25
1 June 2010 Link LINK Link is a monthly networking tool and information source for members of AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 the association for medical imaging management AHRA MISSION STATEMENT AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management is a resource and catalyst for development of professional leadership in imaging sciences. ABOUT LINK Link is produced monthly by AHRA. © 2010 by AHRA. May not be reproduced in part or whole without written consent from AHRA. Publication in Link does not constitute an endorsement of any product, service, or material referred to, nor does publication of an adver- tisement represent the viewpoints of the author and are not necessarily those of the AHRA. Contributions and comments welcome. Send all correspondence to Link, 490 Boston Post Road, Suite 200, Sudbury, MA 01776 [email protected]. (800) 334-2472 or (978) 443-7591 fax (978) 443-8046. www.ahraonline.org.

LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

  • Upload
    others

  • View
    11

  • Download
    0

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

1 June 2010 Link

LINKLink is a monthly networking

tool and information source

for members of AHRA:

The Association for Medical

Imaging Management.

c J u n e 2 0 1 0 | Vo l ume 29 , n o . 6

the association for medicalimaging management

AHRA MISSION STATEMENTAHRA: The Association for Medical

Imaging Management is a resource andcatalyst for development of professional

leadership in imaging sciences.

ABOUT LINKLink is produced monthly by AHRA.

© 2010 by AHRA. May not be reproduced in part or whole without written consent from AHRA.

Publication in Link does not constitute an endorsement of any product, service, or material referred to, nor does publication of an adver-tisement represent the viewpoints of the author and are not necessarily those of the AHRA.

Contributions and comments welcome.Send all correspondence to Link, 490 Boston Post Road, Suite 200, Sudbury, MA 01776

[email protected].(800) 334-2472 or (978) 443-7591

fax (978) 443-8046.www.ahraonline.org.

Page 2: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

2

FEATURE ARTICLES

June 2010 Link

Presenting Your 2010-2011 AHRABoard of Directors Election CandidatesElections for the 2010-2011 AHRA Board of Directors and president-elect will take place online at www.ahraonline.org beginningJune 17, 2010 and ending at midnight July 14, 2010. Voting is open to all members in good standing.

Complete candidate statements and histories may be found at: www.ahraonline.org. Additional information about each candi-date may be found in the featured member section of our Web site: http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Featured_Member_Board_Candidates.

AHRA President-Elect Candidates (in alphabetical order):

Luann J. Culbreth, MEd, MBA, RT(R)(MR)(QM), CRA, FSMRTExecutive Director of ImagingSaint Thomas Health Services

CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT ELECT

I am interested in serving as President of AHRA’s Board ofDirectors because it is an opportunity to give back to theorganization to which I give immense credit for providing me afoundation of understanding in radiology management that ismatched only by diverse career experiences.

AHRA is its members. While the gained friendships are longlasting, the networking, peer experiences, and vast resourcesof knowledge, education, and expertise are timely and acutelyrelevant.

My sincere interest in serving in this role is to work strategicallyto assure sustainability and growth of these assets, especiallyat a time of decreasing resources and opportunities as well asthe ongoing reformation of healthcare.

Carlos E. Vasquez, CRA, FAHRA, MSDivision Director, Radiology ServicesSt. Elizabeth Regional Health

CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT ELECT

I am interested in serving as President of AHRA’s Board ofDirectors because I have dedicated my entire professional lifeto radiology management; AHRA has been my constant sourceof networking, mentorship, benchmarking, and educationaldevelopment throughout my career. In 1998, I made a commit-ment to my then mentor, Monte Clinton, that I would give backto the AHRA by volunteering and getting involved. I believe Ihave kept my commitment pledge for the last 12 years.

In 2005, I was elected to the AHRA Board of Directors and I amcurrently serving a second term, which ends in 2011. Mytenure serving on the board has given me the knowledge andopportunity to experience first hand what is expected of thepresident to effectively execute the mission and vision of AHRAfrom an operational and strategic stand.

Last, but certainly not least, I have more than 17 years before Ican think of retirement and radiology management is what Iknow and love. Therefore, as long as I keep doing what I love, Iwant to continue to give back to the association that has givenme so much, and this is what it is ultimately all about for me.

AHRA Director-at-Large Candidates (in alphabetical order):

Janice Eurton, CRA, MAManager Outpatient ImagingClark Memorial Hospital

Having served as Fall Conference Design Team Chair in 2007, aswell as having served on the 2009 and 2010 Annual MeetingDesign Teams, I have experienced a spirit of camaraderie andsolidarity in achieving educational goals, not experienced inany organization I have previously worked with.

The AHRA’s commitment to continued development of existingleaders and its effort to educate and develop future leaders isaligned strongly with my own goals and commitments. It isunfair in today’s healthcare arena to ask future leaders to trainon the job with little or no support in the transition. I stronglysupport the CRA credential and feel it will be a determiningfactor in the future selection of the industry’s best leaders.

I bring over 30 years of imaging experience to the table andwill endeavor to contribute the knowledge gained from those

. . . continued on next page

Page 3: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

FEATURED ARTICLE

3 June 2010 Link

Presenting Your 2010-2011 AHRABoard of Directors Election Candidates

years of experience and to support and promote the AHRA in aconfident and professional manner. I believe in the AHRA andwant to be a factor in its continued growth and development.

If elected to the AHRA Board of Directors, my goals will be tosupport and promote the CRA credential, support AHRA’s com-mitment to excellence and its educational goals and objec-tives, and promote the AHRA as the premier organization forimaging professionals.

David R. Fox, MBA, CRAAssistant Vice President of Clinical & Emergency ServicesBaptist Health – Little Rock

Incumbent Candidate

As the assistant vice president of clinical and emergency serv-ices for Baptist Health–Little Rock, I am responsible for admin-istrative and technical oversight of the radiology departmentin directing and overseeing the organization's strategic plan-ning for imaging services throughout our seven hospital sys-tem. I’ve had the great fortune in my career to work and inter-act with staff, executives, physicians, community leaders, andthose close to me personally—and from each of them, I havelearned that it is our humanity that leads us to healthcare,where we experience great rewards and, occasionally, signifi-cant challenges. By holding firm to our purpose of improvingthe lives of others because of our common identity as humans,we take part in some of the most purposeful and worthwhilework to humanity. My membership within AHRA has providedme exposure to a wealth of educational and networkingopportunities, career preparedness, and standards for being ahealthcare executive. The CRA credential is one example ofthese standards. I am proud to be a part of an organizationwhose code of ethics is fundamentally entrenched in itsendeavors—and adhering to the code and achieving suchstandards is fostered and recognized. Simply: I’m prepared toproudly represent and serve the membership, if elected to theboard of directors by my peers.

If elected to the AHRA Board of Directors, my goals will be toserve the AHRA membership to my fullest capacity, supportthe current and future executive leadership of our electedmembership, work to improve on recruitment for new mem-

bership into the AHRA, promote the CRA to the membership,and mentor future successors into board of director roles andcommittee.

Marci D. Paulk, MBADirector of RadiologyFortWalton Beach Medical Center

As a member of the board of directors, I would dedicate myselfto continuing to inform and educate our audiences and to pos-itively influence their perception of the AHRA. I would strive toincrease AHRA membership/sponsorship participation by cre-ating an environment where supporting us is the right thing todo. I would participate in activities and events sponsored bythe organization, and encourage participation of others. Iwould also take personal responsibility through special assign-ments as required as they relate to the advancement of AHRA’smission and services, policies, and programs, and be faithful tothe mission and goals of the organization. When acting onbehalf of the organization, I would promise to always give pri-ority to its interests, mission, and values.

If I am elected to the AHRA Board of Directors, my goals will beto help market the AHRA to increase membership; leverage myvendor relationships to help support the AHRA; and continueto increase the awareness of the AHRA through my profession-al, personal, and social networks.

