Note for the Associate Editorial Director: Symposium countdown

By Melissa Varnavas

The 2018 ACDIS Symposium: Outpatient CDI is only a few weeks away. I’ve got my tickets and I’m daydreaming about the trip.

The ACDIS Conference Committee is already in full-swing reviewing speaker submissions for the 2019 annual conference that takes place in May. Since its inception that annual event has grown every year and now boasts more than 2,000 attendees, 60 educational sessions in six different tracks, more than 40 vendors, as well as pre- and post- conference events.

With so much to choose from at the big annual conference, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. The Symposium represents an opportunity to focus in on matters related to one of the newest expansion opportunities in the CDI field—outpatient endeavors. In fact, that’s the definition of “symposium:” an intimate gathering in which to learn from those in the industry who are experts in their field. (Click here to view a 2-minute video featuring ACDIS Director Brian Murphy.)

The ACDIS Symposium: Outpatient CDI includes some well-known, well-loved experts in CDI including ACDIS Advisory Board member Deanne Wilk, 2018 ACDIS Professional of the Year Award winner Rebecca Willcutt, 2017 Professional Achievement Award winner Rita Fields, CDI Boot Camp instructor Laurie Prescott, and the much beloved physician co-author of the Outpatient CDI Pocket Guide, Dr. Richard Pinson.

Speakers come from all backgrounds. (Click here to view the complete agenda.) They are nurses, physicians, coding professionals, and HIM professionals. They are healthcare administrators, CDI program managers at teaching facilities, directors over multi-facility healthcare systems, and CDI professionals seeking information not only on how to take existing inpatient CDI efforts into the ambulatory and outpatient physician practice setting, but also hoping to find new and innovative ways to advance the outpatient efforts they’ve already begun.

Sessions over the course of this two-day event include specific clinical and coding concerns related to outpatient reviews such as diabetic complications and clinical validation, as well as program specific concerns such as CDI in the emergency department and integrating inpatient and outpatient best practices for the benefit of both teams. (We’ve been highlighting a number of these sessions in question and answer articles on the ACDIS Blog. Check them out here.)

What’s particularly interesting in the Symposium model is its close-knit atmosphere. Here, not only do attendees benefit from the formal educational offerings, but also from the ability to connect with those working toward similar goals. Conversations struck up during lunch, or a new acquaintance engaged following a particular session, often become solid exchanges of ideas and even post-conference friendships. While the same is true at the national conference, outpatient CDI represents just one track at the national event, but in Orlando, the entire event offers opportunities for focused interactions with attendees, speakers, and event sponsors.

Of course, this year’s event takes place in Orlando just steps away from what used to be known as “Downtown Disney.” I’m super excited to be bringing my sister along with me, the first time she’s ever traveled with me. Her five children are lamenting the fact that they aren’t invited along, but we’re excited for a little sister-time enjoying some of the nearby attractions… I’m hoping for Discovery Cove and she has her heart set on the Magic Kingdom and a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean.

There are more than 200 attendees registered. I’m hoping you’ll be one of them and that I get to learn more about you and your ongoing efforts in the area, too. Maybe we can hit “It’s a Small World” together?

Editor’s note: Varnavas is the associate editorial director of ACDIS. Contact her at mvarnavas@acdis.org. For more information about the Symposium and to register, click here.