PUBLICATIONS
 Clinical Coding Workout: Practice Exercises for Skill Development
The 2008 editions of the best-selling Clinical Coding Workout: Practice Exercises for Skill Development (With Answers and Without Answers) are now available. Updated with new codes and new case scenarios to increase your practical knowledge of ICD-9-CM, CPT, and HCPCS, the 2008 editions will strengthen your coding skills, expand your knowledge, and help you prepare for AHIMA coding certification. All items, case studies, and scenarios are mapped to AHIMA coding certification competencies. For more information or to order, visit here or here.
Questions about AHIMA Publications? E-mail us!
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DECEMBER QUESTION OF THE MONTH
 Last month, AHIMA brand communications manager Pat Ebbers asked, "How has AHIMA impacted your career and professional development as a physican practice professional, HIM professional, or healthcare executive?" Here's an interesting response.
"I have really appreciated learning about educational opportunities through AHIMA publications.
I took the 16 week FPO course and found out about obtaining an HIT degree through Santa Barbara Community College. About 99 percent of my classes have been online (I had to take a math class at a local college).
I am excited about using more of AHIMA's available educational resources."
Gayle Snow
Riverside, CA
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UPCOMING AUDIO SEMINARS AND WEBINARS
 Here's the convenient way to get the information you need to excel professionally. AHIMA makes it easy and affordable with the ability for several people to listen for the same low price, and no associated travel costs.
HIPAA Security: What Everyone Should Know
January 17, 2008
Concepts of Coding CDI Programs
January 24, 2008
Coding Injections and Infusions
January 31, 2008
EHR Coding Practices
February 7, 2008
Effective Coding under MS-DRGs
February 14, 2008
Inpatient EHR Product Certification—Advantages for Quality HIM
February 19, 2008
Two AHIMA CEUs (or 1.8 ANCC contact hours) are awarded for each audio seminar you attend. Just $179 for members (or $229 for nonmembers) per seminar pays for as many colleagues as you wish to invite to your site! Your registration includes:
- Access to the seminar for as many colleagues as you can fit in a room with a speakerphone—$179/$229 is the per-site charge, NOT the per-person cost!
- Presentation handouts are available in advance on our Web site.
- When you participate in the live audio seminar, you follow the presentation online at no extra charge!
If you cannot attend a live seminar, you can purchase the seminar on audio CD or pre-recorded Webcast format. Volume discounts are available for ordering any four or more seminars, in any format, at the same time. Seminars begin at 1 p.m. ET. For registration and information, go here, or call (800) 335-5535.
Questions about AHIMA Audio Seminars? E-mail us!
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UPCOMING SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS
For more information and a complete list of AHIMA seminars, workshops, and conferences, go here.
Clinical Coding Regional Workshops: Achieving Coding Excellence
February 28–29, Colorado Springs, CO
March 18–19, Alexandria, VA
Optimizing the Revenue Cycle through HIM
March 6–7, Nashville, TN
Advanced HIM Issues for Managing and Using EHRs
March 10–12, Chicago, IL
Renaissance for the 21st Century: Leading the Change to EHR
March 31–April 1, Chicago, IL
Project Management Institute
May 2, Chicago, IL
Health IM: Physician Practice Institute
May 9, Chicago, IL
Long Term Care Health IT Summit
June 9–10, Baltimore, MD
Save the Date!
Reserve your hotel accommodations now. Visit here to make your reservations for AHIMA's 80th Convention and Exhibit!
Questions about upcoming seminars and workshops? E-mail us!
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APPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH INSTITUTE ONLINE
 The FORE Research Training Institute is a year long educational offering designed to provide HIM educators and practitioners with the background and skills necessary to initiate and participate in applied health information management research projects.
The Institute will be held in August at Scholastica College in Duluth, MN. To apply for the Research Training Institute, please go to the FORE Web site here.
Questions about FORE? E-mail us!
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FAST FACTS AUDIO SEMINARS FROM AHIMA
 Harness the learning benefits of audio seminars…faster! These pre-recorded seminars on physician practice topics will boost your expertise in just a half hour. Listen to Fast Facts on the go via pre-recorded Webcast or CD. An assessment is included with each seminar. Earn one CEU for each seminar and assessment completed.