Jason C. Theadore, MHA, CRA, RT(R)Administrative Director, Diagnostic and TherapeuticServicesOhioHealth Neighborhood Care

My years of leadership experience in various systems haveallowed me to develop skills to monitor a company’s financialperformance and the success of its products, services, andstrategies. I have several years of experience working as secre-tary on a board of directors. During that time, I enhanced myability to follow developments that affect the business and setaside any potential conflict between my personal or individualbusiness interests to support the wellbeing of the business Iserve.

. . . from previous page

. . . continued on next page

Page 4: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

4

FEATURED ARTICLE

June 2010 Link

Presenting Your 2010-2011 AHRABoard of Directors Election Candidates

My passion for medical imaging and leadership development,along with my many skills and leadership experience, wouldallow me to be an effective member of the AHRA Board ofDirectors.

If I am elected to the AHRA Board of Directors, my goals will beto assure the AHRA vision of being the association of choice forleaders in medical imaging—the association will be a drivingforce toward improving the healthcare environment; assureAHRA’s desired goals and outcomes are achieved based on thestrategic planning of our purposes, priorities, financial stand-ing, and goals; and be a good steward in maintaining theworld-class operation of the AHRA.

Ernie Stewart, RT(R), CRA, MBA, MHSADirector, Medical Imaging ServicesBaylor Medical Center at Garland

Incumbent Candidate

I attended my first AHRA meeting in 1999 and became a mem-ber shortly thereafter. I immediately knew that I had to be apart of this organization. Over the last 10 years, I have had theopportunity to serve the organization in a variety of areas,from introducing speakers to serving as the 2008 AnnualMeeting Design Team Chair. Currently I am serving as Chair oftheWebinar Design Team, as well as on the board of directors.Through my experiences with AHRA, I have grown profession-ally and, more importantly, I have developed a great supportnetwork of friends and colleagues.

If elected to the board, I would serve in whatever capacity nec-essary to 1) help bring the same growth and developmentopportunities to the membership that I have experienced overthe years and 2) encourage new membership through net-working and outreach opportunities.

My professional experience in a variety of healthcare settingshas given me the ability to be flexible and consider multiplepoints of view, while still taking action and getting the jobdone. I would bring this set of skills and attributes to theboard to stimulate different ways of looking at tasks and situa-tions, focusing on the overall mission and vision of the AHRA.

Thank you for considering me as a candidate for the AHRA

Board of Directors.

If elected to the AHRA Board of Directors, my goals will be tohelp increase the exposure of the AHRA as the preeminentresource and organization dedicated to the growth and devel-opment of imaging leaders at all levels of management—Iwould like to see a continued and expanded focus on the upand coming imaging leaders of tomorrow; and to encourageand help the collegiality of the membership.

Cathleen Story, BS, CRAAdministrator, Diagnostic ServicesLehigh Valley Health Network

It is a great honor and privilege to be nominated for the AHRABoard of Directors. The contacts I have made within the AHRAover the years have been a valuable resource and benefit tome during my management career. I feel that through my vari-ous volunteering activities with the AHRA, I have gainedinsight into the importance of the organization, and its missionto promote the field of radiology management. My manyyears of management experience have prepared me to meetthe day to day challenges of managing a busy radiologydepartment. I would like to be able to promote and influencethe professional development of radiology managers andbeing an AHRA board member would help me to accomplishthis goal. I feel that my years of management experience willbe a valuable asset to the board, and I feel well prepared tomove forward in the organization.

If I am elected to the AHRA Board of Directors, my goals will beto encourage the membership to take the CRA exam and toinclude the credential in management job descriptions andpostings; and mentor radiology managers by promoting AHRAeducational activities and by participating in AHRA volunteeropportunities.

. . . from previous page

Page 5: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

PRESIDENT’S POST

5 June 2010 Link

By Debra A. Lopez, CRA, FAHRA, 2009-2010 AHRA President

The Future is Now

Ihave been in the imaging business a long, long time. Cut filmchangers, cardboard film holders, pneumoencephalographychairs, elliptical tomography, mastoid and skull series, matrixcameras in CT (that held very heavy cassettes that had to bedragged to a faraway darkroom), chain cystograms, lymphan-giograms, sialograms . . . anyone in Generation Y will have toask a Boomer about some of these “special” exams we did andtools we used back in those dark ages—or should I say “dark-room” ages? But who would have ever thought that the daywould come when our radiologists would be able to sign offreports on a wireless smart phone? Just last month I wroteabout learning how to use my iPhone, and commented abouta discussion on our list server specific to the prolific use ofsmart phones by some of our members—members who eitherlove their iPhones or “Crackberries,” or those who think black-berries are for eating.

Well, I was reviewing the May issue of the Imaging Economicse-newsletter and read that Integrated Document Solutions(IDS) just launched iPhone mobile reporting and workflowapplications. They use cloud computing architecture to archivepatient data offsite and make it securely available to physiciansand administrators on the internet. These new applications willallow physicans to read and sign off reports from their iPhonesas well as create reports using templates on their iPhones(without dictation). In addition, IDS has made it possible forboth physicans and administrators to use their iPhones orBlackberrys to receive live reporting data on referring physi-cian ordering patterns, track report turnaround times, and getprocedure volume information, among other information. Ithink our smart phones are here to stay, at least until the nextinnovation comes along. We had a speaker at a recent annualmeeting who warned us that the technology changes we haveseen in the last 20 years would be nothing like what we wouldsee in just the next five, and boy did his words ring true!I found another interesting article in the April/May issue ofRadiology Business Journal. Did you know that the AmericanSociety for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) reported thatthey estimate the number of botulinum toxin A (BOTOX) injec-tions increased by over 3000% between 1997 and 2003, andcollagen injections increased by a much more modest 79%. Sowhat does that have to do with imaging ? Zig Haskel, MD, pro-fessor of radiology and chief of vascular and interventional

radiology at the University of Maryland Medical Center,Baltimore, believes that radiologists are in a great position totake advantage of this rapidly expanding marketplace. Sincemany vascular/interventional radiologists already treat patientsfor varicose veins, he feels they have the tools, knowledge,skill, and the right kind of space to perform some cosmeticprocedures. Is this hard to imagine? Thinking about all of thechanges in our profession over the years, perhaps not!

The future is now. Are you ready?

The finishing touches are well underway in preparation for the2010 Annual Meeting. It is being held in Washington, DC thisyear, at the beautiful Gaylord National Hotel along thePotomac River. Your Design Team, exceptionally led by BeckyLambert, has been working very hard at putting together afabulous meeting for you, filled with classes and vendors readyto share current information and technology with you. Pleasecheck out the meeting details on the AHRAWebsite!

This month features a member of the AHRA staff who is wellversed in current technology: Ryan Ocampo.

Ryan Ocampo

AHRA Department:Website Administrator

Hometown:Medway, MA

Family: I was born in the Philippines and grew up in the smalltown of Maynard, MA. The oldest of three boys, I have twobrothers Alberto, 20, and Christopher, 23. My dad loves to singkaraoke and actually won a handful of singing contests grow-ing up. My mom has been a nurse for over 15 years. I now livein Medway, MA with my wife Charlene and our two spoileddogs, Bailey and Summer.

Interests: Basketball, football, travel, art, exotic foods, photog-raphy, cars, walking my dogs, and those cheesy reality TVshows!

Page 6: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

FOCUS ON CRA

6 June 2010 Link

New RACC CommissionerSpreads the CRA Energy

By Jacqui Rose, CRA

What an exciting time to be part of the RadiologyAdministration Certification Commission (RACC)! Thanks tothose who gave me the opportunity to be a part of an ener-getic group that is committed to every current and future CRA.

For many years, imaging professionals have suffered from asort of identity crisis in the healthcare field. From our begin-ning as students and new radiographers, we have at timeswondered how we fit into the bigger picture. Yet every day,imaging administrators wear a multitude of hats in areas suchas fiscal management, asset management, communication andinformation management, human resources, and operationsmanagement (all CRA domains). We may be the most compre-hensive professionals in healthcare today and are well posi-tioned to elevate our profession and end this identity crisis.

