I sure hope I don't have to go to the doctor during flu season this year! The media has me paranoid about germs. It's like having my mother whispering in my ear "Did you wash your hands?" a hundred times a day. It seems everywhere I go there is complimentary hand sanitizer or wipes for customers. Makes me want to go home and shop on-line. People are coughing into their elbows, which is apparently a good way to confine the germs, but is still a reminder they have the germs in the first place. Everyone who is the least bit sick seems to automatically have "swine flu," or so they tell us between coughing and sneezing. We are seeing ads for all kinds of merchandise advertised as effective at fighting off germs such as vitamins, foods, cleaning products, sanitizing sprays, lotions, gels, tissues, even a keyboard you can submerge in water to wash between users. Do these things even work or are we just caught up in the focus on germs this year?

I got my flu shot at a drive-in clinic with our local hospital and I didn't have to leave my car.  I can pick up prescriptions at a drive-through window or have them delivered. I have a physician who addresses routine health concerns and prescription refills via email. I am sure there is a point you are told you have to come in for a face-to-face visit but email is worth a shot (pardon the pun). If they insist I come in, I will try to remember all of the precautions I am reminded of daily from the media. I am going to use the left door handle (less people grab this one), use my elbow for the elevator selection (not the elbow I just coughed in), use my own pen to sign things, keep my coat on until I get in the examining room, and try not to touch too many things. I certainly will try to avoid the bathroom, doorknobs, water fountains, shaking hands, or sitting near those sick patients in the waiting room.

Hmmm....I wonder if my doctor heard about the software designed to diagnose coughs over the phone?  I better send him the news link to watch.... It may save me a trip to the office next time!

If you have been following this blog, you may remember a year ago my blog "The Birth of a Medical Record" when our first grandson was born. Hard to believe that Ryan turned 1 this week!Equally hard to believe the changes that have occurred in his life, his parents’ lives, the economy, the government, health care and the world at large in just 12 months.

We seem to move along at warp speed sometimes, and we need to accept that change is certainly a new normal for most of us. Children see change as an opportunity and part of their normal routine. They grow physically and mentally during their first years of life, and while they may balk at some changes at first, they eventually move on to the good parts. We should all learn from their attitude of the possibilities that lie ahead when things change.

Watch a child for a few hours and you'll see how they view the world; how simple pleasures can be as rewarding as the complex; and how change is embraced with their entire being. Ryan’s eyes brighten and he sometimes even claps with delight when he is given something new--do we embrace learning new things?If he has his eye on something, he figures a way around the obstacle until he gets there--do we see what lies ahead, or just what’s blocking our way?He gets something in his mind and he tries it, whether successful or not--do we take risks like this?And when he learns something new, he is proud of himself--do we give ourselves credit when we do something right?

If he is cranky and irritable, he gets on people’s nerves--is this what we do?If he’s content, smiling and interactive, he can change the mood of those around him--have we tried this?He gives hugs and kisses often--do we show appreciation of family, friends and co-workers?He is working on patience (after all, the terrible 2's are beginning!)--how are we doing with this?He is learning boundaries and the word “no”--do we follow the rules and know our boundaries?He smiles often, even at strangers--do we?Best of all, he starts each day as a fresh beginning--do we do the same?

Children are certainly miniature teachers on the possibilities of a rewarding life, especially if we embrace change as a great opportunity. Happy Birthday, Ryan!

Better, stronger, faster is a marathon-training mantra. Last Sunday was the ING NYC marathon. Watching runners of all calibers run 26.2 miles never fails to amaze me. The top finishers have athletic ability that push the limits of the human body. The greater number of over 40,000 runners are inspiring in their own way. Their athletic ability may or may not be above average., their clothing or running style not remarkable, and they do not have paid sponsors. However, I am sure each of their stories is compelling and inspiring as there is always a journey that precedes race day. I do not run but I have stood on the periphery as our daughter began running marathons in college. I read her running magazines and books when I can, and I even walked a half marathon a few years back. Let's just say I was wa-a-a-a-ay behind my running daughter, but it fulfilled a personal goal by just finishing. I have great respect for the 5% of the general population who run marathons, and even larger respect for the individuals in the wheelchair division, who persevere and accomplish in the wheelchair what I could never do by my own two feet.

