Dwan Thomas Flowers, MBA, RHIA, CCS, FHIMA
New FHIMA Board 2008-2009
New FHIMA
Committee Chairs 2008-2009
Volunteer
Opportunities
FHIMA Annual
Report
FHIMA HOD 2008 Summary
Travel with your PHR
FHIMA Rap
FHIMA 2008 Convention
a Success!
AHRQ Releases Common Formats for Patient Safety Reporting
CMS Announces 32 Registries Qualify for 2008 PQRI Reporting
2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Conference Call with
Q&A Session
Free ICD-10 Webcast
Available Now
AHIMA Offers
ICD-10 Information Online
HI&T Week
Planning Kit Available Now
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Dwan Thomas Flowers, MBA, RHIA, CCS
S.H.I.N.E.
Support Health Information Networks & Educate
Secure HI Networks & Exchanges
Share H I & Network with Enthusiasm |
It is with great sincerity that I share my
excitement about writing my first FHIMA President's Message.
Let our light so shine such that all other information
management professionals will realize that we are a strong,
united, well-educated and experienced profession --Who knew
back in 1999, when I first committed these words to paper that
they would still have such significance in 2008? This was a
time when HIPAA was new, there were only whisperings of HINs,
eMR was still risqué and CoP still meant conditions of
participation – not Communities of Practice…Now is an excellent
time for a status check.
This year, our theme is S.H.I.N.E, and I
cannot over-emphasize the significance. It is truly HI time
that we SHINE in HIM. We have to Support Health Information
Networks and Exchanges, share health information and network
with enthusiasm. There is no better time to take our places at
the forefront of these activities.
However, with all of the other information
management societies surfacing with similar mission statements,
we have our share of work to do to ensure that we are invited to
the “big table” for decision-making--thus, our theme,
S.H.I.N.E.. If we share health information
& network with enthusiasm, perhaps we can further
our cause. So what else do we need to do to SHINE?
We are off to a good start. FHIMA has made many
strides. We have so very many talented people on whom we can
depend. I truly believe that our state organization is one that
SHINEs within AHIMA. We have begun the work toward recruitment
via FIRE, which in the absence of anything else, it shines. We
won the 2008 AHIMA CSA Core Achievement First Place award for
best practices in Support for Local Accredited HIM Education
Programs for execution of our formal Mentor Program and other
activities related to Bridging the Gap. We have published best
practices throughout our state for activities such as Hill Day,
which won us the 2005 CSA Core Achievement award for best
practices in Legislative & Advocacy, “Campaign Save the Region”
as well as have implemented successful annual Student Forums. We
have many Award-winning members within our organization. There
are so many, many more examples of how FHIMA SHINES, but we
still have work to do.
So what else might the acronym SHINE represent?
Rest assured that the HI represents Health Information, always.
When I think of “S”, I think:
-
Support & Standardize
-
Again H I (always Health Information)
-
N for Networks, Networking and
Necessary
-
E for Exchanges, Enthusiasm,
Expedient, Electronically
Can we embrace SHINE to Support Health
Information Networks and Exchanges?
Can we Share Health Information
for Necessary Exchanging?
Can we indeed Standardize Health
Information Networks Electronically?
Are we prepared to Standardize Health
Information Networks, Expeditiously?
I believe the beauty of the message is that
SHINE can represent many initiatives that are relevant to what
we do. However, I challenge each of you to reflect upon the
words…As HIM professionals we have to be more enthusiastic;
it is contagious. More importantly, we have to act
expeditiously; we must lead with speed. Often times, we are
all guilty of having wonderful ideas without Execution
(another great “E”). We don’t take the time to share our
knowledge, commit it to paper OR submit it to someone else
because we allow the demands of life to get in the way. I
believe this is how other professions have quickly decided that
they are players in our game! We have the knowledge base; we
have the experience—we can do it. We can rise to the occasion
such that we are recognized for our talents!
