National TS Council Representative Report
February 17, 2007

Submitted by David Blea, CNMT

National SNM TS President's Report by Scott Holbrook

• Provided a slide show of Nuclear Medicine and PET from the beginning to the present
• Early 80's CTI introduced 1St PET camera for clinical imaging
• Late 80's saw explosion of cardiac procedures & SPECT as the forefront on imaging
• FDAMA act of 1997, which was only for 2 years, approved FDG for PET studies. However, this is an on going discussion to FDG's use.
• Time Magazine in Nov 30th ,2000 published an article about the breakthrough Technology of PET
• The advances in PET/CT; SPECT/CT has made CT pretty much an entry level requirement and this needs to be addressed. We also need to examine our Scope/Guidelines Practice. Topics to include insulin, IV contrast, B-blockers, anxiolytics, and other injectable medication.
• New Mexico DOH responded to the letter sent by SNMTS and will allow Nuclear Medicine Technologists to practice as before
• We need to actively recruit our affiliated sciences ie: research branches in microPET and microCT, and clinical labs
• PET/MRI is coming and we are able to do NMR Spectroscope. Also the Isotope will spiral and should increase resolution.
• The use of Optical Imaging, using light photons to image tumors, is also growing; there are some trans-illumination issues through tissues.
• BMS just released trials of F-18 MIBI for cardiac imaging
• The future is bright for CNMTs
• SNMTS will be the indispensable resource for promotion of Nuclear Medicine technology and knowledge exchange, training and networking in molecular imaging and therapy
• SNMTS will be a powerful advocate for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging Therapy and promote the highest standard of care
• SNMTS will be a leader in the educational and credentialing/licensing efforts for an imaging specialist in Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging and Therapy

Executive Director's Report by Virginia Pappas

• We put some studies on-line & Dr. Sandler has appointed a practice task force because the issue of Scope of Practice or Guidelines is a paramount importance.
• This is our 1st joint meeting between SNM and the ACNP with good feedback from MDs and CNMTs. MDs are ahead of budget but the CNMTs are below.
• The number of non-member CNMTs exceeds our members.
• Exhibits are 28% above budgets, we raised 3.8million; we would like to thank GE; Philips; BMS; and others.
• Molecular imaging center has done extremely well this year in its 5 yr plan.
• We are rebranding ourselves and redesigning our website. We hired a new company & will be ready to launch in 2 months. We are trying to raise 5 million for the project.
• We are still looking for a logo, but narrowed it from 30 to 2.

Molecular Imaging Campaign by Marybeth Howlett

The MI will mirror the SNM in many ways and work side by side.

• Provide indispensable educational resources, training and networking
• Advocate for Molecular Imaging and Therapy
• Educate and promote collaboration between MD and Patient groups
• Industry expert summit
• Develop a task force and editorial board to implement strategies and objectives. Includes MI members, SNM council, and Industry leaders
  1st yr strategy out of the 5yr plan
• New Community website and list server
• Expanded JNM and news line coverage
• Road shows to promote Molecular Imaging
• Media campaign
• Develop case study brochures
• Advocacy will need to reach out to strengthen our relationship with Congress
• Will approach Bill Gates Foundation for money
• Workshops and symposiums
• Science/research will perform clinical & standardized imaging trails, workshops, new tracer & technology development, and translation education
• New look newsletter and e-mail blast.

ARRT Report by Jerry Reed

• 12,000 NMTs with dual or multiple certification up 4 %
• Up 11 % for 1st time examinees with over 637
• 3 yr cycle for performance competency
• Every 6 yr will do a major review
• We added judgment questions to examination, pilot/test situation
• ARRT is committed to NMP program and will work with NMTCB but are waiting for the program to launch
• ARRT needs to collaborate with everyone instead of trying to maintain itself as a separate body
• There was a request for a certification for educators

NMTCB Report

• Growth in examinees with 1090 in 2006
• Exam must be completed in 5 yrs post school.
• NCT awarded 128 and will be on-demand in 2008
• PET awarded 100

Education and Research Fund report by Kelly Bates

• MDs contributed 75K but our goal was 500K
• We awarded 32 Paul Cole Scholarships
• Need more contributions so our funds will not run out

Treasurer's Report by Cindy Luckett

• Total assets increased from last year. However, cash is down due to petty expenses at SNM headquarters and rising liabilities
• Net operating expense is 490K and net assets is 750K
• Strong financial position.