Better, stronger, faster. That is the lesson I take from the average marathon finisher. Their ability to even attempt running 26.2 miles, to envision success despite physical, mental, and training limitations is a very lofty goal. To actually carry through their vision requires focus, strength, and the support of others. Note it is not "best, strongest, fastest," as that is reserved for the few. Better, stronger, faster is possible for the average person. This lesson can translate into our work day, our free time, our health, and our focus. Like a runner, we may have to remind ourselves of this goal, envision success, and then put in the hard work to attain it. Not as easy as it sounds.

Better, stronger, faster. The final finisher in the NYC Marathon was 61-year-old Zoe Koplowitz, who finished in  28 hours and 45 minutes, long after most fans and media went home. Zoe has completed 21 NYC marathons, all in last place. Even more remarkable is the fact Zoe is afflicted with multiple sclerosis and diabetes. We should all be inspired by her story.

It’s a good thing my computer doesn’t have a webcam or I may frighten my employer away! Picture this…old comfort clothes, ice pack wrapped around my head, Bose headphones over the ice pack, another ice pack on the back of my neck (imagine the bad hair day when those ice packs come off!), coffee at arms’ reach, and a chair massager doing its charm. Not a pretty picture now, is it? Fortunately, I do not look like this every day or even very often but when a bad headache or neck pain strike, this is how I manage to work. It allows pain relief without medication, actually feels quite good, and certainly could do double duty scaring burglars away! I am definitely not a good scene for reality TV!

Stay tuned for more views from the virtual webcam!

All of the Halloween costumes and decorations this week, especially the graveyards and skeletons, provoked a memory from ACE a few months ago. One of the presenters, Mike Tabor, DDS, showed photos and mentioned some fascinating information about The Body Farm in Tennessee and pointed out books by physicians involved with this project. Up until then I thought the books with that title were purely fiction!  I was sure I even had a book by this name that I hadn't read yet. It was time to learn more and I was determined to do just that while Halloween decorations served as a daily reminder. I was a woman with a mission to learn something new.

The quest began...I did find my book but it was the fictional title by Patricia Cornwell. That was a good find but I had to hunt further, which led me to the web and subsequent books and articles. I was so excited to finally read about these body farms!  There is not only the one original Body Farm but now several in our country. The original facility was opened in 1981 by Dr. William Bass at the University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility in Knoxville. As Tennessee's state forensic anthropologist, Dr. Bass was often consulted in police cases involving decomposed human remains and knew his knowledge would be enhanced if there was specific research in this field of decomposing bodies. He opened the first one, an approximately 3 acre wooded plot, and there are now facilities at Western Carolina University and Texas State University. There are photos and short video clips at the Jefferson Bass website. Researchers study human corpses for DNA degradation, biochemistry of the decomposing body, bugs and night feeders, etc. Research in human decomposition is important for forensic anthropology and related disciplines and, of course, has applications in crime scene investigation. Forensic science is a discipline that would totally interest me if I could choose a new career. Maybe I have watched too much CSI but I love that part where they pinpoint the time of death. I guess part of my brain is still a scientist! 

But for now my dilemma is - truth or fiction?  Should I read The Body Farm by Patricia Cornwell or one of the many books by Dr. Bass and others?  Tough choice but either way I am looking forward to it. Happy Halloween!

I am just getting back from the PA-AHDI Educational Conference in Lancaster, PA. What a great meeting! We had more than 100 attendees from 12 states, a dozen exhibitors, and four generous sponsors. It was apparent that attendees, exhibitors and speakers were eager to share, educate, network and have fun in the process.

While much of our business, continuing education and even socializing can be done electronically nowadays, there is nothing like a face-to-face meeting to bring together all pieces of the complex environment we live and work in. It has great value to come together to hear firsthand of industry trends, learn about medical topics, surgeries, treatments, research and new technologies that we may or may not come across in our daily careers. I actually had the pleasure of meeting in person some of my Facebook friends--it reminded me of days when people had pen pals and then finally met….joyful!

