WELCOME
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There's an old saying in the advertising world: "Doing business without advertising is like winking in the dark. You know you're doing it, but no one else does."
Certification is a kind of advertising as well. When you have the professional skills and knowledge to succeed and get the job done, certification announces that fact on your resume, business card, name plate, name tag, e-mail signature, or personnel file. Having those letters at the end of your name shows that you're a person who knows his or her stuff. AHIMA certification is especially effective, because when you have an RHIA, RHIT, CHDA, CHPS, CCA, CCS, or CCS-P credential, you're backed by an established healthcare information management (HIM) leader with over 81 years of tradition and experience. To learn more about AHIMA certification, please visit here.
Let's close with a quote about the importance of taking other people's value into consideration. “Men are respectable only as they respect”—Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Best,
Dan Kelly
Editor, AHIMA Resources
dan.kelly@ahima.org
Please follow us on Twitter! Go to www.twitter.com/ahimaresources for more details.
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| PUBLICATIONS |
The Most Authoritative Health Information Management Book on EHRs
Electronic Health Records: A Practical Guide for Professionals and Organizations, Fourth Edition
Margret K. Amatayakul, MBA, RHIA, CHPS, CPHIT, CPEHR, FHIMSS
Revised and updated to include the latest trends and applications in electronic health records (EHRs), this fourth edition of Electronic Health Records: A Practical Guide for Professionals and Organizations offers step-by-step guidelines for developing and implementing EHR strategies for healthcare organizations.
Key Features:
- Challenges to system adoption
- System design and implementation
- Goal setting and strategic planning
- Infrastructure assessment
- Implementation project management
- EHR selection and contract negotiation
- Ongoing system maintenance
- CD-ROM with practice briefs and case studies
Order Information
Product Number: AB102608
ISBN/ISSN: 978-1-58426-219-0
Member Price: $55.95
Price: $69.95
Softcover
© 2009
| QUESTION OF THE MONTH |
February's Question of the Month was a survey asking "Do you use social networking tools such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs, or others?" The results were interesting.
- 76.95 percent of respondents use the AHIMA CoP
- 82.03 percent visit Facebook.
- 78.31 percent visit MySpace
- Only 35.59 percent use Twitter. We hope more will sign on after viewing the AHIMA Resources Twitter page!
The US economic stimulus package has earmarked more than $19 billion to increase the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). The privacy and security of these EHRs is a key concern. Now, more than ever, experts will be sought out to ensure appropriate measures are being taken to protect health data. The Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) designation can build your expertise and put you in a position of authority on privacy and security issues. Sign up now to take the CHPS exam!
For more information about CHPS and other AHIMA certifications, visit here.
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.
JUST ADDED! The Impact of the Stimulus Act on HIPAA Privacy and Security
March 12
Fundamentals of Workflow Analysis: Implementing New Systems
March 17
Coding for Hematology
April 2
Coding for Multi-System Trauma Patients
April 9
The Challenge of Managing Portable Devices
April 21
Procedure Coding for Skin Lesions and Lacerations
April 30
Two AHIMA CEUs are awarded for each audio seminar or webinar 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 broadcast, 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. New for 2009—selected audio seminars and webinars are also available in MP3 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.
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Register now for the Spring Conference and take advantage of the 30 percent discount on select popular archived audio seminars! Attend the Strategies for Effective Revenue Cycle Management and Achieving Coding Excellence meetings in Orlando, FL, from March 16 to 18 and receive this added bonus. Early bird deadline for the Spring Conference is March 9. For Spring Conference registration information visit here.
2009 Annual ICD-10 Summit
April 16–17
2009 ICD-10 Annual Summit: Beyond Compliance to Strategic Advantage (Early bird deadline—April 10)
Grand Hyatt Hotel
Washington, DC
On April 16 through 17, the ICD-10 Annual Summit will be the primary source for information, education, training, and resources for ICD-10 preparedness and implementation. Industry leaders will gather there to address the challenges and opportunities of ICD-10, and identify optimal ways to ensure successful implementation and potentially achieve a return on investment. Led by a “blue ribbon” planning committee, the two-day summit features a cast of respected speakers, experts, industry leaders, and practitioners from all healthcare settings.
A Can't-Miss Event!
