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Florida ACDIS Chapter has Renewed Energy

Attendees at the November Florida ACDIS Chapter meeting

After attending her first ACDIS national conference, Kimberly Richart returned to her CDI program energized. “I knew we had to get our state of Florida involved,” she says.

So Richart called surrounding hospitals asking to talk with CDI staff. Most didn’t know what CDI meant, few had a team in place. Nevertheless, she found enough interested people to hold a meeting. It had 17 attendees.

Today, the chapter has nearly 200 members and typically more than 30 attendees at each quarterly meeting. Shortly after its first meeting, the Florida ACDIS Chapter formalized its agreement with ACDIS National, elected a president, vice president, and secretary/treasurer. The team developed by-laws and created a state logo. Since that first meeting at Morton Plant Mease Healthcare, the chapter has met in all corners of the state from the Pensacola to Miami and those unable to travel attend virtually via webinar and teleconferencing when available.

“It is extremely important to keep up to date with the ever-changing information related to CDI and government healthcare reimbursement initiatives,” says Richart who stepped down from her leadership role following the Chapter’s meeting and election earlier this month.

“Our goal has always been to provide a cohesive bond between between CDI specialists professionals from the diverse clinical settings throughout Florida; to provide advocacy for the CDI role. This support is just so important.”

We want to thank outgoing Florida ACDIS Chapter leaders Richart, Edie Brown, and Jamie Dugan and welcome incoming leaders (pictured below) Colleen McComas, Cynthia Knight, Deb Dallos, and Joannie Crotts.

Incoming FL ACDIS Chapter leaders.

Update: Local Chapter meetings

There are few upcoming meetings I wanted to bring to your attention.

First, the FL ACDIS Chapter meets tomorrow, Saturday, March 17, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Regional Medical Center, Bayonet Point, in Hudson. The agenda includes:

• Pastries and coffee, donated by Panera Bread, and registration/opening comments
• George Klimis discussion of “The Road to Outpatient CDI”
• Dr. Mark Michelman Q&A: “Ask a Physician: Clinical Questions from the Florida Chapter ACDIS Membership”
• Lunch, featuring homemade corned beef and cabbage and sandwiches from Publix (mint chocolate brownies and Irish crème cake for dessert)
• Sylvia Hoffman presentation titled “Keeping the Wolf at Bay: Query Compliance and Risk Reduction.”

There will be five raffle baskets themed:

• Quality Time with Your Pet
• Sweet Treats
• Time to Garden Gift
• Relaxing Over Spring Break
• Leprechaun’s Delight

One lucky raffle winner will earn money towards their ACDIS Conference attendance expenses.

The meeting’s game will be in a Family Feud format with limericks regarding predetermined diagnoses likely to represent those patients. The teams will try to guess the diagnoses and receive a shamrock coin for each correct guess. The team with the most shamrocks wins St. Patrick’s Day-themed prizes.

For more information about the Florida ACDIS Chapter, visit its website http://flacdis.org/.

Next, I wanted to share the following thoughts written by Judi Bates, RN, BSN, CCDS, CDI specialist at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden, NJ, who has teamed up with Debby Dallen, RN, clinical documentation coordinator at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, to host the first Philadelphia regional CDI networking meeting. Excited about the event which which will be held Thursday, March 22, 8-10:30 a.m., at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Bates writes:

“Nothing grows in a vacuum. With that thought in mind a new networking group will have their first meeting on Thursday, March 22. The ACDIS website is a great way to collaborate via e-mail/CDI Talk and the ACDIS Blog. For some, that little bit of networking is all they need. But I am excited about being able to go to an ACDIS local chapter meeting, where we can share and learn in a face-to-face venue. Whether our gathering proves to be big or small, I know this forum will be a catalyst to solving problems and working efficiently.

“The purpose of an organized meeting in the local area is to share; share the good, bad, and ugly of our profession. Actually I hope that when we do gather next week, our discussions will mostly be about the positive aspects of our jobs and that when we do discuss problem areas that  we may help one another through our CDI growing pains. I am looking forward to talking with like-minded people, people who won’t give me that quizzical look when I tell them my title is CDI specialist.

“When I started as a CDI specialist more than three years ago, it didn’t take long before I was curious to see how other people did this job. I also wanted to pick people’s brains about what didn’t work and what did at their facilities. Efficiency is the name of the game, after all. That was when I began chatting with many individuals via ACDIS, one of which is the co-chair of this group, Deb Dallen.

“Our paths have crossed a few times over the years but it wasn’t until ACDIS Associate Director Melissa Varnavas suggested we start this group that we got together. So we are hoping to have lots of CDI specialists join us next week. We hope you’ll come with great ideas and positive energy to spark the potential for improvements in world of CDI in this area.