A highlight for many attendees is renewing friendships and meeting business associates in person. Face-to-face meetings are an opportunity that cannot be replicated by electronic means. It is just not the same to be together in person to share time, ideas, meals and enthusiasm, from which many new ideas and initiatives spring forth.

Of course, face-to-face afforded us the opportunity to hear some outstanding speakers, presentations and attendee interaction. We learned from Dr. Daniel Weber, in speaking on Jewish Genetic Diseases that genetic-based disease trends, even specific diseases, are not exclusive to one nationality. As well, we learned from Dr. Nicholas Rider the medical care involved in treating children with complex genetic disease. We learned from Dr. Alan Brader and Stacey Youcis the types of surgical weight loss treatments currently available, and were shown by Jackie Hagy, RN, and Brenda Ulrich, RN, BSN, CNOR how the da Vinci Surgical System allows precision surgery without the surgeon actually touching the patient.

Maggie Costella, JD, MPH, specializes in health law and serves as counsel for Lancaster GeneralHospital. She spoke on Ethics in Healthcare, which, of course, directly impacts the health care documentation specialist in day-to-day activities and will have greater impact in early 2010 as new regulations are implemented.

Kenneth Schafer, gave a thought-provoking presentation titled Following the Money – Why Some Trends Emerge and Others Evaporate. Marketing certainly plays a role in the future of our industry.

Dr. Lawrence Levitt is the co-author of The Man with the Iron Tattoo:What Our Patients Have Taught Us About Love, Faith, and Healing, a book I actually had before this meeting. It was so much more meaningful to see and hear him tell the stories of memorable patient encounters that greatly impacted not only the patient but also Dr. Levitt’s own family. He reminded us of the humanity in any given situation.

Face-to-face was the perfect setting to hold a panel discussion regarding certified medical transcriptionist (CMT) and registered medical transcriptionist (RMT) credentialing, as well as the AHDI-F designation. Kevena Espinoza, RMT, Diana Sommers, CMT, and Grace LaConte, CMT, AHDI-F, gave presentations and opened the room up to questions afterwards. It is inspiring to hear success stories in person as you can feel their enthusiasm and pride in their accomplishments, as well as affirmation from other attendees on the personal benefit of voluntary credentialing and steps to acquire it. Many attendees mentioned throughout the conference that their goal is to become credentialed over the next year, and we look forward to congratulating them in person next fall!

Brenda Hurley, CMT, AHDI-F, gave the last presentation, Great Gadgets for Busy Professionals, and anyone who knows Brenda knows her enthusiasm in person is infectious and certainly cannot be duplicated without being up close and personal!

Can you see me now? You bet, and I can’t wait to see you again next year.

I have been spending a lot of time babysitting our 10-month-old grandson. Suffice it to say I enjoy this immensely but my energy certainly isn't what it was when his father was this age!

One day it dawned on me that the baby's early attempts to learn the English languageare similar to learning medical terminology. I currently teach Advanced Medical Terminology at a local community college. Some days I literally go from baby talk to teaching 12 syllable words like "esophagogastroduodenoscopy" in the span of 60 minutes. But the satisfaction the student/child experiences when a word "clicks" is on some level the same and the process of understanding, articulating, and actually using the words is very similar.

Putting it all together into "meaningful use" is even better. As the baby learns that language even exists, that there is a way to communicate which is better and more fun than crying, he meets the challenge with all of his being. He learns the language much faster than he learns to actually talk. Repeating words over and over to him gives opportunity for praise as he demonstrates he understands. "How big are you?" "wave bye-bye" and "give kisses" all are met with the action so we know he understands the words - but this is way before he can actually say them himself. As time goes on, he understands more and more words and even initiates "conversation," has the inflection of speaking, but yet no meaningful words are uttered. He points, "talks," and gets his point across in our "conversation" but still no real words are spoken! Eventually he will learn to speak single words, put words into sentences, read, and write, all in due time as his language skills develop.

