Stacie Buck, RHIA, CCS-P, LHRM, RCC
FHIMA President

stacie@southeastrad.com

As I sit here writing my President’s message I am reflecting on the memories of the AHIMA Convention that took place in Philadelphia a few short weeks ago.  I am also very thankful for surviving the cab ride back to the airport!  Believe it or not this was my first time attending a national convention during my 15 years working in the HIM profession.  The national convention is not only a way to learn about the latest trends and hot topics in HIM, but it is a great way to build your professional network.  I cannot even begin to count all of the wonderful and talented HIM professionals that I met and spoke with during my time in Philadelphia. 

I was finally able to put a face with the names of all of my colleagues with whom I regularly communicate with via the AHIMA Communities of Practice.  For those of you that have not logged on to the CoPs, you are missing out on one of the most valuable member benefits that AHIMA has to offer.       The CoPs allow you to interact with other HIM professionals from all over the country and allow you the benefit of receiving peer assistance with the many challenges that you face in your job from day to day.  In addition, the CoPs allow you to voice your concerns and opinions to AHIMA regarding its activities and current trends in the industry.  I am encouraging all members of FHIMA to join and visit the following communities on a regular basis:  Geographic: Florida and the State Leaders and HOD CoP.

Prior to convention the House of Delegates convened on Sunday, October 7^th.   Members of AHIMA’s House of Delegates voted on resolutions and discussed issues that will have far-reaching implications for all members in years to come.  The House voted on three resolutions all of which were passed:   “Proposed Resolution for e-HIM^® Professional Standards,” the resolution “Quality Data and Documentation in the EHR,” and the resolution “Ensuring the Future of the HIM profession through Vision 2016: A Blueprint for Quality Education in Health Information.  Each of the resolutions has been posted in the AHIMA Body of Knowledge. 

In addition, the delegates also discussed strategic issues during issue forums.  One thing is clear from the issue forums--our profession is at a crossroads and as an association we are facing many critical decisions that will affect us for many years to come.  Now more than ever it is important for each and every member to stay informed of AHIMA activities and become an active part of the decision making process for our organization.  There are several issues that will be before the House in 2008, so please stay tuned for details on measures that your delegates will be voting on in 2008. 

Still trying to figure out how you can meet the “Power of One” challenge?  Consider becoming part of AHIMA’s Action Community for e-HIM Excellence (ACE). 

Being a member of the Action Community means having a commitment to volunteering. ACE members match their skills and interests with volunteer and career-building opportunities. The opportunities include mentoring members, speaking at CSA meetings, writing for AHIMA, and/or testifying to legislators.  ACE members form a preferred pool of experts and a network of peers transforming HIM. AHIMA is currently accepting nominations at: www.ahima.org. You may nominate yourself or someone else. 

Since the ACE program was launched in July, 242 AHIMA members have joined ACE.  Of those 242 members fifteen are members of FHIMA:   Cheryl Bowling, Stacie Buck, Kristi Calin, Kerry Costa, Jill Finkelstein, Elizabeth Garard, Elizabeth Giustina, Carnell Hall, John Marshall, Michael Meyer, Stanley Padfield, Elizabeth Rehmann, Jamie Salup, Dianne Vollgraff-Rushton, Lois Yoder. 

Lastly, since this is my final President’s Message for 2007, I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season.  I am excited about all of the things the FHIMA committees and Board members have been working on so diligently since last June and I look forward to revealing many exciting things to you after the new year.
 

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FHIMA News

MAKE A DIFFERENCE...
FHIMA Needs Enthusiastic Volunteers LIKE YOU!

Each year, we seek candidates for the following positions:

President-Elect:   The position is a 3-year commitment.  The president-elect is a member of  the Board and works closely with the President and Management Steering Committee.  The 2^nd year is the President, and the 3^rd year, sits on the Board as Past President/Director.   

