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December 2006 Contributing school: CONTRIBUTORS To submit or to suggest an article, send your e-mail to studentconnection@ahima.org CONTACT AHIMA: IN THIS ISSUE
Upcoming Student Chats
Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2006, 2 p.m. (EST) Web Sites You Can Use
Gifts.com is your best bet for finding a gift for yourself or a loved one. This site has everything from food items to elegant and personalized gifts. Visit here for more information. You can find gifts by searching according to the occasion or type of gift you need at RedEnvelope. It has a good selection of items such as jewelry, flowers, and collectables. For more information, visit here. It is rare to find a place where you can shop for babies as well as grandparents. Barnes and Noble has locations nationwide so you can stop in or visit their Web site for a selection of books, music, toys, games, and much more. Visit for more information. See the November 2006 issue of Student Connection e-news here. Coming in January!
The January/February Partner Will Be the Medical College of Georgia |
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Copyright © 2006 American Health Information Management Association. All rights reserved.
Welcome to the December 2006 issue of AHIMA's Student Connection e-news. This issue features articles from students attending Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL. Students share their experiences with us in this newsletter as they reveal how their experiences led them to their current educational path.
We want to say "Happy Holidays" to all our student readers. The Student Connection e-news will see you in the new year! Remember that you don't have to be enrolled at the School Partner school to participate in Student Connection e-news. We are always happy to receive unsolicited articles.
We hope you find this information useful and as always, we want to hear feedback on what else you would like to see in these newsletters. Feel free to send us an e-mail with your thoughts at: studentconnection@ahima.org.
by Rachel Hickman-Renfro, HIM Student
Rachel Hickman-Renfro is currently completing her coding specialist program at Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL. She is preparing to take her CCS exam in the fall.
1. What federal agency is responsible for the use of ICD-10-CM?
a. NCHS
b. WHO
c. AHA
d. FAH
2. Which organization copyrights, owns, and publishes ICD-10?
a. NCHS
b. WHO
c. AHA
d. FAH
3. What year did the US start using ICD-10 for mortality reporting?
a. 2000
b. 1980
c. 1999
d. 2006
4. What is intended to replace ICD-9-CM volume 3?
a. ICD-10-PCD
b. ICD-10-PCS
c. ICD-10-PCA
d. ICD-10-PCC
5. How many chapters are in ICD-10-CM tabular list?
a. 17
b. 21
c. 30
d. 15
6. What is the maximum number of characters in an ICD-10-CM code?
a. 5
b. 4
c. 7
d. 8
7. V codes in ICD-9-CM become what in ICD-10-CM?
a. Y codes
b. M codes
c. D codes
d. Z codes
Answers
1. a
2. b
3. c
4. b
5. b
6. c
7. d
AHIMA's Mentor Program links you directly with experienced HIM professionals willing to contribute to your success in the HIM profession. Mentors are available to share their experiences, offer advice and encouragement, answer questions, and act as leaders—what better way to start your journey into the HIM field? Below are just three of the 65 AHIMA Mentors available to speak to you. Go to the Student CoP for information.
Be sure to join AHIMA Mentors on Tuesday, December 12, 12 noon (CST). All chats take place in the Student CoP.
Name and credentials: Carnell E. Hall, MBA, HCM, RHIA
Current position: Health Information Administrator, HIM Compliance Specialist for the Navy Medicine Support Command in Jacksonville, FL.
Educational background: I have an MBA with a specialty in healthcare management, a BS in healthcare services, and an AS in HIM
Years in HIM: Seven
Current home: Orange Park, FL
Family information: I have two sons. One attends Bethune Cookman College in Daytona Beach, FL. The youngest one is a junior in high school.
If I weren't an HIM professional, I would be: If I weren't in the HIM profession, I would be teaching because I really enjoy helping people. And the HIM profession has afforded me the opportunity to help people through my efforts and education. I have also been able to promote accuracy and completeness of medical documentation to improve the quality of care provided by healthcare organizations.
Three words that best describe me: Enthusiastic, giving, and committed.
