2013 Practicum

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Hands-On Practicum on Hemodialysis Access
The Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas
May 2-4, 2013

LOCATION:
The Practicum and the Hands-On Labs will be held at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute Building, 2nd Floor Auditorium, 6670 Bertner Avenue, Houston, Texas 77030.

Why Should You Attend the 2013 Practicum?

Physicians
  • Observe live cases
  • Perform endovascular procedures in an animal lab
  • Learn laparoscopic and percutaneous PD placement
  • Deploy sutureless venous anastomotic devices
  • Practice ultrasound skills on live patients
  • Cadaver dissection and more
Nurses/Technicians
  • Observe live access surgery cases
  • Hands on ultrasound evaluation
  • Learn ultrasound guided punctures
  • Handle and puncture various biological and prosthetic grafts
  • Live patient physical examination
  • Cadaver dissection
  • Interactive "Whats's Wrong With This Access?" session
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
This practicum is designed for all transplant, vascular and general surgeons, nephrologists, interventional radiologists and nephrologists, nurses, and dialysis technicians who are interested in the management of vascular access.

The program will allow participants to:
  • Observe and perform vascular access procedures in a live animal laboratory
  • Receive expert instruction in surgical and interventional hemodialysis access procedures
  • Attend didactic presentations, workshops, and one- on-one discussions led by nationally recognized faculty
  • Gain experience using ultrasound for evaluation of hemodialysis fistulas and grafts
Separate activities for nurses and dialysis technicians will be available, including assessment of fistulas and grafts and participation in procedure discussions, equipment workshops, and a buttonhole technique workshop.

The VASA Practicum provides a rare opportunity for healthcare professionals to have a “hands-on” experience with surgical and interventional procedures for creating and maintaining vascular access for hemodialysis.
RATES:
Registration fee includes enrollment, continuing education credits, educational materials, continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks, boxed lunches and Friday evening dinner and entertainment at Armadillo Palace. Click here to register.

VASA Member PhysicianSOLD OUT!
Non-Member Physician SOLD OUT!
VASA Member AHP $300
Non-Member AHP $350
Residents and Fellows SOLD OUT!
Industry Representatives SOLD OUT!
Dialysis Technicians $100
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM:
Building on the great success and positive reviews of previous VASA Practicum courses, we are proud to host the 2013 event the MITIE center of The Methodist Hospital in Houston. The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world with roughly 7,000 beds between all the hospitals and The Methodist Hospital is right in the center of it all. The legacy of Dr. Michael DeBakey lives on in the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center. The MITIE complex is one of the most advanced training centers in the world with state of the art facilities for medical and surgical training. Advanced imaging capabilities, multiple simulators, robotics, virtual hospital environment, surgical skills lab, virtual surgery, and multiple courses per year provide incredible educational opportunities.

This year’s course incorporates many of the same features of the previous Practicum. Live cases will be broadcast for all attendees to observe into the auditorium from the operating rooms, a hybrid suite, and a regional access center. There will be cadaver anatomy specimens, live patient interactions for physical examination refinement and ultrasound, access puncture models, and an animal lab.

Ultrasound is a dominant part of successful dialysis access. We will have demonstrations of mapping and fistula evaluation. Attendees will:
  • Perform vessel mapping
  • Do fistula assessments using Ultrasound
  • Practice Ultrasound guided punctures
An animal lab will serve to gain experience with both endovascular and surgical procedures. Included in this portion of the course:
  • Endovascular thrombectomy
  • Angioplasty and stenting
  • MILLER procedure for flow reduction
  • Percutaneous venous anastomotic devices
Peritoneal dialysis will get additional emphasis this year. We’ll have “how to” video presentations in addition to the animal lab to gain experience in both laparoscopic and percutaneous placement of PD catheters.
ACCREDITATION AND CREDIT DESIGNATION STATEMENTS:
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of The Methodist Hospital System and the Vascular Access Society of the Americas. The Methodist Hospital System is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Methodist Hospital System designates this live activity for a maximum of 11.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
DISCLOSURE:
In order to meet the requirements of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education it is the policy of The Methodist Hospital that all individuals who are in a position to control the content of a CME activity (activity director, planning committee members, and faculty) disclose relevant financial relationships with commercial interests.

All identified conflicts of interest are managed to help ensure that the educational material is scientifically based, accurate, and objectively presented. Faculty are also required to disclose any discussions of off-label or investigational uses of any commercial products or devices not yet approved in the United States. Specific disclosure will be made to the participants prior to the educational activity.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
The Methodist Hospital System
Office of Continuing Medical Education
6565 Fannin, MGJ9-004
Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-441-4971 | Fax: 713-441-0589
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.



2013 Practicum