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Central Indiana Chapter chooses leaders

By Susan Bradford, RN, BSN

Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter picks 2012 leadership team

I am pleased to announce the following people have accepted their nominations and will serve as the 2012 ACDIS Central Indiana Chapter officers:

President: Susan Bradford, RN, BSN
Current position and organization: Clinical Documentation Specialist, Riverview Hospital, Noblesville, IN.
Past positions and organizations: Operating room staff nurse, medical-surgical staff nurse, OB/labor and delivery charge nurse, case manager, lead case manager Marion General Hospital (MGH), in Marion, IN.
Education: Bachelor of Science in nursing, Ball State University, Muncie, IN.
Professional organization memberships: ACDIS member since 2009; participated on the executive leadership team of the Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter since January 2010.
Professional experience and attributes: I have 19 years of clinical experience as well as 10 years of experience in utilization review and case management. As the lead case manager, I served as a liaison between case management and IT core team. I represented case management in a hospital-wide process to gain Magnet recognition for nursing at MGH and served on a task force for rapid process change in case management. Currently, I’m the CDI specialist for a small 154-bed community hospital. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of implementing a CDI program along with learning and applying inpatient coding guidelines and processes. I strive to build collaborative relationships with the medical staff as well as quality improvement, case management and the revenue cycle team at my facility. I believe that a complete medical record which accurately reflects medical necessity and facilitates continuity of patient care is of the utmost importance in today’s healthcare climate.
Objectives and vision for 2012: I would like to continue to offer continuing education opportunities to the Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter membership, promote best practices, share resources, encourage collaboration, and facilitate networking of CDI professionals in Indiana. With regard to continuing education, one specific goal I have for 2012 is to pool our resources with the Kentucky/Southern Indiana Local Chapter to plan a larger combined chapter meeting offering prominent speakers addressing key CDI topics and issues.
Contact: sbradford@riverview.org

Vice President: Kathy Wilson, RN BA, BSN
Current Position and organization: CDI specialist, Community Health Network in Indianapolis.
Education: BSN, BA in education/English literature, HCPro Certified Coder Boot Camp® – Inpatient Version, HCPro Certified Coder Boot Camp®.
Professional organization memberships: ACDIS, Executive Women in Healthcare, AHIMA.
Professional experience and attributes: As the medical auditor/coding manager at All Children’s Hospital in St Petersburg, FL, I became aware of the urgent need for improved physician documentation in the medical record as this documentation directly related to the amount of reimbursement the hospital received from insurance payers. I began networking with other RN medical auditors and found a group of nurses from another hospital called documentation specialists. They had also just begun this journey and helped me tremendously to get such a program started at All Children’s. From this small group of dedicated nurses, one of the very first organizations of documentation improvement specialists began. I have been a CDI for the past six years taking my unique skill set to three different hospital organizations to teach them the importance of detailed and accurate physician documentation.
Objectives and vision for 2012: As the vice president of the local Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter my main objective is to support the elected president and serve in her absence. I am passionate about CDI specialists becoming recognized as professionals. Our unique knowledge is based on years of clinical expertise, an understanding of the relationship between documentation and revenue, and the ability to relate to physicians in a professional manner. In the coming year I would like to see our chapter become firmly established within the national ACDIS organization and eventually take the lead in seeking education and knowledge for CDI specialists.
Contact: kwilson4@ecommunity.com

Secretary: Angela Birch, RHIA
Current position and organization: Clinical documentation liaison in the CDI program at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis
Past positions and organizations: Revenue cycle solutions coordinator for CDI, inpatient coding supervisor, inpatient coding coordinator, inpatient coding coordinator-float coder, inpatient coder for Indiana University Health (formerly Clarian Health Partners); HIM services assistant director at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana.
Education: Bachelor of Science in health information and administration, Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis.
Professional organization memberships: AHIMA.
Professional experience and attributes: I have 11 years of experience in the health information profession in various inpatient coding and CDI positions. I have spent the last four years as a member of the CDI team at IU Health and in that role I use my many years of experience with coding and quality auditing to effectively contribute to the documentation improvement efforts at my organization. In my role as CDI liaison, I concurrently review inpatient medical records to identify potential opportunities for further clarification of diagnostic and procedural documentation and query medical staff when appropriate. I also provide education to physicians on CDI opportunities in formal and informal sessions and oriented and trained new CDI staff members. In addition, I audited inpatient medical records to assess accuracy of coded data and to identify potentially missed documentation opportunities and its impact on quality measures such as severity of illness and risk of mortality. I embrace new ideas and keep an open mind when encountering different opinions and thoughts. I love to teach others about what I know as much as I love to learn new things and take on new challenges and experiences.
Objectives and vision for 2012: I would like to incorporate more continuing education opportunities into our meeting times that would be applicable to as many certification areas as possible. I plan to keep everyone connected and informed about clinical documentation improvement efforts discussed within our local Central Indiana chapter and those at the national level.
Contact: abirch@iuhealth.org

Thank you to everyone who responded, special thanks to Angela Birch, who drafted the candidate bio form and to Carla Payne at Community Hospital East, who created our chapter web page to provide a safe and secure election as well as a forum for chapter communication. I appreciate their combined efforts and input to facilitate a fair election.