“Membership to ACDIS is not mandatory, so if you know someone who doesn’t belong and is interested, bring them along. You can find all the information you need under the tab ‘Local Chapters’.”

Bates and Dallen say that the first meeting will be informal and informational in nature featuring a meet-and-greet and open networking discussion. RSPV to Judi Bates via e-mail at Batesj@lourdesnet.org, or by phone at 856/757-3161. Or contact, Debby Dallen at dallend@einstein.edu, or by phone at 215/456-8902.

As a reminder, the North Carolina, South Carolina, and Minnesota ACDIS Chapters all also meet in the coming weeks. Like Judi, we know how valuable these local networking events can be. Frequently, they present an inexpensive way to stay informed on important CDI-related topics, and to learn from others’ experiences.

You can find a list of meeting information in a previous ACDIS Blog post or by visiting the Chapter Meeting tab under the Local Meetings section of the ACDIS website.

Florida Chapter founding leader remembers group’s begining

Early on the Florida ACDIS Chapter developed its own logo.

By Kimberly A. Richert, RN, CCDS

I started the Florida ACDIS Chapter back in 2009. There were only 15 chapters in the country then. Now there are nearly 40. At the time I was a lead CDI specialist for Morton Plant Mease (MPM) Healthcare system in Clearwater, Fl.  After attending my first ACDIS conference that spring in Las Vegas, I knew I had to get the CDI specialists and programs in our state involved. After attending that first conference, I realized that our area of expertise (CDI) was BIG and that it was only going to get BIGGER.

There was great support from our upper management in the Morton Plant Mease Hospital  which allowed us to move forward with our dream. (Thank You, Clare Garrard, RN, DSN, manager of the CDI department, for allowing this to happen!) The CDI team at MPM’s Clearwater facility started making phone calls to other local facilities to see if they had anyone of this specialty in their system. It turned out that Tampa General’s CDI program was up, trying to run with the CDI concept, and form their department.  A few more phone calls and we found CDI teams at St. Anthony’s hospital in St. Petersburg and Tampa General Hospital.

We had enough interested participants to hold a meeting and form the Florida ACDIS Chapter.  We held our inaugural meeting at my facility. There were 17 participants from diverse backgrounds including RNs, coders, and physicians. Click on this link to listen to that meeting in its entirety.

After that we formalized our structure and elected a president, vice president, and secretary/treasurer. Now our

Several participants in an ACDIS Florida Chapter meeting donned floppy hats to celebrate the Kentucky Derby.

membership has increased to nearly 100 participants from all over our great state. We hold quarterly conferences that typically take place on either a Friday or a Saturday at a different host facility each time. We have held meetings as far north as the Florida panhandle at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola and as far south as Jupiter, at the Jupiter Medical Center. We typically decide on a “meeting theme” to add to the enjoyment of the event. Participants have enjoyed wearing hats for “Kentucky Derby Day,” masks for Halloween, even grass skirts for a luau.

While our chapter members like to enjoy themselves, our main purpose is to provide a collegial venue for networking, a space to provide information and education to the CDI specialists and related professions working in the Florida region. Our goal is to provide a cohesive bond between CDI specialists in diverse hospitals and clinical settings throughout Florida and provide advocacy for the CDI role. Since its inaugural meeting, we have been fortunate enough to offer presentations regarding RAC efforts, denials, transition to ICD-10, compliant query creation, electronic queries, and so much more.

In the beginning, there was no nationally recognized credential on which we could tout our experience and expertise in the CDI role. Since the creation of the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) credential, however, most of the Florida ACDIS members have become certified. Congratulations to those who now have the CCDS behind their names! We are so proud of you!

And big kudos to all of you who have helped to start and sustain this wonderful chapter. Thank you, to those who continue to support this chapter throughout each year. You are the ones who keep us going.

As our Florida ACDIS Chapter grows we hope to keep communication open between individuals working in this new and expanding field and to have the collaboration with all other departments involved. We hope to see you out on the floors or at one of our upcoming meetings!

Editor’s Note: For information about the Florida ACDIS Chapter visit its website at http://flacdis.org/ or visit the Local Chapter page on the ACDIS National site www.acdis.org.

New groups, meetings promote CDI efforts in February

The Las Vegas, NV chapter at its first meeting in June 2011. Pictured above from left to right: Sharon Yens (Centennial Hills Hospital), Kathy Bird (Southern Hills Hospital), Karen Thorsteinson (St Rose Hospital – De Lima), Kathy Hurst (Kindred Hospital – Flamingo), Lori Mejia (Southwest Medical Associates), Sherry Siewers (DDCM Kindred Desert District), Sherry Shariff Hall (St Rose Hospital – Siena), and Marissa Schanbacher (Mountain View Hospital). Taking the photo: Ailsa Kompare (Kindred Las Vegas Market).