The CRA program is our mechanism to accomplish this goal. Itwas developed with this concept (the mission of the RACC): “Topromote individual recognition and verifiable excellence with-in the medical imaging management profession and health-care in general.” In order to do this, we must increase our num-bers and our recognition. The RACC vision states, “[we] muststrive to be nationally recognized as the preferred standard forexcellence in medical imaging management.” We have alreadyattained recognition from the ARRT, ACR, ASRT, AAMA, andRBMA, and we continue to develop more key relationships.The vision continues, “[we] will provide value for CRAs, and cre-ate a challenging but attainable aspiration for individuals whowish to be known for their excellence in the imaging manage-ment profession.” This value sets each of us apart from themainstream and allows us to market ourselves as certifiably thebest. However, it is up to us, as current and future CRAs, to livethe vision and elevate our profession!

Spring is a great time to re-energize the CRA program. Wehave a newly updated version of the exam designed to accom-modate a variety of backgrounds and practice environments.A comprehensive review of the reference material was per-formed to bring the list down to a manageable number ofitems. And to top it off, the exam is being offered at a reducedrate for a limited time! Every imaging professional should takeadvantage of this opportunity.

If you are a CRA:-- Wear your CRA pin with pride.-- Proudly display your CRA certificate (custom made frameand matting can be purchased from www.framingsuccess.com.-- Use your CRA credential as part of your professional signa-ture.-- Use the CRA logo on your business cards, resume, or profes-sional Web site (guidelines and logo consent form can befound online here: http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Downloads/CRA/CRA_Logo_Usage.pdf).-- Talk to people you think should be CRAs; encourage them toprepare for and take the CRA exam.-- Introduce up and coming staff to the CRA; help them worktowards CRA exam eligibility and success on the CRA exam.-- Imagine the benefit that multiple certified people can haveon the quality of care in your organization.-- Add a “CRA preferred” or “CRA required” line to your jobdescription-- Talk to your HR department and C-levels and educate themabout the CRA—you can find helpful information on the CRAWeb site here: http://www.crainfo.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=About_CRA1.-- Are you active in other medical or imaging managementorganizations? Talk to them about recognizing the CRA orgranting reciprocity or points/CEU for passing the CRA exam.

If you are not a CRA yet:-- Network with other potential CRA candidates—talk studystrategy, encourage each other, help each other stay on trackwith CRA plans.-- Talk to people in your facility—let them know you plan tobecome a CRA and ask them to mentor you, teach you skillsyou may be weak in, or let you shadow them in areas that maybe less familiar to you.-- Educate leaders in your facility about the CRA (you can findhelpful information on the CRAWeb site here: http://www.crainfo.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=About_CRA1)—manyfacilities will pay the application fee and some even reimbursefor reference books.

Help spread the energy and elevate our profession through theCRA!

Page 7: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

FOCUS ON CRA

7 June 2010 Link

Seeking Nominations forRACC Members

The Radiology Administration Certification Commission (RACC)is accepting nominations for the role of commissioner. TheRACC is the governing body of the Certified RadiologyAdministrator (CRA) program.

There are 2 commissioner seats to be filled on the RACC.Elected commission members will serve a term of 3 years. Newcommissioners will be determined by tabulated votes from theupcoming election.

Any CRA in good standing is eligible for this position. OnlyCRAs are eligible to nominate or vote in the upcoming elec-tion.

Nominations must include:-- nominee’s name-- nominee’s telephone number and email-- reason for making the nomination-- name and contact information of the CRA making the nomi-nation

Because nominations can only come from current CRAs,anonymous nominations can not be accepted.

Submit nominations online no later than August 30, 2010 athttp://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=RACC_Call_for_Nominations.

Page 8: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

8

MEMBER TALK

June 2010 Link

. . . continued on next page

Rad ToonsAHRA knows that laughter is often the best medicine. That’s why we’re publishing industry related cartoons in Link and lettingyou write the captions!

June Rad Toon

Check out the cartoon below and submit your idea for a caption to go in the thought bubble. In a few weeks, we’ll post the topentries for you to vote on.

The winning entry will be published in the next issue of Link!

Page 9: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

9 June 2010 Link

Rad Toons. . . from previous page

MayWinner

Winning caption from May 2010 issue of Link:

“I thought ‘burning’ a cd was just an expression.”

Submitted by Pam Cargile-Andal of Nashville, TN.

Page 10: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

10

EDUCATION FOUNDATION

June 2010 Link

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to ALL of our 2009 donors and hope we have not left anyone out. If you do not seeyour name, please contact the AHRA office so we may make the necessary updates.

Gordon Ah Tye FAHRAMark AhrensLorie AleshireBill Algee

Mel L. Allen CRA, FAHRAWilliam J. Allen JrDana Allison

Teresa E. AmelungRoberta AndersonSandra A. AndersonGary D. AndrewsTessa J. Andrews

Rebecca S. Apodaca CRARudy Apodaca CRAChristopher ArcherDebbie Armenio

Michael A. Armstrong CRARobyn AustinNancy L. Babich

Judith A. BagdasarianMichael W. BakerAnna M. BalsleyRon J. Barak CRAGustav Barreto

Elizabeth A. Bates CRACherie Bauer

Tammy M. BaumanKaren S. Beaver CRABarbara BeckerGail Bedell

Cathy G. Beelman CRATonya Bell-BrightmonHarold R. Benson FAHRADavid E. Berger CRATed Bergey FAHRAMonica Berlin

Ronald F. Bernardi FAHRA

Anish BerryRandolph BetheaDonna Blakely CRA

Michael E. Blakeslee CRALinda J. Boatner CRAConnie A. Bohling CRA

Kimberly BooherAlex Boryszewski

Jocelyn E. Bowman CRAGary D. Boyd FAHRA

Scott BracciJacky R. Bradley CRAJennifer Brase CRAWilliam S. Bray

Louise P. Broadley FAHRADavid Broderick CRAAnne-Marie T. Brombal

Amy L. BrownGarnell C. Brunson, Sr FAHRA

Winston BryanTerry Lynn Bucknall

Ruth BumstedGinger S. BurgessLori Ann BurnsTimothy Burns

Orea Renee ButterfieldRussell L. Cain CRASamuel Callis

Michael CampbellRichard R. Cantin FAHRA

Julia CapuanoAngelina CarfagnoDiane Carlton

Rebecca K. CarrozzoWayne CarterJorge Casanas

Francine Catalogna

Theodore J. Caveglia FAHRAGregory Ceconi

Ernesto A. CerdenaErnest M. Chavez

Krista Christensen CRADeborah ClarkPaul Claus CRA

Laura H. ClevelandCheryl Cleveland-StewartStephen D. Clevenger CRA,

FAHRAWanda Coker CRA

Michael Charles ColhouerJames Collins

Donald G. ColombanaBarbara ColvinLois Claire ConeMargaret Cooper

Jacqueline CotterallEdward L. Cousins FAHRA

Nancy C. CowdenLawrence E. Cox CRA

Linda CreamerEdward J. Cronin, Jr

Luann J. Culbreth CRADavette M. CummingsJoseph M. Cuoco CRARodney A. Dalseg CRA

Karen DamonHeather Damon-Pannone

LuAnn DanielSteven Daugherty

Susan M. Davin-HancockTrish DawsonPeter De Graaf

Michael DelVecchioJanelle Deplitch

Debra A. Desmarais CRAFrances Dietz CRAApril A. Dixon CRA

Terry A. Dowd CRA, FAHRAPatricia A. DownsPatricia A. DoyleGabriel DreilingPaul A. Dubiel

Therese M. Duggan-JahnsScot W. Duncil

William R. Dunlap CRADuane J. Dzingle

Roberta M. Edge CRA, FAHRASandra M. EdsonRich Egan CRA

Dennis Enloe CRACandy E. Esber

John C. EtcheverryJanice Eurton CRAJulie Evenson

Fran Eviston-BallRebecca EzellDebra Farnham

Michael R. Favreau FAHRAKenneth A. Fazzino CRA,

FAHRAKaren J. FinneganMaureen R. FirthHeather FlanniganDeborah J. FlattRichard FleuryLynde FlorenceBrian D. Fox CRADavid R. Fox CRA