Editor’s Note: For more information about the Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter visit the Local Chapter tab on the ACDIS website, visit the ACDIS Blog, or e-mail Bradford at sbradford@riverview.org.

Local Chapters announce December/January meetings

Looking for your holiday wishes to come true? The present of CDI education is waiting to be unwrapped during December's collection of local networking meetings.

Minnesota

The next meeting of the Minnesota group will be a 3M sponsored event Friday, Dec. 16, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the 3M Innovation Center in Maplewood. For information, contact Mark LeBlanc at Mark.LeBlanc@ParkNicollet.com.

Northern Ohio

The next meeting of the Northern Ohio ACDIS Chapter takes place Thursday, Dec. 8, at Mercy Medical Center in Canton. Steven Robinson, MS, PA-O, RN, CPUR, senior director of CDI for Maxim Health Information Services will discuss the following CMS mandates and concurrent review opportunities:

• CMS current and upcoming mandates
• The importance of documentation in the medical record
• The typical CDI program
• MS-DRG IPPS (CC/MCC lists)
• POA coding
• RAC
• JCAHO quality core measures

For information, contact Kristine Cilona, RN, at Kristine.Cilona@cantonmercy.org.

Southeastern (Georgia)

The next Southeastern Chapter of ACDIS meets Friday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. The agenda includes:

• SECACDIS Chapter meeting
• ICD-10 coding for orthopedics
• E/M coding
• Lunch and networking
• IPPS Final Rule updates applicable to CDI

For information, visit the group’s Facebook page or e-mail james.doster@emoryhealthcare.org.

Central Indiana

The deadline for leadership nominations are due Friday, Dec. 9.  Please take the opportunity to nominate a colleague via e-mail to Carla Payne at cpayne@ecommunity.com. Candidate biographies/forms are due Dec. 12 and membership voting will take place from Dec. 19 through Jan. 9, 2012. There are currently 68 members in the chapter directory.  Please take the time to participate by submitting your nominations today and make this a meaningful election of our chapter leadership.

The next Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter meeting takes place Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012. For information, contact Susan Bradford, RN, BSN, by phone at 317/776-7285 or by e-mail at sbradford@riverview.org.

Maryland

The next Maryland Hospital Association Clinical Documentation Improvement Workgroup meets Friday, Dec. 16, from 12:30-1:30 p.m., for a holiday pot-luck lunch followed by its regular meeting from 1:30-3 p.m., at the Maryland Hospital Association Headquarters in Elkridge. For information, Contact Christine Mobley, RN, director of clinical documentation at Prince George’s Hospital Center, at christine.Mobley@dimensionshealth.org, or James Nagel at jen.01@ex.uchs.org.

Click here to read the minutes from the previous meeting.

Northern Illinois

The next Northern Illinois CDI meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012. For information, contact Nancy R. Ignatowicz, at 815/806-2322 or by e-mail nancy.ignatowicz@provena.org. Or contact Colleen Stukenberg at 815/599-6820 or CStukenberg@fhn.org.

Maine

The Maine ACDIS Local Chapter will meet at Midcoast Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012. For information, contact Theresa Davis at 207/735-8340 or tdavis@emh.org.

Nevada

The Southern Nevada Association of Clinical Documentation Specialists holds its next meeting Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Guest speaker former ACDIS Advisory Board member Wendy DeVreugd will discuss “How to measure the success of your CDI program.” RSVP to Ailsa Kompare by Jan. 11, 2012 at 702/343-7232 or ailsa.kompare@kindredhealthcare.com.

California

The next California ACDIS webinar featuring a presentation regarding the role of CDI in RAC reviews and audit prevention will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 9-10 a.m., PST. For information, contact Dexter D’Costa, MBBS, MHA, at Dexter.G.Dcosta@kp.org.

Other chapter news

The North Carolina ACDIS chapter now has a web site. Visit http://ncacdis.org/ to see photos from its November meeting and to learn more about recent events and initiatives. For information, contact Leah Taylor at 704/878-7436, or e-mail Leah.Taylor@iredellmemorial.org.

Editor’s Note: If you are interested in joining an existing local chapter please visit the Local Chapter page on the ACDIS web site. If you do not see a group listed for your area please e-mail ACDIS Associate Director Melissa Varnavas at mvarnavas@cdiassociation.com

Local networking meetings feature all-day educational events

Central Indiana

The Central Indiana ACDIS networking group meets Wednesday, October 12, at 10 a.m., at IU Health in Indianapolis, for a presentation by Danita Forgey, an independent Consultant with the Indiana HIMA Task Force regarding the “Impact of ICD-10 on Clinical Documentation Improvement.” For information, contact meeting host Susan Bradford at sbradford@riverview.org, or by phone at 317/776-7285.

New York

The Capital (Albany) Region ACDIS group has a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, October 12, 2-4 p.m. For information, contact Lois Rubin RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS, supervisor of clinical documentation at St. Peter’s Hospital, at 518/525-1081 or by e-mail at LRubin@sphcs.org.

