CONTENTS
1) COA's Position Statement for a Surgical Safety Checklist
2) 2009 Call for Abstracts Deadline is Fast Approaching
3) Clarification About the Benefits of Arthroscopic Knee Surgery
4) Staff Announcement, the COA Welcomes Dennis Jeanes
5) North American Travelling Fellowship - Apply for the 2009 Tour Today!
6) Foundation Board Seeks Your Recommendations

1) COA's POSITION STATEMENT FOR A SURGICAL SAFETY CHECKLIST
The World Health Organization has developed an initiative to improve surgical safety worldwide.  One of the components of the programme is a surgical safety checklist.  The COA has issued a supporting statement that emphasizes the importance of a surgical ‘timeout' in overall safety for patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures.  The complete statement and checklist can be found on the COA web site under the Member Services > Health Policy tabs.

2) 2009 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING
Abstract submissions to the COA and CORS 2009 Annual Meeting will be accepted until October 20, 2008.  We encourage all members to submit their research for podium or poster presentation at this exciting event.  The 2009 Annual Meeting will be held in Whistler, BC from July 3-6.  Don't miss the submission deadline - submit your abstracts by going to http://www.coa-aco.org/ today.

3) CLARIFICATION ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF ARTHROSCOPIC KNEE SURGERY
An article appearing in the September 11 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine made significant headlines with its findings that arthroscopic lavage and debridement of osteoarthritic knee cartilage may have no significant benefit for the patient. While the new data may cause orthopaedic surgeons to reassess these particular procedures, some headlines and reporting have also seemed to imply that all arthroscopic knee procedures are ineffective. In the effort to correct this misperception, the COA issued a statement last week that clarifies the issue.  You can find the statement on the homepage of the COA web site: http://www.coa-aco.org/.

4) STAFF ANNOUNCEMENT, THE COA WELCOMES DENNIS JEANES
Please join us in welcoming Dennis Jeanes as the COA's new Manager, Communications and Advocacy.  Dennis will focus on developing, formalizing and articulating the Association's messages, as we step up our government-relations and advocacy activities on behalf of the membership. Members are likely already familiar with the many articles and features that Dennis has regularly contributed to the COA Bulletin over many years. 

Dennis is a skilled health and medical-science writer, with a wealth of experience in the musculoskeletal field, providing editorial and consulting services to The Arthritis Society, the Canadian Arthritis Network and the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis. He has also written a wide variety of drug monographs and CME packages for the pharmaceutical sector, as well as co-authoring a book on prostate surgery.  Dennis can be reached through extension 6 on the COA main line: 514 874-9003 or by e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

5) NORTH AMERICAN TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP - APPLY FOR THE 2009 TOUR TODAY!
Applications for the North American Travelling Fellowship (NATF) are being accepted until December 30, 2008. If you are a young orthopaedic surgeon who is within your first three years of practice, this experience would be perfect for YOU!  Applications can be downloaded from the COA web site: http://www.coa-aco.org/, click on Travelling Fellowships tab near the top of the home page.  You may also contact Trinity Wittman: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it / 514 874-9003 x 4 for details.

6) FOUNDATION BOARD SEEKS YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS
The Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation is asking COA members for their recommendations of high-profile MPs, MPPs, or business people who would be interested in serving on their Board of Directors.  The Foundation's Governance & Nominating Committee will be assembling the slate of nominees for review at the Foundation's AGM next month.  Please submit your suggestions to Angelique Berg, President and CEO, before October 1: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it