Cassandra FuentecillaAletha Fulgham

Thank You 2009 AHRA EducationFoundation Individual Donors

. . . continued on next page

Page 11: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

11 June 2010 Link

Shonna D. Galloway CRATamatha GarmanRobert E. Garrett

Faye GarzaJean Gebhard

Doris B. Gentley CRAThomas GervaiseDonald C. Gibb

John-Hans L. GigaDaniel R. GillisMarilyn GilmoreTerri L. Gollinger

Michael A. GombarMax GradySally J. GradyMarcia GreenSharon K. Greer

Winnie Grieshaber CRA,FAHRA

David T. GriffinGail L. Grootemaat

E. James Grosskopf CRADonna Grover

Hazel C. Hacker FAHRABruceW. Hammond CRA

Lynn HanksWesley D. Harden CRA

Susan P. HawkinsAlan D. Heffron CRA

Kevin Hendrickson CRABrian Hennebry CRA

Simone Herman FAHRASteven M. Herrmann CRA

Robert C. HewesGlover L. Hill

Louise C. Hill CRAAmy Hofmann CRARoger E. Holberton

Brenda S. Holden CRA, FAHRAJoyce M. Hooper

Joyce I. Hopkins CRAHeidi Hordyk

Lynn Howerton Jr.Michael R. Hughes CRA,

FAHRAJennifer L. Hussong CRA

Thomas D. HuvanePatricia HymesMisti A. JacksonDiane L. Jay CRAJim Jensen

Gerald L. Johnson FAHRAJames Johnson

Kenneth C. JohnsonWilliam R. Johnson CRA

Edward JonesEverett R. JonesKarl P. Kamyk

Curtis Kauffman-PickellePat Kelly

Louise KennedyJane E. Kettlehake

Rick KidwellJames K. Kilmartin FAHRA

Deborah King CRAGary S. King CRA

Larry B. Kirschner FAHRADonald Klingeman Jr.

Holly KnaubDonna M. Knightly

Jeffrey KnoxJulius L. Kocsondy CRA

Linda KogovsekCrystal H. KollmorgenMargaret A. Kowski CRA

Andrew KrassAngela Krause

Barbara J. Lachimia CRAMeredith J. Lambert

Becky Lamberth CRALisa Landry

Stephanie E. Lane CRABruce K. LauerScott LehmanNina Leitman

Margaret L. LeoneSylvia A. Lesic CRALeanne Linscott

James D. LipcamonRosemary Lippincott CRA

Linda LobbMerikay Long

Debra A. Lopez CRA, FAHRAStephan A. Lopez FAHRA

A. LuckinoTim L. Ludwig CRA, FAHRA

Peggy LyonsKirk Macaulay

James D. Mace CRADoug MahanyRobert A. Maier

Luis O. Marquez CRA, FAHRABarbara J. MarshallCarol S. Martin

Cheryl L. Martin CRAGary Martin

Salvatore MartinoBrian Matsusaka CRA

David MattaCarl Mayberry

Jay P. Mazurowski CRA,FAHRA

Grant A. McClure CRAPeter C. McCormack CRAAngelic P. McDonaldSheena McGowan

Donna McKenzieSharon A. McKinneyMaureen McLeanBarbara McNeilLynn A. McVeyJessica Mejia

Merle D. Meland FAHRASteven MetcalfKathy MeyerJay MeyersonBetsy Miletta

Chuck R. Mitchell FAHRACraig T. MitchellJoeW. Moock

Jennifer J. MoranAbraham MorejonPaul R. Moreno

Donna Morris CRAValarie MortonPaul MosebachLynn MuellerEdna MulenexTerry Napper

Diane M. Nelson CRAJason Newmark CRABarry L. Nielsen CRAGail A. Nielsen FAHRA

Nina L. NoldonJoan R. Oakley FAHRACharles W. ObbagyJudy Offenback

Penny M. Olivi CRA, FAHRAThomas A. OrganNancy Y. Ortiz

George P. OsmunKevin C. OstermanL. James Oswald

Ray Ould

Thank You 2009 AHRA EducationFoundation Individual Donors. . . from previous page

. . . continued on next page

Page 12: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

12 June 2010 Link

Bart OutzenLisa M. Owens

Dennis L. Oxton CRAJohn Palmer-Rye

Jeffrey A. Palmucci CRADavid S. Partridge CRA

Laurel A. PattMarci PaulkBarbara J Peck

Bernard F. PeculisSissy H. Pederson CRAMargaret E. PeitsoEnrico M. Perez CRARobert L. Perez

Bruce E. Peters CRAVicki Petersen FAHRAMerle C. Peterson CRASharon M. Pietlock

Mary PopeGary Price CRA

Vivian Prinster CRANancy Prouty CRA

Linda J. Puchalski CRA, FAHRARobyn D. PulliamPeggy A. Pust CRA

Kimlyn N. Queen CRAWilliam QuinnLarry A. RanahanSeetha Reddy

Thomas A. Redman CRA,FAHRA

Jeffrey RehmJerry Reid

James ReilingRobyn Reynolds

Noel R. Rhodes CRA

Andrew RhynusRoland Rhynus CRA, FAHRA

Judith R. RicchiutoEleanor A. RichardsonPaul Riggieri CRALester C. RileaTony E. Rime

Brenda Rinehart CRAMark A. Rita

Elizabeth RitchieJohnW. Roberts, Jr FAHRA

Karen RogersCathy D. Ross CRAWoodie Ross CRA

Bernard F. Rubenzer FAHRABonnie Rush

Marcy P. RushfordPhilip L. Ruth

Sue Rysted CRADavid Sack CRA, FAHRA

Linda SagerMari SandersLouise SaxbyJoshua SchellerRay A. Schemm

Susan Schreiner CRACarol C. Scoggins

Jason ScottCharles A. SeagerJanet Seeman CRA

Sheila M. Sferrella CRASurendra B. ShahTariq Shaikh

Geraldine F. Sharp CRASharyn M. ShillSteve ShullmanXavier A. SilvaElliot Silverman

Patricia SmithPatricia Sousa

Stephen L. Spearing CRAJoyce A. Spulick

Bonni Standley CRAJohn Stanford

Todd G. Stanley CRATerry Stavang CRA

Katherine A. Steffen CRARobert J. Steigerwald

Denise SteinKaren E. Steinhice CRADouglas K. SterkenErnie R. Stewart CRAKaren L. Stewart CRAMargie G. Stickles

Cathleen P. Story CRABeverly A. Stoudt CRA

Lee SwansonJudith Swapp-OneillLance TahmahkeraJulio C. Tapia CRADerek Taylor

Michael M. TeglasiJason C. Theadore CRA

Lorraine ThiesSusan G. Thomas CRA-Retired

Lee TkachukDebra TobinScott TreamerJudy TuckerAnita L. TuuaBen V. Tuua

Cynthia Y. TynerDenise R. Vander WerfCarlos E. Vasquez

Eliezer Vazquez CRAAdalgisa Vergara

Mark A. Viau CRA, FAHRADenise Vill'NeuveIvan Vinueza CRA

Brien J. Vokits CRA, FAHRAMichelle M. Wall CRA, FAHRA

Linda Walla CRASteven D. WaltersRobin WaltonLaurie WardropDiane Warren

Glenn G. Watkins FAHRAMark A. Watts CRABeth L. Weber CRAWilliam L. Weirich

Deanna L. Welch FAHRAThomas J. Welch CRARichard A. Wendt

Michael G. West CRA, FAHRACharles L. WestphallRobert E. White CRAPamela S. WickkiserAlan L. Wildman CRAAngela WilkersonKraig A. Wilkinson

Kathleen Williams CRARobert S. Wilson CRACindy M. Winter CRA

Gina F. WintersJulie A. Wolowitz CRARuth A. Woosley CRASharon WorshamDenys K. WynnJames A. YeagerLinda Yentes

Ed Yoder FAHRARosalyn Young

Thank You 2009 AHRA EducationFoundation Individual Donors. . . from previous page

Page 13: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

13 June 2010 Link

AHRA Education Foundation DonationProcess ExplainedBy Jay Mazurowski, CRA, FAHRA

Dear AHRA Members:

First of all, I’d like to thank you all for your assistance in helpingtransform the AHRA Education Foundation (EF) into anextremely valuable resource for all members of the AHRA. Inthe past two years, the EF has raised over $350,000, which hashelped fund scholarships, online courses, and webinars forcontinuing education and other innovative programs and ini-tiatives. I would like to take this opportunity to explain the dif-ferent avenues of possible support and how contributions arebeing directed.

