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Monday, July 9

8:00 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome Breakfast for New Members and First-Time Attendees

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
Generously sponsored by Canon Medical Systems.

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Grand Opening Ceremony and Keynote

21st Century Challenges to Diagnostic Imaging

Frank J. Lexa, MD
Professor, Department of Marketing(adj.), The University of Pennsylvania & Clinical Associate
Professor of Radiology,The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA

Credits: 1.0
This session is generously sponsored by Carestream Health

Dr. Frank Lexa will kick off AHRA 2007 with a discussion of the key challenges to the business of radiology in the opening years of the 21st Century. The top five critical issues facing those in the radiology profession will be discussed in detail. In each case, Dr. Lexa will assess the potential threat and its implications for radiology as an industry. In some cases there are also genuine opportunities, and these will also be explored. We will discuss some of the limitations of forecasting. The power of scenario analysis will be introduced The talk will discuss why predictions in radiology are often wrong and how we can do better in doing planning as individuals, as institutions and as an industry. This involves taking a deeper look at the factors that are driving these profound changes. We will get past the headlines to see the drivers so that you will never be surprised again by a change like the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA). The session will close with a discussion of how we can craft strong strategically sound responses to these landscape changes. The most important goal is to help you in your strategic planning to be as successful as you can in a very challenging time for us in radiology.

You will learn to:

• Understand the major challenges facing us in radiology.
• Be aware of the limitations of predictions in our field and how you can do better.
• Develop more sophisticated analyses of key challenges such as declining reimbursement, rapid growth in competition, self referral.
• Find opportunities within the mounting threats to our profession.
• Improve your business planning to address these challenges.

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Breakout Sessions

The Nuts and Bolts Involved in Developing a For-Profit Imaging Center

Kay Baker, MS, FAHRA
KB Imaging Conultants, Inc., Kennesaw, GA
Credits: 1.5

This session is generously sponsored by KB Imaging Conultants, Inc.

Although directors or managers of hospital imaging departments may develop and manage imaging centers that are owned and operated by their health system, if the opportunity arises to develop a freestanding, for-profit imaging center, it will present challenges they have not encountered previously. Many times it is a one-man show; you no longer have the healthcare infrastructure that includes strong support such as the strategic planning , risk management, human resources, legal, financial, IT, managed care and billing/accounting departments. You will be wearing many different hats. You will need to complete a Certificate of Need or meet other regulatory constraints, find the location, complete the landlord lease or purchase property, arrange financing, negotiate and acquire equipment, manage the facility renovations, acquire the managed care contracts, deal with Medicare and the other government programs, hire and train staff, complete the contracts with the radiologists, and determine and coordinate IT needs. This session will describe each step in the process and introduce many new terms and give options and insights to complete each step in the process to ensure success.

You will learn to:

• Understand the different challenges found only in non-hospital, freestanding imaging centers.
• Understand which new skills and new responsibilities you will need to develop.
• Understand how the private business of imaging operates.

Detective Work Behind the Costs and Benefits of PACS

Pat Klamm, MBA
IBM, Dallas, TX

Credits: 1.5
This session is generously sponsored by IBM.
This session repeats on Tuesday at 8:00 AM.

When budgeting for a PACS project, the complete cost picture is often underestimated. The PACS vendor’s quote only represents a small portion of costs to be considered. This session will help facilities identify cost areas for consideration beyond the PACS vendor's quote and construct a more thorough project budget. Examples of cost considerations are modality upgrades and DICOM conversion boxes, network upgrades, and data migration as well as many other elements. Guidance on how to start collecting cost estimates will be included. In addition, the session will discuss the quantitative and non-quantitative benefits/savings associated with a PACS system. Film cost savings is one tangible PACS benefit. The presenter will outline how to collect data and calculate tangible benefits. Using the costs identified and the quantifiable benefits, an analysis of the return on investment can be calculated. The session will help radiology administrators develop a cost/savings analysis that can be tailored to each facility’s needs.

You will learn to:

• Identify the cost components of a PACS project.
• Determine whether each cost component will apply to a new project.
• Identify quantifiable and non-quantifiable benefits of PACS.

Can You Justify a Dedicated Radiology Coder in Your Organization?

Melody W. Mulaik, MSHS, CPC, CPC-H, RCC
Coding Strategies, Inc., Powder Springs, GA

Credits: 1.5
This session is generously sponsored by Coding Strategies, Inc.

