NCHIMA Footprints August 2011 


In This Issue:

 President's Message
 Lee Ford wins AHIMA Triumph Pioneer Award
 2011 North Carolina ICD-10 Summit: Setting Sail on the Strategic Voyage
 NCHIMA Delegate Update Summer Team Talks, Chicago
 Newly Credentialed AHIMA Professionals
 Calling All Photographers!
 AHIMA's Leadership Conference 2011
 Summer Team Talks and Leadership Conference
 REMINDER: Time for ICD-10 CEUs
 Delegate Report – Summer Team Talks
 Member Spotlight Questionnaire
 Region Roundup!
 Advertising Policy
 NCHIMA Executive Board

President's Message
Audrey Chase, RHIA



As I was preparing for my first newsletter, I wanted to find a quote that conveyed my perspective towards serving as your President this year, an overall personal feeling about our association. As I searched, I couldn’t find just one that encompassed everything, so I continued looking until I came across a second…and combined, they summarized what I plan and hope to bring to the forefront of our organization and board, and ultimately to all of our membership. Take a moment to read both quotes carefully…I dare to say that most of you likely feel this way to a certain degree, even when you are totally overwhelmed. My personal objective and goal this year is to help and/or to remind each and every one of you that together, we can accomplish any challenge that knocks at our door, and to do it with excellence and success!

”Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment
to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to
excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”
--Mario Andretti

"The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are:
first, hard work… second, stick-to-itiveness… third, common sense."
--Thomas Edison

Fellow members, we are experiencing a heat wave…one that may break record highs! And I’m not just talking about the weather! If you have not noticed, there are numerous “HOT” topics circling in healthcare, many that land HIM professionals right in the middle. If there was ever a time that HIM Professionals were needed, it’s now! HIM professionals are planning for ICD-10, Meaningful Use and EMR implementation for ALL providers, HITECH/HIPAA changes (Account of Disclosures), electronically transmitting data between health care providers through Health Information Exchanges (HIE), and the list goes on and on. This is not the time to hide and make excuses that we are all “too busy.” The fact of the matter is we are ALL busy, and we are all juggling duties both at work and in our personal lives. As I mentioned in my speech at the annual meeting in Concord, if there is a group of professionals who can figure out how to tackle priorities/projects/duties, it is HIM. We have the strengths, skills, and endurance to make any goal obtainable. Moreover, we have the networking capabilities to tap into resources that allow us to accomplish even the largest projects with sometimes-minimal effort. We have been waiting and talking about how we need to promote our profession…to get our name out there…to prove our value and worth…and that time is here! Ready or not, we must act now, become involved, and get down to business.

How do you do this one may ask. Easy! PARTICIPATE! Become active in your region/state section/association. There is a wealth of knowledge in our state that is easily accessible by just networking with other professionals. Why try to recreate the wheel when there are others who have ventured out before you and proven successful outcomes in the past that are willing to share? Have we forgotten how valuable it is to establish networking relationships between our colleagues? Are we too busy to attend one meeting…a meeting that may be the link to finding the solution to your current challenge at work? Whatever the answer may be, it’s causing a barrier in communication among each other, something that we definitely cannot afford to let happen in today’s changing times. Simply showing up can allow the opportunity to meet and network with people who are experts in focused areas of our profession, and most of whom are more than happy to assist you. Your region/sections are working hard to offer local, reasonably priced education on key topics to help educate and prepare you for the changes in healthcare. In addition, we are expanding webinars to provide a broad array of topics that you can watch/listen to right in your office to meet the needs of those who must pay for their CE’s out of their own wallet. I urge you not to miss out…plan to attend one today!

Serving on the board of NCHIMA for over 12 years has given me the opportunity to understand the functions, structure, and goals created and set forth by our association. It is my intention to provide all of our members with the necessary education, resources, and tools, enabling members to streamline inefficient processes while bringing “best practices” right to your fingertips. In addition, the board is actively aligning our strategic plan, policies/procedures, and education with that of AHIMA’s. Included in our preparation are plans to create brochures to help market and educate the public on who HIM professionals are, especially as we collaborate with other healthcare-related associations and for our Hill Day next spring. Other focuses are website enhancements (adding student and advocacy pages, more resources, etc.), planning our Hill Day, providing four separate 2-day coding education sessions for ICD-10 across our state, expanding our Member Services Committee to ensure all new professionals are welcomed to our association and provided information to help them with their next step, and so much more! By making a concerted effort to keep the website as up-to-date as possible, members are kept informed of all the activities that are happening across our state. I encourage you to add this link - www.nchima.org - to your favorites and make it a habit to check it out frequently.