Foundation Partnership InitiativeMany of you made multi-year pledges to the FoundationPartnership Initiative (FPI) in 2006, and you may still be payingthose pledges off. The primary purpose of the FPI was to gen-erate vital resources for many of the programs and initiativesthat the AHRA and AHRAEF currently fund. For example, theFPI was the driving force behind the development of theLeadership Institute. Also, Partners in Learning, the OnlineInstitute, and the Putting Patients First program are all innova-tive programs that came about because of the FPI. All fundscommitted to the FPI have already been allocated for use.

Annual AppealThe AHRAEF annual appeal serves as a primary funding mech-anism for the general operating budget of the Foundation,including: development of educational content for the OnlineInstitute; two Broadley Scholarships; three Annual Meeting

Osborn Scholarships; one Osborn Spring ConferenceScholarship; one Osborn Fall Conference Scholarship; the DuesWaiver Program; and other programs and services that benefitAHRA members. In the past two years, we have introducedmember giving initiatives with the purpose of increasing therate of participation of AHRA members who contribute to theEF. In 2009, the “Get Pinned” campaign generated nearly$15,000 from AHRA members. This year, we will introduce “GetPinned Too”with a goal of raising $20,000 from AHRA mem-bers while increasing the rate of participation. “Get Pinned”served as the primary annual appeal for 2009, while “GetPinned Too” serves as the primary annual appeal for 2010.

Dues Check-offsIf you have made a contribution to the EF by checking a dona-tion box when paying your membership dues, you have madea donation to the annual appeal. All dues check-off donationsare directed to the annual appeal fund.

It is my hope that this will avoid future confusion when makinga gift to the AHRAEF. Your continued support is not only great-ly appreciated, it is imperative to keep the Foundation a cut-ting edge resource for our members and other imaging profes-sionals.

Page 14: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

14 June 2010 Link

Hello once again from the Joint Review Committee onEducation in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). If you’re unfa-miliar with JRCERT, this committee promotes excellence ineducation and enhances the quality and safety of patient carethrough the accreditation of educational programs. JRCERT isthe only agency recognized by the United States Departmentof Education for the accreditation of traditional and distancedelivery educational programs in radiography, radiation thera-py, magnetic resonance, and medical dosimetry. Programsaccredited by JRCERT must demonstrate that they are in sub-stantial compliance with the relevant JRCERT accreditationstandards.

One of the great benefits of programmatic accreditation fromJRCERT is that educational programs are evaluated at everylevel by people who have experience in the radiologic sci-ences. The CEO of JRCERT, the accreditation specialists in theoffice, JRCERT site visitors, and the majority of the board ofdirectors carry the ARRT distinction proudly. In fact, only thepublic member and the physician (radiologist or radiationoncologist) on the board—two members out of eight—are notARRT certified.

Most members of the AHRA who read Link are engaged insome form of management in a healthcare setting and manyof you have the opportunity to work with students who per-form their clinical rotations in your facility. Additionally, manyof you may also have direct responsibilities for students as afunction of your position. Either way, students and their edu-cational experiences are affected by decisions that you make.

Periodically there are recurring issues experienced in educa-tional programs, of which department managers and directorsshould be made aware. There are currently two such issues,mainly mammography rotations and shared clinical sites, that Iwould like to address.

For a number of years, educators along with departmentalmanagement have debated issues related to gender-specificexams such as mammography, hysterosalpinography, etc, andeducational experiences. In short, should male students begiven the same opportunity to rotate through mammographyas female students? I’m sure when many of us were students,male students were expected to rotate through mammogra-phy and receive a mammography competency just like femalestudents. Program directors and radiology management con-

sidered it appropriate for all students, male and female, to per-form all exams, including mammography. However, all toooften, if a particular department leadership did not feel com-fortable with males participating in mammography rotations,no problem: males were no longer allowed to rotate throughmammography. It’s not that easy anymore.

JRCERT Standards for Accredited Programs in RadiologicSciences require that all educational experiences be equitable.That means that if you allow females to rotate through mam-mography, you must allow males that same opportunity.Some departmental administrators are uncomfortable withthis policy and will not allow any students access to mammog-raphy rotations. While this is an option, a better option may beto have policies and practices in place that allow all students torotate through mammography while giving the patients theoption, on an individual basis, of whether to allow a male stu-dent to participate in their procedure. In the final analysis,male and female students must be treated equitably.

The other educational issue that could affect imaging depart-ments relates to shared clinical sites. Many departments haveclinical rotation agreements established with programs thathave been in place for years. One of the recent trends theJRCERT is encountering is departments being asked to shareclinical rotations with other programs. Sometimes this can beaccomplished without any issues; however, many timesdepartments are asked to accept more students than they canappropriately accommodate. This can lead to many issuesincluding students not being able to complete their compe-tencies, students not being adequately supervised, and/or staffmembers being asked to give preferential treatment to certainstudents over others. All of these situations can have a nega-tive affect on both the students and the technologists. If youare asked to share clinical time and space with multiple pro-grams, make sure there are adequate human and physicalresources available to provide a quality experience to all stu-dents and that there is a clear understanding among all partiesregarding the needs of the students and your staff.The JRCERT continues to strive to ensure that educational pro-grams in the radiologic sciences are operating in a manner thatwill result in a quality education for tomorrow’s professionals inthe radiologic sciences. The high standards that our professiondemands, and that our patients deserve, can only be achievedby all of us working together. Thank you for your dedication toour profession and your efforts to ensure our future.

Hello From the JRCERTBy Tim Ludwig, CRA, FAHRA

Page 15: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

15 June 2010 Link

. . . continued on next page

OIG Approves Proposed Free Pre-Authorization Services Arrangement

OnMay 6, 2010 the Office of Inspector General (OIG) postedAdvisory Opinion 10-04, approving a program conducted byseveral imaging centers to provide free pre-authorization serv-ices to patients and referring physicians (henceforth referred toas the Pre-Authorization Arrangement). This approval wassomewhat unexpected in light of the OIG’s prior issuance ofseveral advisory opinions and other guidance, articulating con-cerns regarding free items/services for referringphysicians. Nonetheless, the OIG’s position in AdvisoryOpinion 10-04 is likely to be received favorably by the signifi-cant number of imaging providers who have been trying tobridge the tension between advancing their businessprospects in an increasingly competitive landscape, whilesimultaneously seeking to engage in conduct that abides bythe Anti-kickback Statute (AKS).

The Pre-Authorization Arrangement involved several imagingcenters implementing a program to obtain from insurers anyrequired pre-authorization for diagnostic imaging services pro-vided at the centers. Under the Pre-AuthorizationArrangement, the imaging centers established a call center toreceive calls from patients and referring physicians’ offices torequest pre-authorization services. The call center’s serviceswould be free of charge and made available on an equal basis,irrespective of the number or value of referrals from a referringphysician.