New networking groups

Philadelphia: The Philadelphia CDI network has new energy and is planning its first meeting for 2012. For information, contact Judi Bates at Lourdes Health System at 856/757-3161 or e-mail at BatesJ@lourdesnet.org. Or call Debby Dallen at Albert Einstein Medical Center at 856/786-0897 or e-mail dallend@einstein.edu.

Rochester, NY: Ruth Pfrengle, BSN, RN, director of utilization management at the University of Rochester Medical Center, has volunteered to help facilitate networking opportunities in the region. For information, contact 585/273-3816 or e-mail ruth_pfrengle@urmc.rochester.edu.

Texas: Barbara Presley, RN, CDI specialist at the University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin has volunteered to help professionals from the San Antonio/Austin area to network. For information, contact her at 512/324-7679 or e-mail baPresley@seton.org.

Vermont: Suzanne Schultz, RN, BSN, CCM, CCDS, CDI specialist at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, has volunteered to connect CDI professionals in the state. For information, contact her at 802/847-2140 or e-mail suzanne.schultz@vtmednet.org.

Washington: The Evergreen ACDIS Chapter of Northwest Washington seeks new volunteers to help lead the group in 2012. For information, contact Jennifer Woodworth, RN, BSN, CCDS, director of CDI at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle by phone at 206/215-2073 or e-mail Jennifer.Woodworth@swedish.org. Or contact Cathie Murphree, LPN, CCDS, Documentation Improvement Specialist/HIM, at St. Joseph Medical Center, in Bellingham, at 360/788-6300 ext. 3429 or e-mail CMurphree@peacehealth.org.

West Virginia: Sheila Harrison, RN, BSN, CDI specialist at the Charleston Area Medical Center, Teays Valley Division, has volunteered to help get networking efforts started in the state. For information, contact 304/389-0689 or e-mail Sheila.Harrison@camc.org.

February meetings

New Hampshire: The next meeting will be held Wednesday, February 8, 1-2:30 p.m., at Elliot Hospital in Manchester. For information, contact Carla A. Heyn at 603/663-3452 or by e-mail at cheyn@Elliot-HS.org

Albany, NY: The Albany (NY) ACDIS Regional Chapter holds its next meeting Wednesday, February 8, 2-4 p.m., at St. Peter’s Hospital. The group will discuss documentation regarding acute renal failure. For information, contact Lois Rubin at 518/525-1081 or e-mail lrubin@sphcs.org.

Virginia: The next Virginia ACDIS Chapter meeting will be held Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 1222 Jefferson Park Ave., in Charlottesville. Each attending facility will present/discuss what works well in their facility and what needs improvements. There will also be a teleconference/webinar presentation by ACDIS Advisory Board member Glenn Krauss.

Continuing its “ACDIS gives back” tradition, UVA has decided to donate to The HAVEN, a safe and welcoming place for the homeless in our community. Donations can range from warm items such as gloves, hats, or scarves to nonperishable food. A complete list can be obtained at www.thehavenatfirstandmarket.org/give/. For information, contact Sequana Webb 434/760-4491 or e-mail sck8u@virginia.edu.

Wisconsin: Will hold its winter meeting Saturday, February 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Wheaton Franciscan Health Care, in Wauwatosa. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. CCDS and AHIMA credits will be offered. The meeting agenda includes:

• “A Clinical Perspective on Chart Review and Diagnoses Assignment: A QIO Reviewer’s Perspective,” by Jessica Whitley, MD, MBA, hospitalist and QIO reviewer.
• “CDI’s Impact on the Recovery Audit Contractor Initiative: Capitalizing on our Strengths to Minimize Hospital Financial Exposure,” by Diane Draize, RN, CPUR, CCDS, CDI specialist at Ministry Health, and Joan Korn, BSN, RN, CDI specialist at Wheaton Franciscan Health Care.
• “What You Don’t Know About Principles of Multiple Significant Trauma is What You Don’t Know!,” by Kathy Thomas, RN, CDI specialist at Wheaton Franciscan Health Care, and Renee Hedtcke, RN, CCDS, at Aurora Summit Medical Center
• Open Discussion/Roundtable: Opportunities for CDI Initiatives in the Ambulatory Care environment as well as inpatient setting beyond reimbursement

Deadline to register is Sunday, February 12. Registration is $25 for WI ACDIS members; $50 non-members.

For information, contact Kathy Thomas, RN, at Wheaton Franciscan Health Care, kathleen.Thomas@wfhc.org; Renee Hedtcke, RN, CCDS, at Aurora Health Care, renee.hedtcke@aurora.org; Diane Draize from Ministry Door County Medical Center Sturgeon Bay  at diane.draize@ministryhealth.org, Joan Korn from Wheaton Franciscan St. Francis in Milwaukee at joan.korn@wfhc.org, or Glenn Krauss, independent consultant, glennkrauss@earthlink.net.