Qualifications:  
1) Experience serving as an FHIMA Board Member 
2) Active Membership in AHIMA and FHIMA

Director:   This is a 2-year commitment.  Each
year THREE Directors are voted on to the Board.  They serve as liaisons to Committees and conduct business of the Association. 

Qualifications:  
1) Experience serving as an FHIMA Committee Chair or officer in a regional association or prior HIM leadership role in another state.   
2) Active Membership in AHIMA and FHIMA.

Delegate to AHIMA:   This is a 2-year commitment.  The first year the AHIMA Delegate attends the AHIMA Annual meeting, and the second year, attends the AHIMA Meeting AND sits on the Board as Chief Delegate.  

Qualifications:  
1) FHIMA Board or Committee Chair experience. 
2) Served as a delegate to FHIMA House of Delegates   
3) Active Membership in AHIMA and FHIMA.

Click here to obtain the 2008 Nominations Form

For more information, please contact:
Holly Woemmel, MA, RHIA
FHIMA Nominations Chair
Fax:  (321) 638-8865
hwoemmel@ositranscription.com

Voting will take place electronically in the Spring.  Watch for emails and postcard indicating when FHIMA polls are open.

FHIMA SERVICE  AWARDS!
Nominate a HIM Professional who deserves recognition!

Nominations will be taken soon for the following awards:

* Distinguished Member
* Distinguished Service  (FHIMA Member or  Non-member)
* Literary
* Outstanding Student
* Outstanding New Professional
* Outstanding Professional
* Educator Award (NEW!)
* Mentor Award (NEW!)

We have many deserving members.  Be sure to think about your colleagues and nominate them for an award. 

CLICK HERE for Criteria for FHIMA Service Awards

CLICK HERE for Service Awards Nomination Form

Deadline for Service Awards Nominations is March 17, 2008

For more information contact:  
Sallee Silverman, RHIA
FHIMA Service Awards Committee Chair
sallee70@gmail.com

Attention HIM Program Students

2008 Scholardship Information:

FHIMA is pleased to announce a continued support of individuals pursuing Health Information Management careers.  FHIMA has again voted to provide scholarships this year to students enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate studies related to the Health Information Management field. In addition, FHIMA will be awarding a new scholarship, the Charlotte Stockton Memorial Scholarship.

As in years past, scholarships will be awarded to FHIMA members to defray the cost of a Health Information Management related education.

New for 2008!
Announcing the Charlotte Stockton Memorial Scholarship

Starting in 2008, FHIMA announces the Charlotte Stockton Memorial Scholarship.  This scholarship honors the memory of Charlotte Stockton (Stat Solutions, Inc. and Professional Outsourcing Solutions, Inc.) who was committed to the HIM Profession.  This scholarship will be offered to qualified applicants enrolled in AHIMA approved Coding Certificate programs. 

CLICK HERE for the Scholarship Application and Eligibility Information

For more information, contact: 
Donna Soto, RHIT, CPC
FHIMA Scholarships Committee Chair
dsoto45@bellsouth.net

FHIMA 2008 Convention!  Mark your Calendars!

In 2008, our Annual Convention will be held JULY 14-17, 2008.

We will be at the Omni Orlando Resort at Champions Gate.  We've added more tracks and a legal track for Thursday along with the coding track!  Watch future editions and emails for FHIMA 2008 Convention details!

Ordering Information for the
Medical/Legal Guide to Health Care Records in Florida

FHIMA Medical Legal Guide 2006 Version is available for purchase.  This is the current edition.  A revision of the manual is in process but will not be available until late 2008/early 2009.  We are very fortunate to have skilled HIM professionals and attorneys volunteering their expertise and time to update the manual. 

The Guide includes a CD and Notebook set for $295.00 plus $10.00 Shipping and Handling.  Students enrolled full-time in an accredited HIT/HIM program may purchase the guide for $65.00 plus $10.00 Shipping and Handling.

