SAGES

Reimagining surgical care for a healthier world

COVID-19 Update For FLS, FES, and FUSE Test Takers – Updated April 28

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SAGES has made the decision to extend FLS, FES, and FUSE Test Center closures through May 31st, 2020.

All exams scheduled during this time have been cancelled. Some test centers have already chosen to remain closed beyond May 31st. A list of those centers can be found at FLS/FES/FUSE Test Center Closings

Rescheduling

Test takers are able to log in to their test taker account at any time to reschedule their exam appointment. Many test centers will have availability starting June 1st depending on local guidelines.

Additional Testing Opportunities

We understand that once restrictions lift, demand for test appointments will be high. We are committed to providing access to the Fundamentals Exams to all prospective test takers and will be working with our test centers to increase their availability as well as scheduling several Special Onsite Testing Events (FLS) in areas where availability may be limited. Announcements regarding these events will be posted to the FLS website as they are scheduled. www.flsprogram.org

2020 ABS Applicants (FLS, FES)

For those test takers who still need FLS and/or FES certification for their American Board of Surgery (ABS) QE application, ABS will permit those affected by the cancellation of FLS and FES exams to apply for and take the QE without these certifications by the posted deadlines. For more information, please visit http://archive.mailengine1.com/csb/Public/show/fav9-1u74dh–p2vei-98bijss3  or email [email protected].

2021 ABOG Applicants (FLS)

The American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) candidates have until mid-December 2020 to complete FLS certification if they are completing their residency in the 2020-21 academic year and plan to begin the certification process and apply for the 2021 ABOG Specialty Qualifying Examination (QE). Application for certification for the Specialty QE is not tied to FLS status. Candidates can complete the application for the 2021 QE prior to completion of FLS certification.  The 2021 QE application should be available in September 2020. Residents are encouraged to apply as soon as the QE application becomes available. Residents should contact ABOG Exams at [email protected] with concerns about completing the FLS program by December 2020.

Voucher Expiration Dates

Test takers in possession of vouchers that are set to expire over the next several months can fill out the form(s) below to request a voucher extension allowing for the voucher to be used through December 31, 2020. All voucher extension requests submitted during this time will be granted.

FLS Voucher Extension Request Form

FES Voucher Extension Request Form

FUSE Voucher Extension Request Form

Fundamentals Division
FLS, FES, and FUSE Programs
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons

Phone: (310) 437-0544
Fax: (310) 424-3398
11300 W Olympic Blvd, Ste 600
Los Angeles, CA  90064

SAGES is committed to the protection and care of patients, their surgeons and staff, and all who are served by the medical community at large. For more information on the COVID-19 pandemic from the SAGES organization, please visit: https://www.sages.org/category/covid-19/

Notes From the Battlefield March 30, 2020

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A group of surgical leaders from affected countries have joined to discuss what they are learning during this Covid-19 Global crisis. The following is a brief summary of what they feel may be useful information to disseminate to the surgical community from the week of March 22-29

  1. Aerosolization of virus during laparoscopic surgery

    Concerns for aerosolization of Covid-19 during laparoscopic surgery has created significant confusion. Even though there is no Level 1 evidence to prove its occurrence or lack thereof, SAGES and EAES have joined efforts resulting on a guiding statement based on valuable expert opinion and review of related literature:

    SAGES and EAES Recommendations Regarding Surgical Response to COVID-19 Crisis:
    https://www.sages.org/recommendations-surgical-response-covid-19/ There is also an infographic:

    SAGES-EAES COVID-19 Infographic
    Click image to see full size.

    The publication is accompanied by a very useful summary entitled:

    Resources on Smoke & Gas Evacuation During Open, Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Procedures
    https://www.sages.org/resources-smoke-gas-evacuation-during-open-laparoscopic-endoscopic-procedures/.

  2. Testing for all patients undergoing surgery

    Based on the experience gained on the field, CVGSC recommends that in areas/institutions seeing high volumes of COVID-19 patients, all patients undergoing a surgical or interventional endoscopic procedure, receive some type of screening test, even if asymptomatic and without risk factors. When feasible and available, direct testing for COVID-19 is preferred. Alternatively, a chest ultrasound or a CT of the chest is advised. However cross contamination of CT equipment and patients is to be considered depending on the institutional availability of dedicated CT’s. Please see: https://www.sages.org/the-corona-virus-global-surgical-collaborative-cvgsc/ for more information and video.

  3. COVID plasma trial

    As the number of patients that recover from the disease is increasing, the FDA has approved the emergency use of investigational COVID-19 convalescent plasma to treat severely ill COVID-19 patients. While it will take months to years to develop an effective vaccine, convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients rich in antibodies may soon be available to boost immunity against the virus, theoretically reducing viral load and lowering mortality. A trial has been started at Mt Sinai,  New York and is expanding to other centers.  If results appear encouraging, SAGES will keep a list of sites that are actively screening volunteers for possible plasma donation.

  4. 3D printing of needed ventilation system parts

    As the number of patients requiring prolonged ventilator support increases, institutions have seen a shortage of ventilator parts contributing to the shortage when there is otherwise a functioning ventilator available. A document entitled Production of 3D printed components for ventilation systems: practical hints is kindly shared by San Matteo Hospital, Pavia. 3D printing for COVID-19

  5. Potential good news from Italy

    Despite that devastation from the disease still continues, and being too early to draw any definitive conclusions, there are some signs that the slope of COVID-19 new cases in Italy may be starting to slow down. Italian epidemiologists feel it is the result of the strict physical distancing measures. As health care provides, this appears to be the best preventive measure to emphasize and possibly the only intervention currently available to overcome this epidemic.

Participants:

Drs. Horacio Asbun (Lead), Mohammed Abu Hilal, Jaap Bonjer, Nicolas Demartines, Nader Francis, Ho-Seong Han, Salvador Morales, Andrea Pietrabissa, Aurora Pryor, Christopher Schlachta, Patricia Sylla, Eduardo Targarona

Other Surgical Societies/leaders are welcome to participate in future discussions. Please contact SAGES Executive Director, Sallie Matthews at [email protected] if interested in being considered for participation.

GENERAL DISCLAIMER

The following is intended to provide our members with information arising from the experience of our colleagues from Europe and Asia who experienced the pandemic first.  While the information provided is from very reliable sources, it is NOT evidence based data, since there was no time to test its validity on scientific grounds. It is merely an attempt to share practical advice based upon prior experience and current knowledge.

FES, FLS And FUSE Test Appointments Are Now Available For SAGES 2015!

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Testing will take place in the SAGES Annual Meeting at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center at the following times:

Wednesday, April 15  8am – 5pm
Thursday, April 16 8am – 5pm
Friday, April 17 8am – 12pm

For more information or to purchase your test voucher and schedule your appointment please click on the relevant link below:

FES –  https://www.fesprogram.org/testing-information/sages-annual-meeting-2015-2/
FLS –  https://www.flsprogram.org/testing-information/sages-annual-meeting-2015-2/
FUSE –  https://www.fuseprogram.org/testing-information/sages-annual-meeting-2015/

Read about how the FUSE Program is making surgery safer in the Wall Street Journal

For the first time ever, you can now take the FUSE exam at Surgical Education Week.  The FUSE exam will be given at The Westin Seattle on Saturday, April 25 from 8am – 6pm.  For more information please click here: https://www.fuseprogram.org/testing-information/surgical-education-week/