N. Illinois: The next meeting will take place on Thursday, February 16, from noon to 3:30 p.m., at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights. The agenda includes:

• Participation in the ACDIS Quarterly Conference Call
• Presentation by Maralee Gray, BSN, CDI specialist at Rockford Memorial Hospital regarding “CDIS and ICD-10 Crossing Over: How to Safely Make it to the Other Side”
• Presentation by Karolee Fill, MSN, APN-CNP, at Northwest Community Hospital regarding “Basic Review of Echocardiography in the Heart Failure population”

For information, contact Nancy R. Ignatowicz at 815/806-2322 or e-mail nancy.ignatowicz@provena.org. Or contact Colleen Stukenberg MSN, RN, CMSRN, CCDS, at 815/599-6820, or e-mail CStukenberg@fhn.org.

California: The California ACDIS Chapter holds its regular meeting the fourth Wednesday of the month, February 22, 9-10 a.m. Those interested in volunteering to help lead the chapter are invited to step forward at this time. For information, contact Dexter D’Costa at 573/529-1791 or e-mail dr_dexterdcosta@yahoo.com.

Maine: The next meeting will be held Thursday, February 23, noon to 4 p.m., at Mid-Coast Hospital in Brunswick. For information, contact Cathy Seluke at 207/872-1796 or e-mail Cathy.Seluke@mainegeneral.org.

New England: The next New England Regional ACDIS Chapter meeting will be held Tuesday, February 28, 2-4 p.m., at Tufts Medical Center, Stearns Auditorium. Janet Cavagnac from Baystate will review ICD-10 coding in 3M software. Participants should bring a 3M equipped laptop if possible. Volunteers are needed to schedule future meeting and help lead the group. For information, contact Kelley Sears at 508/954-7432 or e-mail Kelley.Sears@steward.org.

Georgia (Southeast): The next Southeast ACDIS meeting will be Wednesday, February 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga, TN. For information, contact Bonnie I. Epps at 404/712-4550 or e-mail Bonnie.Epps@emoryhealthcare.org.  Or visit the Southeast Regional ACDIS Chapter Facebook page for meeting announcements and other information.

Upcoming events

New Jersey: The next NJ meeting will take place Friday, March 2. For information, contact Deborah Gardner-Brown at 732/238-4511, or e-mail Deborah@RRA-INC.com.

Tennessee: The next TN-ACDIS meeting will be held at Baptist Hospital in Nashville on Friday, March 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For information, contact Sherri Clark at 865/804-6561 or e-mail SClark@mc.utmck.edu.

Long Island, NY: St. Francis Hospital hosts the next networking meeting on Tuesday, March 6, 3-5 p.m. For information, contact Adelaide M. La Rosa at 516/562-6229 or e-mail Adelaide.LaRosa@chsli.org.

Mid-West Regional: The Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota state ACDIS networks’  mid-west regional conference, has been postponed.

Meeting minutes

The following minutes and/or presentations have been made available from the following chapters:

• Southwest Ohio January newsletter
• Minnesota January meeting minutes and presentation regarding shock
• Northeastern Ohio December 2011 newsletter
• Florida November 2011 newsletter

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.

August meetings have agendas full of education and enrichment

North Carolina

The NC ACDIS Chapter meets Friday, Aug. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Sapona Country Club, in Lexington. The agenda includes:

• 8-9 a.m.: Registration and reception with continental breakfast
• 9-10:30 a.m.: Keynote Speaker-Steve Robinson, MS, RN, PA, CPUR, Sr. Director, Clinical Documentation Improvement Solutions at Maxim Health Information Services “Current/Upcoming CMS Mandates and Concurrent Review.” Robinson will discuss:
  • Appropriate MS-DRG assignment
  • RAC preparedness
  • POA coding
  • Core Measures Coordination
  • 2012 IPPS proposal and pending final rule
  • ICD-10 impact on CDI
• 10:45-11:30 a.m.: NC ACDIS business meeting
• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
• 12:30-2 p.m.: Closing Speaker-Nicole Greer, PPCC, founder of Vibrant Coaching and lead trainer for Laurie Beth Jones Inc. National Training Team “Engaging the Elements of Success: A Highly Intuitive Tool for Communication, Growth, and Success!”

Attendees are asked to register by Friday, July 29. Cost is $25 per person and includes breakfast, lunch, CEUs, and door prizes. For information, contact Leah Taylor via e-mail at Leah.Taylor@iredellmemorial.org or by phone at 704/878-7436; or Brenda Harris via e-mail at Brenda.Harris@carolinashealthcare.org or by phone at 704/863-6378; or visit http://ncacdis.org/

NC ACDIS members are asked to participate in a short, three question survey prior to the meeting.

