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Tuesday, July 10

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Breakout Sessions

Best Practices for Mastering Medical Necessity

Stacie L. Buck, BS/RHIA, CCS-P, LHRM, RCC
Southeast Radiology Management, Stuart, FL

Credits: 1.5

Each year providers of radiology services are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars for services that are not considered medically necessary by Medicare and other third party payers. Effective medical necessity screening and monitoring is vital to the financial success of all diagnostic imaging providers. This session will discuss best practices for mastering the challenges of medical necessity that plague providers. Specifically this session will focus on how to overcome medical necessity challenges including implementing an effective medical necessity screening process to ABNs and the compliance and financial implications of not obtaining ABNs. Attendees will learn the “must-have” policies and procedures and will be given advice on effectively monitoring and appealing medical necessity denials. In addition, attendees will receive tips for getting buy-in from referring physicians.

You will learn to:

• Implement an effective medical necessity process and minimize denials.
• Overcome the everyday challenges of monitoring medical necessity.
• Understand which policies and procedures that all providers should have in place.
• Work with referring physicians.

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.

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.

The Deficit Reduction Act's Impact on Imaging and Strategies to Minimize the Losses

Robert A. Maier, BS, CPA
Regents Health Resources, Brentwood, TN

Credits: 1.5

This session will explain the changes brought about by the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005 and the effects on outpatient medical imaging. Participants will gain a better understanding of the impact of these reimbursement reductions and the expected effects of planned or implemented reductions by other payers. The speaker will identify specific strategies to mitigate the financial impact of the reimbursement reductions and discuss the operational challenges to increase market share and overall reimbursement. Other acquisition, management or divestiture opportunities created by the DRA will also be discussed.

You will learn to:

• Understand the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 and its impact on medical imaging.
• Discuss the current status of the DRA and understand what changes to expect in the near future.
• Understand other payer strategies to reduce utilization and reimbursement.
• Develop strategies to counter the effect of the DRA.
• Discuss opportunities for acquisition or management of competitive services.
• Develop measurements to monitor progress.

Maximize Your Power By Improving Your Public Speaking and Presentation Skills

Lori E. Miller, MS
Developing Professionals, Lancaster, NY

Credits: 1.5
This session repeats on Tuesday at 4:00 PM.

In this interactive presentation, participants will learn how to present with confidence and ease every time they need to appear in front of an audience. The presenter will share the elements of a successful presentation by using the model provided for every presentation. This will include remembering the format “tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em, tell ‘em, and tell ‘em what you told them.” This will ensure audience retention and understanding of material. The model provided can be applied for meetings, presenting to a board, trainings, or any other type of speaking engagement. Individuals will learn to conduct an audience analysis to ensure their goals and objectives can be met. These goals will include the focus of presentation—to inform, persuade or entertain. Participants will learn the verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication. This will include content, body language and voice usage. By learning a format and improving their non-verbal communication, participants will be able to enhance their confidence, credibility and power as a speaker.

You will learn to:

• Present more effectively by learning and following a format.
• Understand the importance of delivery and the various ways to deliver a message to improve effectiveness and impact.
• Utilize effective facilitation techniques to engage an audience and ensure learning and comprehension of material.

Everything You Want To Know About DICOM, HL7 and IHE But Did Not Dare to Ask

Herman Oosterwijk, MS, MBA
OTech Inc., Aubrey, TX

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

Communication standards such as DICOM, HL7 and the IHE specifications are essential to facilitate proper operation of your department and an efficient workflow. Without these standards, PACS systems would not be feasible. As a radiology administrator, one does not need to know all the tiny details of these standards, but one needs to see the “big picture” and what the potential issues are. In addition, one needs to know what to look for and what to ask for as part of an RFP. This session explains the basics behind these standards and uncovers common myths based on real-life experiences. The speaker will show why sometimes new modalities don’t work when connected the first time, what to look for when specifying connectivity requirements and how to resolve potential finger-pointing between vendors. This presentation will provide a high level overview of the DICOM standard, provide a peek into a true message and explain the most important image and image management services. The presenter will also explain the differences between DICOM and HL7 and the importance of IHE as well as several of the most important IHE profiles.

You will learn to:

• Understand the basic structure of DICOM and HL7 transactions.
• Discuss common issues that are prevalent with interconnectivity.
• Understand the importance of IHE and the most important IHE profiles.

DR in the ER: Saving Time and Steps

Sheila M. Sferrella, MAS, CRA, RT(R), FAHRA
Saint Thomas Health Services, Nashville, TN

Cathleen Story, BS, RT(R), CRA
Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA

Credits: 1.5

There is very little data in the literature on actual time and motion studies for film vs. CR vs. DR. This presentation will provide data from actual studies as well as process changes to implement DR successfully in the emergency room environment. Previous studies and literature have captured average exam time differences only. The measurement data will include process workflows before and after implementation of DR, actual measure of the number of steps between the 3 environments, the time each step takes and the time savings for film vs. CR vs. DR. This data can be used to justify DR in any environment. The presentation will also include a training and competency guide for technologists in implementing DR technology.