Similarly, I find most college students in Advanced Medical Terminology remember some of their beginning medical terminology words, but now find themselves challenged as it moves to the next level. They come to understand what the words mean but can't necessarily pronounce it yet. That's all OK as they are still speaking the medical language on some level. And, yes, they still are motivated by praise. Now the hard part as students mature, similar to our grandson, is putting together the newly learned terminology into meaningful use, not just knowing what it means and spelling/pronouncing it correctly, but now using it correctly, understanding its meaning and its relationship to anatomy, physiology, and disease. "Meaningful use" progresses to critical thinking as they learn disease processes, lab analysis, surgical procedures, and pharmacology, as well as the intricacies of coding, record management, chart analysis, registries, etc., as they transition through their coursework with me as well as other professors and eventually to the working world. Just like our grandson, I am proud to see the students progress and happy to share their success as they learn the language, knowing see their opportunities for future careers grow as their knowledge increases. Whether one syllable words by our grandson or 12 syllable words by my students, I totally enjoy their progress towards their future!

Our state association, PA-AHDI, is holding its annual meeting in less than two weeks. This is the first year I have been actively involved in the planning. I had NO idea how much is involved for many months ahead of time! It takes a team to run a successful meeting and PA-AHDI has that team.

Did you know that booking a hotel may entail on-site touring, meetings, and phone conferencing before the property is chosen and a contract is signed? Did you know this is often done over a year in advance? Did you know you are guaranteeing the hotel your group will book a certain amount of rooms at the negotiated price? Did you know that other features such as parking and special requests are included in this contract? Did you know that there are dozens of food choices? Did you know that at our meeting 100% of your registration fee actually pays for food? Did you know that the fundraisers at the meeting help your association put on a great meeting and still have operating funds for initiatives and business throughout the year?

How about the exhibitors? Did you know they don't just magically appear or even request to come to the meeting? They have to be asked and get approval from their management, sometimes difficult in light of the economy. Did you know there are contracts to be signed, technology needs to be met, and logistics to coordinate? Did you know the speakers are often booked many months in advance and also have technology needs? Did you know that sometimes a speaker has to cancel at the last minute so you need to have a Plan B ready to go?

Did you know that 100% of your association is run by volunteers? Like you, they have jobs and families and other commitments besides PA-AHDI! That's why it takes a team to put on the annual meeting. With this team not only is the work spread out, but the creativity is multiplied by the number of volunteers. Everyone brings different connections, different experience, different energy, and different talents to the team. How great is that? This diversity supplies the drive and creativity to put together a great meeting, within a sparse budget, for a combination of meaningful continuing education, networking, and exhibitors, plus plenty of food and breaks and even a social activity at night Whew! The team has been busy!

Did you know your board promotes this meeting throughout the year at PHIMA meetings, chapter meetings, AHDI ACE, neighboring states' newsletters and meetings, Facebook, educational institutions, hospitals, healthcare facilities, military bases, and conferences? Did you know that for every postcard, email, snail mail, and Facebook posting you see there may have been several, or many, people involved in its content? PA-AHDI volunteers, hotel staff, meeting planner, and printing companies all may have input to its content and appearance.

The PA-AHDI volunteers have put together a fabulous meeting for the 100 attendees registered thus far. Quality speakers and exhibitors, great food and raffles, as well as priceless networking opportunities are in place for another great meeting. There are even a few financial rewards this year such as special drawings for hotel attendees, cash back to those bringing new people, student pricing, and a contest for the facility sending the most people. We have the ever-popular used book sale, this year with a record number of books, a Chinese auction with fabulous prizes, popular returning vendors as well as new ones. Finishing touches are being coordinated as I write this piece, including an order of shoo-fly pies!

You see it takes a team to plan a successful meeting and PA-AHDI has that team! If you would like to join us please see our website at http://www.pa-ahdi.org/ or our Facebook group for information - and for the rest of this week you can enjoy early-bird pricing...tell them Judy from MT Connections sent you!

