Annual Conference in Chicago

murpca2

I was wondering if anyone had any feedback on this years conference? I was not able to attend and was hoping to see some feedback to help make a plea for a budget for next years conference.
Thanks
Cathie

dsmith12h@aol.com

I always like to see the list of attendee list and would love tho hear feed back on the new certification exam.

cstukenberg

I have gone to all three conferences (since they started). Each year I wonder if I will take away something new. I always do. Besides the fact it provides education, it also is great for networking and reenergizing your "work spirit". If you need more information about the conference, please contact Melissa at ACDIS.
Thanks,
Colleen Stukenberg MSN, RN, CMSRN, CCDS
815-599-6820

janrumdavis

I have not able to attend any of the coferences either but really would like to sometime. Since being able to attend would be at my own expense (conference cost, hotel, food, travel), I would like to see the cost at a more reasonable rate.

UserNameLC_

This was my second conference to attend. I enjoyed the conference and it was very well organized. There was a good variety of knowledgable speakers with varying backgrounds and the exhibit hall was full. The conference materials were excellent. I had to the opportunity to network with other CDIs across the country. We learned that we all have similar challenges. I very much enjoyed the poster presentations. Several hospitals participated and demonstrated some of their techniques used to educate physicians on appropriate documentation.

With ever changing regulations and the challenges we face each day this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from the experts in the field and it help to motivate you to go back to your facility and try something new. I do hope you get to go next year.

Shelia Bullock, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CCDS
University of MS Medical Center
Jackson, MS
sabullock@umc.edu

wfreeman

This was my first ACDIS conference. It is my second year as a member. In
the past I have been to many other conferences including the American Case
Management Association, Case Management Society of America, American
Health Information Management Association, and the American Critical Care
Association. By far this was one of the most organized conferences that I
have attended. The flow and transition from session to session was handled
smoothly. There was more than enough room in the break out sessions, and
plenty of time to meet with vendors and peers. I also attended the ICD-9
training session, and was so thankful for the knowledge and clarification
that it provided me. I was concerned that it may be waste of money, and I
might be bored. I was anything but bored. I met many new friends from
around the country, and we are communicating one on one, and through this
message board. Next year I intend to ask for my whole staff to attend.

I find that the cost, while pricey for some who may have to pay for it
themselves, is right in line with other professional organizations. For
the price I received quality materials (most organizations make you print
them prior to your arrival if you want hand outs - everyone's going
green), expert speakers, a nice breakfast each day, an excellent lunch on
Thursday, snacks and refreshments each afternoon. The best part was the
networking. Discussing the trials, tribulations, joys and celebrations of
each others programs. Even some of the vendors provided dinner and
entertainment, that was very nice. Finally, the wealth of knowledge was
worth my own professional development. I will have that for a lifetime.

If you have the opportunity to attend... do it! Go to your CFO, Director,
CEO if necessary. Show them what your program has done for the facility. I
was able to show the increase in CMI, increase in revenue, sepsis data
(that was really low) now comparable to other facilities in our area, and
POA information captured to help justify the cost. I am grateful for the
support of my senior leaders. My trip was paid for because they see the
value. There were multiple people there that decided to invest in
themselves and paid for the conference and all that was involved. They did
it not for there facility, bit because this is a growing profession. It
makes them more knowledgable and marketable. I think it is worth the
investment... that's my 2 cents.

Thanks,

Bill Freeman, RN, BSN
Supervisor of CDMP

digardsk

This was my first conference with ACDIS. I thought the venue was good, and the event well organized with a pretty good variety of topics. Well worth the money and the opportunity to network with your peers. And, the dinner cruise was great!

Kim

Kim Digardi, RN
Clinical Documentation Specialist
St. Helena Hospital
10 Woodland Road
St. Helena, CA 94574

Phone: 707.967.5936
Email: digardsk@ah.org