Aware of growing discourse among emergency physicians about physician unionization, the ACEP Board of directors spent some time at its April meeting discussing what role—if any—ACEP could play. Although not committed to implementation of either, the Board discussed possible options including providing support to members who want to unionize themselves and considering partnership with one or more established unions. Decisions are pending and discussions continue.

There was some other practice discussions and clinical updates during the meeting, including the Board’s approval of a revised process for Clinical Policy development that would move to a single-question format to develop clinical policies on a faster timeline and be more responsive to member needs.

And the Board approved a new clinical policy, “Critical Issues in the Management of Adult Patients Presenting to the ED with Seizures,” rescinding the 2014 clinical policy with same title.

Related to clinical policy development, the Board considered a referred 2023 Council amended resolution, regarding the creation of a clinical policy on emergency physicians’ role in the medication and procedural management of early pregnancy loss. The Clinical Policies Committee found there was not sufficient evidence to support developing a clinical policy, and the Board approved that decision. The Public Health Committee will develop a Policy Statement on this topic.

Approved Policy Statements in April included—

• Length of Residency in Training in Emergency Medicine—new Policy Statement (which was developed based on a 2023 Council Resolution about “Supporting 3-year and 4-Year EM Residency Program Accreditation”)
• Selective Triage for Victims of Sexual Assault to Designated Exam Facilities—revised Policy Statement
• Prehospital Blood Administration in Hemorrhagic Shock—new Policy Statement
• Alcohol Advertising—reaffirmed Policy Statement
• Trauma Care Systems—revised Policy Statement
• Well Workplace—new Policy Statement

Work continues on the development of an ED Accreditation program, and at the April meeting, the Board approved the program’s criteria and levels of applications. The ED Accreditation program is designed to recognize hospitals that adhere to policies and practice standards that meet key criteria and provide the best patient care possible. Open applications will be coming soon, but you can find out more and get on the interest list today at acep.org/EDap.

The inaugural ACEP Accelerate conference – which combined the ED Director’s Academy, the Advanced Pediatrics EM Assembly, Reimbursement & Coding, and Teaching Fellowship—took place in Arlington, TX in March 2023. While there were a few wrinkles to iron out, it was deemed an overall success by attendees who found the increased networking opportunities and larger exhibit hall greatly enhanced the previously stand-alone events. To build on that momentum, the Board approved hosting ACEP Accelerate on Jan. 17-23, 2025 in Orlando, Florida.

There were some ACEP business decisions at the April Board meeting, as well. The Directors agreed to notify chapters that they will need to pay credit card fees for their portion of membership transactions beginning July 1, 2025. The chapters were given a comment period until May 31, 2024. It was also noted that ACEP has implemented a new option for electronic checks (ACH bank drafts) which have a significantly lower fee than credit card processing, and members are being encouraged to use these secure, bank-to-bank money transfers, if available.

Per the annual dues increase policy approved last year, ACEP membership dues will increase three percent beginning July 1, 2024 to keep up with inflation. This increase will apply to national dues for Regular and International member rates; Candidate member rates will not change in 2024.

The next Board meeting will take place June 26-27 at ACEP Headquarters in Irving, TX. Board meetings are always open to ACEP Members.