Central Ohio

The ACDIS Central Ohio Chapter meets Thursday, Aug. 18, 1:30-3 p.m., at the James Cancer Hospital. The topic for discussion will be ICD-10 and CDI. RSVP to sheri.blanchard@osumc.edu.

NY/PA

NY/PA Regional Network meets at The Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA, in its Patterson Auditorium, Friday, Aug. 19, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We also have video conferencing available for seven more facilities, so sign up soon. (Please allow time to complete a video trial before the conference day.)

We have been approved by ACDIS for four credits towards the Certified Clinical Documentation Specialist (CCDS) certification. We will have four guest presentations including:

1. Jonathan Elion, MD: Dr. Elion has 40 years of experience in computing and more than 25 years of experience in medical computing and information standards, and is the founder of ChartWise Medical Systems. He will be speaking about ethical practices in CDI and the importance of quality documentation.
2. Mario A. Perez, III, RHIA, RHIT, CCS, CCS-P: Perez is the Director, Coding and Documentation Compliance for J.A. Thomas & Associates, Inc. He will be speaking about why facilities need CDI programs, how to makes them successful, and how justify CDI efforts to the larger facility stakeholders.
3. Glenn Krauss, BBA, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, C-CDIS, CCDS, independent consultant based in Madison, WI, will discuss the future of CDI.
4. Jean Elsener, RN CPUR, CRN-C, CRN-A CCDS, CDI specialist, Quality Management, will discuss writing concise, standardized, and non-leading queries.

For information, contact Susan Tiffany RN, CCDS, supervisor CDI, Guthrie Healthcare System, Robert Packer & Corning Hospitals at 570/887-6094 or by e-mail at tiffany_susan@guthrie.org

New Jersey

The NJ ACDIS Chapter holds a “summer outing” Friday, Aug. 19, 1:30-4 p.m., at RRA, Inc., Meeting Annex, 385 West Ferris St., East Brunswick. The meeting will include tasty frozen drinks and yummy appetizers and door prizes. It also features an opportunity to share CDI best practices and trouble areas, explore ways to achieve physician compliance, and preview of Quadrameds ICD-10 Simulator and CDI Tracking software. For information contact, Deborah Gardner-Brown at 732/238-4511, or e-mail Deborah@RRA-INC.com

Florida

FLACDIS Quarterly Meeting is set for Saturday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Sacred Heart Medical Center, 5151 N Ninth Ave., Pensacola. The agenda has changed slightly:

• Three CEU’s awarded for CCDS renewal including:
  • Virginia Bailey/Dr. Dragut – Coding Quiz
  • Trivia Contest-Kimberly Richert
  • Dr. Michelle Dragut (E-mail topic requests to Virginia.bailey@baycare.org)
  • Katherine (Kitty) Novak, Director FTI Consulting presenting on principal diagnosis selection
• Raffles, even a 50/50 one this time!
• Corn dogs, candy apples, cotton candy!
• Opportunity to network with your peers
• Blue Ribbon Pie Contest

RSVP by August 10 to pcassady@csg-hs.com. For more information, visit the FLACDIS website or the Florida ACDIS Chapter’s Facebook page.

California

ACDIS-CA chapter meets via teleconference Wednesday, Aug. 24, 9-10 a.m. For information, contact Dexter D’Costa by e-mail at dr_dexterdcosta@yahoo.com.

Multiple meetings being held across the US help CDI professionals chill out the summer season with educational offerings.

Planning ahead

Georgia

The next meeting of the Southeast Chapter will be at Medical Center Central Georgia in Macon, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. RSVP to james.doster@emoryhealthcare.org. Attendance is $10 for non-members; annual membership dues are $25.

Maine

The next Maine ACDIS meeting is scheduled for Sept. 20. For information, contact Theresa Davis BSN, RN, CCDS, by e-mail at tdavis@emh.org.

Michigan

The MI ACDIS Chapter has postponed its July meeting and will hold its next teleconference on Thursday, Oct. 20, noon to 1 p.m. The meeting features an in-depth look at how ICD-10 affects CDI program practices with MI member Sue Haley. For information contact, Janet Gentle, at 231/487-3564 or by e-mail at jgentle@northernhealth.org.

South Carolina

The first SC ACDIS Chapter kickoff was a huge success, so save-the-date for the next meeting slated for Friday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Providence Hospital, in Columbia. For information, contact Rebecca “Ali” Williams at 864/560-5701 or by e-mail at rawilliams@srhs.com.