The goal of this session is to help administrators justify the creation of a dedicated radiology coder position. Radiology is an intricate and complicated specialty. Coding guidelines frequently change and not keeping up with these changes can be financially disastrous! Having a dedicated radiology professional responsible for the coding of interventional radiology procedures, charge master (or fee ticket) maintenance and the follow-up and resolution of insurance payor rejections and denials can provide significant benefits to your organization. Find out the ways a dedicated individual can make money for radiology! Having an accurate job description coupled with appropriate qualifications and experience will ensure that the best candidate is selected for the job. How many full-time equivalents (FTEs) can I justify for the workload at my facility? Who should be responsible for working with the insurance payors? These questions and more will be answered during this exciting and “animated” session.

You will learn to:

• Discuss frequently encountered revenue opportunities to assist with the justification of a dedicated coder.
• Develop a job description for a dedicated radiology coder.
• Discuss the qualifications and experience required for the successful candidate in this key position

Developing a Culturally Competent Imaging Team to Maximize Operational Performance

Kerry Watson, BS, MA
Duke University, Durham, NC

William Guillory, BS, PhD
Innovations International, Salt Lake City, UT

Credits: 1.0

The hallmark of every high-performing organization and team is the ability to recruit, retain and maximize the untapped potential of the best available talent. To successfully accomplish this, we must provide a work environment that allows for our differences to become our strength. This session will focus on the crucial components necessary to recruit, retain and develop a high-performing team. The session will assist attendees in identifying their individual work style orientation; learn their cultural healthcare preferences and the extent to which they support the delivery of quality patient care and high performance teaming. The session will also explore the stepwise process and behaviors necessary to create a culturally competent workplace.

You will learn to:

• Recognize different work styles.
• Improve team performance.
• Improve staff, patient and customer satisfaction.

Process Improvement Teams: How They Add Value to Your Operations

June Cowen, BSEd, MSM
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA

Credits: 1.0
This session is generously sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital.

A Process Improvement Team (PIT) is a self directed work team that meets regularly to focus on operational process improvements to sustain continuous improvement within the modality. The PIT membership is comprised of representatives from every function within the modality. This model reflects a strong health care application of Demings’ Quality Principles. The hands that touch the task provide the problem solving work flow recommendations. The PIT efforts reduce wasteful or unproductive steps in a process. The presenter is a Senior Quality Management and Education Project Specialist who will share a case study of a Process Improvement Team success story from its inception to a self-directed team to its successful outcomes and sustainability.

You will learn to:

• Identify key indicators for choosing to start a Process Improvement Team in your organization.
• Understand the basic building blocks of forming a Process Improvement Team.
• Define critical stages of a Process Improvement Team development and sustainability.

The Legal and Regulatory Impact of Digital Mammography

Bonnie Rush, RT(R)(M)(QM)
BIS - Breast Imaging Specialists, San Diego, CA

Credits: 1.5
This session is generously co-sponsored by Beekley Corp. and Iron Mountain.

Whether your imaging department is offering or is planning to offer digital mammography this lecture will aid in appraising and implementing standards to meet both the federal regulations and the emerging legal issues associated with digital mammography. In reference to the federal mandates of the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) we will cover published guidance as well as current inspection criteria.

In meeting these regulations we are protected from federal prosecution but not from lawyers hungry to find fault with our processes. Although it takes time for the legal system to catch up with new modalities we will discuss ways to reduce our risk of legal entanglements. For those offering both analog/digital we will address processes to protect the patient and the imaging department from risk of delay in diagnosis. For departments that have not yet budgeted for digital the potential risk of this delay will be discussed. We will review methods to enhance interpretive quality and efficiency during the hard/soft copy transition. A systematic approach to identifying diagnostic concerns will be detailed to increase viability of interpretations. In closing CAD and its legal implications will be addressed.

You will learn to:

• Understand the impact of the DMIST results in determining screening services.
• Review the federal regulatory issues of the MQSA related to digital mammography and the inspection criteria.
• Analyze the emerging legal issues in digital mammography and determine processes to reduce the risk of malpractice and optimize efficiency.
  
  

MRI Gadolinium Contrast Agents: Understanding Safety Issues and Policy Changes

Jeffrey C. Weinreb, MD, FACR
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

This session is generously sponsored by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.