In analyzing the proposed pre-authorization arrangement, theOIG recognized that when a party in a position to benefit fromreferrals (eg, imaging centers) provides free administrativeservices to an existing or potential referral source, there is arisk that the arrangement could influence referrals (a predicateelement to an AKS violation). Due to a combination of factorsrelating to the structure of the program and the safeguardsincorporated into the operational framework, the OIG conclud-ed that the arrangement presented a relatively low level of risk,and thus would not provide a basis for administrative sanc-tions under the AKS. The reasons behind the OIG’s decision toapprove the Pre-Authorization Arrangement included:

1. The Pre-Authorization Arrangement’s administrative servic-es is made available to all patients and referring physicians onan equal basis, regardless of any referring physician’s overallvolume or value of expected or past referrals. The OIG noted

that the Pre-Authorization Arrangement did not target anyparticular referring physicians, in contrast to many arrange-ments in which physicians are in a position to benefit from aservice provided by a recipient of their referrals. Further, giventhe multitude of insurance plans and plan requirements, theimaging centers were considered to be unaware of a particularphysician’s obligations with respect to an order for a particularpatient. Under these circumstances, the OIG explained thatwhen the imaging centers unintentionally relieve some physi-cians of their pre-authorization obligations, such relief occursmore by chance than by design.

2. The Pre-Authorization Arrangement does not include anypayments to the referring physicians, nor does it otherwisereward the physicians’ referrals. The OIG noted that the imag-ing centers would make no assurances to physicians orpatients that the use of its call center would result in the pre-authorization being approved, and they would collect and pro-vide from patients and referring physicians only medically nec-essary documentation to insurers.

3. The Pre-Authorization Arrangement’s call center wouldoperate transparently. That is, personnel would identify them-selves to insurers as representatives of the imaging centers,disclose the nature of the Pre-Authorization Arrangement, andwould provide each physician with a copy of all the informa-tion that it submits to the insurers to obtain the pre-authoriza-tion. The OIG believes the call center staff would have onlylimited opportunity to influence referrals based upon the pre-sumption that patients have already selected their imagingcenter. The OIG distinguished the Pre-AuthorizationArrangement from higher-risk arrangements (in whichproviders encourage referrals by furnishing referring physi-cians with staff who have a greater ability to influence refer-rals—eg, discharge planners, home care liaisons, etc).

4. The OIG notably recognized that the imaging centers havea legitimate business interest in offering uniform pre-authori-zation services in that the imaging centers’ payments arebased on pre-authorizations. The OIG pointed out that theimaging centers’ financial interest to ensure the pre-authoriza-tions are obtained appropriately represents a reasonablerationale, unlike arrangements designed to induce referrals.

By Adrienne Dresevic, Esq. and Carey Kalmowitz, Esq.

Page 16: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

16 June 2010 Link

OIG Approves Proposed Free Pre-Authorization Services ArrangementThe OIG emphasized that the opinion does not imply thatimaging centers (or other providers) are required to offer orprovide free pre-authorization services to patients or referringphysicians. Nor does Advisory Opinion 10-04 endorse all pre-authorization programs by imaging providers. Rather, thestructure of the program and integration of safeguards permit-

ted the OIG to conclude that the Pre-AuthorizationArrangement did not present the same AKS abuses that theOIG has identified in other arrangements involving potentialbenefit to referring physicians. Thus, imaging providers thatcurrently provide such pre-authorization services to referralsources, or are considering such services, should have theirarrangements reviewed to ensure that the program containsappropriate safeguards to diminish AKS risks.

. . . from previous page

Page 17: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

17 June 2010 Link

FREE CE with purchase of HumanResource Management in RadiologyIndividual chapters of the book Human Resource Managementin Radiology are accompanied by a FREE exam that has beenapproved for ARRT Category A CE credit (the number of creditsvaries by chapter). To take an exam, simply purchase any indi-vidual chapter electronically or purchase the entire book (hardcopy). The exams are then available to you for FREE in theOnline Institute: http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Professional_Development_Series.*

If you would like to purchase any of the other textbooks in theprofessional development series, you can buy the hard copynow or purchase chapters individually as they become avail-

able online. The other books include: Communication &Information Management in Radiology, Asset Management inRadiology, Financial Management in Radiology, andOperations Management in Radiology (coming this summer).

If you have questions or want more information, please con-tact us by email at [email protected] or call ourfriendly Member Services Specialists (978) 443-7591.

* To receive CE credit, you must pass the test.

Page 18: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

18 June 2010 Link

Members in the NewsAHRA members Luann Culbreth and Sheila Sferella wereboth featured in a recent article in the April/May issue ofRadiology Business Journal entitled “How Hospitals AreRethinking Imaging”by Julie Ritzer Ross. Sferella was also fea-tured as a CRA in a house ad in the same issue. To view, visit:http://www.imagingbiz.com/articles/view/how-hospitals-are-rethinking-imaging/

~~~~

Congratulations to the grand prize winner of our “Where’s Ed?”contest: SophiaWard, Imaging Director, Roper St. FrancisHealthcare, Charleston, SC! Sophia’s name was drawn fromover 1100 entries! Congratulations to Sophia and to our otherweekly winners:

Week 1: David Langlois, B.S., RT(R)Week 2: Ron Barak, CRA, MBAWeek 3: Mardell JacobsenWeek 4: Barry Jessie, MBA, CNMT, RT(N)Week 5: Laurie Dumais, RT(R)(M)(CT)

Week 6: Jacqui Rose, CRAWeek 7: Christopher Diehl, BSWeek 8: Amy Kurland Toney, CPC

Thanks to all who participated in our “Where’s Ed?”contest! Stay tuned for the annual meeting edition of“Where’s Ed?”!

~~~~

Congratulations to Peter Mazurowski, son of AHRA past-presi-dent Jay Mazurowski! Peter was recently cast in the title roleof Billy Elliot: The Musical. He will take the stage in Chicago atthe Ford Center For The Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre thisSeptember.

Page 19: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

19 June 2010 Link

AHRA partners with ARIN atAnnual MeetingBy Becky Lamberth, CRA

Radiology departments are continuously updating technology,adding new procedures, and becoming much more special-ized. As our roles in imaging have expanded, many depart-ments have found it necessary to add dedicated nurses to pro-vide a variety of services for our patients. Radiology nurses areinvolved in all phases of a patient’s care, from pre-procedureplanning through discharge, and as such, play a vital role onour team. I have several nurses that work in my departmentand they provide nursing care in all of our modalities. Theyserve many roles, including circulating in the interventionallab; monitoring patients for cardiac exams in CT and NM;assisting technologists in radiology and ultrasound; and mostrecently, have begun to provide PICC line services. At thispoint, I can’t imagine trying to operate my department withoutRNs. The landscape in radiology has changed and for the bet-ter of our patients. However, having nurses in a technologistdriven environment creates a new set of challenges for bothnursing and imaging leaders.

AHRA has done an outstanding job in the past mentoring andeducating new leaders with programs such as the BasicManagement track offered at the annual meeting by theEducation Foundation Leadership Institute. This program pro-vides a variety of information and tools for developing imagingleaders with courses from the following domains: humanresources, communication, operations management, assetmanagement, and finance. Because of our success in the pastwith such programs, the Association of Radiologic and ImagingNursing (ARIN) approached members of the AHRA severalmonths ago to explore the possibility of partnering at theannual meeting to develop a workshop to expand the knowl-edge base of nursing leadership in imaging departments inthe same way we have with our imaging leaders. Since I haveexperienced my own growing pains and discomfort with man-aging nursing staff in radiology, I jumped at the opportunity toserve on the committee to develop a workshop for our nursemanagers.

Members from both organizations have worked for the pastseveral months creating a rich program that would developour nursing leaders who provide care in imaging. Weapproached the development very much in a similar manneras we did for our own management track and focused on thecrucial components that every leader in imaging should under-stand. “Leadership in Imaging Nursing ManagementWorkshop” is a one day program which will provide both nurs-ing and imaging leaders with practical tools and informationon topics that include:

-- Budgeting and asset management: Basic principles and com-ponents of a budget, reconciliation, radiology specific expens-es, and productivity measures.-- HR and staff issues: Managing employees from different dis-ciplines, licensing considerations, and division of responsibilitybetween the radiology and nurse management teams.-- Project management: Tools and techniques of managingprojects in the department.-- Interactions between nursing and imaging staff: Creating anenvironment that encourages collaboration between radiologyand nursing and decreases those never ending turf wars.-- Teamwork: building an infrastructure for change and meas-uring outcomes.-- Radiation safety considerations: Overview of basic safetyconsiderations, accreditation, licensing, and documentation.

