FLS In The News
FLS testing available at upcoming World Congress
The FLS exam will be available by appointment at The 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, held just outside Washington, DC. Before taking the exam, prepare yourself by reviewing the FLS didactic content, practicing the FLS manual skills, and possessing an FLS test voucher. To purchase the didactics/voucher, return this order form to the FLS program office with payment.
Please schedule a test appointment time through our online testing scheduling system by following these instructions. NOTE: when scheduling, be sure to designate the SAGES 2010 Test Center in Maryland.. You must have your voucher number handy when you schedule your appointment. Please plan to spend 2.5-3 hours taking the test.
If you need to make an appointment to re-take part or all of the exam, read through this instruction form as well.
FLS receives $1.8 million from Covidien to support surgical residency and fellowship training
The FLS program has received a $1.8 million grant from Covidien, a leading manufacturer of medical devices and supplies, to launch The Covidien Educational Fund. Covidien will be supporting surgical residency and fellowship training by providing an opportunity for surgeons-in-training to utilize the FLS program to study and to certify their basic skills in laparoscopy before going into clinical practice. The Covidien Educational Fund will allow the FLS program to be provided to over 250 surgical residency programs in the United States and Canada, reaching thousands of surgeons-in-training. Click here for the press release and more information.
FLS Program in Peru
FLS was presented in Piura, Peru as part of the SAGES Go Global Initiative in March 2008. The four-day course focused on basic laparoscopic techniques, management, and complications including the FLS training, plus an introduction to flexible endoscopy. Thirty local surgeons sat in on didactic sessions, observed in the OR, and practiced technical skills using the FLS Trainer Box. While in Peru, the SAGES Go Global faculty and staff also visited five area hospitals and delivered donated equipment and supplies.
CRICO/RMF launches landmark SAGES/ACS Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery Patient Safety Incentive Program
CRICO/RMF, insurance provider for the Harvard medical community, is rolling out a pilot program – CRICO/RMF Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) Patient Safety Incentive Program – for insured general surgeons who perform laparoscopic surgery. Upon successful completion of the FLS program, a one-time patient safety incentive of $500 will be awarded. Click here for press release and more information. You can also visit www.rmf.harvard.edu/FLS.
APDS
The Association of Program Directors in Surgery (APDS) recently came on board to support FLS and will be working jointly with the FLS Committee to improve resident education. The FLS CD-ROMs and Trainer Box were on display during Surgical Education Week in Toronto, which included a presentation "What Surgical Educators Need to Know: Laparoscopic Skills Training Using FLS and the National Skills Curriculum" on Tuesday, April 15, 2008.
FLS in the Military
The National Capital Area Medical Simulation Center of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in conjunction with the TriCare Management Agency is embarking on a project to improve skills, communication and patient safety in minimally invasive surgery by introducing the FLS curriculum to all military hospitals with surgical training programs. This program will include a series of lectures based on slides produced from the FLS CDs, followed by mentored, proficiency based practice on the FLS trainer box and administration of the FLS Test.