Since 1988, more than 180 million doses of intravenous gadolinium-chelate contrast agents have been administered to patients in order to improve the sensitivity, specificity, and confidence level of many MRI examinations. Although they were initially used for MRI examinations of the brain and spine, as clinical applications and availability of MRI have expanded, these agents have become almost ubiquitous and are currently used for a wide range of MRI applications, including those in the musculoskeletal system, abdomen, pelvis, vascular system, heart, and breasts. One of the attributes of these agents is that they have been thought to be safer than the iodinated contrast agents used for CT and other X-ray based exams, especially in patients with compromised kidney function. As a result, contrast-enhanced MRI has been commonly used in preference to contrast-enhanced CT in patients with renal disease who might be at increased risk for contrast-induced nephropathy (i.e. diminished kidney function exacerbated by these contrast agents).

There are presently five different gadolinium-chelate contrast agents available in the United States. Of the 31 million MRI procedures performed in the United States in 2005, approximately 1/3 included a gadolinium-chelate contrast injection. In 2006, published reports began to show that there is an association between gadolinium-chelate contrast agents and a rare disease called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF). As the number of reported cases of this debilitating and sometimes fatal condition has grown, there has been increasing concern and confusion in the medical community prompting a re-evaluation of long-standing policies and procedures for contrast-enhanced MRI.

This session will present the latest data on what is known about the safety of Gadolinium-chelate contrast agents and the link with NSF. It will also discuss the impact on patient care, practice management, and strategies to identify patients that might be at risk. There will be time allotted for questions and comments from the audience.

You will learn to:

• Understand uses and differences among the various gadolinium-based contrast agents used for MRI.
• Evaluate the safety of MRI contrast agents, including the most current information on the association with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF).
• Discuss the impact on patient care and practice management.

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Expanded Sessions

Complete Radiology Department Facility Planning

Robert Junk, AIA
MRI-Planning, Kansas City, MO

Tobias Gilk
MRI-Planning, Kansas City, MO

Credits: 3.0
This session is generously sponsored by MRI-Planning.

This session will cover the planning and design criteria for a multi-modal radiology suite identifying planning concepts for future flexibility and growth, technical siting criteria and conflicts. The presenters will address planning principles for CT, PET, ultrasound, mammography and, of course, MRI. Materials to be covered will include multi-modal do's and don'ts in facility planning, issues of decentralized imaging services vs. a conventional radiology department, hybrid-modality planning (i.e. PET/CT), and support spaces. Attendees will also be introduced to the “universal imaging suite” which allows for facility planning flexibility. Planning for enhanced patient throughput will also be addressed, showing how a refined work process can be captured and reinforced through effective facility design.

You will learn to:

• Understand many of the planning principles of radiology suite design.
• Develop flexible “universal rooms” for imaging growth and change.
• Evaluate prospective designs and the designers who create them.

Determining Your Personality Type: How to Use it Effectively as a Manager —
SOLD OUT! SEE SUNDAY’S SESSION FOR AVAILABILITY

Eugene D. Frank, MA, RT(R), FASRT, FAEIRS
Riverland Community College, Austin, MN

Credits: 3.0

In this workshop you will determine your personality type using the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator (MBTI). Knowledge of your specific “type” will enable you to function more effectively by understanding your strengths and, more importantly, your weaknesses. A manager with knowledge of his or her personality type will relate more positively with other managers and superiors and with the employees in their department. The speaker is a licensed Myers-Briggs facilitator who will administer the MBTI to attendees and help you identify your personality type.

Attendance is limited to 40 people. There is a $20 fee for this session to cover the cost of the MBTI workbook. Pre-registration is required for this session—see registration form.

You will learn to:

• Understand various personality types.
• Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of your personality type.
• Recognize how different personality types interrelate within the radiology department.

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Break
Generously sponsored by Aureus Medical Group.

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Breakout Sessions

Understanding Holographic Storage for PACS Administrators

John E. Colang, RT, MSRS, PMP
Intel, Placitas, NM

Credits: 1.0

Using holographic storage and retrieval in PACS systems is an emergent technology that could change the way PACS administrators plan for the next decade. This session will explore the basics of this new technology and will describe the pros and cons of implementation. Understanding holographic technology will equip PACS vendors and users with needed information to plan for the next 5 years.

You will learn to:

• Understand the basics of holographic technology.
• Analyze the potential of holographic drive technology.
• Understand the pros and cons of PACS storage technologies.