Click here for the 2006 Medical/Legal Guide Order Form

Membership Information for FHIMA

2 For the Price of 1!!
Did you know that by being a member of AHIMA and indicating your state association as Florida, you are automatically a member of FHIMA?  There are no separate dues to pay!!  You get 2 professional memberships for the price of 1!  Plus, as a FHIMA member, you'll get reduced pricing on annual convention registration fees!

In order to be a member of FHIMA you must be a member in good standing with AHIMA and indicate Florida as your state association. 
To join AHIMA, click this link visit:  www.ahima.org

Changes to your contact information:
If you change any of your contact information (new address, new email, etc) you MUST go to AHIMA and update your profile.  Do not send changes to FHIMA.  All changes must be sent to AHIMA. 

To update your contact information, go to www.ahima.org and click on the "Update My Profile" in the uppermost right corner of the page.

Are you an AHIMA member new to Florida? 
First, go to AHIMA and update your contact information.
Second, make sure you have selected Florida as your state association when updating your information.
 

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Articles

“What Do You Mean By That?” How to motivate your HIM employees by speaking their language!
by:  Tina Allan
Sales Consultant, The Omnia Group

When new employees join an HIM staff, their arrival is typically a most welcome one, as the number of good, qualified professionals in the industry is limited. Still, while strong credentials and verified skills provide some reassurance that you’ve found the right person for the job, there’s another all-important, unanswered question that remains: have you found the right person for your work environment? Recent graduates might have the latest reimbursement rules memorized or prove they can code correctly, but can their persona and work approach mesh with your existing employees’? Seasoned applicants come with experience, their own time-tested systems, but will they understand a boss who utilizes innovative, fresh management practices?

Read More>>>
 

Recovery Audit Contractors (RAC): Tips to Manage Your Experience 
by:  Patricia Irorere RHIT, CCS
FHIMA 2007-2008 Data Quality Chair

The RAC program is an ongoing frenzy of activity for many healthcare organizations in Florida. RAC’s goal is to investigate and identify any overpayments and underpayments collected by Medicare.  With this program come numerous challenges to maintain and track medical record requests along with appeals and denials for coding and medical necessity.

Read More>>>
 

Update on Florida’s Office of Vital Statistics Electronic Birth Registration
By: Sharon Dover
Quality Assurance Field Coordinator
Florida Office of Vital Statistics

Florida's Office of Vital Statistics keeps adding hospitals to the list of online facilities registering births via the Internet.  These hospitals’ birth records are entered via Electronic Birth Registration (EBR) — birth records that do not have to be forwarded to the state office then manually keyed into the state database. The hospital birth registrar enters the data and in real time, the information is transmitted electronically to the State Office of Vital Statistics. Mom is able to go by the health department and pick up her baby’s certification on her way home from the hospital.

Read More>>>
 

FHIMA Legislative Committee Update
by: Kelly McLendon, RHIA
FHIMA Legislative Co-Chair

This year FHIMA has divided the Legislative duties into 2 Committee’s; Advocacy, Chaired by Linda Renn and the one I am serving as Chairman which is primarily tasked with re-writing the FHIMA Legal Manual and providing support for legislative issues for all our members.  Jill Finklestein is our BOD liaison.

Read More>>>
 

Health Information Technology at Lake-Sumter Community College
by: Brandy Ziesemer, RHIA, CCS
HIM Program Manager, Lake-Sumter Community College

The Health Information students held a kick-off for National HI&T Week. On November 1st, students presented a mock HIT vendor fair and reception for our Advisory Committee and the community.  Topics included discussion on products available for converting from paper records to an EHR.  The event was held in the new Science and Math Building on the Leesburg Campus.

Read More>>>
 

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AHIMA Update

AHIMA 2007 House of Delegates

Summary taken from the “AHIMA Today, The Convention Daily Newsletter” October 8, 2007.

Members of AHIMA’s House of Delegates voted on resolutions and discussed issues that will have far-reaching implications for all members in years to come during Sunday’s meeting. 

The House voted on three resolutions related to HIM issues. The group also discussed strategic issues during issue forums. 

