MTIA CONFERENCE REVIEW

I've only attended four MTIA conferences in my lifetime but this last one was, in a word, AMAZING! The speakers were on point with regard to where our two associations need to be going forward and what we need to know to manage or work for successful businesses, regardless of their size. In fact, the thought I constantly had running through my head was, "Why aren't ALL MT business owners here -- regardless of their size?" If business owners, I dare say especially small ones, are not up-to-date on all of the new HIPAA regulations alone, I fear they could be in deep trouble beginning in January of 2010. Gear-up should be in progress by August 2009, according to Scott Edelstein, Esq., the speaker for this presentation.

The SRT Summit was an open discussion of how everyone, documentation professionals included, need to prepare for increased use of speech recognition technology and the Q/A Summit began an in depth discussion for defining quality. The ultimate goal of this cross section of professionals will be to produce a Q/A document suitable for all users, MTSO, HIM directors, and documentation professionals regardless of whether "traditional" transcription is used or back-end SRT editing is utilized. Stay tuned for updates from both of these groups.

More news next week. . . .

OFF TO MTIA CONFERENCE

I leave tomorrow morning for my fourth MTIA Conference -- this year in Louisville, Kentucky. By all accounts it looks like another wonderful educational opportunity for business owners, both large and small.

I'm especially looking forward to the Q/A Summit as I know how much work has gone into this presentation and how important it is to our 2009 AHDI president, Susan Lucci. I just know it will be innovative and will break new ground in this important deliverable for all healthcare documentation businesses.

Quality Assurance is a very important "value add" and starts with the MT taking pride in her/his work and ends with the Q/A specialist providing educational feedback in a timely manner so that a learning experience takes place. The number one reason most MTs love their careers is the ongoing education. Medicine is changing every day and continuing education is an absolute must for all documentation professionals. Once the learning stops, the boredom begins.

I recommend that all of us make the commitment to continue our education and constantly upgrade our skill set for our entire career in order to keep our minds sharp and to provide the very best quality assurance we can. This is truly our edge in light of speech recognition technology.

DON'T SIT ON THE SIDELINES. . .

It was reported in the Health IT Strategist that the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs will be working together to create a Joint Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record which will streamline the transfer of active-duty military and veterans' health records between the two departments.

Many things have changed for all of us since the days when ones medical record and the information contained therein was the property of the health care facility or health care provider. I recall trying repeatedly to obtain the records of my children, born at a military hospital, so I could take them with me, when my husband was discharged, should that information be needed for my premature twins. Unfortunately, I was not permitted to have those records and was told they are the property of the United States Government and the Military. I was, however, quite determined and eventually succeeded in obtaining those records but it wasn't easy.

I'm excited by the access possibilities contained within an electronic health record and the believe, as does President Obama, that it will reduce duplication, reduce medical errors, and provide all Americans with total access so they can be advocates in their own "Health Story Project."

Working with AHDI to ensure a place for the intelligent worker [MTs] in the electronic health record arena is also exciting. Participating in the AHDI Advocacy Summit is one of the best ways to do just that so I urge you to consider adding the Advocacy Summit to your calendar.

Don't sit on the sidelines. Follow me to the AHDI Advocacy Summit!

MORE MILITARY SPOUSE NEWS TO SHARE!

June 26th through 28th, I will be traveling to Columbus, Indiana to participate in the INKY Military Spouse Informational at Camp Atterbury with Director Sherry Doggett and Tania Mercurio of Operation Life Transformed. The Camp has informed LuAnn Guilfoyle that they are inviting 1000 people. If course, we really don't expect 1000 people [can you just imagine!!!] but we're excited nevertheless. We are thrilled that OLT will be awarding two scholarships to deserving spouses and we are hoping for a major presence by AHDI-approved schools as well as MTIA member companies at this event. Of course, I will report, via this blog, after the fact to keep you all informed.

I also plan to provide one or two creditworthy presentations for the INKY members to round out the weekend.

Obviously INKY has chosen the Military Spouse Informational option from the Mission Possible choices and I'm thrilled to be assisting their regional component with this worthy choice. Any choice made by components is a good choice but I am especially excited when Military Spouse is chosen for so many reason, not the least of which is that I was once a military spouse myself and couldn't get a job if my life depended on it. I was constantly told, "We don't hire military wives." I'm thrilled with the wisdom of the DOD and DOL who said medical transcription is a viable option for military spouses because of its portability and, although I know I'm biased, having been in this profession for 30 years, it's not the only career choice for them but an excellent one in my estimation. I certainly wish I had known about MT back in the late 60s and early 70s when I couldn't find a job to help my family.

Best regards to all who read my blog regularly -- it is much appreciated!