Tri-State (WI, MI, MN)

ACDIS Chapter leaders from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota invite CDI specialists and related professionals to join them for the first Tri-State Regional Meeting Saturday, October 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Kalahari Resorts in Wisconsin Dells, WI. The agenda includes:

• Registration
• Strategies for dealing with difficult physicians
• Physician query process: The ins and outs
• Lunch
• Continually educating physicians to avoid staleness in your program
• Over documentation: Challenges and solutions
• Collaboration between coders and CDI professionals to break down the silos
• Roundtable discussion

Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Participants can earn five CEs for the CCDS credential. A block of rooms has been reserved for October 14 and 15 at $129 per night including taxes. Reservations can be made by calling the Kalahari directly at 877/253-5466; request the WI-ACDIS room block. Note: As the reduced reservation rate has passed, the hotel may charge the the prevailing hotel room rate at its discretion.

Registration is $50. For information, contact Heidi Hillstrom at HHillstrom@slhduluth.com or call 218/249-5461.

Florida

The quarterly FL ACDIS meeting will be held Friday, October 21, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey. The agenda includes:

• 11-11:30 a.m.: Registration
• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Election of officers. Opening comments, survey results; most outrageous convention costume parade with prize winners. Prizes and raffles throughout the day (bring cash).
• 12:30-1:15 p.m.: Lunch and networking
• 1:15-3:15 p.m.: Presentation by Dr. Michaela Dragut, “ICD-10-CM/PCS Clinical Documentation Improvement Hot Topics.” CEUs for CCDS and coding.
• 3:15-4 p.m.: Discussion and closing comments

For information, contact chapter president Virginia Bailey by phone at 727/859-4880; vice-president Charringon (Charlie) Morell at 727/819-2929 ext.2252; or secretary/treasurer Kimberly Richert, at kimberly.richert@baycare.org or by phone 727/725-6248.

Oregon

The Oregon/SW Washington ACDIS Chapter meets Friday, October 21, from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland. The agenda includes:

• 8:15-8:45: Registration and networking

  
  

  

  Providence Portland Medical Center in Oregon hosts the next networking meeting there.

  
  

• 8:45-9 a.m.: Welcome and housekeeping
• 9-10 a.m.: Presentation by Cesar Limjoco, VP of clinical services for DCBA, Inc., “Where do I document the diagnosis?” (Live webinar.)
• 10-10:15 a.m.: Break
• 10:15-11:15 a.m.:Presentation by Hoa Ly, MD, utilization management physician advisor at Salmon Creek Medical Center, “Heart failure, coronary artery disease, and encephalopathy.”
• 11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.: Presentation by Teresa Bensen, RHIT, regional coding supervisor at Providence Health & Services, “ICD-9 changes for 2012.”
• 12:20-1:20 p.m.: Lunch on your own/networking
• 1:20-2 p.m.: Business meeting including financial and officers’ reports and election of officers for 2012.
• 2-3:30 p.m.: Presentation by Nancy Seebert, RN, BS, MA, CDI specialist at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center, “Change & transition: How do I make it through so many changes and how do I help others?”
• 3:30-3:45 p.m.: Break
• 3:45-4:15 p.m.: Panel discussion regarding on CCDS Certification
• 4:15-4:45 p.m.: Wrap-up

Admission is free to members. Annual membership (valid through 12/31/12) is $30. Admission is $10 for non-members. For additional information visit the Chapter Blog at  http://oregonswwashingtonacdischapter.blogspot.com/ or contact chapter president Nancy R. Seebert, 503/674-1820 or by e-mail at nseebert@lhs.org; or chapter vice president Janet Barber by phone at 503/215-0642 or by e-mail at Janet.Barber@providence.org.

Virginia

The fifth quarterly ACDIS Virginia Chapter meeting will be Saturday, October 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. The agenda includes a presentation by Robert Gold, MD, CEO of DCBA, Inc., “CDI Initiatives: Start now for ICD-10.” For information/to RSVP, contact meeting host Linda Steinhoff by phone at 757/312-5154 or e-mail Linda.Steinhoff@chesapeakeregional.com.

California

The next California ACDIS teleconference will be held Wednesday, October 26, 9-10 a.m. The group will discuss the role of clinical documentation improvement program in Recovery Audit Contractor defense. For information, contact chapter leader Dexter D’Costa by phone: 573/529-1791, or by e-mail: dr_dexterdcosta@yahoo.com.

Minnesota

The next MN ACDIS meeting will be held Wednesday, October 26, 1-2 p.m. (Download the meeting minutes from August, or the meeting minutes from June.) For information, contact chapter leader Mark LeBlanc by phone at 952/993-5692 or by e-mail at mark.leblanc@parknicollet.com.

Save the date

South Carolina

The next SC ACDIS Chapter meeting will be held Friday, November 11, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Providence Hospital in Columbia. The agenda includes:

• Presentation by Laura Nardone, RHIA, CCS, Senior Coding Manager and educator at AnMed Health, “The CDI Role in ICD-10-CM/PCS Transition.”
• Angela Worden, RN, BA/BS, Managing Director with FTI Consulting, “CDI Metrics: Making your program a success.”
• Connie Calvert, RHIA, CCS, CCDS, Palmetto Health, “Preparing for the CCDS Exam.”

Admission is free. To RSVP contact Dawn Oman by e-mail at Dawn.Oman@RoperSaintFrancis.com; include your name and the name of your facility. For information about the SC ACDIS Chapter, contact Rebecca “Ali” Williams, e-mail rawilliams@srhs.com or call 864/560-5701.