Let me warn you - I did not get much sleep last night! Or for a few nights. Or maybe it has been a few weeks. Hard to tell in my sleep-deprived brain.  I do know that I am edgy and a bit stressed. Sometimes that is a good thing as it gives me lots of energy and keeps me vigilant that I am paying the right amount of attention to those things that are important and looking the other way at the very-annoying-but-not-so-important things. However, my mood meter was further riled this morning when I happened to pick up a professional magazine and on page 3 read the following advertisement: "My goal is to save a million dollars in transcription costs." 

Why does this bother me? Isn't saving a million dollars a good thing in these difficult economic times? Of course it is and I understand the appeal of that to the facility wanting, or probably needing, to save money. Speech recognition in some way, shape, or form is likely a necessity for many healthcare organizations needing to save costs. As I read those headlines I was not wishing it would just go away, finding fault with the technology, or even frustrated with the advertising (all of which I have felt at various times in the past). What saddened me this morning was the reality of the number of American citizens who will lose their job because of this because that sizeable savings with this technology translates into a loss for many medical transcriptionists, healthcare documentation specialists, editors, etc. 

Maybe with more sleep this will not bother me so much. But I hope not. People are what's written between the lines. 

I am using a virtual vision board and I am lovin’ it! Half the fun was thinking I was the first one to take the vision board concept to the virtual level – but a quick Google search showed I was definitely not the first one.That’s OK – I am still lovin’ it! Let me share how this came to be…

The second day of AHDI ACE in Nashville began early, but unlike the day before there was time to grab coffee on the way into the conference hall. I thought that alone was a treat! Little did I know that the first keynote speaker, Donna Hartley, was going to be one of the conference highlights.

The session started with a short video capturing our attention on the events of March 1, 1978, when Donna became the last surviving passenger on a fiery Continental DC-10 plane crash. When Donna began to speak, she told us she was from BethlehemPennsylvania. That caught my attention! I was pretty sure I was the only one in that grand ballroom from Bethlehem.From that moment forward, I knew I was in the right place for me at that moment in time.It was like she was speaking directly to me! She told stories and anecdotes to teach the life lessons she learned through her struggles in life, not only the fiery crash but also Stage III melanoma and open heart surgery, remarkably, all occurring on March 1 of different years. Through the years there were dreams, disappointments, friendship, love, financial and physical turmoil, choices and consequences – in other words, a life! Aren’t we all living our life through ups and downs in one way or another?

Donna’s presentation spoke to me. In subsequent weeks back in Bethlehem, I read her book "Fire Up Your Life" and I want to share with you a small change I have made in my life as inspired by Donna.

Donna practices use of a vision board, literally putting pictures and words of what she would like out of life onto a board. I have heard of other people who do this and always found it intriguing. I decided to adapt this board a bit as I just couldn’t find time to start the actual board (maybe "time management" should be front and center on my board!).I am now using a "virtual vision board," which fits perfectly into my life. It’s portable, private, and easily altered as ideas come and go. I make a conscious effort to use my vision board as often as I can, assessing short-term and long-term goals, and really giving thought to my life, which, like Donna’s, has its share of ups and downs. The VVB reminds me to not worry quite as much over what I am NOT getting done as long as I am getting SOME things done and making good choices, keeping what really counts in mind.It has helped me focus, kept my spirit going on rough days, helped me prioritize during busy times, and help reduce stress by keeping things in perspective.

Did I mention one of the best features of my virtual vision board? It’s fun! I have actually accomplished a few items on my VVB by changing my focus, working differently, and/or learning what steps were necessary to see it happen. A few of those accomplishments would definitely not have happened prior to my moment at ACE when Donna Hartley began her keynote presentation. Sometimes opportunities for growth come from unexpected places –- this time coming from Nashville via Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the place I currently call home. Nothing in life is "just" a coincidence.

