Nation's Emergency Physicians Look to the Future With an Eye on the Affordable Care Act, in San Francisco, October 15-18

2011 Scientific Assembly To Feature Emergency Medicine's Latest Findings, Groundbreaking Research and Cutting-Edge Technologies

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 5,000 emergency physicians from across the nation will be in San Francisco for the 2011 Scientific Assembly at the Moscone Center from October 15 to 18.  This year's conference, the largest annual gathering of emergency physicians in the country, will predict the future of emergency medicine against the backdrop of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, one of the most sweeping changes to the U.S. economy.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100616/DC22034LOGO-d)

Credentialed members of the news media are invited to learn along-side emergency physicians in more than 300 clinical and general courses featuring the most pressing issues in medicine today, including sessions on technological advancements, discussion on policy issues vital to medical professionals and their patients and workshops designed to enhance medical skills.  

See course highlights:  http://www.acep.org/MeetingInfo.aspx?InfoType=RC
See full course catalogue:  http://www.acep.org/MeetingInfo.aspx?id=37684

The Research Forum will present the latest findings in the field of emergency medicine.  On Oct. 15 and 16, emergency medicine researchers will introduce nearly 500 poster presentations in Hall C of Moscone Center-South.  The Research Forum will close at  4 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, with a special panel discussion — "Cutting-Edge: Highlights of Emergency Medicine Research" — highlighting the most groundbreaking research in room 224 of Moscone Center-South.

More than 300 companies and organizations will be represented in the Exhibit Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 to 17.  Many exhibits will feature hands-on product demonstrations and opportunities for one-on-one consultations with technical and marketing personnel.  Highlights include the ACEP Bookstore, Resource Center, Wellness Booth and the Cyber Cafe.

The conference's Opening Session will feature national political analyst and recognized authority on U.S. elections and trends, Charlie Cook, who will discuss "The Affordable Care Act: It's Promise for Emergency Medicine.  His presentation will be from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, in room 103 of Moscone Center-South.

Richard E. Wolfe, MD, FACEP, will peer into the future of emergency medicine with "Emergency Medicine 2020: A Vision for the Future" (James D. Mills, Jr. Memorial Lecture) from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16, in room 103 of Moscone Center-South.

Helen Burstin, MD, MPH and Jay A. Kaplan, MD, FACEP, will lead a panel discussion on "The Quality Agenda" (Colin C. Rorrie, Jr. Memorial Lecture), from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 17, in Room 104 of Moscone Center-South.  The panel will discuss how government agencies seek to define emergency medicine practice and tie reimbursement to a vision of proper care.  

In an interactive workshop, a panel of experts will discuss successful strategies to improve emergency department overcrowding in "ED Overcrowding: Overcoming Barriers and Improving Outcomes through an Innovative Learning Workshop."  This session will be held from 4 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, in Room 309, Moscone Center-South.

Registration fees are waived for credentialed members of the news media.  Members of the news media may download a registration form at the following link:  http://www.acep.org/uploadedFiles/ACEP/MeetingSites/SA08/Register/NewsMediaRegis(1).pdf).  News media may also register onsite for free at the Media Relations Office, room 234 of Moscone Center-South.

The following are the hours of operation of the Media Relations Office which has phones and workspace available for members of the news media.  

ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine.  ACEP is committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research and public education.  Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ACEP has 53 chapters representing each state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.  A Government Services Chapter represents emergency physicians employed by military branches and other government agencies.

SOURCE American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)