Connecticut

The CT ACDIS Chapter meets Thursday, November 10, 9-10:30 a.m., at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, Bradely Memorial Campus in Southington. The group will discuss “Principal Diagnosis: What Does It Really Mean?” CE credits for CCDS will be provided. For information, contact chapter leader MaryAnn Shanley at 860/714-1261 or e-mail mshanley@stfranciscare.org. Or call co-leader Alison Yazmer at 860/358-6224 or contact her by e-mail at alison.yazmer@midhosp.org.

Kentucky

The next Kentucky/S. Indiana ACDIS networking meeting will be held Thursday, November 17, 1-4 p.m. The agenda includes:

• Acute and chronic respiratory failure
• UTI
• Business meeting

CEUs will be offered. To RSVP, contact meeting host Rita Fields at rita.fields@BHSI.COM. For information or to join the networking group, contact chapter leader Dee Schad at 502/550-0911or contact her by e-mail at Dee.schad@clarkmemorial.org.

Local meetings heat up in June and July

Georgia

Beat the heat with these CDI educational opportunities in June and July

The spring meeting of the Southeast Chapter of ACDIS meets Friday, June 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at DeKalb Medical Center in Decatur, GA. The event includes: networking, educational sessions with CEs, door-prizes, and more. To RSVP, e-mail james.doster@emoryhealthcare.org.

California

The next ACDIS-California chapter teleconference will be held Wednesday, June 22, 9-10 a.m. For information, call Dexter D’Costa at 573/529-1791 or e-mail dr_dexterdcosta@yahoo.com.

Minnesota

The next MN CDI networking meeting will be held Wednesday, June 22, 1-2 p.m., featuring guest speaker A. Robert Tucker III, MD, chief medical officer/medical director of utilization management, at a 400-bed tertiary hospital in Northern Virginia. Dr. Tucker will discuss encephalopathy with CABGs.

For information, contact Heidi Hillstrom MS, MBA, RN, CCDS, by phone at 218/249-5461 or by e-mail at hhillstrom@slhduluth.com

Wisconsin

The next Wisconsin ACDIS Chapter teleconference will be held Thursday, June 23, 1-2 p.m. Agenda items include:

• Lessons learned from the ACDIS audio conference Physician Query Workshop
• Results of WI chapter member survey
• Creation of bylaws, formation of a meeting events committee
• Update on the development of a state chapter website

For information, contact Glenn Krauss at glennkrauss@earthlink.net.

New England

The next NE Regional CDS meeting will be held Wednesday, June 29, 12:30-3 p.m., at Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, MA. Please feel free to bring a lunch. The agenda includes a presentation by Ann Wallace, geriatric nurse practioner on the topic “Delirium: Underappreciated and over treated.” The presentation has been approved for 2.0 nursing CE contact hours. For information, contact Kelley Sears, RN, CCDS at Kelley.Sears@CaritasChristi.org.

Tennessee

The Tennessee ACDIS Chapter meets Friday, July 1, 9 a.m. to noon, at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, in Knoxville. The agenda includes:

• A presentation by James S. Kennedy, MD, CCS, managing director of FTI Healthcare in Brentwood titled “CDI in an APR-DRG environment: bridging the gap between coders and providers.”
• Discussion of the foundational requirements for establishing the chapter.
• Discussion of Blue Cross Blue Shield’s impending transition to APR-DRGs and its impact on quality measurement and reimbursement.
• Discussion of a pathophysiologic approach to common conditions (e.g., sepsis, chest pain, heart failure, altered mental status, chronic kidney disease) pertinent to APR-DRGs.
• Networking

For information, contact Jennifer Turner, RN, CCDS by phone at 423/778-9225 or by e-mail at jennifer.turner@erlanger.org.

New Orleans

The New Orleans ACDIS Chapter meets Tuesday, July 12, 4-6 p.m., at Semolinas Restaurant at Clearview Mall in Metairie. For information, contact Royceann Brechtel Fugler, RN, BC, MHA by phone at 504/ 456-5186 or by e-mail at rfugler@ejgh.org.

Indiana

The Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday, July 13, at the IU Health Bloomington Hospital. The agenda features a presentation by Glenn Krauss, ACDIS Advisory Board member and independent consultant regarding strategies to communicate with difficult physicians.

RSVP by Wednesday, July 6 to Wendy Wilson by e-mail at WWilson4@iuhealth.org. For more information, contact Susan Bradford, RN, BSN by phone 317/776-7285 or by e-mail at sbradford@riverview.org

Virginia

The next Virginia ACDIS Chapter meeting will be held Saturday, July 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at August Health in Fisherville. To RSVP, contact Bea Benson, RN, BSN at bbenson@augustahealth.com.

NY/PA 
The NY/PA Regional ACDIS Network holds its next meeting Friday, August 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA. The event is free. Video conferencing is available to the first 10 registrants who require it. The agenda includes guest speakers:

• Jonathan Elion, MD, founder of ChartWise Medical Systems, who will discuss ethical practices in CDI and the importance of quality documentation.
• Mario A. Perez, III, RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P, director of coding and documentation compliance at J.A. Thomas & Associates, Inc., who will discuss CDI programs, why they are needed, how to make them successful and how to justify implementation.
• Glenn Krauss, BBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, C-CDIS, CCDS, independent consultant who will discuss the future of CDI programs, understanding the value of CDI beyond financial reimbursement.
• Jean Elsener, RN CPUR, CRN-C, CRN-A CCDS, who will discuss how to craft concise, standardized, and non-leading queries.

