In This Issue:
 CCHIIM Call for Nominations
Coding Roundtable Toolkits
Personal Health Record
A Message from Dr. David Blumenthal
MHIMA Job Bank
ONC Releases Funding Opportunity for Regional Extension Centers
2009 MHIMA Legal Resource Manual
2009 MHIMA Annual Meeting
MN HIM/HIT/Coding Certificate Programs
AHIMA HOD Updates
MHA RAC Web Conference
Region G News
MHIMA Webinars
Welcome back to the September 2009 issue of our MHIMA member e-newsletter, Uplink. Uplink will now be coming to you monthly, at the beginning of each month.
Have something you'd like included in a coming issue? Send us your article! Would you like to be considered as a featured member in a "How I Got to Where I Am" column? Send us your information!
Articles should be no longer than 500 words and you receive one (1) CEU credit for your work. Contact Myrna Wells-Ulland
You can find the current and past issues on our website under the UPLINK E-NEWSLETTER button.
If you would like to unsubscribe to our Uplink e-newsletter, please contact Myrna Wells-Ulland
Personal Health Record (PHR)
Carolyn Gaarder
The Personal Health Record (PHR) is growing in visibility and popularity. Michelle Ingvalson and Carolyn Gaarder are the co-coordinators for the MHIMA PHR initiative.
Take a look at the new AHIMA MyPHR campaign . It is very impressive and user friendly.
For a start, view the videos. They are a nice introduction.
Look forward to seeing more information here in Uplink on PHR next month.
CMS Message from Dr. David Blumenthal
EHR and the 21st Century Health Care System
Electronic Health Records and the 21st Century Health Care System
A Message from Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
In my role as National Coordinator for Health IT, I have the privilege to be part of a transformative change in health care that will help to extend the benefits of health information technology (HIT) to all Americans. With the passage earlier this year of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, we have the tools to begin a major transformation in American health care made possible through the creation of a secure, interoperable nationwide health information network.
Of course, this system is not an end in itself. Rather, it will enable countless other improvements in the quality and efficiency of health care that will make Americans healthier and their economy stronger.
My personal belief in this transformation is not based on theory or conjecture. As a primary care physician for over 30 years, I spent the first twenty shuffling papers in search of missing studies and frequently hoping, during middle-of-the-night emergencies, that I knew enough about patients’ medical histories to make good decisions. All that changed when I began to have access to patients’ electronic medical records. It made me a much better doctor. I would never go back, and neither would the vast majority of American physicians who have made the leap into the electronic age.
In fact, it would be hard for any health professional today to escape the conclusion that the antiquated, paper-dominated system we now have in place isn’t working well for patients, creates added costs and inefficiencies, and isn’t sustainable. As we look at our nation’s annual health care expenditures of approximately $2.5 trillion, there are many ways our current system fails both patients and providers. It is clear that change is necessary.
But how and why is nationwide electronic health information exchange so critical to achieving such change? Most importantly, because it provides the best opportunity for each patient to receive optimal care. The technology will make patients’ complete medical information securely and reliably available to health care providers where and when it is needed – when clinician and patient are together facing medical decisions that can make a lasting difference.
Better, faster, more reliable and efficient care also ultimately reduces system-wide costs by delivering results that help to avoid expensive or prolonged hospitalization from delayed or ineffective treatment, avert costly and sometimes fatal adverse events and unnecessary procedures, and can help to eliminate the onset of disease by better informed management of each patient’s health.
The goal of assuring an electronic health record for every American is daunting. We at the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) do not pretend otherwise. We know this will be hard for some clinicians and hospitals, and we stand ready to help with resources provided by the Congress and the Administration.
We also recognize that we cannot achieve the benefits of a nationwide health information system unless we can assure all Americans that their personal health information will remain private and secure when this system exists. Putting into place safeguards for the privacy and security of this information, when it is in electronic form, will be an ongoing priority that influences and guides all of our efforts.
In the days, weeks, and months ahead, we will be rolling out a number of pivotal initiatives called for under the HITECH Act. I urge you to join and support us as we lay the foundation for every American to benefit from an electronic health record, as part of a modernized, interconnected, and vastly improved system of care delivery. We at ONC will be making every effort to keep you updated and fully engaged in all the steps of this national journey.
Sincerely,
David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P.
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
This letter is the first in a series of ongoing updates from the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) encourages you to share this information as we work together to enhance the quality, safety and value of care and the health of all Americans through the use of electronic health records and health information technology.
For more information and to receive regular updates from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, please subscribe to our Health IT News list.
If you have difficulty viewing this message, please view it online. To ensure that you receive future correspondence, please add this email address to your list of secure addresses.
Mary Case for Valerie A. Haugen, Director
Division of Provider Information Planning & Development
Provider Communications Group, CMS
Visit the Medicare Learning Network ~ it’s free!
