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Risk managers aim to share their values
“Every day, health care risk managers make their mark on patients’ care,” says ASHRM 2005 President Pamela Popp. “It’s entirely appropriate that we honor and recognize those who bring pride to the profession through their daily interactions with patients and providers.”
This year, June 20-24 officially marks Health Care Risk Management Week. It’s the ideal time to celebrate the fact that health care risk management professionals with diverse backgrounds, training and titles all contribute to the same goal of safe and trusted health care.
ASHRM established Health Care Risk Management Week five years ago as the profession’s annual nationwide opportunity to educate others about the value of seeing risk management as an organization-wide concern. The 2005 theme “MAKE YOUR MARK” emphasizes inclusiveness.
A color brochure mailed in April to ASHRM members depicts this year’s theme. The brochure features a catalog of unique “MAKE YOUR MARK” logo items that can be great giveaways for staff and clients – and help support ASHRM education programs. Items are accessibly priced from 99 cents for attractive pens to $7.99 for eye-catching posters, and may be personalized for organizations. All orders must be placed by June 1 to ensure timely delivery. Information about the commemorative items is available at www.ashrm.org.
The highlight of this year’s observance is the expanded June 22 audio conference/Webcast titled “Mandatory vs. Voluntary Reporting Systems: Same Vision, Different Views” (see Sidebar). Risk managers are encouraged to reserve conference room space and invite their clinical and executive colleagues to listen and learn from the faculty of experts on error reporting systems. Many ASHRM-affiliated chapters also will take advantage of the program as a source of continuing education credits.
The week can be a showcase for risk managers to address their local communities, too. Everyone is a health care consumer and therefore can support risk managers’ efforts toward the prevention of medical errors through the improvement of patient safety systems. Among suggested activities are distributing an informative press release to local media and a proclamation of the week that can be shared with local officials (available at www.ashrm.org).
“Regardless of background, we all work toward the same goal and vision of safe and trusted health care. There is no mark more worthy of our pursuits,” Popp says.
Tips on how to celebrate Health Care Risk Management Week
Commemorate Health Care Risk Management Week, June 20-24, 2005, and promote ASHRM’s vision of safe and trusted health care. Details are at www.ashrm.org.
APRIL
__ Start to plan events. Partner with Quality and Patient/Employee Safety professionals in your organization.
__ Review the commemorative items at www.ashrm.org. These will be appreciated as prizes or thank-you gifts to people who support your risk management efforts. Order posters for display, too.
__ Send a memo to your CEO and medical staff leadership outlining your plans for the week.
__ Send letters to state and local government leaders requesting official recognition of Health Care Risk Management Week. Use the sample proclamation posted on www.ashrm.org.
MAY - JUNE
__ Register for ASHRM’s June 22 audio conference/Webcast on reporting systems. Reserve a conference room with phone/Internet connection.
__ Promote your events to staff and leadership or clients with notecard invitations, table tents or other promotional pieces using the “MAKE YOUR MARK” logo from ASHRM.
__ Send ASHRM’s Health Care Risk Management Week press release to your in-house newsletter, promoting the week and your plans.
__ Call or write local media. Remind them of the importance of professional liability insurance/tort reform issues and risk management’s role in addressing these issues.
__ Make laminated cards with risk management tips on one side, your name and contact info on the other.
JUNE 20-24
__ Select volunteers to be “risk manager for a day.”
__ Put up 2005 “MAKE YOUR MARK” posters. Have a display in the cafeteria or lobby.
__ Send out a “Risk Management Week” e-mail newsletter; include tips and quiz, with commemorative items as prizes.
__ Host a brown-bag lunch in conjunction with the June 22 audio conference/Webcast.
__ Host an open house with snacks and risk management displays, “tip card” handouts and other materials with your contact info.
JULY
__ Review 2005 observances; solicit feedback.
__ Start planning next year’s celebration (third week in June).
__ Prepare a budget (based on this year’s expenses) that will support next year’s activities and commemorative gifts
__ Send success stories about how you celebrated HCRMW to Nancy Neff at nneff@aha.org.
June 22 program to cover diverse reporting systems
In “Mandatory vs. Voluntary Reporting: Same Vision, Different Views,” a June 22 audio conference/Webcast presented by ASHRM for Health Care Risk Management Week, industry leaders will share inside views into two diverse approaches to achieving safe and trusted health care.