K-6:  backpack; crayons, pens, rulers, markers; new sneakers; new clothes; haircut; bus pass

6-8:  backpack; pens, rulers, markers, calculator; new sneakers & shoes; new clothes; haircut (maybe); bus pass; cell phone

high school:  backpack; pens, rulers, markers, calculator, lab kit; new sneakers & shoes; new clothes (new wardrobe?); haircut (maybe); bus pass (car?); cell phone; sports physical; spending money

college:  backpack; pens, rulers, markers, calculator, lab kit, art/science/nursing supplies, binders; new wardrobe; cell phone; computer; printer; expensive books; lots and lots of money - tuition, charge card, checking account, debit card; college loan; transportation via car, train, bus, or plane; dorm/apartment furnishings too numerous to list in a blog; U-Haul for above

adjunct college professor:  briefcase; pens, markers, calculator, art/science/nursing supplies, binders, planner; books - lots and lots of books; business clothes; cell phone; computer; printer; portable office (did I say adjunct?); creation of syllabus, schedule, handouts, tests, power point presentations; central duplicating; meetings; forms and more forms; spread sheets for tracking students assignments/tests; research to keep up-to-date in discipline

Take me back to kindergarten! 

The last time I had surgery I distinctly remember how grateful I was that they put me to sleep in the first few minutes in the OR. Seeing all the equipment and those faces behind masks and gowns, while reassuring that I was indeed in the correct place, made me a little nervous but happy to soon be oblivious to what was about to happen.  Well, apparently some people may be quite interested in exactly what is going on - and they aren't just the people in the OR or the waiting room! 

Recently a 70-year-old woman undergoing gynecological surgery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, gave her permission to have a play by play of her surgery posted on Twitter by a hospital spokesperson throughout her surgery. Over 300 tweets were sent over the 3-hour surgery to about 700 followers.  Tweets included information concerning indications for the surgery and then the actual technique, minute by minute, step by step, patient condition, etc. Tweets included photos of the robotic equipment and actual internal stitches. Questions were even taken from Twitter followers and answered by the surgeon during the surgery!  Understandably, everyone agreed prior to the procedure that tweeting would stop if tweeting became a distraction or if a complication arose - I am sure the lawyers agreed with this too!

There are other hospitals in the country which have used Twitter in the operating room - a Dallas hospital official tweeted in May when a father donated a kidney to his son, and Detroit hospital officials tweeted about several surgeries this year.  Is this the next social networking opportunity? 

It must be a bit surreal to be talking to the virtual world of Twitter followers while operating on the actual patient. Well, the physician may be talking but the tweeting is done by someone else. What if the person tweeting gets it wrong? That could cause some alarm among the 700 followers.  What if the person tweeting just makes a little error of omission...like forgetting to put "no" in the "there is no carcinoma found." 

As a medical documentation specialist, I think it would also be fun to see how speech recognition would tweet the physician's words instead of a hospital official texting or someone editing the speech rec. Now that may be something fun to follow on Twitter! 

In any case, as the patient, I still think it is better to be asleep and oblivious to the graphic details of my surgery!  Let the virtual world learn of my progress but keep me out of it!

Ahhh....I have just finished a new book, The Second Opinion by Michael Palmer (2009). There were a zillion things I could have been doing but this book kept calling to me. Maybe I could call it research for teaching and/or my medical transcription work? The main setting was a cutting-edge medical facility, the Sperelakis Center for Diagnostic Medicine at the Beaumont Clinic in Boston. Doctors, patients, state-of-the-art medical equipment and drugs - it had every element that keeps a medical language specialist interested. I did wince for a minute when an oncology specialist kept separate paper copies of medical records in her personal office (in this otherwise EMR facility no less), but the paper records contained key information for the plot and needed to be in this office on paper for portability. I can forgive this little quirk as the rest of the novel's medical information was plausible and kept me engaged.  Asperger syndrome, locked-in syndrome, cancer, EMR, computer hacking, and medical tests galore were woven into the story surrounding physicians, some ethical, some not. It was fascinating and kept me in suspense as the main characters uncovered a medical conspiracy with many twists and turns. I don't want to give away the entire unfolding of events, but let me say that the MRI mishaps I show in my terminology class are mild compared to the MRI mishap at the Beaumont Clinic!  Fortunately, this is fiction. 