Three Resolutions Passed

The group approved the “Proposed Resolution for e-HIM~ Professional Standards7 which proposes that AHIMA evaluate and develop professional practice standards for e-HIM. The resolution was written by the Tennessee Health Information Management Association. 

Next, the resolution "Quality Data and Documentation in the EHR” was approved. This resolution, developed by AHIMA’s Physician Practice Council, urges that HIM professionals actively participate and contribute to organizations that develop standards to ensure that EHR data and documentation meet the needs of healthcare organizations

Finally, delegates approved “Ensuring the Future of the HIM Profession through Vision 2016: A Blueprint for Quality Education in Health Information Management.” The resolution, submitted by Tennessee educators, the Tennessee HIMA Board of Directors, and the AHIMA Education Strategy Committee, addresses points raised in the “Vision 2016” white paper on education published by AHIMA in September. A motion to postpone a vote on the resolution for 90 days was defeated. 

Work Groups Explore Five Strategic Issues

During the issue forums, delegates broke into small groups to discuss issues of strategic importance to members and the association. They discussed five issues:

• House of Delegates structure and development

• Vision 2016: A Blueprint for Quality Education in HIM

• Accreditation and certification governance

• Certification program development

• HIM global trends

AHIMA president Bryon Pickard emphasized that the focus of the discussions should not be on immediate action, but on providing guidance on issues of importance to the association. “We’re not going to take action on these topics today, but we want to talk about a suggested timeline,” he said.  Each issue forum was asked to consider the question “what is needed to move forward?” as part of their discussions. 

Each group produced a summary of feedback, which was reported to the House. This feedback will provide AHIMA’s Board of Directors and the members with direction on positions and priorities for the profession and the association. 

The complete presentation is available online in the State Leaders! House of Delegates Community of Practice. 

Looking Ahead to a “Challenging Year”

In addition to the action items, the group also heard AHIMA CEO Linda Kloss s annual report, in which she gave a snapshot of the “state of the health of AHIMA” and the Foundation of Research and Education. Kloss described AHIMA’s strategic plan and goals, as well as those of FORE, and gave an account of its finances. 

In a preview of 2008, Kloss said, “We think a challenging year is coming up for us,” but that the association is well positioned to met the challenges, which include the national election and the advancement of HIM issues in the spotlight at the national and state levels.

Wrapping up the meeting, Pickard reminded the group that its work goes on year-round. “We now share the responsibility to advance our association and profession through all the changes before us,” he said. “To be an effective association, we must continue working on important issues all year long. . . Working together, we’ll create a brighter future.” 

The House of Delegates meets year-round electronically via AHIMA’s State Leaders and HoD Community of Practice, which is open to all members. All members can join this community by logging on at www.ahima.org.

AHIMA Advocacy Update

Submitted by Linda Renn, Advocacy Liaison, FHIMA

The 109^th Congress has reached the midway point of its first session.  Although legislative action on HIT issues began slowly, the pace has increased. AHIMA has worked diligently with Congressional staff to advocate for our key issues of workforce; confidentiality, privacy and security; coding and ICD-10; and health information exchange.  At this midway point, AHIMA is pleased to report that we have made progress on almost every front.

Workforce 

AHIMA has teamed with the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) and Congressman David Wu (D-OR) on developing workforce legislation. Our efforts this year have yielded positive results with the House passing HR 1467, the “10,000 Trained by 2010 Act” by voice vote on June 6.  This legislation now moves to the Senate.   

Confidentiality, Privacy, and Security 

We expected to see the consideration of privacy legislation that would cover health, financial and even internet information.  We have yet to see this legislation but expect to see something before the end of the year.  On June 19, AHIMA President Bryon Pickard testified on privacy before the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census and National Archives of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. 

AHIMA has also been advocating for genetic nondiscrimination legislation since 1996 and is happy to report that this legislation is close to being enacted. AHIMA has been strongly advocating for HR 493 and S. 358, the House and Senate versions of the “Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.”  HR 493 easily passed the House on April 25. S. 358 passed the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on Mach 29 and is awaiting consideration before the full Senate.