Each presenter will speak for an hour, with time for questions and discussion. There will also be time to network, visit with exhibitors, and sign up for raffles.

For information, contact Susan Tiffany RN, CCDS, at 570/882-6094, pager #465; or by e-mail at tiffany_susan@guthrie.org.

January meetings feature pirates and raffles

Indiana

The Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter meeting is scheduled for January 12, 10 a.m. to noon, at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, IN.  The agenda includes:

• Review and discussion of local member survey
  • Meeting topic and speakers suggestions for 2011
  • Vendor participation
  • Chapter dues
  • Chapter leadership
  • Term service of executive team
  • Nominations for leadership positions/officers
• ICD-10 Education, with Indiana Health Information Management Association Task Force leader Danita Forgey

For information, contact Susan Bradford, RN, BSN, Clinical Documentation Specialist at Riverview Hospital  by phone at 317/776-7285 or by e-mail at sbradford@riverview.org.

Connecticut

The next CT ACDIS meets Thursday, January 13, at THOCC/Bradley Memorial Campus, in Southington, with a snow date of January 20. For information, contact MaryAnn Shanley, RN, clinical documentation specialist at The Hospital of Central Connecticut by e-mail mshanley@THOCC.org or call 860/224-5900, Ext. 2168.

Florida

The sunshine state holds its next quarterly meeting Saturday, January 15, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. January’s theme is: Plundering the Physician Query! Please RSVP by January 10 to Toni Millican at TMillican@mail.uch.org. The agenda includes:

• Speaker Pam McFadden-Dir. HIM, UCH: “Summary from AHIMA on ICD–10/Documentation.”
  

  Plundering the Physician Query is the topic for Florida's quarterly meeting.

• Speaker Linda Vachon, Adventist Health Systems: “How to handle different CDS processes with challenges and successes for each facility, including the electronic medical record.”
• Speaker Jessica Olsen, RHIA/Meta Health Technology: “Physician Queries.”
• Speaker Charles Kormos, CDI at UCH: “Evolution of the Query”

The session is approved for CCDS renewals credits.

There will also be two raffles. One for an HCPro/ACDIS audio conference (valued at $250) and one for the CCDS Exam Study Guide. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. For these two raffles winners must be at the meeting to win. A third raffle will costs $5 per ticket or six for $25. The winner will get admission to the national ACDIS conference in Orlando in April. For this raffle, you do not have to be present to win. Checks should be payable to: Florida Regional ACDIS Chapter and sent to: Florida Regional ACDIS Chapter at 1016 Vineyard Ct., Dunedin, FL, 34698. The winner will be picked at the meeting.

Michigan

Michigan ACDIS Chapter meets quarterly, the first session for the 2011 schedule will be Thursday, January 20, noon to 1 p.m. With a presentation by Denyatta Henry, MBA, RN, CCS, CDMP Coordinator at McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint. For information, contact Janet Gentle, MSN, CCDS, by phone at 231/487-3564 or e-mail at jgentle@northernhealth.org.

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin group will hold an telephone conference meeting on January 20, 1-2 p.m. For information, contact Diane Draize from Ministry Door County Medical Center Sturgeon Bay (diane.draize@ministryhealth.org), Joan Korn from Wheaton Franciscan St. Francis in Milwaukee (jaon.korn@wfhc.org), Stacy Vaughn from Aurora BayCare Medical Center in Green Bay (stacy.vaughn@aurora.org), or Glenn Krauss, director, Clinical Documentation Improvement Services for YPRO Corporation (glennkrauss@earthlink.net).

Maryland

Maryland CDI gathers again on Friday, January 21. For information, contact Christine Mobley, RN, director of clinical documentation at Prince George’s Hospital Center by phone at 301/618-6507 or by e-mail at christine.Mobley@dimensionshealth.org.

Local CDI schedule December/January meetings

California

California ACDIS Chapter meets via telephone/web conference line on Wednesday, December 8, 9-10 a.m. This month’s agenda includes a discussion/presentation regarding the impact of ICD-10 on CDI, with Donna Kent, RN, BSN, CCDS, manager of Clinical Documentation Integrity Program at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Participation is free and registration is not required. For information, contact Dexter D’Costa, MD, manager, clinical documentation, quality improvement, and patient safety, by phone at 650/723-5343, or by e-mail at dr_dexterdcosta@yahoo.com.

Minnesota

The next Minnesota CDI meeting will be held Wednesday, December 22, 1-2:30 p.m. via telephone conference line. For information, contact Mark LeBlanc, RN, MBA, CCDS, by phone at 952/993-5692 or by e-mail at Mark.LeBlanc@ParkNicollet.com

January

Indiana

The Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter meeting is scheduled for January 12, 10 a.m. to noon, at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, IN.  The agenda includes:

• Review and discussion of local member survey
  • Meeting topic and speakers suggestions for 2011
  • Vendor participation
  • Chapter dues
  • Chapter leadership
  • Term service of executive team
  • Nominations for leadership positions/officers
• ICD-10 Education, with Indiana Health Information Management Association Task Force leader Danita Forgey

For information, contact Susan Bradford, RN, BSN, Clinical Documentation Specialist at Riverview Hospital  by phone at 317/776-7285 or by e-mail at sbradford@riverview.org.