Meet your Florida CDI friends at the ‘Clin Doc Fair’

FLACDIS Quarterly Meeting is set for Saturday, August 20^, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Sacred Heart Medical Center, 5151 N Ninth Ave.,

Florida ACDIS Chapter heads to Pensecola for its next fair-themed meeting. RSVP by Aug. 10

Pensacola. The agenda includes:

• Three speakers with 3 CEU’s awarded for CCDS Renewal including:
  • Margi Brown to speak on E/M Billing as it relates to CDI
  • Dr. Michelle Dragut (E-mail topic requests to Virginia.bailey@baycare.org)
  • Katherine (Kitty) Novak, Director FTI Consulting presenting on principal diagnosis selection
• Raffles, even a 50/50 one this time!
• Trivia contest, corn dogs, candy apples, cotton candy!
• Opportunity to network with your peers
• Blue Ribbon Pie Contest

RSVP by August 10 to pcassady@csg-hs.com. For more information, visit the FLACDIS website or the Florida ACDIS Chapter’s Facebook page.

Mark your calendars and let ACDIS Chapters meetings fill up your summer schedule

Don't let your summer schedule fill up without making time for local CDI networking events.

July

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 by phone at 504/456-5186 or by e-mail at rfugler@ejgh.org.

Indiana

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

The Central Indiana Chapter recently named new Advisory Board members including:

• Kathy Wilson, first year member, Community Hospital North, e-mail her at KWilson4@ecommunity.com.
• Wendy Wilson, first year member, IU Health, Bloomington Hospital, e-mail her at WWilson4@iuhealth.org.
• Lena Wilson, second year member, IU Health Network/HIM, e-mail her at lwilson9@iuhealth.org.
• Susan Bradford, second year member, Riverview Hospital, e-mail her at sbradford@riverview.org.

For more information, contact Susan Bradford by phone 317/776-7285 or by e-mail at sbradford@riverview.org

Kansas City, Missouri

The KC MO ACDIS Chapter holds its next meeting, Wednesday, July 27, 2:30-4:30 p.m., at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, in Shawnee Mission, KS. The meeting agenda will include topics as determined by members of the group.  Those interested in attending should contact Joann Agin at jagin@carondelet.com.

To read the minutes of the April KC MO ACDIS meeting click here.

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.

August

So. Nevada

The Southern Nevada ACDIS Chapter meets the first Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. (August’s meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 3) at Kindred Hospital Flamingo Campus (Classroom), 2250 East Flamingo Road, Las Vegas. For information, contact ailsa.kompare@kindredhealthcare.com.

North Carolina

The NC ACDIS Chapter meets Friday, Aug. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Sapona Country Club, in Lexington. The agenda includes:

• 8-9 a.m.: Registration and reception with continental breakfast
• 9-10:30 a.m.: Keynote Speaker-Steve Robinson, MS, RN, PA, CPUR, Sr. Director, Clinical Documentation Improvement Solutions at Maxim Health Information Services “Current/Upcoming CMS Mandates and Concurrent Review.” Robinson will discuss:
  • Appropriate MS-DRG assignment
  • RAC preparedness
  • POA coding
  • Core Measures Coordination
  • 2012 IPPS proposal and pending final rule
  • ICD-10 impact on CDI
• 10:45-11:30 a.m.: NC ACDIS business meeting
• 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
• 12:30-2 p.m.: Closing Speaker-Nicole Greer, PPCC, founder of Vibrant Coaching and lead trainer for Laurie Beth Jones Inc. National Training Team “Engaging the Elements of Success: A Highly Intuitive Tool for Communication, Growth, and Success!”

Attendees are asked to register by Friday, July 29. Cost is $25 per person and includes breakfast, lunch, CEUs, and door prizes. For information, contact Leah Taylor via e-mail at Leah.Taylor@iredellmemorial.org or by phone at 704/878-7436; or Brenda Harris via e-mail at Brenda.Harris@carolinashealthcare.org or by phone at 704/863-6378; or visit http://ncacdis.org/

NC ACDIS members are asked to participate in a short, three question survey prior to the meeting.

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.

New Jersey

The NJ ACDIS Chapter holds a “summer outing” Friday, Aug. 19, 1:30-4 p.m., at RRA, Inc., Meeting Annex, 385 West Ferris St., East Brunswick. The meeting will include tasty frozen drinks and yummy appetizers and door prizes. It also features an opportunity to share CDI best practices and trouble areas, explore ways to achieve physician compliance, and preview of Quadrameds ICD-10 Simulator and CDI Tracking software. For information contact, Deborah Gardner-Brown at 732/238-4511, or e-mail Deborah@RRA-INC.com

Florida

The next FLACDIS Chapter meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at Sacred Heart in Pensacola. Although the meeting agenda is still under construction the theme for the first meeting of the “panhandle” region is “Meet Me at the ClinDoc Fair.” The event will feature state-fair corn dogs, sausages and peppers, cotton candy, and even a best-pie contest. Non-FLACDIS members can attend for free for the first time, with a $10 charge to receive CEUs. Visit the FLACDIS Chapter on Facebook, at the web site www.flacdis.org, or download the latest newsletter. To attend the upcoming meeting, RSVP to pcassady@csg-hs.com.

