The Society's National Database for Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery has generated a pool of data available to members for comparisons of local clinical experience with a cohort of national patient data. Nomenclature and Coding The Committee on Nomenclature and Coding serves as liaison between the Society, other medical specialties and HCFA in responding to procedural coding issues. Its coding newsletter keeps the membership informed of the latest developments in this area of rapid change, and the Coding Hotline is available to members for answers to specific coding questions. The Ad Hoc Committee on Surgical Practice Guidelines has undertaken the development of guidelines for virtually all thoracic procedures to ensure that the specialty, not a government agency, is the author. A number of guidelines have already been published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, and more are scheduled for publication in the future.
Plans call for regular international symposia in the future.
A complimentary subscription to the Society's monthly journal, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery . A personalized certificate of membership suitable for framing. Complimentary registration and discounts on travel to the Society's annual meeting. Active applicants must be certified by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. Candidate Members must be enrolled in or have recently completed an accredited training program in thoracic surgery and must reside in the United States or Canada.