Michigan

Michigan ACDIS Chapter meets quarterly, the first session for the 2011 schedule will be Thursday, January 20, noon to 1 p.m. With a presentation by Denyatta Henry, MBA, RN, CCS, CDMP Coordinator at McLaren Regional Medical Center in Flint. For information, contact Janet Gentle, MSN, CCDS, by phone at 231/487-3564 or e-mail at jgentle@northernhealth.org.

Maryland

Maryland CDI gathers again on Friday, January 21. For information, contact Christine Mobley, RN, director of clinical documentation at Prince George’s Hospital Center by phone at 301/618-6507 or by e-mail at christine.Mobley@dimensionshealth.org.

15 different groups plan CDI networking opportunities

Join the CDI community at one of 15 events taking place this fall.

October meetings

The New Hampshire CDS Chapter meets Thursday, October 7, 1-3 p.m., at St Joseph’s Hospital in Nashua.  The speaker, Sandra Egan, RN, C-CDI, nurse auditor from Exeter Hospital will present, “CDI and its proactive role in RAC activities:  How what you do affects the outcomes later.” For information, contact Carla Heyn, RHIT, BS, Clinical Documentation Specialist, at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, at 603/663-3452 or by e-mail at cheyn@Elliot-HS.org.

The Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday,  October 13, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Hughes Board room  at Clarian’s Methodist campus.   In addition to the main topic, “RAC Impact on CDI Programs” by Kathy Bennett from Bloomington Hospital, the group will discuss chapter organization with regard to the length of service for executive team members, and topics for future meetings, speakers, etc. For information, contact Susan Bradford, RN, BSN,  CDI specialist at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, IN, at 317/776-7285 or by e-mail at sbradford@riverview.org.

The New England ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday, October 13, noon to 2 p.m., at the Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI.  Lunch will be provided. For information, contact Karen M. DiMeglio, by phone at 401/444-9393 or by e-mail at KDiMeglio@Lifespan.org.

Maine State CDI Local Chapter meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 1-5 p.m., at the Harold Alfond Cancer Center in Augusta and feature guest speaker Glenn Krauss on expanding the role of CDI’s. Other agenda items include:

• CDMP Guide Demo
• Blastgroups
• Update on CDI No Response Action Plan

For information, contact Theresa Davis, RN, clinical documentation specialist at Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems in Bangor, at 207/735-8340 or by e-mail at tdavis@emh.org.

The Oregon/Southwest Washington Chapter of ACDIS meets Friday, October 15, 10 a.m., at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. For information, contact Eileen Pracz, RN, at 503/418-4023 or by e-mail at pracze@ohsu.edu.

The Florida ACDIS Chapter holds a Halloween masquerade meeting, Saturday, October 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Morton Plant Northbay Hospital in New Port Richey. The meeting, dubbed “The Unmasking of Clinical Documentation” features:

• Election of 2011 officers
• ICD 10 with Gayl Kirkpatrick
• E/M Billing with Jonathan Becker
• Out patient CDI-a new frontier with Carolyn Rader
• A CSI approach to physician education with Sylvia Hoffman
• Four CEU’s toward CCDS renewal
• Four CME’s for physicians
• Contests, giveaways, raffles

For information, contact Virginia Bailey by phone at 727/859-4880 or by e-mail at Virginia.bailey@baycare.org.

November meetings

The first meeting of the Texas ACDIS Chapter takes place Wednesday, November 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the offices of KPMG in Dallas. For information, contact TexasACDIS@gmail.com or call Melinda Fleet at 214/840-2295.

The New Jersey ACDIS quarterly education meeting will be held Friday, November 5, from noon to 4 p.m., at the New Jersey Hospital Association Conference Center in Princeton. The meeting features the presentation “Forensic CDI: Are you missing clues in the operative care or the post-op care?” by guest speaker Sue Fitzgerald, RN, MAS. Fitzgerald has more than 30 years experience in emergency, adolescent psych, PACU, cardiac transport, bronchoscopy nursing, and as a surgical clinical reviewer NSQIP. To register, visit http://www.knowledgeconnex.com/RRA/register.htm.

For information, contact Deborah Gardner-Brown, RHIT, CCS, C-CDI, at 732/238-4511, or e-mail Deborah@RRA-INC.com, or contact Melanie Halpern, RN-BC, MBA, CCDS, CCRA, Clinical Documentation and Coding Integrity Supervisor at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ, at melanie.halpern@gmail.com

The Northern Ohio ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday, November 10, 11 a.m., at Genesis Healthcare System. For information, contact Kristine Cilona, RN, at Mercy Medical Center 330/489-1111 ext. 3157 or by e-mail at Kristine.Cilona@cantonmercy.org.

The Minnesota ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday, November 10, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth. For information, contact Heidi Hillstrom MS, MBA, RN, CCDS, Clinical Documentation Management by phone at 218/249-5461 or e-mail hhillstrom@slhduluth.com.