At AHDI ACE in Nashville, AHDI held is first annual Integrity Awards. While awards have been given annually in the past, in 2009 AHDI altered the program to focus on contributions made by individuals and corporations that better align with the association's focus on integrity, and for the first time AHDI did not announce the winners until the final night of ACE.  Per AHDI, "each truly represents the innovative thinking and best practices the association hopes to showcase for the sector." Accolades to each nominee! 

The awards were presented at a red carpet awards presentation, complete with teleprompters, videos, a live host, and even paparazzi!  The Integrity Award winners are as follows:  Excellence in Credentialing Award, Tammy Moore, CMT, AHDI-F; Advocate of the Year, Laura Bryan, CMT, AHDI-F; Rising Star (Student Essay Contest) Award, Kim Boyce; Innovation Through Technology, Scott Faulkner, InterFix; Employer of the Year, Amphion Medical Solutions; Member of the Year, Dianna Hall, CMT, AHDI-F; Lifetime Achievement Award, Bob Harvey, TRS/TRS Institute; Distinguished Service Award, Scott Edelstein, JD, Squire, Sanders, & Dempsey. 

Last, but not least, I am proud to acknowledge the Membership Impact Award came to PA-AHDI (Pennsylvania Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity). This is the state I currently hail from and I know the award honors many, many individuals who work in many capacities to make a difference not only for our state association members but also in the health care field and medical documentation sector in general.  I am sure this is the case with all of the award recipients and nominees in every category!

Throughout the conference and the final evening's awards presentation, the professionalism apparent in our industry was universal.  AHDI chapters, AHDI/MTIA staff, members, and volunteers, MTSOs, large and small, vendors, government groups, industry leaders, health care professionals of many disciplines, and, of course, individual medical transcriptionists (by whatever title we take!) all have a common thread - working hard, helping the profession, staying current, staying relevant. All are action-oriented. Whether it is being front and center by leading in AHDI, association or chapter or being part of the lobbying effort at Capitol Hill, or more in the background as an individual striving to bring top quality and knowledge to their work, a professional has a multitude of faces and roles. A professional integrates work tasks, professional standards, and often volunteerism to not only stay current in the changing health care world but also to make our industry better. All of these attributes require action on the part of the professional! Regardless of how many people are involved or directly impacted, the professional takes an active role in elevating and upholding the high professional standards for documentation integrity. 

The AHDI award nominees and winners represent some of the best professionals who focus on integrity - there are undoubtedly many, many more individuals and groups equally worthy of this type of acknowledgement - bravo to each and every one of our professionals who focus on integrity and know that professionalism is a verb! 

Did you ever feel like little fish in a big ocean? Do you feel like your one voice cannot make a difference in the rapidly changing field of healthcare documentation? Are you feeling our industry will be left behind when the EHR is integrated throughout our country? Are you worried the EHR will not serve the patient well with a point and click framework? Is the current economy adding to your fears of job security? Do you keep your thoughts to yourself or just among your MT peers? Now is your opportunity to take part in the Power of 10 Campaign and make a difference. 

AHDI (Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity) launched a new initiative at ACE in Nashville, the Power of 10 Campaign. This is a specific campaign to fund a lobbying firm in Washington, DC.  AHDI and MTIA (Medical Transcription Industry Association) have contracted with a lobbying firm to lobby on behalf of the medical transcription industry at this critical juncture of the EHR to, among other things, assure that we play a role in the EHR and to have complete documentation for the patient, a goal MTs can help facilitate. The lobby firm will benefit not only AHDI/MTIA members but medical transcriptionists at large, small business owners, documentation specialists, editors, etc., as they bring our concerns and solutions to our legislators and policymakers responsible for healthcare reform, EHR systems, and workforce development. 

All MTs are encouraged to take part in the Power of 10 Campaign. Please consider donating $10 to the Power of 10 Campaign, marking your check with this specific title and mailing to AHDI at 4230 Kiernan Avenue, Suite 130, Modesto, CA 95356, and be assured that your contribution will be targeted directly to this advocacy effort. As Napoleon Bonaparte said so well, "Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who remain silent."