Local Chapter Update: States hold ACDIS Conference meet-ups

Since most ACDIS chapters hold their meetings quarterly, it makes sense that networking opportunities in April and May flourished this year. ACDIS Associate Director Melissa Varnavas attended a number these in person.

On April 1, she headed into Boston to join with two dozen CDI professionals at Mass General Hospital for a discussion about altered mental status. On April 16, she drove north to New Hampshire where roughly 20 professionals gathered to hear about the CDI program at Catholic Medical Center, review the 2013 Guidelines for Achieving a Compliant Query Practice, and discuss each other’s’ query best practices. Then, on April 30, she packed up the car and too the highways once again, heading to New York City for its NYC5B (five boroughs) meeting at New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center, where nearly 50 CDI professionals filled a meeting room almost to capacity.

Day 2 of the ACDIS Conference in San Antonio is devoted to networking efforts with aim toward connecting CDI specialists from the same state. Attendees are encouraged to contact their local chapter leaders and to wear clothing indicative of their state such as sports team jerseys or other themed clothing. Additionally, a number of local chapters will hold after-hour events including:

• The Kentucky and Indiana ACDIS Chapters meet on Day 1, Tuesday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m.,
• The Massachusetts attendees will meet on Day 2, Wednesday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m., at Luciano Italian Restaurant. Message Cathy Farraher via the app or email her at CFARRAHER@PARTNERS.ORG for more information.  
• The Florida ACDIS attendees will meet during lunch on Day 2. They’re bringing table decorations so be sure to look for them! Message Colleen McComas via your ACDIS 2015 Conference App for more information. Florida ACDIS Chapter leaders are also holding a meet-n-greet Wednesday May 20, from 6-7 p.m., at the Texas B.a.R. (Born and Raised) Bar and Restaurant at the San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter. Message Joannie Crotts in the conference App for more information or email her at joannie-crotts@smh.com.
• Georgia attendees are invited to a state meet-up Wednesday, May 20, 6:30 p.m., at the River’s Edge Café and Patio Bar on the RiverWalk. To join the group, contact the Georgia ACDIS Chapter Leaders Julie Bell and Tom Bour at georgia.acdis@gmail.com.

Additional upcoming chapter events include:

Missouri

The St. Louis Missouri ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday, May 27, 6-8 p.m., at the Missouri Baptist Medical Center. For information, contact Michael McKelvey at mpm2239@bjc.org.

Minnesota

The Minnesota ACDIS Chapter meets Wednesday, May 27, 1-2 p.m., via teleconference hosted by North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. Connie Ballanger, RHIT, will discuss her facility’s sepsis initiatives. For information, contact connie.ballanger@northmemorial.com.

Kentucky

Meets May 28 to discuss Impact ICD?10 implementation will have on MS?DRGs. For information, contact Rita Fields at rita.fields@bhsi.com

New York

The Suffolk County Long Island ACDIS Chapter meets Friday, June 5, 9:30-11:30 a.m., to discuss physician education tools and “Teaming CDI and HIM,” at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital in Patchogue. Continental breakfast will be provided. RSVP by June 1 to scacdis@gmail.com or call Patti McKenna at 631-447-3001.

Illinois

The Northwest Illinois ACDIS Chapter meets, June 18, noon to 4 p.m., at Palos Community Hospital in Palos Heights. Discussion includes ICD-10 and CDI, radiology terminology, and malnutrition. RSVP by June 1 to cbock@paloscomm.org.

Georgia

The Georgia ACDIS Chapter meets June 12, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville. Please RSVP to Chaka Prior at ProfessionalRN_CP@outlook.com. For additional information, email georgia.acdis@gmail.com.

California

The CA ACDIS Chapter hosts its first in-person conference on Friday, June 26, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Henry Mayo Hospital in Valencia. The agenda is being developed. To volunteer to speak or for additional information regarding attendance contact Emily Emmons at 858-677-6813 or email Emmons.Emily@scrippshealth.org.

Indiana

The Indiana and Kentucky ACDIS Chapters hold a Regional Conference August 21, at Eskenazi Hospital, in Indianapolis. For information, contact Angie Green at agreen11@IUHealth.org or click here to download the agenda and registration forms.