Local Chapter Events: No snow can stop CDI networking endeavors

January was full of successful local chapter events despite Mother Nature’s best attempts to cover them with a wet, snowy blanket, and chapter leaders have much in the works for February and March.

Massachusetts
After being pummeled by blizzard Juno  and getting socked with another foot of snow days later, dozens of CDI and other professionals braved the elements to attend a day-long educational ICD-10-CM/PCS training session at the Moakley Center at Steward Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton, Massachusetts.

The event, “ICD-10 and Beyond: Fearlessly Facing the Future,” was organized by 2011 Recognition of CDI Professional Achievement award winner Kelley Sears. Sears gathered some expert speakers, created workbooks for attendees, and even hosted breakfast and lunch. She charged a mere $20 for attendance to recoup the cost of printing and food. Truly an amazing effort. We’re grateful to Sears and to all those who battled the elements to attend.  

The Massachusetts ACDIS Chapter is currently seeking new leadership. Those interested in volunteering should complete this short survey or reach out to ACDIS Associate Director Melissa Varnavas.

South Carolina
At its most recent meeting, the South Carolina ACDIS transitioned leadership and paid homage to the group’s founding leader Rebecca "Ali" Williams. The group of roughly 40 attendees thanked her for her efforts, giving her a lovely glass award in recognition of her accomplishments. Topics of discussion included determining inpatient or observation status, the role of CDI in capturing patient safety indicators, HIM/CDI dual coding and dual review efforts, and reviewing all payer types. The group's next meeting takes place May 1, at Roper St. Francis in Charleston. For information, contact PJ Floyd at floyp@musc.edu.

Pennsylvania
South Carolina ACDIS leadership team member Tara Bell, RN, MSN, CCDS, CCM, Assistant Manager, Clinical Documentation Improvement Services for UASI, reached out the New Jersey/Pennsylvania ACDIS Chapter leaders and offered her time and expertise in a presentation focused on ICD-10 and respiratory conditions. Although Bell couldn’t attend the meeting in person due to inclement weather, she joined via webinar and was warmly welcomed.

Chapter secretary Mary Ellen Moakes also introduced a new segment of the group meetings based off ACDIS Radio called “In the News.” During the meeting, Moakes recapped some of the CDI related newsworthy items and in subsequent meetings other members will each takes turns culling and disseminating interesting tid-bits. To read information from their January 29 meeting visit the Pennsylvania page of the Local Chapters on the ACDIS website.

In Central Pennsylvania, more than two dozen CDI professionals joined Deanne Wilk, BSN, RN, CCS, Clinical Documentation Improvement and Inpatient Coding Manager at Good Samaritan Health System and via web conferencing for the regions’ first networking event. The group decided it would hold quarterly sessions with the next meeting tentatively scheduled for April. For information, email her at dwilk@gshleb.org

New Jersey
New Jersey ACDIS Chapter leader Deborah Gardner-Brown, RHIT, CCS, CDIP, C-CDI, CI-CDI, CCMSCP, teamed up with the Delaware AHIMA Chapter to create an ICD-10-CM/PCS focused webinar series. The next session takes place today, February 5, at 1 p.m., eastern, and focuses on OB-GYN, newborn, and neonatal changes. To register, visit http://www.dehima.org/continuing-education/on-demand-education/icd-10-cmpcs-webinar-series/.

Puerto Rico
Carmen Y. Ibarrondo and Sandra E. Cruz host the first CDI networking meeting in Puerto Rico on Saturday, February 21, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Neptuno Networks Building in Guaynabo. The topic is “Impacto de la documentación medica con ICD-10-CM/PCS.” For information, contact Ibarrondo at cibarrondo@picconsultantspr.com.

North Carolina
The early bird registration date for non-chapter members is Friday, February 20 for the SC ACDIS Chapter’s next meeting slated for Friday, March 6, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Searle Center, Duke University Medical Center. The agenda includes:

• “Acute Respiratory Failure and other Pulmonary Considerations,” by Momen Wahidi, MD, chief medical officer of the Patient Revenue Management Organization, at Duke.
• “Diagnosing Malnutrition: The contradictions, controversies, and current state,” by Erin L. Kerrigan, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC, at Duke.
• “A Practical Application of Clinical Indicators,” byMarie A. Thomas, RHIT, CCS, CPC-H, CCDS, AHIMA  Approved ICD-10-CM and PCS trainer, PRMO Patient Revenue Management Organization,  at Duke.
• “Alternative Principal Diagnoses: Impact on MS-DRG Assignment,” byBeth E. Bumgarner, RN, MS, Alumnus CCRN, Senior Manager of Data Services, for 3M  Consulting Services.
• “Educating ‘The Next Generation’ of CDI’s and Coders featuring ‘How to Live Long and Prosper’ as a Collaborative Team,” byRenii Modisette, DHEd, RHIT, CCS, and Virginia Bailey, RN, CCDS, from MedPartners CDI.

To register, fill out the form and email Brenda Harris at Brenda.Harris@carolinashealthcare.org. For additional information, contact leah.taylor@iredellmemorial.org or elizabeth.soule@duke.edu

Florida
The next Florida ACDIS Chapter meeting will be held Saturday, March 21, 8 a.m. 3:30 p.m., at Health Central Hospital in Ocoee. The agenda includes:

• “Types of Anemia with focus on Acute Blood Loss Anemia,” by Mickey Liao, MD
• “Chronic Kidney Disease,” by Banji Awosika, MD
• “Sepsis,” by Antonio Velardi, MD
• “ICD-10,” by MedPartners CDI
• Roundtable discussion and Q&A

RSVP requested by March 6 to Cynthia Knight at cynthia.knight@healthcentral.org