Lastly, I’d like for you to reference the two quotes from earlier…and remind yourself that if you use common sense to stay focused, it will give you the determination to stay motivated and pursue your goal, one which will be met with quality and excellence! By doing this, you can easily take on another task or become involved with a special project that desperately needs HIM! Folks, leaders in healthcare are not going to come to you to ask for your participation…you are going to have to take initiative and ASK to be involved! Don’t let the idea of more work discourage you! This could be the only opportunity you will ever have to prove the knowledge expertise that our profession holds and make a difference. It’s time to stop talking about it and MAKE IT HAPPEN! As you prepare for your “HOT” topics/projects, arm yourself with sunscreen (participating in NCHIMA by attending meetings, utilizing the tools and resources, and establishing networks with experts in our state) and get MOVING! We don’t have time to spare. I’m committed to this organization and to making this the best Component State Association (CSA) in our nation and I hope you are as well. Together, we can do anything. As Vince Lombardi once said….

"Individual commitment to a group effort…
that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work."

Here’s to a great year full of exciting challenges that will be met with enthusiasm, teamwork, and professionalism!

Congratulations to our AHIMA Triumph Award Winner!
Lee Ford, MHA, RHIT, CPC, CPC-H, CHC


 Since their inception in 1994, the AHIMA Triumph Awards have honored those professionals responsible for advancing the field of health information management (HIM). Each year, AHIMA members nominate those that have demonstrated extraordinary leadership, volunteerism and talent. As part of a long and cherished tradition, the Triumph Awards continue to be the highest recognition of excellence, dedication and service, and are presented annually at the AHIMA Convention & Exhibit.

The Pioneer Award honors those individuals, groups, or organizations who are focused on moving HIM into the future of the healthcare industry. The Pioneer Award honors persons or groups who have promoted important advances in areas related to HIM in supporting the vision of e-HIM, standards development, patient safety, systems development, and any domain where visionary thinking has made a difference. These members demonstrate their ability to provide insight into the future for HIM practice and whose activities takes HIM to places it hasn’t been before.

Qualified nominees are individuals who have utilized breakthrough thinking and actions for HIM that has demonstrated the future of the profession.

Nomination criteria for this award include the following:

  • The introduction of creative practice innovations through advances in technology
  • A demonstrated ability of a forward thinking leader in the healthcare industry
  • Implementing systems that impact the quality and safety of the delivery of healthcare within an organization, across multiple organizations or states
  • Participating in standards development to move HIM implementation to a new level
  • Demonstrated activities that have opened the door for others to make advances in HIM practice
We are thrilled to announce that William “Lee” Ford is the recipient of the AHIMA Triumph Pioneer Award!



We are pleased to share with you the narrative summary that was submitted. Wonderful letters of recommendation were also contributed.

Narrative Summary (prepared by Amy Crisson):
Lee Ford, forward thinking and visionary leader for data quality and the future use of ICD-10 CM & PCS pioneered new relationships for the successful implementation of ICD-10 CM/PCS.

Lee saw the vital need to begin ICD-10 education in every part of our state. He jumped at the chance to serve the North Carolina Health Information & Communications Alliance (NCHICA) ICD-10 Task Force to advocate for health information management professionals and their expertise of ICD-10.

He did not wait to see how others would do it; he coordinated North Carolina’s first ICD-10-CM Summit in June 2010. Alliances were built and support was demonstrated for a second ICD-10 Summit in August 2011 demonstrating clear evidence that NCHIMA’s initiative to collaborate with other Healthcare organizations throughout our state was vital. He did not stop there but worked with Area Health Education Centers across the state to plan for ICD-10 training and successfully planned four educational sessions scheduled for the remainder of 2011.

The ICD-10 education led by Lee has resulted in North Carolina as one of the top CSA’s in regard to ICD-10 education. Because of his dedication, passion, and forward thinking, Lee is well deserving of AHIMA’s 2011 Pioneer Triumph Award. Also, Lee was one of the first graduates of the HIT Program at Pitt Community College where Kay Gooding served as the program director and who was also a recipient of this award last year!

A special thanks to Laura Pait, Susie Harris, and Holt Anderson (Executive Director, NCHICA) for their assistance with the nomination. Great things are happening in North Carolina! Find your place and make a difference!

Thank you Lee for your willingness to serve and lead the members of NCHIMA!!


2011 North Carolina ICD-10 Summit: Setting Sail on the Strategic Voyage


 The North Carolina Health Information Management Association in conjunction with the North Carolina Healthcare Information and Communications Alliance and industry leaders in healthcare and health information technology will gather healthcare professionals from around the state and country to discuss North Carolina's impending conversion to ICD-10 at the 2011 ICD-10 Summit: Setting Sail on the Strategic Voyage, August 25th, Raleigh, NC. This program will provide the resources and information needed to effectively plan and successfully manage the transition to ICD-10.

Date: August 25, 2011

Where: Raleigh Convention Center, Raleigh, NC

Cost: $100 per attendee (lunch included).

5.0 NCHIMA CE hours, 6.0 Contact Hours

For Event Invitation/Information and to Register:

http://www.cvent.com/d/jcqnl2/1Q






NCHIMA Delegate Update
Summer Team Talks, Chicago

Audrey Chase, RHIA

Leadership in Action!