You will learn to:

• Understand the workflow in a film, CR and DR environment.
• Use time and motion studies to identify potential savings in a DR environment.
• •Determine productivity savings in a DR environment over film or CR.
• Understand how to manage both CR and DR in the same environment and how to maximize both models.
• Develop a competency model in a DR environment.

9:45 AM – 11:00 AM
General Session and Keynote

Healthcare Humor—“Laughter: It Really Is the Best Medicine”

Judy Carter

Credits: 1.0
This session is generously sponsored by Fujifilm Medical Systems USA, Inc.

It is now a proven medical fact that laughter can improve both physical and mental health. It’s free. You don’t have to swallow it with water. It’s not painful. So why hasn’t someone harnessed it and sold it as a miracle cure? Judy Carter has. And that’s why she’s spoken to doctors’ groups, nurses, hospital staffs, social workers and healthcare conferences. From laughing your way out of stress to using humor to connect with your patients, Judy Carter will show you how to get your daily dose of laughter and how to pass it on.

You will learn to:

• Use your sense of humor to deal with life’s difficulties.
• Use three simple techniques to diffuse hostility.
• Have snappy retorts to the stupid things people say to you—without losing your job.
• Use “positive acknowledgement” to lighten up your workplace.

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Breakout Sessions

Consulting as a Career Alternative

Lloyd Bittinger, RT(R)
Deloitte Consulting, LLP, Alexandria, VA

Credits: 1.0
This session is generously sponsored by Deloitte Consulting LLP

Healthcare consulting can be an exciting and rewarding alternative as a career path in which all of the skills learned in departmental management can be transposed to consulting products. This presentation will focus on how to make the change from manager/administrator to healthcare consultant, which aspects of management are easily transferable to consulting, and how to use these components to make yourself marketable. The presenter will also explore the pros and cons of consulting as it affects career, income, and lifestyle.

You will learn to:

• Decide if an alternative career in healthcare consulting is in your best interest.
• Determine if healthcare consulting will be financially beneficial.
• Assess whether or not a consulting option is consistent with your skill set.
• Analyze the pros and cons of a consulting career to determine if it fits into your lifestyle.

Managing DICOM CD/DVDs in the Digital Radiology Department

Philip E. Larkin, RT(R)
The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH

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

DICOM CDs and DVDs have replaced X-ray film as the portable media of choice in the all-digital, multi-site radiology department. While the cost of CD and DVD media is a fraction of the cost of X-ray film, especially with large volume exams generated by MDCT, MRI and PET, production expenses may be far greater than you think. An explanation and breakdown of the “hidden costs” of film production and manual CD/DVD production (technical time, postage, paper goods, etc.) will be made. This presentation explains how a lean and limber PACS support team effectively manages high volume CD production and CD import-into-PACS requests with optimum efficiency. The importance of the technical abilities of the staff responsible for importation and CD production will also be discussed. The comparison between manual and automated systems to produce image CD/DVDs for referrals will be made. Additionally, a technical comparison of automated system capabilities is explored. There will also be a comparison of the DICOM Send model and the Query and Build model of CD/DVD production. This will be discussed from the workflow perspective, as well as the network traffic advantages and disadvantages of these two models of image retrieval. The subject of the importance of IHE compliant image delivery between healthcare organizations with respect to patient care and examination comparison will be discussed briefly.

You will learn to:

• Identify the ways in which software of DICOM CD/DVD recording systems can be configured to streamline and automate workflow requirements, thereby reducing support staff costs.
• Understand the benefits of centralized management of CD production requests in a multiple imaging facility enterprise environment.
• Establish best practice protocols for processing CD creation requests and for CD importing into a hospital PACS (taking into account the importance of the IHE profile for portable media production).

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

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.

Delivering Radiology Services to Remote Areas: Productively and Efficiently

Joe Moore
Radiology Consultants of Iowa, Cedar Rapids, IA

Credits: 1.0
This session is generously sponsored by Radiology Consultants of Iowa.
This session repeats on Wednesday at 4:00 PM.

Reaching remote towns in rural areas with expert radiology services can be challenging. This same challenge is often true for reaching suburbs or other nearby towns. Many imaging centers are meeting the challenge by implementing an effective mix of technology to enable the electronic exchange of patient images and clinical data, thus expanding the referring community to increase an imaging center's customer base. Implementing the most effective technology mix requires several steps. First, the development of a strategic plan is necessary to determine the most profitable mix of services to be delivered to the desired locations. Second, what technology will best support the strategic plan and when is it available. Perhaps even more important is how it will be implemented. Finally, defining the key success metrics is vital to ensure the plan's objectives are being met in the most effective manner.