My commitments to you for this term will show
that for me, it’s always all about the members. Tell me what you
need from your organization. Help us to help you develop
professionally. Additionally, I intend to expound upon the
questions posed during the President-elect campaign question.
One related to FHIMA’s President’s involvement in Advocacy
efforts, as well as involvement at the public consumer and
legislative levels. My responses, in sum, were that I would
advocate for more students enrolling in HIM programs as a first
selection, with more mentoring of students and accepting them
for practicum assignments. Additionally, it is paramount to try
to influence others within our professional body to do the
same.
I committed to enhancing public consumer
awareness of their PHI; thus, we have a new myPHR Task Force
this year. Finally, at the legislative level, I committed to
more involvement in any activity that is affected by or could
potentially affect HIM. We need to secure FHIMA membership for
as many related workgroups as possible. In essence, we need a
seat at the big table!
As I have made commitments for this term, I also
need commitments from you! I ask that you hire students--our
commitments to our new grads are key to our sustainability.
Seek out credentialed members to fill your roles. Make the
concerted effort to help others secure credentials so they can
SHINE. If you are a student or new grad, I need you to pursue
your credentials as soon as possible. You do not realize the
impact you could have not only on your own career but also on
the profession by doing so. From everyone, I need your
enthusiasm to SHINE through. If we want to attract more people
to our profession to offset the national shortage, we need to
have qualities that out-SHINE other professions. We must act in
a manner that others would like to model and represent ourselves
in such a professional way that others want to be a part of what
we do.
As we begin this term, I am so proud to be a
part of something so wonderful, with multiple opportunities as
new HIM challenges and initiatives emerge that require our
unique attention. Remember, “stars do not struggle to SHINE,”
and you won’t either—after all, this is Florida, the sunshine
state. So, I need us (HIM professionals) to unite; we will shine
brightly together even as we partner and collaborate with others
(such as AAPC, HIMSS). TODAY, I need your commitment to
advancement of the science of e-HIM. I ask that you take the
opportunity this term to SHINE in your own right and ensure that
FHIMA takes lead on doing what it does, naturally!
So when I say, “Let our light so shine (some
quotes require no formal referencing—you just know the author),
please note that while the "our" is intended as plural, the
"light" is single...so, although we individually need to do our
parts to SHINE, when we partner, there is one light, one
direction and one goal in unity. I look forward to working with
each of you shining stars, and I thank you in advance for your
commitment to SHINE in 2008-2009.
Congratulations to the 2008-2009 FHIMA Board of Directors!
On Tuesday, July 15, 2008, the 2008/2009 Board
of Directors were installed at the Annual Membership Luncheon.
The new officers are:
President
Dwan Thomas-Flowers, MBA, RHIA, CCS
President-Elect
Kimberly Eichner, MBA, RHIA
Past President/Director
Stacie Buck, RHIA, CCS-P, LHRM, RCC
Directors
Monica Cole, RHIA, CCS
Diana Spaulding, RHIT, CCS
Kelly Wilson, MBA, RHIA, CHP
Lisa Libby, RHIA, CCS
Dean Ritchey, RHIA
Barbara Bermudez, RHIT
Chief Delegate
Lori Langley, RHIA
Executive Director
Carolyn Glavan, MS, RHIA
FHIMA Committee Chairs for 2008/2009
The 2008/2009 FHIMA Committee Chairs are:
Arrangements: Tanya Kuehnast, MA, RHIA
Bridging the Gap: Donna Retallak, RHIT & Gwen Clippard, MBA,
RHIA
Credentials: Carnell Hall, DD, MBA/HCM, RHIA
Data Quality: Carla Gaines, MPH, RHIA, CCS
e-Coastlines: Becky Dicus, MHSA, RHIA, LHRM
FIRE: Hertencia Bowe, MSHA, RHIA
Legislative: Kelly McLendon, RHIA & Eudelia “Skip” Thomas, MS,
RHIA
Nominating: Michelle Mock, MSM, RHIA
Program: Myra Merillo, RHIT
Scholarship: Angela Rosier, RHIA
Service Awards: Monica Hardy, EdD, RHIA
AHIMA Delegate: Anita Doupnik, RHIA
Advocacy Liaison: Linda Renn, RHIT, CCS, CPC, CPC-H
My PHR Liaison: Julie McCall, RHIT
If you need to contact a committee chair, go to
the About FHIMA page and click on “FHIMA Committees and
Appointments.”