ICD-10

Hoping to capitalize on our momentum from 2005-06, we have been working with HIT leaders in Congress to include language on ICD-10 and the standards adoption process in legislation.  Working with our coalition partners and Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN), we have had legislation introduced in the Senate that calls for the adoption and implementation of ICD-10 by October 1, 2011.  S. 628, the “Critical Access to Health Information Technology Act” is currently pending before the Senate HELP Committee.  We are also working with the House to have companion legislation introduced there.

Health Information Exchange

The slow start of HIT legislation was superseded by a flurry of legislative activity in the Senate.  On June 26, the Senate HELP Committee passed S. 1693, the “Wired for Health Care Quality Act.” This bill largely mirrors what the Senate passed in the last Congress.  With the HELP Committee passage, we expect to see this legislation on the Senate floor soon.  Although we are encouraged by S. 1693, we are disappointed by its lack of language on ICD-10 and the standards process. We also feel that its clinical education provisions fall short of what is needed to adequately educate and train an HIT workforce.     

Conclusion

AHIMA will continue to see action at the national level but has also seen an increase of activity at the state and local level.  We know that we need to increase our attention on how to better advocate at the state and local level.  One of the things we are doing is creating group to focus on ways that AHIMA and its CSAs can enhance our ability to advocate at the state and local level. This group will not delve into Federal policy matters but will look more at structure, grassroots and other things that can increase advocacy and visibility at the state and local level. 

Our efforts at the Federal level will continue and we expect to see much more action after Congress’ August recess.  For further information on any legislative issues, you can access the Action Center of the AHIMA Advocacy Assistant.

Copyright © 2007 by the American Health Information Management Association.  Reprinted with permission.

CMS Adds Information on Reporting Hospital-Acquired Conditions

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has added information on reporting and coding hospital-acquired conditions to its Web site. As of October 1, all inpatient prospective payment system hospitals have been required to submit present-on-admission indicator information for all primary and secondary diagnoses. On January 1, 2008, CMS will begin processing POA indicator data and will provide feedback to IPPS hospitals on reporting errors. From January 1 to March 31, 2008, hospitals will be educated on reporting errors and will not be subject to returned claims. As of April 1, 2008, claims that are submitted for payment that do not contain proper reporting of the POA indicator will be returned. Read the reporting requirements at www.cms.hhs.gov.

Health Information Exchange Consensus Conference Reinforces Key Role of State-level Entities

Health information exchange (HIE) organizations with public-private governance and a statewide mission are an important and logical organizational unit for advancing HIE efforts, according to the interim findings of an ongoing study carried out by the Foundation of Research and Education (FORE). The findings were reported in “Building Sustainable Health Information Exchange: Roles for State-Level Public-Private Partnerships,” which was the focus of discussion at a consensus conference November 5–6 in Washington, DC. New research identifies three key roles for state level entities—convener, collaborator, and operator—and defines each. The conference and preliminary report are part of a FORE project that began in 2006 under an HHS contract. The project's larger aim is to guide the ongoing development of state-level health information exchange efforts, and their roles in support of the developing nationwide network.

Project resources, including the recently released preliminary report, “State Level Health Information Exchange: Roles in Ensuring Governance and Advancing Interoperability,” are available on the project Web site at www.staterhio.org. Feedback on the preliminary report is welcome and can be provided via the Web site. Also available on the site is an updated version of the “State Level Health Information Exchange Development Workbook: A Guide to Key Issues.” The final report is due in March 2008.