ONC Funding Regional Extension Centers
AHIMA
During a press conference held the week of August 17, Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announced the availability of approximately $600M in grant funding to support creating about 70 Health Information
Technology Regional Extension Centers. The purpose of the Regional Centers is to furnish assistance, defined as
education, outreach, and technical assistance, to help providers in their geographic service areas select, successfully implement, and meaningfully use certified EHR technology to improve the quality and value of health care. Regional Centers will also help providers achieve,
through appropriate available infrastructures, exchange of health information in compliance with applicable statutory
and regulatory requirements, and patient preferences.
These grants will be awarded in three application cycles waves in fiscal 2010 beginning with the first phase preliminary applications due September 8, 2009. To learn more about the Regional Centers and to obtain a copy of the funding opportunity,Click Here
House of Delegates Updates
Each July, MHIMA Delegate Directors are assigned to one of the AHIMA HOD Work Groups. Colleen Malmgren sits on the Volunteer and Leadership Development team and the Best Practices/Standards team. Cindy Glewwe is on the HIM Higher Education and Workforce team. Steph Luthi-Terry is on the Environmental Scan team. Gina Sanvik is on the HOD Operations team. Sue Jensen is on the Professional Development and Recognition team.
Your delegates have provided downloadable updates from three of the HOD Teams for this issue of Uplink:
Volunteer & Leadership Development
Best Practices/Standards
Operations
The Volunteer Leadership information includes the required competencies for AHIMA/MHIMA volunteer leaders. It's a must-read! Send your comments to Colleen Malmgren
The Best Practices/Standards information includes a resolution coming before the October HOD from Tennessee on Professional Guidelines/Best Practices for Electronic Documentation. Send your feedback on this proposed resolution to Colleen Malmgren
The Operations information describes a proposed Bylaws Amendment on how delegates are apportioned to the HOD. This will be voted on at the October HOD meeting in Dallas. Your comments are requested by Gina Sanvik
MHIMA Webinars
Planning is continuing for MHIMA Web Conferences (Webinars). Watch your emails and our MHIMA website for information and event schedules/registration.
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AHIMA's Commission on Certification for Health Informatics and Information Management (CCHIIM)is seeking AHIMA certified professionals who are highly qualified for consideration and potential appointment to CCHIIM as At-Large Commissioners, in accordance with the new CCHIIM operating code. For more information about the nominating process, Click Here. To download the Nomination Checklist, Click Here.
The deadline to receive nomination materials is September 11, 2009.
The MHIMA Coding & Data Quality Committee has created several toolkits for use by MHIMA members to support coding education and discussion in your facilities and at your regional meetings. There is a "Do It Yourself" PowerPoint tool kit giving you the guidelines to set up a coding roundtable. Additional tool kits on specific topics that have been developed to-date include Interventional Radiology, E&M, Heart Failure and Present on Admission (POA). All are available on the Coding and Data Quality button on the MHIMA website. Watch for additional toolkits as they are developed!
Are you seeking a job? Are you an employer looking for a potential employee? Be sure to check out the MHIMA Job Bank Network on our website. Here, you'll find information about registering as a "Job Seeker" or as an "Employer". New positions are posted frequently, so check us out often!
Job Seekers: There is no fee to register.
Employers: Job posting fees are very reasonable and reach all of our MHIMA membership.
Click Here to visit the MHIMA Job Bank.
The 2009 Legal Resource Manual is now available for purchase! The Manual is a complete update of the 2007 version and includes the laws and rules that address the majority of issues that may arise with respect to health information practice. There are many new updates in every chapter. As one member states, "This is truly a valuable resource for anyone that works with health care." It's a compilation of best practices and experience of HIM professionals and the facilities they represent in Minnesota and has had legal review.
All HIM Departments should have this Manual. It's available on CD only and can be purchased from the MHIMA website's main page.
April 28-30, 2010
MHIMA Annual Meeting & Vendor Exhibition
Northland Inn, Brooklyn Park, MN
Be sure to visit our MHIMA Website for information about the meeting and registration details as they become available.
Looking for information about Minnesota's accredited HIM/HIT/Coding Certificate Programs? Click Here!
MHA is hosting a web conference on Sept. 30, 2009, from 11:30 am to 1 pm CDT. "Mitigating RAC and Compliance Related Losses in Minnesota." This session will highlight case studies and lessons learned of institutions that have established clear processes for managing and mitigating their RAC risk. For more information and to register, go to MHA's Website and click on EVENTS and log-in to register.
Region G of MHIMA (Metro area) has new leadership! Joni Leithe, MS, MPM and Genene Strack, RHIT have agreed to share the role of co-presidents of your region. Congratulations! You can reach them through their MHIMA Website Regional contacts.
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