The Connecticut ACDIS group gathers, Thursday, November 11, 9-10:30 a.m., at The Hospital of Central Connecticut, Bradley Memorial Campus. For information, contact MaryAnn Shanley by phone at 860/224-5900 ext., 2168 or by e-mail at mshanley@THOCC.org.

Southeast Regional ACDIS Chapter (which includes Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and other states in the Southeast) holds its next meeting Friday, November 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA. The meeting comes after the CDI Boot Camp visited the area, so meeting planners anticipate a good discussion of lessons-learned from Boot Camp attendees. A CCDS exam preparation session is also planned. For information, contact Bonnie Epps, MSN, RN, by e-mail at bonnie.epps@emoryhealthcare.org or by phone at 404/712-4550.

The Northern KY/Southern IN Chapter meets Thursday, November 18, 1-4 p.m., at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, KY. For information, contact Dee Schad, RN, BSN, CCDS, by phone at 502/361-6492 or by e-mail at deanna.schad@jhsmh.org.

December/January meetings

Northern IL CDI Networking meeting is tentatively planned for December 7, at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. For information, contact Colleen Stukenberg MSN, RN, CMSRN, CCDS, by phone at 815/599-6820, or by e-mail CStukenberg@fhn.org.

The “start-up” of the Southern California ACDIS Chapter is tentatively planned for Wednesday, January 26, 2011, with an  evening 6-8 p.m. meeting at Kindred Westminster.  Planned speakers include Hassan Alkhouli, MD, CCS, CDI physician adviser and Paryus Patel, MD, both experienced CDI physicians. For information, contact Wendy De Vreugd, RN, BSN, PHN, FNP, CCDS, by phone at 714/899-5020 or by e-mail at wendy.devreugd@kindredhealthcare.com.

More July meetings for local CDI

Central Indiana

The Central Indiana ACDIS group holds its next meeting on Wednesday, July 14, 10 a.m. to noon, at Community Hospital North. For information, contact Susan Bradford, RN, BSN, Clinical Documentation Specialist at Riverview Hospital by phone at 317?776-7285 or by e-mail at sbradford@riverview.org.

New Orleans

The Greater New Orleans Chapter of CDI has a meeting July 14, 4-6 p.m., at Serranos Restaurant, in the Clearview Mall, in Metairie. For information, contact Royceann Brechtel Fugler, RN, BC, MHA, Clinical Documentation Specialist, at East Jefferson General Hospital by phone at 504/456-5186, or Melissa Mayer at melissamayer@ejgh.org.

Washington

The Evergreen (WA) ACDIS Chapter meets Thursday, July 15, at noon.  Contact Jennifer Woodworth, RN, BSN, Manager, Clinical Documentation Improvement MultiCare Health System  by phone at 253/389-8493 or by e-mail at Jennifer.Woodworth@MultiCare.org for information and dial-in instructions.

Maryland

The Maryland Hospital Association Clinical Documentation Improvement Workgroup meets bimonthly, the third Friday of the month, July 16, 1:30–3 p.m., at the Maryland Hospital Association Headquarters in Elkridge. Contact Christine Mobley, RN, director of clinical documentation at Prince George’s Hospital Center, at christine.Mobley@dimensionshealth.org, for information.

Ohio

Southwestern Ohio chapter meets Tuesday, July 27, 2-4 p.m., at at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. The presentation includes  a discussion of healthcare reform and the role of the CDI specialist. For information, contact Teri Sholder by e-mail at Teri.Sholder@khnetwork.org

Minnesota

The Minnesota ACDIS Chapter holds its next meeting on July 28, 1-2:30 p.m., at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. For information, contact Michelle L. Callahan RN, BSN, CCDS, Clinical Documentation Supervisor by phone at 612/873-9376, or by e-mail at Michelle.Callahan@hcmed.org.

July meetings slated for NC, IN, LA, MD, MN; Maine and New Jersey offer updates

North Carolina

The NC ACDIS Chapter holds its next meeting on Friday, July 9, 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Carolinas Healthcare System Airport Training Facility. The event features Pamela P. Benson, MD, MS, FACEP, who will speak on the role of CDI in the emergency department and Tiffany M. Murriel, BSN, RN, from Navigant Consulting, Inc., who will speak on the role of CDI in the transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10.

The cost is $20 at the door. To register, contact meeting hosts Judith Rochelle by e-mail at Judith.Rochelle@carolinashealthcare.org or by phone at 704/582-1226;  or Wendy Shedd via e-mail at Wendy.Shedd@carolinashealthcare.org or by phone at 704/355-3189.

For additional information about the North Carolina group contact NC ACDIS President Leah Taylor, RN, CCDS, by e-mail at leah.taylor@novanthealth.org or by phone at 704/402-9656.

Central Indiana

The Central Indiana ACDIS group holds its next meeting on Wednesday, July 14, 10 a.m. to noon, at Community Hospital North. The agenda includes:

• Developing Diagnosis Specific Queries with Sandy Beatty from Columbus Regional Hospital
• Group Sharing: Query process for staging pressure ulcers, POA and query forms for wound debridement and physician documentation of surgical debridement
• Report from ACDIS Advisory Board: Lena Wilson, from  Clarian Health will talk about the board’s decision to support the recent release of AHIMA’s CDI Practice Brief

The Central Indiana ACDIS Chapter currently includes more than 30 CDI specialists from facilities as far north as Elkhart to as far south as Columbus. It’s April meeting attendance included 14 participants who traveled to Bloomington Hospital along with six others who attended by audio conference.

