Local chapter update: Lessons from the road

By Melissa Varnavas

The back of each attendee’s folder had a code written on it in black magic marker. G71.0, Muscular Dystrophy was written on mine. After James Manz, MD, CCD, CCDS-O and Peggy Hickman, MS, CCDS, CCS, CCRC presented on their outpatient CDI efforts, Hickman asked folks to decide whether their code would qualify as a hierarchical condition category (HCC) code. First a smattering of folks stood, then a few more. Turned out everyone had an HCC code.

In addition to the education offered to those attending the Florida ACDIS Chapter’s full-day event Saturday, February 1, the event presented some potential meeting planning and activity insight for me to share with local chapter leaders.

First, rather than print name badges and hand them out at registration attendees were asked to wear their work badge. This can be both a time and money saver for chapter leaders. However, do make sure blank white name tags available for those who forget.

Second, gather any and all materials into a folder. The Florida Chapter included the day’s agenda, evaluation form, volunteering information, flier for its subsequent event, a networking game, and fliers from various vendors. The Florida Chapter had folders of different colors. They had volunteers stand at the entrance of the conference room and hand them out. It would have been fun if there were instructions for anyone who had a blue folder to sit at the table with the blue tablecloth in order to force attendees out of their comfort zone to network with those outside their facility or system.

Third, I took copious notes throughout the event frantically scribbling quotes from the speakers and jotting down ideas. It would be great if an additional volunteer could be identified to take notes throughout your meetings to then create an overview or summary of the education in a newsletter format for those who weren’t able to come.  

As I mentioned during my own presentation at the event, I remember being a fly on the wall listening in via telephone during the Florida ACDIS Chapter’s very first meeting more than a decade ago. So, it was a real joy to be able to participate in person at long last. Throughout 2020, a number of the ACDIS national team will be traveling out to local chapters to participate and support you. When we do, we’ll be sure to share any insight we glean back to all our amazing leadership volunteers!

The following is a list of upcoming events for ACDIS local chapters. If you have an upcoming event you would like to include, please email Melissa Varnavas (mvarnavas@acdis.org) and Carolyn Riel (criel@acdis.org).  

February:

• The Hudson Valley New York ACDIS Chapter meets via webinar on Thursday, February 13, 3 p.m., regarding developing clinical definitions with Mary Stroble and Sam Cantin. For information, contact Kerry Seekircher (kseekircher@northwell.edu).
• The California ACDIS Chapter meets via webinar on Wednesday, February 19, at 11 a.m., for an educational session titled “HCCS: From Inpatient to Outpatient and Beyond,” with Allison Van Doren and Kim Felix. For information, contact Rani Stoddard (stoddardrv@henrymayo.com).
• The Kentucky/Southern Indiana ACDIS chapter meets via webinar on Thursday, February 20, 2-3 p.m., regarding patient safety indicator 04 with Christel Kimble. For information, contact Rita Fields (fieldsrg@att.net).
• The North Carolina and South Carolina ACDIS chapters meet Friday, February 21, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., for their winter conference at The Vine in Fayetteville. The event is currently sold out. For more information, please email rbray@capefearvalley.com.
• The Maryland ACDIS chapter’s previously scheduled meeting for February 21 has been canceled. For information, contact Deborah McClain (DMCCLAIN2@fmh.org).
• The Texas ACDIS chapter meets via webinar on Wednesday, February 26, 12-1 p.m., regarding myocardial infarction with Sheila Duhon. For information, contact Kristie Alexander (kristiealexander@texashealth.org).
• The Massachusetts ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, February 27, 1-4 p.m., at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner in Boston. Please RSVP by Friday, February 14 with Cynthia Labins (cmlabins@bwh.harvard.edu).
• The New Jersey ACDIS chapter meets via webinar on Thursday, February 27, at 10 a.m., regarding “Medical Necessity: CDI as Savior,” with Glenn Krauss. For information, contact Gina Stewart (gstewart@e4-services.com).
• The CDI educator networking group meets via webinar on Friday, February 28, at 12:30 p.m., eastern, for a presentation on the roles and responsibilities of system inpatient CDI auditor/educator and a discussion about the various responsibilities of those serving in the educator role. For information, contact Coral Fernandez (coral.farnandez@bhsi.com).

March:

• The Illinois ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, March 14. Seating is limited to 50. Register to Dottie Fanning (Dorothy.fanning@advocatehealthc.com).
• The Suffolk County New York ACDIS chapter meets at Stony Brook Medical Center on Wednesday, March 18, 9:30-10:30 a.m., for a presentation on surgical complications and quality outcomes with Kimberly O’Neill. For information, contact Eileen Finnin (Eileen.finnin@stonybrookmedicine.edu).
• The Central New York ACDIS chapter meets Friday, March 20, 12-1:30 p.m., via webinar for a presentation title “HANYS Denial Management,” with Jeff Gold. For information, contact Dawn Burr (DawnBurr@crouse.org).
• The Indiana ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, March 21, 8:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m., at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. Registration and payment must be completed by March 1, and can be found on the Indiana ACDIS chapter page. For additional information, contact Angela Green (agreen915@gmail.com)
• The Arizona ACDIS chapter meets Friday, March 27, 12-1:15 p.m., for a round table discussion Q&A on CDI Hot Topics with Dr. Richard Pinson. Please forward discussion questions to M.E. Van Gelder (mvangelder@honorhealth.com).
• The Tennessee ACDIS chapter meets Friday, March 27, at Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation in Memphis. For additional information, contact Kristie Perry (kristie.perry@erlanger.org).

April:

• The Maryland ACDIS chapter meets Friday, April 17, 12-2 p.m., at the Maryland Hospital Association. For information, contact Deb McClain (dmcclain2@fmh.org).
• The Oklahoma ACDIS chapter meets Friday, April 17, at Integris in Oklahoma City. For information, contact Ann Donnelly (Ann.Donnelly@hillcrest.com).
• The Arizona ACDIS chapter meets Friday, April 17, 12-1:15 p.m., for a webinar titled “Joining Forces: How Ambulatory CDI can Collaborate with Inpatient Efforts,” featuring Jennifer Boles and Lori Ganote who presented on the topic during the 2019 ACDIS Symposium Outpatient CDI. For information, contact (mvangelder@honorhealth.com).
• The Oregon (NorthWest) ACDIS chapter meets Friday, April 17, at Salem Health. For information, contact Jennifer Grubb (grubbj@ohsu.edu).
• The Ohio ACDIS chapter meets at Atrium Medical Center Friday, April 24, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For information, contact Brittani Winkler (brittani.winkler@trusthcs.com).
• The Washington Evergreen ACDIS chapter meets Friday, April 24, at Multicare Tacoma General in Tacoma. For information, contact the chapter leadership team (evergreenACDIS@gmail.com).
• The Virginia ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, April 25, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Novant Health UVA Haymarket Medical Center in Haymarket. For additional information, contact Denice Shelton (denice_shelton@bshsi.org).
• The St. Louis Missouri ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, April 29 at SSM DePaul Hospital. For information, contact Pam Bulfer (pamela.bulfer@ssmhealth.com).

May:

• The Florida ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, May 16, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Broward Health Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale. The chapter is also looking for volunteers to join the leadership team. For additional information, contact Edna Betances-Harold (betane@shands.ufl.edu).