Ready
to volunteer with FHIMA?
FHIMA has many opportunities for you to get
involved with your professional association!
Click on this link and let us know what you’d like to do!
You’ll learn about the various positions and what’s involved!
FHIMA Annual
Report
Click here to view the FHIMA Annual Report
FHIMA HOD
2008 Summary
Click here for the meeting minutes for the July 14, 2008
FHIMA House of Delegates
Click here for the FHIMA’s 21st House of Delegates Summary
Travel with
your PHR
By: Melissa Boyster
AHIMA Member Communications Manager
Many of you know how important it is to keep and
maintain a PHR, but do you carry it with you when you’re
hundreds—or even thousands—of miles away from home? In a medical
emergency, time is of the essence. Transferring medical records
across states, oceans, and countries is not only difficult, it’s
sometimes near impossible.
We encourage you to bring your PHR with you
whenever and wherever you travel. Whether it’s a family
vacation, an overnight stay, a business trip, or an
international excursion, always leave home prepared.
Please remember to be prepared with your PHR
when traveling to AHIMA’s October Annual Convention in Seattle.
Use this opportunity to train yourself to bring your health
information along whenever you leave home.
You’ve worked to create it, now don’t forget it!
Set an example for others to show how versatile and useful it
can be. Please remember to bring your PHR with you when you
travel and encourage your loved ones to do the same.
FHIMA Rap
FHIMA Rap written for 2008 FHIMA Convention
by Judy Carter
www.judycarter.com
Managers in the hood - better be good
Healthcare is my vocation
Not getting me much appreciation
Always in a crisis situation
No wonder I'm on medication
My pants are tight, my forehead's warm
I can't fill out one more form
I need some air - It's not fair
I need some air - It's not fair
I'm learning new software
Making data easy to share
But this is really deranged
As soon as I learn it, it's gonna change
You send me emails every day
On my work can be no delays
But work is going the pace of a snail
Cause I'm busy answering your stupid Email
Meeting to see why my budget is late
Meeting to see why I can't hit my date
Want to know why I'm not completing
It's because I'm in a stupid meeting!
In medical coding we have to be cool
Some people don't follow rules
Crusin', swearin', stomping the floor
And that's just the doctors
Now, what makes us go berserk
Doctors calling us file clerks
We're sick of this devaluation
So let me say without hesitation
If you want your patients to get medication
Treat us with appreciation
So let me give you an education
We're the goddesses of Health Information
I need some air - It's not fair
Here in the hood of Orlando
I just want to drink Mojitos
Learning ICD-9 coding
Makes me want to do carbo loading
But I'm at the Omni pretending it's a vacation
But all these meetings give me constipation
I'm here to work on my coding career
I rather float the lazy river drinking a beer
FHIMA 2008 Convention a Success!
The FHIMA 2008 Convention in July was a
success! We had 542 registered attendees and three days of
educational tracks! The Exhibit hall was sold out!
Congratulations to Pamela Carter and Valerie McCleary! The
hotel has notified me that these 2 have won a stay at the Omni
as a result of a random drawing of hotel evaluations completed
by our guests.
Overall, attendees scored the speakers very high
as well as the convention facilities. Of course, there is
always room for improvement so we will be taking all written
comments and suggestion into consideration for our convention in
2009. The FHIMA 2009 Convention will be held July 13-16, 2009
at the Omni Orlando Resort. Mark your calendars!
