A Note from the Associate Editorial Director: Future memory making in progress

May 19, 2016
CDI Strategies - Volume 10, Issue 20

Nine years. Nine conferences. Each is distinctive. Those fortunate enough to attend conferences over multiple years have their favorite memories. Here are a few of mine:

  • The first year the certified clinical documentation specialist (CCDS) exam was offered more than 120 people signed up to take it at the close of the conference, in Las Vegas. The silence in a room of that many people was just amazing.
  • I’ll never forget Robert S. Gold, MD, (may he rest in peace) donning an orange jumpsuit to drive home the importance of query compliance in fighting fraud at the conference in Chicago.
  • In 2010, I remember Sylvia Hoffman, RN, CCDS, and her Tampa team presented on CDI as a crime scene investigation playing off the popular television program of the time. What a show stopper!
  • I will always laugh at the thought of ACDIS Director Brian Murphy’s life-sized doppelganger that we rolled out for attendees to snap selfies with in San Antonio.
  • I’m sure anyone who participated in the 2013 presentation by Vicki Sullivan Davis, RN, CCDS, took home action items from her a zombie-themed session offering tips for capturing severity and risk for mortality reviews.
Now, just a few days before the ninth conference begins, I am already nostalgic for the memories this year’s event will no doubt bring. I can’t wait to meet the winners of this year’s ACDIS Achievement Awards, particularly the new rookie of the year and the physician educator honors. I’m also looking forward to hearing what Richard E. Wild, MD, JD, MBA, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer, for CMS’ Atlanta office has to say about the government’s shift toward value-based reimbursement methods. I’m looking forward to the panel discussions, to the explorations of career advancement and CDI management. I’m looking forward to the after-hours events and the hubbub of the conference hall. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s photos in the conference app and getting a chance to meet with the ACDIS Advisory Board and leaders from more than 40 local chapters across the country in person.
 
As you prepare for your trip, however, here’s a couple of friendly reminders to help you make the most of your time in Atlanta.
  • Tuesday, May 24 is ACDIS pride day: Wear ACDIS colors of purple, orange, and, new this year, teal! Doing so helps attendees easily identify each other as you make your way through the conference halls.
  • Wednesday, May 25 is state pride day: Wear sports-theme or other items that help identify the state you live or work in. This helps others identify those from their home state and helps facilitate additional networking. Don’t forget to reach out to your local chapter leaders to find out about any additional networking events.
  • Bring business cards: If you don’t have any, run down to your local office supply store and make some. As you collect the cards of others, be sure to jot a quick note on the back to help you remember where and when you met that particular individual and why you exchanged information. This is particularly helpful once you get home and start sorting through your stack of cards.
  • Bring a sweater: In a large conference hall, the temperature in the rooms will surely fluctuate. Dress in layers and carry a sweater, so you’ll be ready no matter what.
Those fortunate enough to attend this year’s conference will no doubt leave with new memories to treasure and enough new ideas to keep their CDI efforts invigorated until we meet again. We’re looking forward to sharing them with you!