On July 15th, NCHIMA’s House of Delegate Team traveled up to Chicago for AHIMA’s annual team talks, a meeting designed for all state leaders. This year, the theme was “Leadership in Action: HIM’s Role in Healthcare Transformation.” What a fitting title as we all find our role transforming in one form or another. AHIMA is not alone, as the national association is currently in a time of transformation, one of looking for a new CEO, updating bylaws, strategic initiatives, branding our association’s name, enhancing our education programs and more. Our state leaders were provided with tools and ideas to help align our board structure with that of AHIMA, along with resources and ways to improve our service to all members in our state.

Regional Extension Centers (REC) &
Health Information Exchange (HIE) Update

Regional Extension Centers (REC) As most of you are aware, Regional Extension Centers (RECs) were created under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) with the goal to assist primary care providers with outreach, training, and support for the first two years. A 2011 survey was sent to the 62 RECs to address the e-health initiative, with half of the 39 respondents indicating they have met at least 60 % of their physician recruiting target. AHIMA is working with the RECs by developing a REC resource to address small providers’ challenges with privacy and security for the ONC how-to manual on meaningful use. In addition, the HIE Practice Council is preparing an open letter to RECs, inviting them to access the AHIMA HIE Consumer Brochure on their website. In addition, AHIMA continues to maintain a roster of all AHIMA members employed by RECs.

Health Information Exchange (HIE) The history of HIEs began back in the early 1990s with community health information networks/partnerships/systems. Then, RHIO’s came about in early 2000s. This term (RHIO) was replaced following President Busch’s Executive Order creating the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology within the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As of 2010, there were 234 active “chartered” HIE organizations and 73 operational HIEs that were actually exchanging data, with patient control over the level of access to PHI by global, organization, provider, emergency care and individual data element opt-in/out policies. Evolving today is the Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) which includes The Direct Project, allowing vendors, providers, & HIE organizations to establish Health Internet Service Providers (HISP) to provide a secure e-mail health information exchange solution. It also enables standards-based health information exchange in support of core Stage 1 Meaningful Use objectives. AHIMA continues to be involved by participating in the development of ONC’s Standards and Interoperability Framework, ONC-RTI State Health Policy Consortium, articles in JAHIMA and much more!

I encourage all of our members to access AHIMA’s website on a regular basis! Stay tuned for more!

Calling All Photographers!


We are looking for pictures from the NCHIMA annual meeting in May, 2011, to post on the NCHIMA website. If you (or someone you know) has some pictures that you would be willing to share, we would love to have them! Please forward (in JPG format) to the webmaster. Thanks!



AHIMA's Leadership Conference 2011
Lee Ford, MHA, RHIT, CHC, President-Elect

What a great privilege to represent NCHIMA by participating in the AHIMA Leadership Conference this year in Chicago . The NCHIMA delegation, under the direction of our Chief Delegate and President, Audrey Chase, attended not only the general business sessions of Summer Team Talks on July 15th, but also a variety of concurrent sessions important to our CSA at the Leadership Conference on July 16-17. Here are the highlights from the concurrent sessions I was assigned by our Chief and eagerly attended.

1. CSA Advocacy Public Relations: The outcome of this session provided educational information on the relationship between advocacy and public relations. Noting the importance of informing/educating the public on who/role/purpose of NCHIMA and the positives of focused public speaking. Discussion also focused on ways of pushing HIM into the news/public, particularly with key HIM issues as HIE and ICD-10 already in the mainstream. When using the media as a communication portal (from interviews, Journal articles, etc.) we discussed various aspects of dealing with reporters when promoting HIM initiatives and the angle of how NCHIMA fits into a story and how the audience may see NCHIMA in the story. The knowledge and confidence gained from this session will be valuable use as NCHIMA looks to public relations to advance our own current and future advocacy initiatives.

2. Member Communications: This session was focused at the sharing of best practices in CSA core services to encourage increased CSA effectiveness and collaboration amongst the states. South Carolina (SCHIMA) won first place in this 2011 CSA Core Service Achievement category for member communications and provided a summary of their project that included goals, measurements, impact, and resources during this session. SCHIMA has been very successful in redesign of their communication methodologies and also their presentation and branding. From a CSA website redesign to a refreshed SCHIMA '"swish" logo (AHIMA-style CSA logo), SCHIMA worked to create a cleaner, more consistently updated website with updated links, news and content. The use of Survey Monkey was also key for online event registration, evaluations and data analysis, as well as their environmental scan and board votes and polls. New technologies (such as well-know social media tools) and platforms helped provide a return on investment for SCHIMA; not only from the click-rate perspective and statistics capture, but also in terms of the scope of audience that was reached. Information learned from this session will provide discussion among the NCHIMA Member Services Team and Governance Team as avenues of enhanced member communication are explored and put in place.