Why did you decide to become an AHIMA mentor?
I have been fortunate to have met numerous individuals within the HIM profession who were instrumental in helping me along the way. Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of specialties, and I believe in helping others and giving back to the community. I truly want to see our young people succeed. I believe the HIM profession has a great deal to offer our students. Over the years, we've made great strides in the promotion and growth of HIM. The future of HIM lies with our students, and it is up to us to ensure the continued growth and development of the profession.
By working with the AHIMA Mentoring program, it is my goal to be a source of inspiration and to be an example of what hard work, discipline, and commitment can achieve. I hope to help others determine where their professional and personal interests lay. Once this has been determined, we can then set realistic goals for achieving objectives. I believe I have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with individuals on choosing a career, achieving personal growth, and recognizing the benefits of life-long learning.
If you were a student again, what would you do differently to prepare for your career?
I would ensure that I mapped out my career path prior to embarking on my career. This profession is so varied that it's easy to get lost in any one of the numerous specialization fields. Determining the best fit for you ahead of time can eliminate the time and effort involved in achieving your goals. Students should take advantage of every networking opportunity available. By joining their local HIM associations, they have access to seasoned HIM professionals, the latest industry news and updates, job opportunities, and a wealth of knowledge. Additionally, volunteering on a state and national level opens the door to additional growth opportunities as well as the chance to affect change within the industry, while also allowing them to stay connected to the changes occurring in the profession.
What was your most enlightening HIM moment?
My most enlightening HIM moment came while I was completing my bachelor's degree in healthcare services. As the secretary for our local region, I often was aware of job opportunities within our region. At first glance, I didn't think I met the qualifications for the job because I was still in school, and up to this point my background had been limited to coding. However, I felt I was ready for a change in career and felt I was capable of performing the requirements of the position. So with the encouragement of two of my colleagues I decided to call and inquire about the position. In the end, not only did I get the job, I also went on to pursue my master's degree as a result of the nature of my new position and the need to remain competitive in the HIM field. This experience made me realize the importance of higher education, staying connected within the profession, and making the most of every opportunity.
Name and credentials: Tara Ferrell, RHIA, CCS
Current position: Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Educational background: BS from Tennessee State University
Years in HIM: 18 years
Current home: Canton, GA
Family information: Married for 11 years, no children
If I wasn't an HIM professional, I would be: working in the healthcare field in some capacity. I attended a technical high school and majored in health occupations. So I have always been exposed to healthcare fields of study. The health occupations program was great and prepared me for pursuing a career in healthcare.
Three words that best describe me: Determined, dedicated, and compassionate.
If you were a student again, what would you do differently to prepare yourself for your career?
I can't think of any thing I would do differently as a student to prepare for my HIM career. I was fortunate in high school to be a part of a health occupations program which provided opportunities to intern with mentors in different healthcare careers. So I knew in high school that I wanted a career in medical records. I feel students today should take advantage of any opportunities to volunteer and intern in HIM and healthcare fields.
What is your advice for coping with stress?
It has taken me a few years to develop better coping skills. My best advice is to take five minutes and ask yourself two questions: is this a crisis and is this is a concern? About 99 percent of the time your stress level is high due to a concern. A concern can be handled after you have time to breathe, think, and consult with someone. The other one percent may be a crisis and this is due to your prioritizing and organization skills. It is always important to take time to breathe, think, and consult with someone.
What was your proudest HIM moment?
In 1994 I became the first credentialed HIM director of a rural North Georgia hospital. A lot of my current success has come from this opportunity.
Name and credentials: Keeley Bowman, RHIA
Current position: Director of Health Information Management
Educational background: BS in HIM; currently working on MS
Years in HIM: Eight
Current home: Frisco, TX (graduated from a HIM program in Oklahoma)
Family info: My husband and I met in college in Oklahoma. He is a teacher. Our son is three years old and attends preschool.
If I weren't an HIM professional, I would be: A teacher
Three words that best describe me: Multi-tasking, fun, and Mom
Did you have a professional mentor? If so, how did he or she enhance your career?