You will learn to:

• Understand how an IT executive can work with imaging center business leaders in developing a complete strategic plan.
• Design and build a technology environment that enables an imaging center's business and operational objectives.
• Implement an effective electronic exchange of patient images and clinical data to enhance radiologist productivity.

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.

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.

Implementing a Radiology Dashboard

Joni Schott, RT(R) (CT), MBA
University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI

Credits: 1.0

This presentation will discuss and describe the methodology for the implementation of a radiology dashboard report. The report includes appointment access times, report turnaround time, call waiting time in scheduling appointments, and other measures. The presenters will highlight the history, strategies and implementation process for their organization’s dashboard. Quality measures, including the impact on radiology, and strategies for improving visibility of imaging services within an institution will also be covered. The step-by-step process of integration with your Quality and IS departments will be discussed as well.

You will learn to:

• Understand the process of building and implementing a radiology dashboard.
• Identify key measures for your department and institution.
• Utilize the dashboard to enhance quality improvements and imaging services.

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Expanded Sessions

JCAHO 2007-2008 Update for Hospital Imaging Departments

Judith M. Atkins, RN, MSN
McKenna & Associates, Charleston, WV

Credits: 3.0

Imaging departments have many challenges related to Joint Commission on Accreditation’s (JCAHO) unannounced surveys. This session will concentrate on preparing for unannounced surveys. The session leader will bring you up to date on results of surveys and anticipated changes for 2008.

You will learn to:

• Describe the unannounced survey process.
• List the most noncompliant standards.
• List 2 questions your staff will have to answer.
• Discuss the order review requirement for contrast media.

A Day in the Life of a Radiology Coder

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

Credits: 3.0

Congratulations! Your institution has justified a radiology coder position. Now what exactly is it that a Radiology Coder does every day? Where do you start and once you start what are you missing? This presentation will present the nuts and bolts of how a radiology coder accesses the information, analyzes the coding and interacts with the various branches of the facility to ensure accurate coding and reimbursement. Through the description of a “typical day” an experienced radiology coder will explain the step-by-step process that has enabled him to efficiently meet the goals of an effective radiology coder. If you are a radiology coder, please join us and allow us to learn from your experiences by sharing your knowledge with your peers during this session.

You will learn to:

• Understand the complexity and simplicity of radiology coding workflow.
• Recognize the multiple facets of a radiology coder’s responsibilities and apply them to your facility.
• Increase your effectiveness through collaboration with all departments involved in the revenue cycle.

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Breakout Sessions

The “State of the State” in Outpatient Imaging

M. Shane Foreman
3d Health, Inc., Chicago, IL

Rich Paulk
3d Health, Inc., Chicago, IL

Credits: 1.5
This session is generously sponsored by 3d Health, Inc.
This session repeats on Wednesday at 8:00 AM.

The historical growth in imaging has been explosive and the future demand for imaging is projected to grow annually by double digits for most modalities. Yet, payers (including CMS) are attempting to slow this anticipated growth. Hospitals, medical specialists, surgical specialists, radiologists, and entrepreneurs are all aggressively pursuing the same imaging patients. Who will win? How? This session will offer participants an overview of the ever-evolving outpatient imaging market, an understanding of the key players and their most recent actions, and a framework for how to position your facility in today’s tough environment.

You will learn to:

• Provide an overview of the critical market dynamics in outpatient imaging.
• Detail the different perspectives of the key players.
• Discuss the emerging role of the consumer in imaging.
• Review the continuing role of the referral physician.
• Discuss payer behavior as it relates to imaging.
• Provide participants with proven strategies to differentiate in competitive markets.

Considerations Beyond Radiology for PACS Deployment

Stuart C. Gardner
SG&A Consulting, Inc., Arlington, TX

Credits: 1.5
This session is generously sponsored by SG&A Consulting, Inc.

This session focuses on many of the issues requiring consideration today for the deployment of PACS, either a first time deployment or replacement system deployment. A discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of various strategies including infrastructure, storage, and EMR will be explored. It appears that a false sense of security is continuing to grow within the industry because of PACS experience. Combine this attitude and the inexperience of still many institutions and we have an environment ripe for the loss or waste of millions of dollars. Given that we have now migrated the primary responsibility of deployment, or project management to our IT Departments, awareness, education, and support requirements, along with the evolving the role of the radiology administrator as it pertains to PACS functionality and performance are discussed due to the new integrations requirements for the enterprise EMR and Physicians Portal. A review of requirements for PACS, including the clients of radiology, will be discussed. This review will address how to focus on the development of criteria for physician portal integration or EMR issues that exist within the industry today.