Data Analyst Institute
May 13
Chicago, IL (AHIMA National Office)
As healthcare continues to be data-driven, the analysis of this data is vital to an organization's success. Join your peers in Chicago to attend the Data Analyst Institute where the following topics will be discussed:
- Explore types of data individuals or organizations may choose to analyze, and review the importance of analysis
- Benchmarking and its importance will also be discussed
- Participate in hands-on practice of data analysis skills
Register now and take advantage of the early bird discount of $100!
Visit here for more program and registration information.
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FORE Scholarship Applications Due April 24
The AHIMA Foundation of Research and Education recently announced the launch of our new online scholarship application system, which we hope will encourage more members to apply and make the process easier for applicants, the review committee, and the staff. The online format combines both undergraduate and graduate applications into one form, with specific sections for each type of applicant. Applicants may save and continue work on the application up until the deadline of April 24.
In the new application, there are several sections of the form that require uploading documents. Applicants can convert these documents to PDF format and upload them directly to the application form. Application tip: To upload reference letters, please scan at 300 DPI or lower, in black and white. The file size limit is 0.5MB or 500KB. Most reference letters should be accommodated within these parameters.
The scholarship application form, instructions, document templates, and other guidance can be found here.
If you have questions about the new application process please contact Tammy Dailey (312) 233-1131, or by e-mail at tamara.dailey@ahima.org, or Carol Nielsen at (312) 233-1175, or by e-mail at carol.nielsen@ahima.org.
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Virtual HIM
Considering the Transition to Remote Departments
Health IT is untethering HIM departments from the organization’s four walls. The benefits are there, but the change affects nearly every HIM operation.
by Cheryl Servais, MPH, RHIA
The same computer systems and Internet-derived technologies that support electronic health records (EHRs) enable HIM departments to be physically removed from provider organizations and exist as remote, “virtual” departments. Virtual departments offer organizations operational, financial, and staffing advantages as well as improvements in levels of service.
However, like the change from paper and film-based health records to digital EHRs, the change from an on-site to a virtual HIM department must be viewed as a transition. It requires time measured in months and strategic planning measured in intensive effort. HIM departments that represent a mix of virtual and tethered HIM functions will be the norm for the immediate future.
An organization’s decision to transition to a virtual HIM department will depend on its analysis of core functions that currently are, or can be, performed remotely and how it weighs the issues related to each.
To read more, please go here. Be sure to visit the Journal of AHIMA blog for other useful articles.
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| AHIMA MEMBERSHIP |
Are you a current member of AHIMA? If your answer is no then keep reading, because you're missing out on important benefits to help you advance your career. In each issue of Resources, we will highlight one of the many member benefits you can access when you sign up. Go here to join today.
Discounts on Certification
Join AHIMA and become part of an organization more than 53,000 members strong. Your membership dollars provide you with many things, including a discount on certification exams and certification maintenance. Becoming a certified professional provides you with many benefits such as better compensation, setting yourself apart from your fellow employees, a better chance for advancement in your career, and others. Become a member today and start to work toward one of AHIMA's certifications. Go here to join today and begin enjoying the many benefits of membership!
| CERTIFICATION TIP |
Maintaining Credentials
You worked hard to get that credential—now make sure you don’t lose it! Challenge and educate yourself with quizzes, activities, meetings, and other events and materials. AHIMA offers a variety of ways to earn CEUs, such as:
- Online quizzes based on an article from the Journal of AHIMA (1 CEU)
- Online quizzes based on an AHIMA published book (1 CEU)
- Online quizzes from a listed community of practice resource (1 CEU)
- Distance education online courses (1–4 CEUs)
- Audio Seminars (2 CEUs)
- Multiple meetings and the Convention (CEUs based on the hours of attendance)
Learn more about the standards for maintenance of CEUs in Certification here.
| DISTANCE EDUCATION |
New Online Courses
Exam Prep: RHIT Domain 3—Health Services Organization and Delivery
This six-lesson course is designed to assist students in successfully completing a particular section of their RHIT certification exam. This course provides education and resources on healthcare delivery systems, compliance, and confidentiality, as well as on ethical, legal, and privacy issues. For information and enrollment, visit here.