AHRQ Releases Common Formats for Patient Safety Reporting
The federal Agency
for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a set of
common definitions and reporting formats for provider
organizations that voluntarily report patient safety data to
patient safety organizations. Use of the Common Formats Version
0.1 beta set will facilitate the collection and reporting of
data, according to the agency, which is a unit of the Department
of Health and Human Services.
The Patient Safety Act, which authorized reporting of data to
patient safety organizations, requires collection of data in a
standardized manner when practical. A final federal regulation
implementing the act is under review. More information and a
link to the Common Formats are in an AHRQ notice published
August 29 in the
Federal Register.
CMS Announces 32 Registries Qualify for 2008 PQRI Reporting
The Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced the 32 registries
that have been “qualified” to submit quality data on behalf of
their participants for the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting
Initiative (PQRI) registry submission option. A list of each
registry and their Web site is available as a downloadable
document. Go to
www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri and click on “Reporting” on the
left of the PQRI homepage.
Each registry has
gone through a thorough vetting process. Eligible professionals
interested in registry-based participation for PQRI in 2008 are
encouraged to contact the registries directly to determine which
registry meets their practice’s needs and collects quality
information on measures that are important to the practice.
2008 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Conference Call with
Q&A Session
CMS will host a
conference call on the 2008 Physician Quality Reporting
Initiative (PQRI). This toll-free call will take place from 3:30
p.m. to 5 p.m. (EDT) on September 18.
This call will
provide an update on registry reporting for 2008; information on
the e-prescribing measure for 2008 PQRI (measure #125) and
proposed measures for 2009 PQRI; incentives for electronic
prescribing; 2007 PQRI feedback reports and incentive payments;
and a question and answer session.
To register for the call participants must
click here. Registration will close at 3:30 p.m. (EDT) on
September 17 or when available space has been filled. No
exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to
this time.
Free ICD-10 Webcast
Available Now
Faculty: Sue Bowman,
RHIA, CCS; Mary Beth McCoy Haugen, MS, RHIA; Lynn Kuehn, MS,
RHIA, CCS-P, FAHIMA; and Dan Rode, MBA, FHFMA
AHIMA is offering a
free, informational, pre-recorded Webcast, “ICD-10
Implementation: What’s Next?” to educate healthcare and HIM
professionals on the contents of the notice of proposed rule
making (NPRM), our initial interpretation, important dates,
impact on the industry, and next steps in the transition. This
Webcast is a recorded version of a live event originally
broadcast on August 26 and reviews the what and why of an NPRM,
who will be affected and how, how ICD-10 differs from ICD-9,
benefits of the upgrade to ICD-10, and responding to the NPRM.
Please note that no resource book or CEUs are provided with this
Webcast. To access the Webcast,
click here.
AHIMA Offers
ICD-10 Information Online
Looking for
information about ICD-10? AHIMA has developed a special section
of our Web site
www.ahima.org to provide you with up-to-date information
about the regulatory process, advice about implementation, and
the latest AHIMA educational products. The new and improved site
includes an overview of the value of ICD-10, answers frequently
asked questions, explains AHIMA’s advocacy efforts in this area,
and is a one-stop resource for links to articles and education.
Visit
www.ahima.org/icd10/ and add it to your bookmarks, as new
information will be added frequently.
HI&T Week
Planning Kit Available Now
Mark your calendars for Health Information and Technology Week,
November 2-8, sponsored by AHIMA and the Canadian Health
Information Management Association. This annual event is a
showcase for the thousands of HIM professionals who perform
their duties masterfully throughout the year. The theme of this
year’s celebration is “The Strength of Technology, the Power of
Care,” which is intended to spread the idea that sound
principles are maintained as medical information evolves from
the paper to the electronic world. We have prepared a kit to
help you plan your week. To access the planning kit online,
visit
www.ahima.org/hitweek.
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