Planning ahead

Michigan

The MI ACDIS Chapter has postponed its July meeting and will hold its next teleconference on Thursday, Oct. 20, noon to 1 p.m. The meeting features an in-depth look at how ICD-10 affects CDI program practices with MI member Sue Haley. For information contact, Janet Gentle, at 231/487-3564 or by e-mail at jgentle@northernhealth.org.

South Carolina

The first SC ACDIS Chapter kickoff was a huge success, so save-the-date for the next meeting slated for Friday, Nov. 11, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Providence Hospital, in Columbia. For information, contact Rebecca “Ali” Williams at 864/560-5701 or by e-mail at rawilliams@srhs.com.

May meetings for local chapters

Joining a local CDI networking group is one way to get off the routine CDI treadmill and find innovative ways to enhance your team's performance.

Connecticut

During the next Connecticut ACDIS Chapter meeting on Thursday, May 12, memebers will discuss the creation of chapter bylaws and mission statement, complete a learning module regarding principal diagnosis and share tools for the creation of a chapter resource library. For information, contact MaryAnn Shanley at mshanley24@yahoo.com. Read the minutes from the March meeting.

Illinois

St. Alexius Medical Center hosts the next N. Illinois ACDIS Chapter meeting on Friday, May 13, from 12:30-3 p.m. Possible agenda items include sharing information learned from the 4^th Annual ACDIS conference and recent RAC findings/experiences. For information, contact Ellen Chang, RN, CCDS, Clinical Documentation Manager, at 847/755-7610 or by e-mail at Ellen.chang@alexian.net.

Maine

The next Maine ACDIS Meeting will be held Tuesday, May 17, 1-5 p.m., at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Brewer. Agenda includes:

• Updates from 2011 ACDIS National Conference
• CEUs for local meetings
• Networking
• ACDIS website demonstration
• Group structure

Hawaii

The Hawaii ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday, May 18, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at Castle Medical Center where attendees will listen to and discuss the HCPro audio conference “Short Stays: A Data Driven Approach to Medical Necessity.” For information, contact Eleu Zane at Eleu.Zane@palimomi.org.

Ohio

The Columbus, OH, ACDIS Chapter meets Thursday, May 19th. For information, contact Sheri Blanchard, RN, Clinical Documentation Specialist, at Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital at 614/366-4197.

Florida

The next meeting of the Florida ACDIS Chapter themed “Another Day in Paradise,” takes place Friday, May 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, FL. The agenda includes:

• Registration and breakfast
• Margi Brown, consultant: “Blending Denials into the CDI Mix”
• Raffles and networking
• Cortnie Simmons and Cheryl Bowling, Kforce Healthcare: “Translating ICD-9 to ICD 10 for Common Diagnosis
• Lunch and networking
• Cathy Cover, manager of RAC Denials at MPM and Dr. Mark Michelman, physician advisor at MPM: “Sink or Swim: Surviving the RAC Attack

Reserversations requested. Contact Iris at 561/745-5783. First time attendees are welcome. CEUs cost $10.

Be sure to visit FL ACDIS’ Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/acdisflorida and its new website http://flacdis.org/.

Click on this link to read the latest FL ACDIS Newsletter.

Wisconsin

The First Annual WI ACDIS Conference will be held on Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, in Wauwatosa. The meeting titled “Clinical Informatics for the CDIS Query Process,” includes:

• “Recognition of Atypical Clinical Presentations and the Query Process” by Dr. Gamal Eskander
• “Highlights of the 4th Annual ACDIS Conference including legal perils of physician querying” by Lynn Sisler, Diane Draize, and Glenn Krauss.
• “Sharing of CDIS Best Practices from WI ACDIS Members,” a panel discussion.
• “Recognition of Query Opportunities,” role playing participations of verbal and written query dissemination.
• “The Expanded Role of CDI specialists,” discussion of how to collaborate with case management.

CCDS CEUs offered. Buffet Lunch will be provided and ample time will be available for chapter networking. RSVP required. Registration will be from 9-9:45 a.m. Meeting will start promptly at 10 a.m. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch, drinks, and morning coffee.

For information, contact Diane Draize at Diane.Draize@ministryhealth.org or by phone at 920/743-5566 ext. 3143; Joan Korn at Joan.Korn@wfhc.org or by phone at 414/647-5248; Glenn Krauss at GlennKrauss@earthlink.net or by phone at 603/303-3337.