The program is open to members of both organizations on thefirst day of the annual meeting. Details can be found online at:http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=AnnualMeeting_NursingWorkshop. It is an opportunity for both disci-plines to learn practical tools to address the challenges associ-ated with the changes that are occurring rapidly in radiology.Registration information is available at: http://www. ahraon-line.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=AnnualMeetingRegistration&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11069. I lookforward to seeing everyone in Washington, DC this summerand hope that you enjoy this new program!

Page 20: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

20 June 2010 Link

In Every IssueDid You Know?Did you know that 10 Annual Meeting Scholarships are avail-able?

We understand that educational and travel funding is more dif-ficult to obtain this year. Many of our members tell us that allsuch funding has been eliminated for this year. Recognizingthis, AHRA and the AHRA Education Foundation, working withour valued corporate partners, have established the AHRAAnnual Meeting Scholarship. These awards will provide com-plete meeting registration and hotel accommodations to AHRAmembers who have previously attended the Annual Meetingbut have no employer funding to attend this year’s meeting inWashington D.C.

Qualifications for the scholarship have been established inorder to recognize loyal AHRA members who have attended atleast one previous Annual Meeting and/or provided valuablevolunteer service to the association.

We are pleased to announce that the following corporate part-ners have provided grants to our Education Foundation whichallows us to award 10 scholarships to the meeting: Hitachi,Agfa Healthcare, and Philips.

Click here to submit your application:http://www.ahraonline.org/EDFoundation/AHRAEFAMApplication.asp

~~~~~~~

Check out AHRA’s Emeritus Status and DuesWaiverProgram

Are you leaving your job due to retirement or layoffs? Keepyour AHRA membership active through our Emeritus and DuesWavier programs.

Emeritus StatusIn recognition of the loyalty and contributions of its long-standing members, AHRA established an Emeritus status. Inorder to be eligible for Emeritus status, an AHRA member musthave a total of 15 years of current AHRA membership at thetime of the request and no longer be employed in healthcare.

Individuals awarded AHRA Emeritus status may not vote orhold elected office but may continue to provide volunteerservice to the organization.

Benefits of AHRA Emeritus status include:

-- Waiver of membership dues (Please Note: Annual renewal ofEmeritus status is required)-- Access to the AHRA online membership directory-- Subscription to AHRA’s monthly enewsletter, Link-- Subscription to AHRA’s online List Server-- Additional 10% discount off member prices for select AHRAproducts (eg, books, surveys)-- Waiver of conference or seminar registration at one AHRAconference or seminar annually upon request-- Reduced subscription fee (equal to half the regular subscrip-tion rate) for Radiology Management

To apply for Emeritus status, contact us online[http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Contact_AHRA] or call 800-334-2472.

DuesWaiver ProgramThe AHRAEF wishes to support members who have becomeunemployed by offering “AHRA’s Education FoundationTransition Package for Radiology Administrators.”

AHRA members who have become unemployed can apply foran extension of their AHRA membership, for up to one year,while the AHRA Education Foundation waives the membershipdues. Certain qualifications must be met and an applicationneeds to be submitted. Once accepted, the member willreceive the full benefits of AHRA membership.

DuesWaiver Qualifications:-- Current AHRA member-- Currently unemployed and actively seeking employment inradiology management-- Not working as a consultant-- Application for dues waiver must be submitted to AHRA.

Once approved, the member will be notified of acceptance.After 6 months, the member will be billed for dues, but maycontinue the dues waiver by notifying AHRA of unemployedstatus.

Upon employment, member will notify AHRA immediately.Membership may be continued on a paid basis at that time.

To find out if you qualify for the Dues Waiver program, clickhere.[http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=DuesWaiverProgram]

. . . continued on next page

Page 21: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

In Every Issue~~~~~~~

June AHRAWebinar: Public Reporting and the Promotionof Patient Centered Care

By Ernie Stewart RT(R), CRA, MBA, MHSA

Presented by: Veronica Cochran, RN, BSN, MTh

In this day and age of “instant information” via the internet,patients and their families have more access to medical infor-mation that ever before. As a result of this new access toknowledge, patients are demanding more involvement in theircare and treatment processes. Coupled with the paradigm shiftassociated with healthcare reform and the focus on clinicalquality, healthy outcomes, and overall patient satisfaction, weare being forced to change the way we think about the deliv-ery of healthcare services at all levels of the organization.

Patients and their families view their care on a continuum withevery encounter being significant. Clinical quality is expectedbut quality alone will not meet patient expectations, guaran-tee patient loyalty, or increase market share. Patients nowhave the opportunity to “shop around”with HCAHPS and theMedicare Hospital CompareWeb site.

Veronica Cochran, the director of patient centeredness forBaylor Healthcare System in Dallas, TX has over 20 years of rel-evant experience in a variety of hospital and home healthnursing roles. Since she joined the Baylor system in 2001, shehas progressed from nurse educator, customer service pro-gram facilitator, and eventually joined the office of patient cen-teredness as a training manager, where she now serves asdirector.

During this webinar, Veronica will use her plethora of experi-ences and her professional expertise to demonstrate how youcan actively impact patient care. Through cultural change withthe goal of high quality service, you can make a positiveimpact on those who care for your patients, and ultimatelygain patient loyalty by exceeding their expectation for serviceand quality care.

As a participant you will learn:-- The importance of public reporting in drivingprocess improvement for quality outcomes-- To understand how improving patient engagementand service will foster quality outcomes-- To describe interventions that will improve patient

engagement and loyalty

This webinar will be presented on Thursday, June 24, 2010from 1-2:30 PM EST. Click here to register: http://www.ahraon-line.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=AHRA_Webinars&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=10519

~~~~~~~~~

NewMembersThe staff and members of AHRA warmly welcome the follow-ing new members!

Jacqueline Beach, Semmes, ALJeff Croston, Wichita Falls, TXDaniel DiPaola, Suffern, NYBrenda Estermyer, New Port Richey, FLRuss Griffin, Leander, TXTina Hollis, Waverly, OHEdward Kantor, Brooklyn, NYKathleen Kinsella, Alpharetta, GATom Klinkhammer, Rochester, MNBrian Lundblad, Chesterfield, VABrenda Milne, Machesney Park, ILJanie Peters, Orlando, FLJeffrey Prater, Coeur D’Alene, IDMarilyn Roth, Dubuque, IABeth Sheyka, Albuquerque, NMCynthia Solomon, Melissa, TXLee Turner, Secaucus, NJSuzanne Veal, Fleming Island, FLSharonWhitaker, Irvine, KYKathleen Angwin, Concord, NHDonna Crawshaw,Murphysboro, ILM. Andy Dawson, West Point, UTSusan Huber,Machias, MEJeffrey Otto, Eagle Pass, TXLaura Szafranski, Louisville, KYNicole Ver Pault, Concord, NH

Do you know someone who can benefit from an AHRA mem-bership? Let us know! Send the contact information to ourmembership department at [email protected] your referral joins, you’ll be listed here as well!

~~~~~~~~~

Online Institute Feature

21 June 2010 Link

. . . from previous page

. . . continued on next page

Page 22: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

22 June 2010 Link

In Every Issue

Professional Development Series:Human Resources in RadiologyChapter 11: Appraise and Improve Performance

An integrated performance management system is an invalu-able tool to drive employee performance and achieve theorganization’s goals. The system includes training and assess-ment, as discussed in Chapter 10; performance appraisals, dis-cussed in this chapter; and ongoing coaching, feedback, andmentoring, as discussed in Chapter 12. Among the types ofappraisal systems are essays, rating scales, and managementby objectives, each of which has its advantages and disadvan-tages. All types incorporate an appraisal interview, for whichboth the manager and the employee should prepare to con-duct as a collaboration, primarily as a planning session forfuture performance.

To view this and other archived webinars, Quick Credit articles,Professional Development Series textbook chapters, and con-ference sessions, and to take the associated CE exams, clickhere.[http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=aw090731info]

~~~~~~~~

From the List Server

The AHRA List Server is an online tool that allows you to net-work with other imaging professionals, in one common place.Many AHRA members take advantage of this exclusive mem-ber benefit and use the List Server daily to share valuable infor-mation with their peers.