3. CSA ICD-10 Training: Providing resources and strategies that CSA's are using to provide ICD-10 training to members was the focus of this concurrent session. Select CSA's, South Carolina, Florida, & Maryland, were chosen to present their strategic focus and activity plan on/for ICD-10 CM/PCS training. SCHIMA paid for and sent four trainers to the ICD-10 Academy in June 2011. These trainers will act as the lead trainers in teaching educational training sessions around South Carolina. SCHIMA also stated they are creating an Academic ICD-10 model and will be performing a survey of acute providers in August to address the training needs of facilities in the state. Florida (FHIMA) just launched a 24 module (self-paced) online ICD-10-CM/PCS training program that members can purchase. These modules will be in a downloadable format and contain resources designed to enhance the knowledge base for ICD-10. Maryland (MdHIMA) is currently providing A&P classes by body system that includes examples of ICD-10-CM & PCS code application. They also provide a laminated tool of Root Operations per body system to members that purchase and participate in the A&P classes. MdHIMA has also developed a trainer-support program to nurture and refresh program and tools related to ICD-10 education on a continual basis.

4. Board of Directors Best Practices: This session was beneficial as it focused on the elements of a strong and effective governing board and its role in relationship to management and governance. These discussions were directly related to ways a governance team can principally focus on guidance, strategic issues, and general management of a CSA. From the discussion of board organization to business strategy, several CSA's, including NCHIMA, shared how their boards have been restructured over the past few years to become more effective and better serve membership need. Several comments will definitely be explored at the board level of NCHIMA: Review of strategic plan assigned areas (bucket issues) at each governance team meeting, Use of a dashboard, continual environmental scanning of CSA and membership, and ensuring a relationship exists between our annual environmental scan and our strategic plan.

It was a great honor and I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to represent NCHIMA and participate in the 2011 AHIMA Leadership Conference.

Summer Team Talks and Leadership Conference
Jean T. Foster, RHIA, NCHIMA Delegate

The NCHIMA Delegates headed to Chicago, Illinois on July 15 – 17 to attend AHIMA’s Summer Team Talks and Leadership Conference. AHIMA members gathered at the Swissotel Chicago for three busy days of networking, education and updates. The theme for this year’s meeting was “Leadership in Action: HIM’s Role in Healthcare Transformation.” Rose Dunn, AHIMA Interim CEO, and Bonnie Cassidy, AHIMA President, welcomed us to Chicago and gave updates on how to design a world class Association. We were also updated on HIM’s role for ICD-10, Workforce Development, Meaningful Use, REC’s and HIE’s.

Each Delegate was assigned break out sessions and I attended the “Continuing Education Programs Related to Coding.” Maryland’s CSA (Component State Association) was the first place winner of the 2011 CSA Core Service Achievement in this category. Maryland set a goal to develop and acquire trainers for ICD-10. This goal was met by Maryland having five certified trainers. A second goal to have introductory courses in ICD-10 was also met. The third goal was to train members in Anatomy and Physiology. A fourth goal was to train coders on the new system in 2012 and 2013. The final goal was to refresh coders on ICD-10 in the last two quarters prior to the go live date. Maryland also has a Data Quality Committee with five members who are certified in ICD-10. The Committee held twelve meetings in 2010. Three coding roundtables were held where ICD-9 and CPT updates were conducted. A CCS Prep Course was completed in February and November of 2010. MdHIMA has used email blasts and eNewsletters to send updates and timely information to members. In 2010 MdHIMA began to use a website service to provide CEU certificates, surveys and tools to assist with measuring success. Over 300 individuals were educated in the Continuing Education Program for Coding. MdHIMA has over 50 CSA volunteers involved in Data Quality. The Data Quality Committee meets twelve times per year for a total of 18 hours.

In addition to Maryland, North Dakota noted it had partnered with the Hospital Association and Blue Cross. A $4,000 grant by BC enabled them to offer a low cost six hour workshop on ICD-10. Oregon discussed coding webinars and NY State noted they had success with A&P webinars.

The second session I attended was “Key HIM Issues for Education, Advocacy and Leadership” with Don Asmonga, AHIMA’s Director of Government Relations and Chrisann Lemery, AHIMA Second Year Director. Don Asmonga asked each participant to identify their State Association and give an update on Advocacy activities. States that had conducted successful Hill Day’s included: Louisiana, Georgia, Minnesota, Tennessee, Nebraska, New York, and Oklahoma. Many states noted they had published MedicoLegal Guides with one state providing the publication free of charge to members. California has a Legislative Committee that reviews applicable bills and reports back to members. They also sponsor a yearly Legal Release of Information Day (five hours of education) and have a ROI handbook that can be purchased. After hearing updates from the group, Don recommended that each State get acquainted and ask house representatives to speak to membership (i.e. at ICD-10 Summits, etc). This session proved helpful and was a strong motivator for CSA’s to get active in events that impact our profession. Three suggested methods included:

  1. An education session at an Association education meeting
  2. An in-depth article in an Association newsletter or on the Association website.
  3. An email blast or call to bring members’ attention to one of these other options.

The NCHIMA Delegates thank you for this opportunity to network and learn more from other CSA’s as well as to share the great work that NCHIMA is doing and will continue to do.

Delegate Report – Summer Team Talks
Susan Parker, M.Ed., RHIA

As delegate for NCHIMA, I attended three break- out sessions to assure NCHIMA coverage at all opportunities.

