Local chapter update: Need meeting topic ideas? Use ACDIS’ resources!

Even with plenty of advanced planning, local chapters and networking groups planning events may run into roadblocks when it comes to speaker recruitment. If you’re experiencing this problem, here are a few ways you can leverage ACDIS’ existing offerings for meeting topics without having to engage an outside speaker.

First, chapter leaders, per the Local Chapter Agreement Form, are eligible for two free ACDIS products per year to help facilitate chapter meetings. If your chapter is planning an event, this might be the perfect time to take advantage of this offering and request a free ACDIS webinar. Leaders can reach out to Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas to make a request.

Second, leaders may choose to create a panel discussion based on one of ACDIS’ recent publications. If you choose to go this route, pick a publication and assign a piece to each leadership team member. That team member is then responsible for presenting the information they learned during the chapter meeting and facilitating a discussion (if applicable) on the topic. The CDI Journal published would be an excellent candidate, as would ACDIS’ position and white papers, or even one of our recent surveys.

And finally, chapters can use the CCDS/CCDS-O Exam Candidate’s Handbook to host review sessions for those wishing to pursue certification. This option may be best suited for smaller groups or for a subset of a larger group. For these meetings, assign each participant or panelist with a topic area covered in the exam content outline and ask them to present an overview of the topic area. Depending on the depth of the review, chapter leaders could set up a series of meetings and tackle each topic in turn.

As always, the ACDIS team is here to help you make the most of your chapter and networking group meetings. If you have questions or need help planning your next gathering, don’t hesitate to reach out.

The following is a list of upcoming events for ACDIS local chapters. Visit your local chapter’s webpage on the ACDIS site for additional information about upcoming meetings. To join a chapter if you haven’t already or to update your chapter contact information/affiliation, click here.

May: 

• The Tennessee ACDIS chapter meets Friday, May 20, 1–2 p.m., via webinar. The program is titled "To the Heart of the Matter: Definitions and Clinical Indicators for Accurate Documentation and Coding of CHF," presented by Trey La Charité, MD, FACP, SFHM, CCS, CCDS. For information, contact Sherri Clark (sclark@utmck.edu). 
• The Oklahoma ACDIS chapter meets Thursday, May 26, at 2 p.m., via webinar. For information, contact Stacy Beck (stacy.beck@hillcrest.com).

June:

• The Idaho/Washington ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, June 1, 11:30 a.m., via webinar. The topic is respiratory failure. For information, contact Susan Fleenor (susanf89@yahoo.com).
• The Pediatric Networking Group (APDIS) meets Thursday, June 2, 3 p.m., via webinar. For information, contact Amy Bush (bush-amy@CooperHealth.edu).
• The Arizona ACDIS chapter meets Friday, June 10, 2 p.m., via webinar. For information, contact Nadine Casillas (nadine.casillas@bannerhealth.com).
• The CDI educators ACDIS networking group meets Friday, June 10, 2 p.m., via webinar. The topic is CDI in risk adjustment presented by Alicia Scott. One CEU will be awarded for those attending the meeting. For information, contact Danielle Martin (dmartin@mercy.com).
• The Florida ACDIS chapter meets Saturday, June 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tampa General Hospital. Click here to download the event flyer, which includes location and speaker details. For information, contact Edna Betances-Harold (betane@shands.ufl.edu).
• The Indiana ACDIS chapter meets Friday, June 24, at the Forum Events Center in Fishers, Indiana, for their in-person summer conference. For information, contact Sarah Booker (sara.masters@ascension.org).

July:

• The Central Pennsylvania ACDIS chapter meets Friday, July 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., via webinar. For information and the registration link, contact Courtney Spangler (cspangler@gbmc.org).

August:

• The Kansas City, Missouri ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, August 10, 2–3:30 p.m., via webinar. For information, contact Debra Canova (debra.canova@tmcmed.org).

October:

• The California ACDIS chapter meets Friday, October 21, for their sixth annual conference. For information, contact the leadership team (California.acdis.chapter@gmail.com).

November:

• The Kansas City, Missouri ACDIS chapter meets Wednesday, November 9, 2–3:30 p.m., via webinar. For information, contact Debra Canova (debra.canova@tmcmed.org).