THIMA eNews
February 2010

President's Message
!! New Feature !! EHR Awareness
ICD-10 Training in Tennessee
THIMA Hill Day


President's Message

Hello my fellow THIMA members!!!  I hope everyone is staying warm in this rather bone-chilling weather we are having lately!!!  It certainly seems to have been an atypical winter for many of us with the snow, ice and cold. 
 
Even with the cold and the challenges with the weather, the intensity of our work continues and I wanted to take this opportunity to update you.  For this issue, I am highlighting the work of our Legislative Task Force which is crucial in educating our elected officials on the impact of these bills and, at the same time, in building a solid relationship with these legislators so they are willing to listen to our voice. 
 
For February, there already have been several bills presented to the Tennessee legislation that affect the Health Information profession.  So, during the Tennessee Hospital Association “Hill Day” on February 9th, the Legislative Task Force took an active role in discussing these bills with our representatives and also used this opportunity to promote our field and profession making legislators aware of the importance of our association and our members.  The Task Force did a wonderful job in marketing our profession and making everyone aware how we can assist them in health information.  Thanks to everyone who helped this group prepare and supported them in their work.
 
Stay warm and here’s wishing for spring to be resting just around the corner!

Elizabeth A. Delahoussaye, RHIA
President THIMA

!! New Feature !!  EHR Awareness

Each month, the THIMA eNews Blast will contain information designed to raise the awareness of electronic health/medical records (EHR/EMR) and the importance of HIM in the adoption and implementation of EHRs in all health care settings. 

As more and more physicians are becoming aware of ARRA stimulus money for the meaningful use of EMRs, HIM professional have a unique opportunity and responsibility to be a resource for the physician community.   Read below about the experience of one of your colleagues, Kim Branscomb.   Here are a couple of other resources for you:

Physician Practice Check-Up
Assessing a Practice’s Readiness for Electronic Health Records

AHIMA is providing weekly white papers on ‘meaningful use’ of EHR/EMR.  This is a wonderful resource and all of the white papers are available on the AHIMA ARRA web site or on the AHIMA Journal web site.  

THESE ARE MUST READ ARTICLES!

Here’s Kim’s success story:

Raising Awareness of EMR in Physician Practices

The Eye Center at the Southern College of Optometry, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is home to 40 physicians.  With the guidance of Kim Branscomb, RHIA, Compliance/Privacy Officer, this sizeable practice successfully implemented an EMR in June 2006.  This was a result of hard work, good collaboration, and physician involvement. 

Consistent meetings between Kim and the physicians were crucial to making the EMR implementation smooth and successful.  She used resources such as the Community of Practice on the AHIMA website to gather needed information.  Prior to her meetings with the physicians, Kim was always prepared with upcoming regulatory trends and potential financial impacts.

Following the EMR implementation, she continued meeting with the physicians to share knowledge on the ever changing electronic world.  Kim attended seminars and conferences to gain more knowledge to pass along to the physicians.  Having open communication and sharing information with physicians is paramount to getting their buy-in and support for new projects and technology.  Educating physicians will empower them to make the right decisions for their practices.  As we move forward in complying with regulations for EMR adoption and meaningful use, HIM professionals and physicians must work together to be successful.

Written by:
Melissa Johnson, RHIT
Mountain States Health Alliance
Norton Community Hospital
ICD-10 Training in Tennessee

THIMA has established a team to develop a plan for THIMA-sponsored  ICD-10 training.  That plan will be published soon.

In the meantime, THIMA will be sponsoring several one-hour sessions for HIM Directors, Coding Managers, CFOs, etc. entitled:

Preparation for ICD-10: What every facility needs to know NOW to start getting ready

Watch for the eBrochure soon.   DocuVoice is co-sponsoring several of these sessions!

Finally – monitor and utilize the resources on the AHIMA ICD-10 web site.  It is a GREAT resource!

THIMA Hill Day

This year’s THIMA Hill Day was held on February 9th. During Hill Day THIMA representatives travel to Nashville to meet with our state representatives to discuss HIM issues and to offer expertise in HIM issues to them.

Hill Day left some big impressions on its attendees.  The willingness of the legislators to meet with and listen to them made a big impression on Wanda Johnson, RHIT. The biggest impression made on Seth Johnson, RHIA during this year’s Hill Day was the great respect the group received as THIMA representatives.  Legislative issues relating to health care and privacy are more at the forefront than in past years. With several bills currently being worked on related to HIM we are being looked to as the experts in this field and in one case we were asked to amend a bill to better serve us, added Seth Johnson.  I would recommend for others in the “THIMA community to attend THIMA Hill Day because it is a great opportunity to promote the HIM profession and to become a resource to our elected leaders,” said Wanda Johnson. Seth Johnson mentioned that this was his first Hill Day and he would suggest to all THIMA members to attend Hill Day at least once to see the clout THIMA carries in our State Capital.

Cindy Nixon, RHIA was most appreciative of the brief meeting the THIMA representatives had with TMA Lobbyists. She felt this meeting was very productive and that it is very important to build a good relationship with TMA. Their current copy cost bill was discussed with a focus on the establishment of a fee for electronic ROI.