Bylaws Revision and Review: This was a very lively review and discussion about the purpose of the change and the draft document amendments that have already been changed. Key issues of concern originally (Draft 1.1) have been addressed, creating a much more satisfactory document (Draft 2.2). The purpose of the bylaws change is to assure that management of the business affairs of AHIMA is legally placed in the hands of the Board of Directors while maintaining some operations and membership driven structure as the responsibility of the House of Delegates.

Important points left for discussion:

  • Changing the elected Board of Directors titles to: President and Chair/President-Elect and Chair-Elect. Having the Board select a Treasurer to oversee financial records and a Secretary to oversee accuracy of the minutes of board meetings.
  • Adding a new position to the Board of Directors: Speaker of the House.
  • Adding a new position to the House: Having the House of Delegates elect a Speaker of the House and Speaker-Elect to represent the HOD and sit on the AHIMA Board.
  • Creating a new membership category: Emeritus to allow longstanding members who wish to stay informed but no longer wish to be active members.
  • Establishes a more workable quorum of 3% of active members.
  • Adding a section on committees and integrated commissions (CAHIIM).
Diversity Programs – Core Service: The winner of the 2011 Core Service Award for Diversity was Louisiana. This break out session provided an opportunity to share best practices and learn more about Louisiana’s project. LA developed a volunteer appreciation/Employer Awareness letter Writing Campaign. The project was two- fold, to reward current volunteers by providing recognition to their employers not only with the name of the committee or office held but also the actual type of work they had been involved in with the state association. The other benefit of the project was to promote awareness about the association, the profession and the initiatives.

Local/Regional Associations: This forum discussed ways to encourage better communication from the State to local and regional associations. Many regional and locals do not have an articulated formal agreement with the state component association and are therefore not strongly connected with shared services and membership lists. There was some interesting discussion regarding liability issues when closely aligned versus a separate non-connected association. Because I asked the question, AHIMA noted the preferred arrangement would be a close, well connected regional and local association – well integrated and part of the component state association.

Member Spotlight Questionnaire



Name: Vickie H. Smith, RHIA, CHDA

Title: RAC Coordinator

Organization Name, Location & Website:
Stanly Regional Medical Center
Albemarle NC
www.stanly.org

College Attended: East Carolina University

Your Organization

  • What is new and exciting at your organization?
    We are in the process of implementing an EHR. We currently have a hybrid record. With this change, we are replacing our entire operating system, so everything is changing. Lots of training sessions are taking place each week. We plan to be up and running by January.
  • What do you want to share about your recent accomplishments to the other NCHIMA members?
    I recently passed the CHDA exam. It was the first time I took it and really didn’t know what to expect. I used AHIMA’s online study guides and purchased the CHDA prep book. I studied for about 6 months straight prior to taking the exam. I feel really accomplished, since data and reporting are a key part of my job…now I feel the quality of my work is validated.

Career

  • What is your business philosophy?
    Have an attitude that is worth catching. Anyone who has ever received an email from me has seen my tagline, “Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching?” The author is unknown, but really knew what they were saying.
  • What is the best way to keep a competitive edge?
    If there is an AHIMA credential that relates to your job, pursue it.
  • How do you measure success?
    How good do you feel about the work you have done? That’s how you measure success.
  • What are your biggest accomplishments in the past 24 months?
    Passing the CHDA exam, winning appeals for RAC denials, setting up and maintaining our RAC statistics.
  • What goal have you set, but not yet achieved?
    Passing the CCS exam.
  • What has been your toughest business decision?
    To go from Coder to RAC Coordinator. At the time, RAC was just beginning. I wondered about the outcome of Medicare’s RAC program. If Medicare stops the RAC program, will I be out of a job? That was my biggest concern and ultimately prompted my toughest business decision – to take the RAC Coordinator position as a sole profession.
  • What has been your biggest business lesson learned?
    When I graduated from college, I told myself I was not going to be a coder. What was my first “real” job after graduating?...Coding. I hated it. When I accepted another position, I told myself I would never code again. About 6 years after graduating and not being a coder, I got a call from an HIM Director that asked me to come in and talk with her about the coding position. She encouraged me to give coding another try. Thankfully, I did. I love coding now. I was in coding for about 5 years before moving into my current position. Without the coding expertise I have, I wouldn’t be able to perform my current job. I contribute my once coding nightmare to be a direct result of my attitude toward coding when I first graduated.
  • What is your career advice?
    Have confidence in yourself. We have wonderful educators that know what they are doing – they train us well. Be willing to take a leap of faith. Know that most of the time, silence is golden.
  • What do you like least about your job?
    Deadlines!
  • If you were not a RAC Coordinator, what would you be?
    Still in the HIM profession, I would be an Inpatient Coder. If I were not in the HIM profession, I would be a beach bum!
Personal
  • What is your pet peeve?
    Whining…any kind of whining.
  • What are your greatest passions in life?
    Gardening & Canning…there is just something about planting a seed, watching it grow, then harvesting your labor, canning and eating the veggies in the winter. I love being able to teach this to my children as well and seeing their faces when they realize they are eating something they grew themselves.
  • What are your favorite quotes?
    “Attitudes are contagious, is yours worth catching?” – Unknown
    “Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't.” - Margaret Thatcher
    “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” - Maya Angelou
    “Buck up or stay in the truck.” - Sarah Palin
  • What is your favorite book?
    Besides the Bible, anything by Clyde Edgerton.
  • What is your favorite movie?
    The “Love Comes Softly” series.
  • What is your favorite way to spend your free time?
    Anytime spent with my family is precious to me, but I love spending time at the beach with my husband and daughters.
AHIMA
  • What do you like most about AHIMA?
    The way they stay on top of current events related to the HIM profession and the resources they offer – their website is awesome!

