four levels of care. State-mandated universal newborn hearing screening. New infant nutrition guidelines that encourage breast feeding. A move to legalize medicinal use of marijuana in Florida.	FSN members wishing to have input on these topics are encouraged to contact Dr. McCarthy or Debbie Walters at the Agency for Health Care Administration.	None.
New Business.
Membership Participation	A plea was made by Dr. Napolitano for increased membership participation in FSN. If the FSN hopes to maintain its credibility as a voice for neonatologists in the state, then we must be able to demonstrate active participation by the majority of Florida Neonatologists.	Encourage our present members to become more active in the affairs of the society. To solicit new members from our neonatology groups.	None.
5. Meeting Adjourned.