I reached out to a mentor in my second position as a director of HIM at Kindred Healthcare. She was actually the business office director and had lots of experience with big corporations and consulting firms. She taught me to make myself irreplaceable while still sharing knowledge and to always reach for the top. Having a mentor was something I'd have liked to have had early on in my career.
If you were a student again, what would you do differently to prepare for your career?
I would have reached out to a mentor before I was out of the HIM program. I learned a lot about business and healthcare from my mentor, but that was after I begun my career out in the healthcare field.
What do you see in the future of HIM?
Technology—and I am loving it. E-HIM® is going to open so many more avenues for HIM professionals. There is a need for HIM knowledge in the IT field as we take the journey into electronic health records. HIM professionals will definitely be in high demand.
by Sharon Hammerberg
Sharon Hammerberg is a medical transcription student at Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL. She will graduate in June 2007 and will sit for the RMT exam after graduation.
I have had a unique career path which is often a topic of conversation. A common question I hear is why I made the transition from being a detective to a private investigator and finally a medical transcriptionist. These career changes may seem a bit strange, but they are all interconnected.
Just the Facts
As a crime detective, I conducted my own sworn taped statements with witnesses, victims, and suspects. After these statements were transcribed, I was responsible for reviewing and signing off on the transcriptionist's work. This task is comparable to a medical transcription editor or a physician reviewing and signing off on their dictation.
As a private investigator, I also conducted sworn taped statements with physicians and nurses and was responsible for transcribing them. This is very similar to medical transcription, only the content is a bit different. A transcriptionist often becomes an investigator when faced with difficult medical dictation.
Finding Common Ground
A detective and private investigator both do a lot of legal typing. This is not much different from medical transcriptions, which are legal documents that can be presented in a court of law. Having a background in criminal and civil law has been a big advantage in my medical transcription courses. The medical world is filled with federal, state, and local laws along with torts from civil law.
I have always enjoyed working on my own and now I can do that without extensive travel or time away from home. A career in HIM allows me to serve the public while being mentally stimulated; after all, no two transcriptions are ever alike. HIM professionals (however diverse their jobs may be) all work together for a common cause, just like the specialized areas of law enforcement.
Based on my positive experiences, I would highly recommend a career in the medical transcription field. There are so many options—transcription, editing, consulting, or supervising. Take some time to research this career to find out if it's right for you.
by Edna Matos Sanabria
Edna Matos Sanabria is a student in the HIM and Coding program at Polk Community College in Winter Haven, FL. Elizabeth Berger is a 2006 graduate of Polk Community College's HIM and Coding programs.
Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Elizabeth Berger and discuss her thoughts on the HIM profession.
Berger decided on health information management as a career after obtaining a position at a family practice in Bradenton, FL. Berger was curious about coding and billing and asked a lot of questions. Her tenacity paid off and soon she was offered training and a full-time coding job.
Learning the Ropes
As an undergraduate Berger was inspired by all of the possibilities available to those with RHIT and CCS credentials. She was not sure which program she wanted to focus on, so she decided to pursue both. Berger met many HIM professionals and learned about their job roles. Networking led to her current position as HIM supervisor for Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center in Davenport, FL.
Berger is very pleased with her career path and feels at home. "In the HIM arena, there are so many opportunities. I was fortunate to learn about them through my education," she says. Berger is so pleased with her career choices that "even if I won the lottery, I would continue to work in the HIM field," she notes with pride.
Passing it On
For Berger, the most rewarding aspect of being an HIM professional is that every day there is something new to learn, as well as many opportunities to share knowledge. She is thrilled at the opportunity to continue her education at the graduate level.
Berger has some sound advice for current HIM students. She encourages them to learn everything they can about the field and ask questions until they feel comfortable. "Be grateful for all the knowledge you'll gain," she says. "It will make you a better and stronger person in all of your future endeavors."
Student chats are a great way to meet and network with other students. Join us in December for a student chat hosted by Ellen Preston and Edna Matos Sanabria, students from Polk Community College.
Below are links to Web sites with helpful information for students planning their holiday shopping.