  • I went to the ICD-10 Trainer event – that was the most intense training I have ever been to. I felt like I couldn’t even get up to use the restroom for fear of missing something. I loved it – it’s great to feel like you got your money’s worth.
  • What can AHIMA do to make itself better?
    Sometimes when asked what department I work in, it’s just easier to say the term “Medical Records” instead of “HIM” or “Health Information”. I also sometimes feel embarrassed (come on, you know you do too). Most people don’t realize that our profession has “professionals” working in medical records departments. AHIMA could make itself better by promoting our profession in communities and to other professions in the healthcare industry.

    Region Roundup!
    Western Foothills Region Activities
    Susan Richardson, MHSA, CPHQ, RHIA, WFR Coordinator

    We hope everyone has heard about the Western Foothills Regional Meeting on Friday, September 16. Susan Garrison is returning to provide training on ICD-10CM. She will also be providing a summary of the updates for ICD-9CM. Lee Ford, our NCHIMA President-Elect will be providing us with an update on NCHIMA & AHIMA activities. We hope that you will leave with a lot of valuable information! The agenda is posted on the NCHIMA website. Please register early!

    New things abound with the Western Foothills Region: One -- the region is sponsoring a Poster Presentation for area HIT students. The poster presentation will consist of submitting a poster depicting the student’s vision of the HIM profession in 2020. The student will need to describe their vision in a one to two page paper with supporting references. The criteria for this will be provided to the area schools. We hope the educators will encourage participation. The student will be recognized at the February WFR meeting and will receive a $50 Visa or Mastercard gift card.

    The second change for the WFR is the spotlighting of members within the region who have made tremendous contributions to the association/region. Our spotlighted member will be featured in both Footprints and on the WFR section within the NCHIMA website. Please check out our first member recognition posted below!

    The WFR Board would like to also recognize new members at upcoming meetings. So if you know of anyone who is new to the membership or region, please contact me at Susan.Richardson@carolinashealthcare.org. We would like to help these members feel welcome and give them support both professionally and personally!

    The WFR is pleased to announce that it has increased its award to $200 to HIT students for taking the RHIT exam within six months of graduation. We have had a number of students who have been compensated this year and we are hoping that more students will apply. The WFR believes this a great way to show its support of our students and future HIM professionals.

    And now, please join us in recognizing our WFR Spotlight Member!



    Name: Martha Willis, RHIA, CCS

    Title: HIT Instructor (13 years)

    Organization Name, Location & Website:
    Catawba Valley Community College
    Hickory, NC
    www.cvcc.edu

    • During your career in health information, what do you feel has been your greatest accomplishment?
      For me the greatest sense of personal satisfaction has come from participating in the education of new HIM professionals. Moving from the workplace to teaching was a challenging transition. When I attend our region meetings and see former students growing into careers with greater responsibilities it is always rewarding.

    • When you began your career in health information what did you expect and have your expectations been met? Explain.
      The medical environment was always familiar to me having grown up with a physician father and nurse mother. Health information was a way to work in this familiar environment that I enjoyed. I expected for there to be advances in medicine but I could never have imagined the changes brought about by technology.

    • How long have you been in the health information profession and would you do it all over again? Why?
      So many name changes! I have been in this profession for more than 40 years and our organization has changed its name three times. That in itself tells how much we have evolved. My career choice has served me well. I have been able to work or volunteer in an HIM capacity in every place I've lived including an island in Alaska. I still find it fascinating and wouldn't change one step along the way.







Time to Learn and Grow!



We Have a New Address!

Footprints now has a dedicated e-mail address – footprints@nchima.org. If you have questions or need information, or have an article or picture that you would like to submit for publication, please send it to us at the above address. We’d love to hear from you!

Newly Credentialed AHIMA Professionals

Congratulations!