Laws of Transitional Leadership

Lynn McVey, BS, RT
St. Mary's Hospital, Passaic, NJ

Credits: 1.0

There is a huge difference between managing and leading. Are you a boss or a leader? A boss sets herself or himself apart from the staff by assuming an authoritative role. A leader is another member of the team, responsible for the rest of the team's actions. A boss knows how to do everything. A leader teaches everybody everything. A boss is territorial. A leader constantly grooms his or her replacement. A leader can't truly lead without being influential, accountable, candid, responsible and most important, likable

You will learn to:

• Analyze your personal management style, and gauge it against the management styles of other great leaders.
• Identify both your strengths and shortcomings.
• Acquire specific tools to make the leap from boss to leader.

I Thought I Knew What TLC Was All About!

Stacy Flowers, MHA, RT(R)(M)
Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, Greenville, SC
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg, SC

Credits: 1.0
This session repeats on Tuesday at 2:30 PM.

The speaker will share insights on how to develop a customer service program to enhance current initiatives for increasing customer satisfaction. The session will cover information related to the following topics: Steps for getting started with a customer service plan, increasing patient satisfaction scores, strategies for successful implementation of the customer service plan, customer service topics to be discussed with staff, strategies for handling resistance to the new customer service initiative, and keeping momentum by rewarding staff efforts through a recognition program.

You will learn to:

• Develop a customer service plan.
• Develop strategies for successful implementation of the plan.
• Reward your staff for their participation in the program.

A One-Hour Journey to Catheter Placement Coding Excellence

John Marshall, CRA, RCC, RT(R)
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, Sarasota, FL

Room: Osceola 1-3

Credits: 1.0

Many Radiology Administrators have experienced rejected claims or delayed reimbursement because of incorrect coding of catheter placements. Even some seasoned Radiology Coders struggle to understand the complex hierarchical catheter placement coding system. Determining which catheter placements should be reported can be very complex, until you understand the principles involved and have the right tools.

During this session, attendees will learn a new simple and accurate system for catheter placement coding. Attendees will receive a copy of the ‘Decoder Catheter Placement Tools’ and learn how this tool enables you to easily report the correct catheter placements.

You will learn to:

• Understand the hierarchy of catheter placement coding.
• Discover that that catheter placement coding principles are simple if you look at them from the right perspective.
• Apply existing knowledge to simplify the principles of catheter placement coding.
• Use the ‘Decoder Catheter Placement Tools’ manual to accurately code catheter placements at your facility.
  

Revenue Cycle Management for the Radiology Director

Elizabeth Schaub-DeBlock, MPA
CBIZ/Medical Management Professionals, Inc., East Windsor, NJ

Credits: 1.0
This session is generously sponsored by CBIZ/Medical Management Professionals, Inc.
This session repeats on Tuesday at 2:30 PM.

Managing the revenue cycle at the departmental level is more important then ever. If even one part of the cycle is inefficient, the result can be reduced revenues. All relevant steps in the revenue cycle will be covered in this session. How does the admitting and registration process impact reimbursement and your RIS? Management of the charge master description on a quarterly basis is an inherent part of revenue cycle management and ensures that appropriate reimbursement is received by the institution. Even if your CDM is well maintained, it’s important to make sure that the charges are dropping to the bill appropriately. Staff education regarding coding conventions will be addressed. Additionally OIG compliance issues specific to radiology will be reviewed. Lastly, CMS coverage issues will be addressed, including medical necessity, national coverage determinations and ABNs.

You will learn to:

• Maintain your CDM on a quarterly basis.
• Perform chart to bill audits to ensure appropriate charge capture.
• Educate your staff on coding and compliance issues.
• Understand how CMS coverage policy affects your billing and reimbursement.

Generational Diversity: Fitting the Pieces Together

Sam Splear, AA, BA
Presentations By Splear, Milan, IL

Credits: 1.0

The make-up of today’s workforce is going through some major changes. Four major generational groups of employees are now present in the workplace, each with different values and ideas of how the workplace should be. Generational conflict is becoming a significant issue but is often avoided within the organization. The Baby Boomers, who have for so long made up the majority of the workforce, are beginning to retire but are not yet ready to give up control. Incoming new employees expect change and are not afraid to voice their opinions of what they expect. Organizations must address these issues if they expect to recruit and retain employees. The question is: are they prepared?

You will learn to:

• Define the make-up of each generational group to better understand each group’s needs and expectations.
• Improve personal business relationships despite different generational values.
• Develop both organizational and personal plans to use in the workplace regarding generational issues.

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