Even My Boarding Pass is Electronic
Well, devoted readers, conference season has officially begun. As Lynn already noted, we're both jetting off to find out what's the latest and greatest HIM has to offer.
Tomorrow, I'm off to Chicago for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Convention and Exhibition at McCormick Place. With more than 900 exhibitors and a slew of educational sessions to choose from, I'm preparing to pound the pavement. McCormick Place has been growing in size every time it's mentioned--the scale sounds positively daunting at this point--and I think this is one case that's not a fish story. Let's just hope I get a hang of the layout before I head back to the airport on Tuesday.
Besides navigating the exhibit hall, I'm looking forward to sessions on EHR implementation, PHR point-counterpoint and open-sourcing. I'll also be interviewing Deborah Kohn, MPH, RHIA, CHE, CPHIMS, FHIMSS, about her roundtable discussion on Health 2.0.
Hospitals and physicians will soon be clamoring for EHR incentives, and the convention has stimulus matters covered. Attendees can learn specifics at specially designated stimulus education sessions and then chat with vendors in the exhibit hall about software, systems and services to get the ball rolling on implementation. I'm also hoping to get a glimpse health information exchange in action at the interoperability showcase.
What I find most surprising, though, is that after a long day of learning, perusing and networking, attendees still have enough oomph for social events. Forgoing any naps, I'll keep the momentum going and will be snapping photos at the welcome reception. Smile for the camera and you may end up in our online photo gallery!
Can't make it to Chi-town? Make sure to follow all the action on our blog, Facebook and Twitter @ADVANCEforHIM.