RHIA
Phillip Dandridge
Lura Suggs
Tasheena Underwood

RHIT
Donna Briggs
Norma Devine
Celena Fenton-Medina
Victoria Fowler
Deborah Gause
Michele Knight
Miranda Little
Tamara Morton
Cathy Nagunst
Lien Namba
Debbie Parkins
Kenneth Rhoades
Debbie Rhodarmer
Brett Rudd
Sonja Rush
Sarah Sanford
Nicole Scott
April Sexton
Tokea Shepard
Christy Shivers
Judith Thompson
Deborah Vassar
Michele Wood

CCS
Dayla Haynes
Gloria Hettinger
Shannon Newell
Kimberly Rice
Cynthia Sansosti
Gertrude Tennant
Kimberly Yelton

CCA
Tara Bartolomeo
Kathy Gammons
Sandra King
Helen Perez
Shannon Starling
Amanda Tidwell
Sharon Wright



REMINDER: Time for ICD-10 CEUs

AHIMA certified professionals should now begin earning ICD-10-CM/PCS specific CEUs during the period of January 1, 2011 thru December 31, 2013.

In order to validate that an AHIMA Certified Professional has gained knowledge of the ICD-10-CM/PCS coding system, CCHIM has determined that continuing education hours with ICD-10-CM/PCS content will be required, as applicable and relevant to the specific AHIMA credentials(s) held by the individual.

In the document, “ICD-10 CE Requirements for AHIMA Certified Professionals & FAQs,” the CCHIIM commission states the following:

AHIMA Certified Professionals are required by CCHIIM to participate in a predetermined number of mandatory baseline educational experiences specific to ICD-10-CM/PCS. These ICD-10-CM/PCS specific CEUs will count as part of all AHIMA certificants’ total CEU requirements for the purpose of recertification. Stated differently, the following CEU requirements will be included as part of each certificants’ total, required CEUs, by credential, per CEU Cycle.

The total number of ICD-10-CM/PCS continuing education units (CEUs) required, by AHIMA credential, is as follows:

  • CHPS – 1CEU
  • CHDA – 6 CEUs
  • RHIT – 6 CEUs
  • RHIA – 6 CEUs
  • CCS-P – 12 CEUs
  • CCS – 18 CEUs
  • CCA – 18 CEUs
*6 CEUs = 1 day of training (Please see the explanation under FAQs)

Certificants who hold more than one AHIMA credential will only report the highest number of CEUs from among all credentials held. For example, if a certificant has both an RHIA and CCS, the certificant would normally report 40 (30 CEUs for RHIA and an additional 10 CEUs for CCS) CEUs per recertification cycle, and 18 of these CEUs will be required to cover ICD-10-CM/PCS.

Thanks to our
Corporate Partners
for Their Valued Support!












































Please click for more information on each of our Corporate Partners!

Renew or Become
a Corporate Partner Today!

Corporate Partner Membership
ELIGIBILITY

Any corporation interested in the purposes of NCHIMA is eligible for corporate partnership. Each corporate partner shall designate one individual who receives the rights and privileges of corporate partnership for one year. Subsidiaries, affiliates, and divisional companies are not included under the corporate partnership of the parent corporation but are eligible for corporate partnership in their own right.

ANNUAL DUES

Annual dues for corporate partners are $250.00. Partnership is for one calendar year (January to December), with no pro-ration.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete the enclosed application. The application must be signed by the corporate representative to whom NCHIMA will assign the rights and privileges of a corporate partner.

BENEFITS

1. PUBLICATIONS: All corporate partners are invited to view Footprints, on the NCHIMA website – www.nchima.org. Footprints is a bimonthly publication which contains many interesting articles as they relate to current affairs in HIM and the activities of NCHIMA.

2. MAILING LIST: Upon request, the NCHIMA mailing list is available to corporate partners.

3. PRESENTATION:Corporate partners are eligible to serve on committees with voice. Corporate partners shall not be entitled to vote, hold office or serve as a delegate to AHIMA.

4. MAILINGS:Corporate partners receive announcements of educational seminars and other mailings of interest to NCHIMA members.

5. DISCOUNTS: Corporate partners are entitled to NCHIMA member registration fees for workshops and seminars sponsored by NCHIMA. Corporate partners receive NCHIMA member rates on publications. Corporate partners exhibiting at the annual convention are also eligible for corporate partner discounted rates which are set annually by the NCHIMA Executive Board.

6.RECOGNITION: Corporate partners are entitled to one "spotlight" write up or a free 1/4 page ad in Footprints. A listing of corporate partners is published in every issue of footprints. There is a corporate partner listing on the NCHIMA web site, www.nchima.org. In addition, corporate partners are listed in the NCHIMA annual report, annual meeting program and new member handbook.

Reach out to the NC Health Information community -- Advertise in FOOTPRINTS!

 NCHIMA disclaims any endorsement for products or services advertised in its Commercial Advertising Section.

Rates for commercial advertising are per issue and are as follows:

Size Cost per Publication Dimensions
Full Page
$250.00
 7.5” X 10”
Half Page
$150.00
 7.5” X 5”
Quarter Page
$75.00
 3.75” X 2.5”
Business Card
$50.00
 3.5” X 2”

Advertisements must be submitted as follows:

  • Electronically, as camera-ready artwork in .jpeg format ONLY(.pdf files are difficult to upload into our website system.
  • Sized to the above specifications
  • Requiring no additional preparation for publication
  • With contact name, mailing & e-mail address, and phone number
  • By the submission deadline of the issue in which the advertisement is scheduled to appear. Note: the submission deadline will be set by the Publications Committee and the Program Committee, based on publication type
Corporate partners are entitled to one of the following in our bi-monthly newsletter, Footprints, at no charge:

  • A spotlight article
  • ¼ page advertisement
Otherwise, the additional fees described above would apply.