Below is a recent discussion:“Has anybody run into a situation of surgical staff not wearing(refusing) lead aprons during fluoro procedures and, if so, howdid you solve it?”

—Craig Freeman

Responses:— I have run into this problem both here and at the last place Iworked. As far as OR staff is concerned, I got their manager onboard. I told him that we would not perform any exams in ORsuites unless everyone was wearing an apron and film badge.Employees have no choice in the matter. This works most of the

time. As for surgeons, we have nothing in place to force them towear aprons.

— I am speaking from a facility that currently does not have thisproblem. At my last facility it was considered a matter of radia-tion safety. No apron, no exposure, and we have had techs notturn on II in surgery until compliance is met. Of course the techneeds to know that everyone has an apron and if the surgeon hasgowned prior to arrival of imaging, then the tech may not be ableto verify, but he can ask. If no is the answer, no image or, in somecases, the surgeon gets behind a mobile shield to observe images.Even the anesthesiologist or (anesthetist) had a gown on duringexposure. By the way, my current facility does not do any surgery– lucky me.

— Not an issue here, but I would reference your policy require-ments and take it up the ladder as necessary.

— I had an anesthesiologist refuse to wear any apron and we hadthe RSO (Radiologist) and the chief medical officer review andthey had the chief of the service talk to him. After that we moni-tored him daily!

— If you are in CA, Title 17 covers you. Check your state regula-tions.

— I would invite the ORmanager/leads for a called radiation safe-ty meeting with the RSO present and chief of surgery.

— Arizona has a law (no, not SB1070—to which CA has the equiv-alent penal code 834b). The law states anyone within twometers(or six feet) of the central beamMUST wear an apron. There is NOnegotiation. I have instructed them that the hospital is at risk of afine and ultimately the loss of its ability to perform ANY radiologyprocedures, should the state decide we have an ineffective radia-tion safety program and are unable to manage our own staff.

1. Corporate compliance statements signed by employees say theywill follow the rules/laws.2. There are state statutes and, I believe, an NRC equivalent to thisrule.

They have basically been told you will lose your job for non-com-pliance.

What would happen if one of them develops leukemia and says,“They didn’t make me wear an apron . . . it was ‘optional’ in ourarea”? I would make this a record in radiation safety and that the

. . . from previous page

. . . continued on next page

Page 23: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

In Every Issue

23 June 2010 Link

committee plans to do the following:- educate staff of the requirements- tell them what could happen, medically and to the organization-explain if they signed the corporate compliance affidavit, thatthey are in violation of that and therefore voluntarily and willfullyasking to be let go.- I have instructed techs to report any infractions by staff and haltthe procedure, even turn off the equipment when it is unsafe.(Hopefully using good judgment NOT to injure a patient.) If thatmakes the surgeon mad, then that employee will suffer his rage.

My tech is protected by the AZ law.- If it is a physician, he is reported to the CMO and they do not takeit lightly when that happens.

For more information about AHRA’s List Server, click here.[http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=ListServer&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=7399]

. . . from previous page

Page 24: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

24 June 2010 Link

AHRA 2010 Annual Meeting BlogNow LiveWe’re trying something new this year with our annual meetingcommunications. In addition to the weekly Annual Meetingemail digest and the on site Convention Daily, we’re utilizingthis blog, along with our social networking sites(Twitter,Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube), to connect with AHRAmembership, meeting attendees, speakers, and exhibitors.

Some great features of this blog:-- Users are able to comment on articles–just enter your nameand email address. No login required.-- Users are able to rate articles.-- Users can access the blog with ease from their mobiledevices (iPhone, Blackberry, Droid, etc): just plug in our blogaddress (http://www.ahra2010.wordpress.com) into yourmobile device’s Web browser to access a condensed, easy toread mobile version.-- Email subscription: Users can subscribe to this blog and

receive notifications of new posts by email.

Use this blog as your home base for all things Annual Meeting.Access schedules; travel, lodging, and registration information;and get the inside track on workshops, sessions, contests, andmore–all before the Annual Meeting even begins!

Then, during the Annual Meeting, visit this site to read sessionsynopses; catch the latest issue of Convention Daily; check upon current contests; see photos, videos; and more–all from oneblog, whether you’re with us in Washington, DC or on theother side of the globe.

To view the blog, visit: http://www.ahra2010.wordpress.com.

Stay tuned for continuous updates and we welcome your inputand commentary!

Page 25: LINK - ahra.org1 June2010Link LINK Linkisamonthlynetworking toolandinformationsource formembersofAHRA: TheAssociationforMedical ImagingManagement. c June 2010 | Volume 29, no. 6 …

MEMBER TALK

25 June 2010 Link

2010 Annual Meeting Preview:Anne Daley of "LEANing Radiologyand the Patient Experience"As part of the Advanced Management track at the AnnualMeeting in August, Anne Daley, MS, CMQOE, CSSBB, CLC, MT,DLM of Chi Solutions, Inc., in Mesa, AZ will present "LEANingRadiology and the Patient Experience’: http://www.ahraonline.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=AnnualMeetingWednesday#Daley.

The speaker will begin by introducing some general Lean con-cepts such as value analysis, waste reduction, and process vari-ation. The participants will then learn how a “Leaned Out” SixSigma simplified approach utilizing the DMAIC processimprovement methodology can create rapid improvements.Basic tools discussed include project charter, functionaldeployment map, value stream map, fishbone analysis, affinityprocess, decision matrix, implementation plan, and controlplan. Skills development exercises and simple templates willprepare participants to begin immediate application in theirown organizations. A patient experience improvement casestudy will highlight many of the concepts and tools.

Link recently spoke to Anne Daley to get a feel for what atten-dees can expect from the presentation.

Link: What inspired you to present on this topic?Anne Daley:Many imaging processes are designed around thecapability of human resources, technology, and physical envi-ronments instead of patient expectations. When focus is shift-ed to the patient experience, it is amazing how small processchanges can significantly improve patient satisfaction andoverall process efficiency at the same time. Sharing successstories on how some basic Lean and Six Sigma concepts andtools can be applied will help stimulate improvement withinother imaging services.

Link: Why is your topic relevant to our members?AD: Imaging services are constantly challenged to “do morewith less.” Applying basic Lean and Six Sigma concepts andtools helps to eliminate wasted activity in a process. Theprocess then speeds up, resulting in faster patient throughputand improved cost efficiency.

Link: How might your presentation impact an attendee's joband/or organization?AD: This presentation will expand attendees’ knowledge ofand skill with process improvement concepts and tools. Theywill also discover how to apply these concepts and tools withintheir own organizations as well as become familiar with basicLean and Six Sigma terminology.

Link: What 5 words would you use to describe your presenta-tion?AD: Engaging, informative, participative, energetic, and fun.

Link: How can attendees prepare for your session in order toget the most out of it?AD: Attendees should come with a process critical to apatient’s experience in mind that is not efficient and needsimprovement. As various concepts and tools are discussedduring the session, attendees will begin to formulate how themethodology can be applied to their own processes. Considerit “just-in-time” learning!

Link: What do you think attendees will be most surprised tolearn from your presentation?AD: They will be most surprised to learn how Lean and SixSigma can be simplified and easily applied within their ownorganizations to increase process efficiency. The basic con-cepts and tools are common sense; however, as BenjaminFranklin once said, “Common sense is not necessarily commonpractice.”

Link: If attendees were to remember one thing about yourpresentation, what would you most like it to be?AD: The patient’s experience must be the critical focus of animaging encounter and can be significantly improved byreducing wasted activities (applying Lean concepts and tools)within the many work processes they come across.