ADVANCE Perspective: HIM : AHIMA health information management convention

AHIMA 2009: A Thorough Account

Cheryl McEvoy — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:07:00 GMT

I'm about to head off to the final round of general sessions at the AHIMA Convention and Exhibit, which means it's time for some overall reflections. The general consensus among attendees has been that this year's sessions have been particularly informative....(read more)

AHIMA 2009: The Health Information Bill of Rights

Cheryl McEvoy — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:41:00 GMT

At a news conference yesterday, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) unveiled its Health Information Bill of Rights, a set of seven principles designed to protect and promote patient access to personal health information. Craig...(read more)

AHIMA 2009: Busy Day for All

Lisa Algeo — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:06:00 GMT

Well, my feet hurt, my brain hurts and I can barely keep my eyes open at this point, but it was all well worth it. My first day at the AHIMA 2009 conference did not disappoint. Busy is an understatement, and I even got a bit of a cardio workout in-with...(read more)

AHIMA 2009: Hometown Hospitality

Cheryl McEvoy — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 14:08:00 GMT

They say everything's bigger in Texas, and that even goes for their welcomes. Following yesterday's pre-conference events, attendees at the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Convention and Exhibit were treated to a Welcome Reception...(read more)

AHIMA 2009: The Next Generation

Cheryl McEvoy — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:22:00 GMT

My first day at the 2009 American Health Information and Management Association (AHIMA) Convention and Exhibit is off to a great start. I attended the Student Academy this morning, where Barbara Black, director of human resources, and Gwen Hughes, director...(read more)

Texas Bound

Lisa Algeo — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:42:00 GMT

I'm headed to Texas tomorrow and looking forward to meeting many of you attending the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) convention. I wasn't able to attend last year's meeting in Seattle, so I'm especially excited to get out there...(read more)

AHIMA 2009: Off to Grapevine

Cheryl McEvoy — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:11:00 GMT

Anytime someone mentions this year's American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Convention and Exhibit, I immediately think of the song, "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," because, well, the event's being held in Grapevine, TX. Problem...(read more)

An Introduction

Rob Senior — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:48:00 GMT

Greetings! My name is Rob Senior, and I am the newest member of the editorial staff at ADVANCE for Health Information Professionals . For the past eight years, I've worked at ADVANCE in a similar role for the Physical Therapists and PTAs magazine. In...(read more)

See You in Grapevine!

Lynn Jusinski — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:09:00 GMT

Well, it's over, and what a conference it's been. The 2008 AHIMA Convention wrapped up today with a stirring presentation by Chris Gardner, the author of "The Pursuit of Happyness." Audience members laughed at certain points and welled with emotion at others as Gardner wound through his amazing and inspirational story.

Today AHIMA members also got a chance to see the 2009 AHIMA Board of Directors, and they heard from Vera Rulon, MS, RHIA, CCS, president-elect of AHIMA. Rulon read a letter that she wrote to the next President of the United States. She went through ways that HIM professionals can help with the issues in health care. "If the question is quality health care, Mr. President, our action is quality information," Rulon said.

Today was also the last day for the exhibit hall, and attendees enjoyed a coffee break there this morning before taking one last look at the vendors' wares.

I honestly can't believe the convention is over. It feels like not that long ago I was disembarking from a beautiful flight over the mountains and taking in the city of Seattle for the first time. I heard a ton of great information (and it will no doubt inspire future ADVANCE articles) and met a lot of great people.
The ADVANCE staff is hoping to hit the town tonight for the last time, and we'll be visiting the Pike Street Public Market and definitely stopping somewhere for dessert. Seattle is a great, vibrant city and I'm happy I got a chance to see it. I hope the HIM professionals who trekked here feel the same.

Lots to Learn

Lynn Jusinski — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:03:00 GMT

I'm always amazed by just how much there is to learn in the HIM field, and that's never more apparent than when I'm out at conferences. This year's AHIMA Convention has been packed with interesting sessions and general sessions that really show just how much things are changing in the field, and how anyone in the HIM profession is indeed a lifelong learner.

The urge to learn will definitely come in handy with ICD-10 on the horizon. Everywhere I turn here in Seattle at the convention, people have ICD-10 on their minds, and RAC audits are right up there, as well.
I attended the AHIMA press conference today on ICD-10. AHIMA CEO Linda Kloss, RHIA, FAHIMA, stressed the importance of ICD-10 and how the longer we as a nation wait to ditch ICD-9, the costlier it will be for everyone. "The longer the U.S. delays in implementing ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS, the more information systems and software programs will need to be converted retroactively, resulting in higher conversion costs projected for hospitals, physicians and other health care entities," Kloss stated.

Here at the conference, I've been trying to gauge the reaction to the announcement that ICD-10 will soon be a reality. I'm hearing an anxious excitement. HIM professionals are worried about their historical data that will be in the outdated ICD-9 system and whether or not software vendors will be prepared for the switch. And they are looking forward to the enhanced capabilities that ICD-10 will offer--with more codes, coders can achieve a higher level of granularity, not to mention that the conversion will help catch our nation up to the other parts of the world that have already been through the implementation.

AHIMA is preparing for the change, according to Jill Dennis, JD, RHIA, AHIMA senior vice president, advocacy and practice leadership. "We'll be rolling out resources designed for various industry segments, to help break the change process down into manageable parts," Dennis said.

Dennis added that AHIMA is also evaluating how coding certification will have to change to accommodate the ICD-10 change. Overall, AHIMA plans to help the HIM field transition to the new code set. "AHIMA is fully committed to providing a wide variety of resources to assist health care organizations and the entire industry in minimizing disruption and maximizing the value of this long, long overdue change," Dennis said.

How do you feel about the switch to ICD-10? Are you anxious, excited or both? What are you most looking forward to?

Oh, the Anticipation!

Cheryl McEvoy — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:49:00 GMT

Hard to believe, as I have yet to pack my suitcase, but I'm off to Seattle tomorrow morning for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) National Convention.

I look forward to meeting our HIM leaders and readers, but for those of you who can't make it to the conference, I suggest grabbing a latte from Starbucks and following the action right here on ADVANCE Perspective. As the rookie at ADVANCE, I'll be offering a first-timer's take on all the events, from the general sessions to the exhibit hall to the animated chitchat about ICD-10.

This year marks the 80^th AHIMA convention, and sessions will celebrate the past while forging into the future. Dr. Jonathan Perlin will offer a glimpse of where HIM is headed with "Healthcare 2018," while AHIMA CEO Linda Kloss will reflect on what's already been accomplished with "HIM at 80!"

Technology continues to be the buzz word, as many sessions will revolve around electronic health information, but genetics is also gearing up to be a conversation starter, with several general sessions focusing on its emerging role in HIM.

As usual, the exhibit hall will be packed with curious attendees (myself included) checking out the latest and greatest software and gadgets. Heeding my co-worker's advice, I'm leaving the heels at home and packing some "sensible, yet sophisticated" flats so I can cruise and peruse the booths pain-free.

Of course it's not a convention without the fun and festive President's Premier Celebration. My closet is unfortunately devoid of 70s-inspired clothing, but I'm hoping to scrounge up something to match this year's "history of music"-themed soiree. I'll be making rounds with my camera in tow, so get ready to flash those pearly whites while you boogie down.