For information, contact Susan Bradford, RN, BSN, Clinical Documentation Specialist at Riverview Hospital by phone at 317?776-7285 or by e-mail at sbradford@riverview.org.

New Orleans

The Greater New Orleans Chapter of CDI has a meeting July 14, from 4-6 p.m., at Serranos Restaurant, in the Clearview Mall, in Metairie. For information, contact Royceann Brechtel Fugler, RN, BC, MHA, Clinical Documentation Specialist, at East Jefferson General Hospital by phone at 504/456-5186, or Melissa Mayer at melissamayer@ejgh.org

Maryland

The Maryland Hospital Association Clinical Documentation Improvement Workgroup meets bimonthly, the third Friday of the month, July 16, 1:30–3 p.m., at the Maryland Hospital Association Headquarters in Elkridge. Contact Christine Mobley, RN, director of clinical documentation at Prince George’s Hospital Center, at christine.Mobley@dimensionshealth.org, for information.

Minnesota

The Minnesota ACDIS Chapter holds its next meeting on July 28, 1-2:30 p.m., at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. For information, contact Michelle L. Callahan RN, BSN, CCDS, Clinical Documentation Supervisor by phone at 612/873-9376, or by e-mail at Michelle.Callahan@hcmed.org.

Maine

The Maine ACDIS Chapter Meeting has started a “blastgroup” as a means to communicate with its members regarding upcoming meetings and local events. It’s next meeting will be September 14. To learn more, contact Theresa Davis RN, BSN, CCDS Clinical Documentation Specialist by e-mail at tdavis@emh.org or by phone at 207/973-5178

New Jersey

The NJACDIS  holds its next meeting Friday, August 20, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the New Jersey Hospital Association in Princeton. The meeting will focus on a CDI coding round table. Participants will each receive a portfolio of four de-identified medical records for review one week prior to the meeting and during the session will share various methods about how to best clarify and code for the care provided to the patient. The records will be reviwed for medical necessity, coding, and query opportunities.

There will be a continental breakfast, an outdoor BBQ with all the fixins, and door prizes. Register online www.Knowledgeconnex.com,  select the eduation portal, meetings, and scroll down to the date 8/20/2010. Select the NJACDIS meeting, and begin your registration. The meeting will be limited to 35 attendees. For additional information, contact Deborah Gardner-Brown, RHIT, CCS, C-CDI, at 732/238-4511, or e-mail Deborah@RRA-INC.com, or Melanie Halpern, RN-BC, MBA, CCDS, CCRA, Clinical Documentation and Coding Integrity Supervisor at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, NJ, at melanie.halpern@gmail.com.

Washington and Long Island host June meetings, others plan summer sessions

Washington

The Evergreen State Chapter of ACDIS holds it’s quarterly conference this Thursday, June 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Overlake Hospital, in Bellevue, WA. The agenda includes:

• Intros/Program Bios Ronna/Meaghan
• 2010 ACDIS Conference Report from Chicago Conference Attendees
• Discussion of ACDIS audio conference “Principal Diagnosis Selection: Ensure MS-DRG Accuracy and Avoid Compliance Risk”
• Lunch Break
• UW Best Practice Holly Flynn
• Open Forum Discussion
• Planning for next meeting

For information, contact Jennifer Woodworth, RN, BSN, Manager, Clinical Documentation Improvement, MHS, at 253/389-8493 or via e-mail at Jennifer.Woodworth@multicare.org

New York

The Long Island NY ACDIS Chapter meets Monday, June 21, 3-5 p.m.. at Winthrop Hospital in Mineola, NY. For information, contact Ana P. Albano Administrative Assistant to Adelaide M. La Rosa, Director, CDIP at St. Francis Hosptial, at 516/562-6278 or by e-mail at Adelaide.Larosa@chsli.org.

Indiana

The next meeting of the Central Indiana Chapter of ACDIS will be July 14, 10 a.m. to noon, at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis. During the meeting Sandy Beatty, RN, BSN, C-CDI from Columbus Regional Hospital will addressing the topic of  developing diagnosis-specific queries. Beatty won the CDI Professional of the Year award during the ACDIS 2010 Conference in Chicago.

Arrangements have been made for a teleconference line for those unable to attend in person. RSVP to Susan Bradford, RN, BSN, Clinical Documentation Specialist at Riverview Hospital by phone at 317/776-7285 or by e-mail at  sbradford@riverview.org.

Kentucky

The Indiana/Kentucky ACDIS chapter will hold its next meeting August 12. For information, contact Dee Schad, RN, BSN, CCDS, Manager, CDI at Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare  at 502/361-6492 or by e-mail at deanna.schad@jhsmh.org

New Jersery

The next meeting for the NJACDIS will be  Friday, August 20.  For information, contact Deborah Gardner-Brown, RHIT, CCs, C-CDI, Reimbursement Review Associates, Inc., by e-mail at DGardnerbr@aol.com or Deborah@rra-inc.com; or call 732/371-3834 or 732/238-4511.