You will learn to:

• Define what issues exist today in the deployment of PACS vs. 3 years ago.
• Address these issues in a manner useful for acceptance testing and incorporation into purchasing agreements.
• Resolve issues involving vendors of PACS, EMR software, Physicians Portals, IT and clinical departments.

Understanding the Forces that are Driving Medical Imaging

Lyn Mehlberg, BS, CNMT, FSNMTS
St. Luke's Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI

Credits: 1.5

Most healthcare professionals are familiar with basic JCAHO standards, but have you ever thought about where the Joint Commission pulls its standards from? Can you cite the source code that drives Medicare compliance? Unsure how to interpret the National Patient Safety Goals and apply them to your Imaging Department? Unsure how to approach compliance in your Radiology Department? Then this course may be of interest, as it is designed to highlight the basics of what every administrator needs to know about the standards, statutes and regulations that are driving medical imaging. Once one understands these forces, one can then ensure that their imaging department is compliant to these standards. Key topics to be discussed include federal statute and regulations, state statute and regulations, accreditation, pay for performance, and professional standards.

You will learn to:

• Identify examples within the various categories of these driving forces: federal statutes and regulation, state statutes and regulation, standards applicable to medical imaging, and potential medical malpractice risks.
• Reference the various codes, statutes, regulations, and standards that impact medical imaging.
• Better understand the source code that impacts and therefore drives medical imaging.

Maximize Your Power By Improving Your Public Speaking and Presentation Skills

Lori E. Miller, MS
Developing Professionals, Lancaster, NY

Credits: 1.5

In this interactive presentation, participants will learn how to present with confidence and ease every time they need to appear in front of an audience. The presenter will share the elements of a successful presentation by using the model provided for every presentation. This will include remembering the format “tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em, tell ‘em, and tell ‘em what you told them.” This will ensure audience retention and understanding of material. The model provided can be applied for meetings, presenting to a board, trainings, or any other type of speaking engagement. Individuals will learn to conduct an audience analysis to ensure their goals and objectives can be met. These goals will include the focus of presentation—to inform, persuade or entertain. Participants will learn the verbal and non-verbal aspects of communication. This will include content, body language and voice usage. By learning a format and improving their non-verbal communication, participants will be able to enhance their confidence, credibility and power as a speaker.

You will learn to:

• Present more effectively by learning and following a format.
• Understand the importance of delivery and the various ways to deliver a message to improve effectiveness and impact.
• Utilize effective facilitation techniques to engage an audience and ensure learning and comprehension of material.

Motivation, Collaboration and Humor in the Workplace

Carole South-Winter, MEd, RT(R), CNMT
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Luverne, MN

Credits: 1.5

Face it: the workplace is a team experience! Technological, scientific, and theoretical skills are critical for a successful employee but being able to work effectively with others in a cooperative environment is key for success in today’s careers. Retention and recruitment of employees is the name of the game in our industry today. Making training and the working environment fun as well as productive will help to draw and keep satisfied employees. Tips to help employees and employers match the individual with the position will round out this presentation.

You will learn to:

• Identify ways to motivate employee behavior in the working environment.
• Incorporate proven methods of collaborative learning in every aspect of the workplace.
• Discover methods to prepare staff for a peer-based work situation.
• Brainstorm methods to add humor to the work environment.
• Participate in situations to foster collaboration and fun.
• Evaluate proven methods to match staff and employers for a long-term career relationship.

Speech Recognition: Transforming Radiology Information Into a Strategic Asset

Nick van Terheyden, MD
Philips Speech Recognition Systems, Laytonsville, MD

Yohans Mendoza
Ximis, El Paso, TX

Credits: 1.5
This session is generously sponsored by Philips Speech Recognition Systems.

Information overload is overwhelming radiologists around the globe, but all anyone wants to do is provide accurate, consistent and timely reports that provide the patient and the referring doctor with the essential information to treat their patients. With properly engineered radiology reporting workflow and tight integrating of proven speech technologies it is a straightforward task to reduce the time taken to accurately and succinctly document radiology procedures. The end result is improved patient care and a reduction medical errors and costs. Properly implemented and utilized, speech recognition technology can significantly transform the radiology report from a piece of paper to a strategic asset. This presentation will cover the background, the current and future status of the technology and will also include presentation from end users detailing their experiences, the cost and time savings as well as the practicalities of successfully implementing this technology in a busy radiology department.

You will learn to:

• Plan for the speech recognition selection process.
• Prepare radiologists for speech recognition technologies.
• Set realistic expectations, goals and time frames for speech recognition technology.
• Set realistic return on investment expectations.

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Awards, Fellows, and Partners in Learning Dinner
By invitation only.
Generously sponsored by GE Healthcare.

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