The following new topics are available:
- Correct Coding Initiative (CCI)
- Claim Rejections and Appeals Process
- Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN)
- Medical Necessity
Prices start as low as $49 per seminar! Visit here for more information, including a complete list of topics.
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LIFELONG LEARNING
2008 Is a Year of New Opportunities in HIM
 What are your professional goals for 2008? Would you like to learn more about ICD-10? Implement an EHR? Learn about the requirements for reporting quality initiatives? If these or other HIM issues fit your career goals for 2008, remember to check out AHIMA’s Continuing Education products. AHIMA offers numerous continuing education courses in the following areas:
- Cancer Registry Management
- Career Management
- Clinical Terminologies and Vocabularies
- Coding and Reimbursement
- Compliance, Regulations, and Accreditation
- Data Quality and Data Content Standards
- e-HIM® and Electronic Records
- Health Information Management Operations
- Privacy, Confidentiality, and Security
Here is the link to the Continuing Education home page.
Have a Happy and Educational New Year!
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JOURNAL OF AHIMA FEATURE ARTICLE
 "Computers, Coding and Change"
by Chris Dimick
Computer-assisted coding won’t eliminate the profession, but it will change it dramatically.
Mythily Srinivasan thought she was out of a job. Out with human coders, in with computer-generated coding. At first that seemed to be her facility’s master plan.
When word first came to Srinivasan, CCS, and her fellow coders that the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Hampshire was implementing computer-assisted coding (CAC), they feared the worst.
“Like everybody else, I thought, ‘Oh my god, is it going to come and am I going to be replaced?” says Srinivasan, now the coding manager at the hospital and a 17-year coding veteran.
Go here to read the rest of this article.
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THE AHIMA STAFF INTERVIEW!
This month we're speaking with Harry Rhodes, AHIMA's Director of Practice Leadership . This is the eighth in a series of interviews with AHIMA staff members who are working to help you.
 Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what you do for AHIMA’s members?
I have been working at AHIMA for 12 years now. Prior to joining AHIMA in 1996, I served as Director of Medical Information Services at Columbia/HCA Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK. I have been fortunate to have had a diverse career. I served in number of HIM roles, including educator, independent consultant, quality assurance, and utilization review, and department manager. I received a BS in HIM from The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, and my MBA from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, TX. Presently, I am enrolled in a PhD program at Capella University, majoring in Information Technology with a specialization in Information Security.
In my role I serve as staff support to the AHIMA staff and volunteers and as AHIMA liaison to industry initiatives and task forces. I serve as a resource to AHIMA members, outside organizations, and the media on health information professional practice guidelines through articles, publications, committee membership, and consultations. I strive to develop key industry relationships, industry standards, and resources that support and enhance the ability of those who work with health information, and to influence those who use health information. I know that through strong relationships with industry partners AHIMA can achieve its industry objectives.
How does your department benefit our members?
Our team members serve as AHIMA HIM professional representatives on key healthcare industry initiatives that relate to health information management. By serving on committees and task forces for standards development organizations, government agencies, industry research foundations, and other public/private initiatives we hope to advance the importance of information in healthcare.
What are some of your department’s biggest accomplishments?
- Collaborated with other long-term care (LTC) associations to successfully include LTC on the CCHIT road map.
- Delivered a Hot Topic audio seminar and articles in response to RTI HISPC National Summary.
- Prepared HL7 CDA4CDT History & Physical and Consultation Implementation Guides for HL7 ballot.
- Collaboration with CMS on PQRI quality data submission policies and industry education.
What’s new and what can we expect from you in the future?
- We started a government contract for ASPE to validate LOINC and semantic representations on federally required assessment instruments and support health information exchange through the development of a CDA and a CCD.
- AHIMA has been invited by AHRQ to participate in a project aimed at aligning evidenced-based clinical guidelines with quality measures and clinical decision support.
- Continued participation in an HITSP Foundations committee to follow and influence a proposal for a “central terminology authority” for the U.S.
- Continued participation in the development of HL7 CDA4CDT Imaging Report Implementation Guides which will be published as HL7 standards in 2008.
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Use of AHIMA’s Career Assist is one of the benefits of AHIMA membership. Presenting special offers for job seekers and discounts for posting employers, Career Assist is your one-stop HIM portal to your new career! A Career Assist customer service staff member is ready to help you with any questions at (888) 575-9675, or by e-mail 
