In case you haven't heard, the New Oxford American Dictionary selected ''unfriend'' as the 2009 Word of the Year. And in case you really haven't heard, ''unfriend'' is a social networking term, referring to the act of removing someone from your list of contacts (or ''friends'') on Facebook or similar sites. Not to sound cliché, but it's a sign ...

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 ...

I have been learning how to use the American Health Information Management Association virtual lab applications for the HIT program. The virtual lab simulates various HIM functions, such as release of information, master patient index  (MPI), chart deficiencies and the encoder, which gives students exposure to the electronic health ...

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 May, AHIMA public relations, called the Bill of Rights ''an extraordinary stride in patient ...

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 all the walking to and from the various meetings and sessions. This place is huge! After a ...

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 ...

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 at the Glass Cactus, a nightclub at the Gaylord Texan Resort. Set on the shores of ...

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 of eHIM, Care Communications, shared the dos and donts of writing cover letters and ...

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 and mingle with so many of our faithful readers. It will definitely be a whirlwind trip for ...

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 is, I only know that single line of lyrics, and as a child of the late ‘80s, I more often ...