Joint Commission's Annual Report Shows Improvement in Healthcare Quality

American hospitals are making measurable strides in the quality of care provided for patients with heart attacks, heart failures, pneumonia, and surgical conditions, according to the Joint Commission's second annual report on healthcare quality and patient safety. The report “Improving America's Hospitals: The Joint Commission's Annual Report on Quality and Safety 2007” shows that whether patients receive proven treatments for these common reasons for hospitalization often depends on where they live. For example, statewide performance of hospitals on the measure of providing discharge instructions to patients with heart failure ranges from 49 percent to 91 percent. The report also found that:

• Accredited hospitals continue to show measurable improvements in performance.

• Requiring hospitals to follow standardized processes for quality measurement, reporting, and improvement has contributed significantly to the positive results.

• Room for improvement exists for most of the quality measures.

• Hospitals continue to be challenged in meeting certain patient safety requirements.

• Significant variability exists in the performance of hospitals by state, as well as between the highest- and lowest-performing hospitals.

To read more of the report's findings, go to www.jointcommissionreport.org.

Study Finds Telehealth Systems Can Save Healthcare System Billions

A recent study from the Center for Information Technology Leadership (CITL) finds that telehealth systems nationally implemented can save $4.28 billion annually. CITL examined the overall value of three telehealth technology systems (store-and-forward, real-time video, and a hybrid model that combines the two) in four different healthcare settings: emergency departments, correctional institutions, nursing homes, and physician offices. “The Value of Provider-to-Provider Telehealth Technologies” finds that the benefits of telehealth far outweigh the costs of implementation, with the hybrid systems (store-and-forward and real-time video technologies) to be the best investments. By reducing face-to-face visits and redundant and unnecessary tests alone, they hybrid system can save $3.61 billion annually. With a five-year rollout nationwide, implementation of hybrid telehealth technologies reaches a break-even in year five, with a total annual net savings in $4.28 billion. To read more of the report's findings, go to www.citl.org.

Healthcare Identified as Top Issue for Voters in 2008 Election

Democratic and Republican voters from early primary states identified healthcare as the top issue they want to hear about from presidential candidates during the 2008 election, according to a recent poll by the American Hospital Association. Healthcare costs and coverage were the two top specific healthcare issues that voters from across the political spectrum want candidates to tackle. Specifically, nearly nine out of 10 voters polled favored a set of changes to the health system that would include:

• Providing healthcare coverage for everyone, with everyone (government, individuals, and employers) contributing to the cost

• Making changes to make healthcare more efficient and more affordable

• Using more information technology to increase patient safety, lower costs, and reduce paper work so that doctors and nurses can spend more time with patients

• Ensuring people have access to preventive care and wellness programs, so that people lead healthier lives

• Improving the quality of care so that every patient receives the right care at the right time.

The poll interviewed 600 likely 2008 general election voters across Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. In addition 400 likely GOP primary voters/caucus goers and 400 likely Democratic primary voters/caucus goers were interviewed.

To read more of the findings, go to www.aha.org.

AHRQ Publishes Guide to Help Developers Create IT Systems for People with Limited Literacy

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has published a guide to help developers and purchasers of health IT understand key elements in constructing products aimed at populations with limited health literacy rates. “Accessible Health Information Technology (IT) for Populations with Limited Literacy: A Guide for Developers and Purchasers of Health IT” provides structure, strategies, and other resources for the development of these technologies. Purchasers of health IT can use this resource to evaluate a particular health IT product. The guide is available online at www.healthit.ahrq.gov.

Call for AHIMA Nominations 2008

The AHIMA nominating committee is accepting nominations for individuals interested in leading the association and its members to a successful future. The AHIMA Board of Directors, Council on Certification, and Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education have diverse qualifications and backgrounds, leading to the strong leadership they provide. These members have served in elected positions as well as being appointed on committees, councils, and task forces. In addition, one-fourth of these members are Action Community for e-HIM Excellence (ACE) members and Communities of Practice facilitators, and most have served their component state association. All are leaders in the field and share that expertise by speaking at or volunteering for other healthcare-related organizations.

Use this opportunity to submit your nomination and share your expertise or that of a colleague.

Electronic nominations are due no later than close of business, January 31, 2008. If you have any questions on the nominations
 

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