California
The next California meeting takes place Wednesday, May 25, 9-10 a.m., via webinar. For information, contact Dexter D’Costa, dr_dexterdcosta@yahoo.com.

Minnesota

The next Minnesota ACDIS Chapter teleconference meeting will be held Wednesday, May 25, at 1 p.m., hosted by North Memorial Health Care in Robbinsdale, MN. For information, contact Nancy Barnes at Nancy.Barnes@NorthMemorial.com or call 763/520-1974. Or contact MN Chapter leader Heidi Hillstrom by e-mail at hhillstrom@slhduluth.com.

April and May meetings sprout CDI networking opportunities

California

The CA ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday, April 27 9-10:30 a.m., for a recap of the 4^th Annual ACDIS Conference and

Nothing quite blooms like an open mind and willing heart.

webinar demonstration of 3M coding and reimbursement software for assigning DRG and other benefits (SOI/ROM determination, DRG Options/PDX, MCC/CC analysis). For information, contact Dexter D’Costa, MD, manager, clinical documentation program, quality improvement & patient safety, by phone at 650/723-5343 or e-mail at dr_dexterdcosta@yahoo.com.

Minnesota

Heidi Hillstrom MS, MBA, RN, CCDS, Clinical Documentation Management, at St. Luke’s Hospital, hosts the next MN ACDIS Chapter meeting on Wednesday, April 27, 1-2:30 p.m. For information, contact 218/249-5461 or e-mail hhillstrom@slhduluth.com.

Virginia

The VA ACDIS Chapter meets Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Chippenham Hospital in the Levinson Heart Hospital in Richmond. Lunch will be provided. RSVP required. Contact Angelisa.Romanello@HCAHealthcare.com.

Illinois

St. Alexius Medical Center hosts the next N. Illinois ACDIS Chapter meeting on Friday, May 13, from 12:30-3 p.m. Possible agenda items include sharing information learned from the 4^th Annual ACDIS conference and recent RAC findings/experiences. For information, contact Ellen Chang, RN, CCDS, Clinical Documentation Manager, at 847/755-7610 or by e-mail at Ellen.chang@alexian.net.

Maine

The next Maine ACDIS Meeting will be held Tuesday May 17, 1-5 p.m., at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Brewer. Agenda includes:

• Updates from 2011 ACDIS National Conference
• CEUs for local meetings
• Networking
• ACDIS website demonstration
• Group structure

Ohio

The Columbus, OH, ACDIS Chapter meets May 19th. For information, contact Sheri Blanchard, RN, Clinical Documentation Specialist, at Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital at 614/366-4197.

Florida

The FL ACDIS Chapter holds its next quarterly meeting Friday, May 20, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Jupiter Medical Center. Agenda includes:

• 9-10 a.m.: Registration/Breakfast
• 10-11 a.m.: Cathy Cover, Manager of RAC Denials Morton Plant Mease, “Sink or Swim:  Surviving the RAC Attack”
• 11 a.m. to noon: Margi Brown, Consultant, “Blending Denials into the CDI Mix”
• Noon to 1 p.m.: Lunch/Raffle
• 1-2 p.m.: Cortnie Simmons and Cheryl Bowling, Kforce Healthcare, “Translating ICD-9 into ICD-10 for Common Diagnoses”

Please RSVP by May 2 to Iris at 561/745-5783. First time non-member attendees are welcome for free. CEU’s are $10.

Wisconsin

The First Annual WI ACDIS Conference will be held on Saturday, May 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare, in Wauwatosa. The meeting titled “Clinical Informatics for the CDIS Query Process,” includes:

• “Recognition of Atypical Clinical Presentations and the Query Process” by Dr. Gamal Eskander
• “Highlights of the 4th Annual ACDIS Conference including legal perils of physician querying” by Lynn Sisler, Diane Draize, and Glenn Krauss.
• “Sharing of CDIS Best Practices from WI ACDIS Members,” a panel discussion.
• “Recognition of Query Opportunities,” role playing participations of verbal and written query dissemination.
• “The Expanded Role of CDI specialists,” discussion of how to collaborate with case management.

CCDS CEUs offered. Buffet Lunch will be provided and ample time will be available for chapter networking. RSVP required by May 9. Registration will be from 9 to 9:45 AM. Meeting will start promptly at 10 AM, please plan on arriving on time. Registration fee is $20 and includes lunch, drinks and morning coffee

For information, contact Diane Draize at Diane.Draize@ministryhealth.org or by phone at 920/743-5566 ext. 3143; Joan Korn at Joan.Korn@wfhc.org or by phone at 414/647-5248; Glenn Krauss at GlennKrauss@earthlink.net or by phone at 603/303-3337.