Educational HIM/HIT programs that are not accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for the Health Informatics and Information Management (CAHIM) will not be allowed to advertise in NCHIMA publications.

Rates are subject to change, upon annual review.


Footprints is a bi-monthly e-publication of NCHIMA, published in February, April, June, August, October, and December. If you would like to submit an article for consideration for publication, please forward it to the Publications Chair. Articles should be submitted in Word format; pictures should be submitted as .jpg files and should be received approximately 2 weeks prior to the first day of the month in which the edition will be published.

The NCHIMA Publications Committee for 2011-2012 is:
Lisa Greene, CCS, CCS-P, Publications Chair
Mary Jane McCracken, RN
Martha Willis, RHIA, CCS



We Love Our Volunteers!

NCHIMA is a volunteer organization -- from your local region to the state board, these positions are filled by people who are committed to improving our profession and are willing to share their skills, their time, and themselves to accomplish that goal.
Please appreciate those who work so hard;
Please come on down and volunteer!



NCHIMA Executive Board
July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012

President (Governance Team Chair)
Audrey Chase, RHIA
Work: 910-457-3860
audreychase@dosher.org

President-Elect (Member ServicesTeam Chair)
Lee Ford, MHA, RHIT, CPC, CPC-H, CHC
Work: 919-538-0075
lfordconsulting@yahoo.com

Vice-President
Kris-Shae McCall MHA, RHIA
Work: 704-794-2131
kmccall.nchima@gmail.com

Treasurer (Finance Team Chair)
Kevan Weaver, RHIT
Work: 704-330-6162
kevan.weaver@cpcc.edu

Secretary
Valerie Dobson, RHIA
Work: 828-652-0699
valerie.dobson05@gmail.com

Director (Industry Team Chair)
Sherry King, RHIA, CTR
Work: 919-350-0986
nchima.snking@gmail.com

Regional/Sectional Liaison
Kozie Phibbs, MS, RHIA
Work: 800-327-5065 x0836
Cell: 704-942-1127
kphibbs@digital-voice.com

Delegate / Bylaws
Susan Parker, M.Ed., RHIA
Work: 877-392-0047
Cell: 910-620-7679
seagatejobs@bellsouth.net

Delegate / Legal Affairs
Jean Foster, RHIA
Work: 252-847-4249
jfoster@pcmh.com

Delegate/Strategic Planning
Cassina Hunt, RHIA
Work: 910-715-2440
chunt@firsthealth.org

Piedmont Region
Sarah Shaver, RHIA, CCS
sshaver@novant.org

Charlotte Region
Jolene Jarrell, RHIA, CCS
jolene@drgreview.com

Coastal Carolina Region
Wanda Wheeler
wwheeler@lenoir.org

Southeastern Region
Keri Hooks
keri.hooks@lcfh.org

Triangle Region
Shameka Hooks, RHIA, CCS
shooks@wakemed.org

Western Foothills Region
Susan H. Richardson, MHSA, CPHQ, RHIA
Work: 980-487-3834
Cell: 704-473-1792
susan.richardson@carolinashealthcare.org

Western Mountain Region
Amy Morgan, RHIA
momand3guys@yahoo.com

Behavioral Health
Linda Taylor, RHIT
lindataylor1951@embarqmail.com

Long Term Care/Home Health
Shan Miller, RHIA
Work: 336-224-5473
shanmiller@lexcominc.net

Education
Vickie Smith, RHIA, CHDA
vickie.smith@stanly.org

Publications
Lisa Greene, CCS, CCS-P
Work: 828-256-9081
footprints@nchima.org

Public Relations
Tammy Downum, RHIA
Work: 252-482-6661
tdownum@embarqmail.com

Coding Roundtable
Natalie George, RHIA
natalie.george@nhrmc.org

Webmaster
Kathy Terry, RHIT
Website requests: webmaster@nchima.org

Membership
Pamela J. Lail, RHIA, CPHM
Work: 704-549-7150
pamela.lail@mckesson.com

Liaison Coordinator
Tamara T. Flynn, RHIA
tamara.flynn.@trcr.com

NCHICA Liaison
Jean Foster, RHIA
Work: 252-847-4249
jfoster@pcmh.com

NCHFMA Liaison
McRay Simmons
msimmons@medquist.com

NCHIE Liaison
Julie Dillard
dillardnchima@gmail.com

CAHNC Liaison
Susie Harris,PhD, MBA, RHIA, CCS
Work: 252-744-6173
harrissus@ecu.edu

HIMSS Liaison
Kay Gooding
kgooding@email.pittcc.edu


     © Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved.