Welcome to our summer issue !
|  | Vicky Wolf, Editor
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As you may have noticed, we have again changed "The Link" to better serve you.
We have been listening to many member comments on how to make “The Link” better. The most frequent wish was for a printable format. Sandy Bissen, Executive Director, has explored options to update the newsletter to create this printable version and also make it easier to archive on the website.
Tada!! This is for you—what do you think? Your comments, suggestions and topic ideas are always welcome. I can be reached by email at Vicky Wolf.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope you ENJOY our latest NEW LOOK.
In This Issue:
 President's Message
Experience Ideas That Rock!
Register for "The Coding Connection" Seminar Now
E-Discovery...A New Challenge for HIM
Are You Crazy Busy?
WHIMA Wins AHIMA Award!
Ready to Advance Your Career?
"After Five"
President's Message
Jennifer Laughlin, MBA, RHIA
| | Jennifer Laughlin
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This summer has been HOT! Activities at AHIMA and in the HIM profession are even HOTTER! I had the pleasure of attending Summer Team Talks and the Leadership Conference in Chicago, July 20-22. It was fascinating! Below is a summary of the Hot Topics.
Linda Kloss presented an industry update. She reminded us (and echoed Dr. David Brailer) by saying that “AHIMA and HIM professionals are doing the right things, but we need to do them larger, louder and faster.” The summer of 2007 is focused on the digital health agenda and the desire to maintain momentum, building a network of networks, demonstrating value and aligning strategies and interests.
To maintain momentum, we need to stay patient-centered, celebrate short term wins, remove barriers, make adjustments and maintain coalitions. These are basic change management activities. The good news is that the spread of state level HIT initiatives continues to grow. There have been 121 bills introduced in 38 states since 2005. However, it was noted that ALL 50 states have some state-level Health information exchange initiatives in place. Very exciting!
Building a network of networks remains the biggest policy and technical challenge in the summer of 2007. The goal is to securely connect consumers, providers and others who have, or use, health-related data and services, while protecting the confidentiality of health information. YIKES! Tall order! The value of this network (or the return on investment) is the improvement in patient safety.
The clock is ticking in Washington. There is a push for permanence and to find a successor to lead the American Health Information Community (AHIC). The private sector interests are reshaping the landscape and the skeptics and privacy groups are getter louder. There are even currently 15 HIT bills going through the house and the senate now!
AHIMA and WHIMA need you to be larger, louder and faster! We need you to keep up and follow through at the State and local levels. We need you to speak out! Most importantly, we need you to be change leaders with strong process knowledge! Take us to the digital healthcare era!
Read on for other HOT topics to watch for...
Experience Ideas That Rock!
Vicki Peshek, RHIA
Extend your summer fun into September at the WHIMA’s Fall Conference!! Join other Health Information professionals in Wisconsin Dells on September 20th and 21st at the Glacier Canyon Lodge to “Experience Ideas that Rock.”
This years’ Fall Conference is filled with information and ideas that will help to “Rock” your professional world. Step into the future with a strong foot hold on a variety of topics that influence how we do our daily work. There will be a track that is full of sessions on coding - coding round tables, information regarding Present on Admission and much more. There will be sessions regarding the traditional and non traditional roles of the HIM professional and how the electronic record is changing those roles. As always, there will be sessions to help HIM professionals become better managers with sessions on conflict management and communication skills. Other topics include: PPS updates for both inpatient and outpatient, Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals, understanding our legislative process and how HIM professionals can make an impact, CMS’ progress toward implementing Value-Based Purchasing. For more details on and to view the WHIMA Fall Conference Program At-A-Glance go to 2007 Fall Conference Program At-A-Glance
So, Don’t miss out on the opportunity to “Experience Ideas that Rock.” BUT WAIT- This conference isn’t all about learning! Wisconsin Dells has many opportunities for fun and networking with peers. Make this an opportunity not only to learn, but to go back to work refreshed with new ideas and new friends to network with.
HIM Professionals Face A New Challenge...E-Discovery
What is E-Discovery you ask? Electronic discovery is about the data behind the data in your electronic health record. It is sometimes also known as metadata, but that is just a portion of it. It may also include information like emails, cell-phone records, instant messages, blackberry information ---- anything that could be particularly relevant in a case is potentially discoverable.
How and when did this come about? Recent amendments were made by the Supreme Court to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedures. Specifically, Federal Law, Rule 26. These changes took effect on December 1, 2006. Although these rules apply to federal cases they are expected to set the standards for E-Discovery in state and local cases over time.
E-Discovery goes beyond the simple audit trails that IT and security officers perform on a routine basis. It actually embarks on the integrity of the legal electronic health record and poses many challenges.
The following key steps will help you prepare your department and organization for E-Discovery: Where to begin? Read on for how to begin to prepare for E-Discovery
Are You Crazy Busy?
Jennifer Laughlin, President, WHIMA
I recently read an article where it talked about being “crazy busy”. We all know this feeling…full days that are turbo-charged and overbooked. We really don’t mean for it to go like this, it just happens. We expect our brains to handle and keep track of way more than they are comfortable with….and this is just our professional careers! Then, on top of that we have our home life and personal time and THEN you have our association, WHIMA, asking you to give more of your time…to volunteer. WOW! A very tall order for busy HIM professionals.
Unfortunately, “crazy busy” is a necessity and a defining feature of our lives today. So it is important to consciously create a system for managing it effectively. It is crucial to find the right level of “busy” to enhance our lives and inspire others, rather than let it drag us down. We need to find a balance…one that lets you live your life fully both personally and professionally and to make time to participate in activities that you love the most. We also need to include time to make the most of your volunteering efforts and what activities puts your life in a stats of energetic, connected joy.
1. Do what matters most to you. Accept that is limited and finite…how do you want to spend it?
2. Cut out what is unimportant. Cultivate what is positive and what matters most and get rid of what hinders you…whether they are people, projects or ideas.
3. Think of your time as an investment. Invest for maximum return. Schedule and prioritize ruthlessly. What will make a difference a year from now or even five years from now?
4. Don’t multi-task. Give what you are doing full attention. Make time to do that. You will do it better and faster…much faster.
5. Delegate what you don’t like and what you are not good at. Good staff makes all the difference. The goal shouldn’t be independence, but rather interdependence.
6. Slow down. Access to volumes of information and speed of communication has made the concept of waiting obsolete. We have become inpatient. Take time to stop and ask, “what’s my hurry?” When you manage to cut things of less importance and resist the temptation to fill your “found” time with new work, you will proceed more leisurely leaving your time more fulfilled.
7. Play! Control your attitude. Have a sense of humor. Imaginatively engage in what you are doing. Naturally you will use the best part of your mind and stay focused. You will be more efficient, more effective and have more fun!
WHIMA needs you to find a way out of your “crazy busy” life because we need you to volunteer. There are so many opportunities to make a difference! We need your expertise and your leadership to continue to drive the success of the WHIMA association and ultimately the HIM profession. If you are interested in volunteering on any of the WHIMA teams, please contact Jennifer Laughlin Thank you!
University of Cincinnati
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Are you ready to advance your career? You can graduate in just over two years with a Bachelor of Science in HIM from the University of Cincinnati. An associate's degree and RHIT certification is all it takes to get started in our CAHIIM-accredited degree program. Request free program information now at University of Cincinnati or call 1-800-499-6813 today.
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The next coding virtual seminar is scheduled for September 6, 2007 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Learn about the ICD-9-CM coding changes effective October 1, 2007. For a seminar brochure click here
2007 Mediasite/Coding Seminar To register, call 608-787-0168.
| Chrisann Lemery Accepts Award
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WHIMA wins the AHIMA 2007 CSA Core Service Achievement Award in the Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy Category!!
Chrisann Lemery, Beth Malchetske, Barb Savagian and Jennifer Laughlin were present at the AHIMA Leadership Conference in Chicago to accept the award.
A special THANK YOU goes out to Chrisann Lemery, Susan Manning, Beth Malchetske, Cathy Hansen and all WHIMA members who served on the committees and worked hard on eHealth issues and Privacy and Confidentiality initiatives.
We are happy and pleased to share this award with each and every one of you. We could not have done it without you!
Jennifer Laughlin and Vicky Wolf, Members of the WHIMA Board of Directors, hosted an "After Five" event for HIMers residing in Dodge, Jefferson and Waukesha counties in Delafield on June 13th. "After Five" is a networking event for members to meet, connect and exchange ideas, problems and concerns. Additional "After Five" events are planned for LaCrosse and the Eau Claire areas in 2007.
AHIMA in partnership with the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA) will celebrate HI&T Week November 4 through 10. For suggested activities, visit HIT Week
Check out these quick links.
Job Board
Education
E-Resources
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