Advance Practice Report by Martha Pickett

• Working on curriculum and hope to have something concrete by June 07
• The term Nuclear Medicine Practioner was adopted by the SNM 2 yrs ago. However at the RSNA this yr the ACR asked if we could change that term.
• The term Nuclear Medicine Specialist was discussed by Lynne Roy. David Blea brought out the Fact that the word Specialist is used already in some large hospitals. This needs to be discussed again.

Nominating Committee Report by Val Cronin

Even though she was stuck in Buffalo we received her list via e-mail

• Member at Large: Kathy Carlson, Dave Eve, Rebecca Sajdak, William Hubble, and Marcia Smith
• Delegate at Large: Art Hall, April Mann, Anthony Knight, and Deborah Havens
• Finance Committee 1 yr: Karen Martin, and Dave Perry
• Finance Committee 3 yr: Frances Keech, and Nancy Swantson
• Secretary: Elipida Crawford

There are 3 members of the Southwestern Chapter in this election so please vote

Scope of Practice Task Force
They defined the difference between Scope of Practice and Guidelines. Scope is a generic term, Guidelines outlines the boundaries of Practice. The Task Force had the difficult duty of designing a Scope of Practice that was not so narrow and restrictive that it would prevent our profession from evolving. They spent time developing the White Paper, which outlined our position on aseptic technique in a sterile region, CSP for RNs, administrating IV agents used in Cardiac Stress testing, Lasix, Captopril, and other adjunctive Rxs used by CNMTs under physician supervision.
The White Paper also defines guidelines for PET/CT; SPECT/CT; PET/MRI so our profession can grow.

Continuing Education Committee
Discussed how to enhance career development for practicing Technologists via online, books, or seminars, especially with the development of fusion technology. The possibility of compensation for people writing questions and articles was discussed and may encourage more young professionals to get involved. They discussed investigating the use of mobile learning via i-pod or pda's via web or i-casts. The need to standardize curriculum among all schools and to include multi-modality training was discussed as well as the need for more interaction between educator and student and the ability to measure the student's outcome.

Entry Level Task Force
The Society would like to have a BS degree be the minimum educational level for Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The difficulty lies in the non-BS degree technologist in the work force. The issue was raised how work experience could be converted into educational credits? Another difficult process is to define is what pre Nuclear Medicine credits should be required and what credits should be transferable. Example: A Junior College which 1st 2 years are in general science; should those credits be transferred to a 4 yr Nuclear Medicine program?

Advocacy Committee

• The CARE bill has Sponsors in the House and was introduced by Chip Pickering. He is one of the high ranking members of the committee.
  SHiPL has reached the 175 person mark, but your local chapter needs to be involved in writing letters or phone calls to your Senators.
• Revision of the verbiage was sent to JCAHO to clarify that the use of Radiopharmaceuticals is done in much the same way as IV contrast solutions. This will allow CNMTs to continue to work they way they have always worked.
• March 18-20 will be "Storm the Hill" day to promote the RADCARE & CARE bills.
• Lyn Mehlberg will represent SNMTS to the CRCPD for the H-29 Task Force to discuss regulation and resources. There will be a round table discussion with FDA on the use of X-ray in PET/CT and SPECT/CT.
• Carol Bonnano has been appointed to Florida's State Radiation Advisory.
• Congrats to Lynne Roy and Kathy Thomas for drafting and lobbing for the PET/CT initiative passed in California.
  
  

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