This course, in conjunction with the associated book (Medical Coding for Non-coders, by Karen S. Scott), will provide an understanding of the purpose of coded data and the role it plays in the overall reimbursement system. Topics include compliance, quality, clinical documentation improvement and ethics. For information and enrollment, visit here.
Clinical Documentation Improvement: Quality Measures and Documentation Standards
As the industry requires an increase in reporting quality measures in addition to documentation standards, it is important for an HIM professional to understand the impact clinical documentation improvement (CDI) programs may have on a facility’s data. Explore how CDI programs relate to quality measures in addition to being in an electronic environment. This six-lesson, 2 CEU course will review how CDI will affect documentation necessary to meet industry standards, as well as report cards. For information and enrollment, visit here.
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| MERCHANDISE |
Health Information Privacy and Security Week Planning Kit Now Available
Health information is vital to the delivery of care, and so is keeping it secure. Join us as we observe Health Information Privacy and Security Week, April 12 through 18, 2009. This annual event is sponsored by AHIMA to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, their employers, and the public of the importance of protecting the privacy, confidentiality, and security of personal health information. This year’s theme is “Protecting Information—It’s a Top Priority,” and we have prepared a kit to help you plan your week. To access the planning kit online, visit here.
Official merchandise for the week is only available through Bells Select, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of official merchandise goes to support the week. To order official merchandise, go here.
Order by March 12 for guaranteed arrival of merchandise by Health Information Privacy and Security Week.
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| FAST FACTS |
Physician Practice Fast Facts: Information You Need Now!
Do you work in physician practice? Do you need continuing education that is quick, affordable and meaningful? You can have all this and maintain your credentials with important CEUs on crucial topics for everyday management of the physician practice environment. Harness the learning benefits of audio seminars, faster! These 30-minute pre-recorded physician practice topics will boost your knowledge and experience in half the time of an audio seminar. Topics include:
- Developing and Managing the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
- Challenges of Compliance and Ethical Coding in Physician Practice
- Quality Documentation within Physician Practice
- The Importance of the Legal Health Record in Physician Practice
- Developing a Query Process for the Physician Practice or Home Health Agency
- PQRI and Category II Codes
- Correct Coding Initiatives (CCI)
- Claim Rejections and Appeals Process
And others!
Fast Facts seminars are available via pre-recorded Webcast or CD. An assessment is included with each seminar. Earn one CEU for each seminar and assessment completed. Prices start as low as $49 per seminar! Visit here for more information, including a complete list of topics.
| AHIMA CAREER ASSIST |
One of the benefits of AHIMA membership is use of Career Assist. Presenting special offers for job seekers and discounts for posting employers, AHIMA’s Career Assist is your one-stop HIM health information portal to your new career. A Career Assist customer service staff member is ready to assist you with any questions at (888) 575-9675, or by e-mail at custserv@jobtarget.com. You will get an immediate response to your questions.
To find your perfect job today, go here.
Below are some recent job opportunities:
Director of Health Information Management
Shasta Regional Medical Center
Redding, CA
Revenue Integrity Manager
Baptist Health Care
Pensacola, FL
Inpatient Coder
St. Alexius Medical Center
Hoffman Estates, IL
| MEMBER BENEFITS |
Marsh Group Insurance Plans
If you are sued for malpractice, Marsh Professional Liability Insurance can pay legal fees, court costs, court judgments, and out-of-court settlements. The coverage is up to $2 million per incident and up to $4 million in any one-policy year. This is one of several group plans that AHIMA members can choose from through Marsh Affinity Group Services, a service of Seabury & Smith. Other plans include Group Term Life Insurance, Disability Income, Customized Major Medical, Short-Term and Long-Term Care Medical Plans.
For more information, contact Marsh Affinity Group Services directly at (800) 503-9230.
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| STOP BY OUR BOOTH! |
AHIMA will exhibit at the following conferences within the next month. If you plan on attending either of these events, be sure to stop by our booth and pick up a free gift.
Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) 2009 Annual Conference and Exhibition
April 5–8
Grand Concourse Lobby, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) 2009 Annual Conference
April 6–8
Booth #308, Rio Suites Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
Did you miss last month's issue of AHIMA Resources? Read it online here.
If you found this e-mail in your bulk folder, please add resources@ahima.org to your address book to ensure you receive all future communications in your in box.
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