Which approach is preferable? Health care professionals must be prepared to answer that question, especially if their states are considering a mandatory system. This program will provide a comparative overview of these reporting environments and insights into the advantages and disadvantages of each. Issues that can raise potential barriers to reporting systems also will be discussed.
Faculty experts leading this discussion are directly involved with these reporting systems, including United States Pharmacopeia’s voluntary MedMARx system and Pennsylvania’s mandatory Patient Safety Authority system. The faculty will talk about how they make their mark in reducing the incidence of errors and increasing the level of reporting of errors.
Participants who complete this interactive program will be able to identify the impact these reporting initiatives may have on the role of the risk manager and learn how to prepare their organizations for them.
ASHRM audio conferences and Webcasts are convenient and cost-effective. For a single registration fee, any number of participants can listen by speakerphone, view slides on their computer and join in the discussion via phone or e-mail.
For details and to register (or purchase recordings after the program), visit www.ashrm.org or call (312) 422-3980.
NEW CPHRMS
The Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management designation provides a credential that verifies a broad-based knowledge of risk management. Certification elevates professionals in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Congratulations to recent CPHRM achievers:
Deborah G. Ankowicz, Madison, WI
Beverly Joan Berg, Wildomar, CA
Carolyn R. Coleman, Glenside, PA
Mary S. Costello, Wichita, KS
Myrna T. Dunn, Dallas
Judith P. Faine, Riverview, FL
Douglas Michael Gioe, Beech Grove, IN
Barrie Gwinn, Lake Zurich, IL
Elizabeth T. Harrigan, Woodbury, MN
Jackie M. Kendinger, N. Augusta, SC
Janet Susan Smith Leech, Elkins Park, PA
Maricela Marcom, Carmichael, CA
Leslie C. Moore, Spokane, WA
Ann Paris, Bensalem, PA
Sandra A. Severson, Anchorage, AK
Cynthia S. Schiffer, Temple, TX
Anna Scott, Redlands, CA
Michael C. Ruger, Puyallup, WA
Michael J. Seitz, Minneapolis
Kimberly Ann Sheets, Victorville, CA
Faye Dance Sheppard, Arlington, TX
Yvonne Marie Sposito, Phoenix
Doran Lewter Stamps, Birmingham, AL
Millie Rose Harris Tanner, San Bernardino, CA
Karan S. Tassone, Tallmadge, OH
Ardel L. Turkheimer, Bainbridge, WA
Barbara Ann VanPatten, Comstock Park, MI
Mark Robert Weise, Phoenix, AZ
Ellen Louise Wiesner, Waukesha, WI
Julia K. Yawn, Saint George, SC
Shirley May Young, San Francisco
The CPHRM designation is awarded based on participants meeting eligibility requirements and passing an examination. For details about the designation, download the CPHRM Candidate Handbook from the AHA Certification Center via www.ashrm.org (click on the CPHRM logo at the bottom of the page) or call (312) 422-3715.
Application, test appointment can be done online
Online application for the Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management
(CPHRM) credential allows candidates who pay by credit card to apply for the examination and schedule an appointment to test in one visit. This tool may be used for computer-based testing only.
The steps are easy: 1) visit www.goAMP.com, 2) click on “Candidates,” 3) select the “Healthcare” category, 4) select the “AHA Certification Center” program, 5) select the CPHRM examination application, 6) select “Register for Exam," 7) log-in as a new user to create a certification profile, and 8) follow the prompts to enter application information, eligibility and payment information, then schedule the exam.
Preparing for the CPHRM Exam
- The CPHRM Examination Study Guide (3rd Edition) covers exam content in a flexible format to meet the needs of anyone who has not yet purchased a study guide or does not plan to take a CPHRM Examination Preparation Session. Content was adapted from the Risk Management Handbook for Health Care Organizations (4th Edition). Also, practice tests in the study guide correspond with the CPHRM content outline. The study guide is available for purchase via the AHA Online Store. Visit www.ashrm.org or call (800) 242-2626 and request item 178836.
Adjustments can help ensure future delivery of e-News
ASHRM’s weekly e-News is one of the most popular benefits of membership and the easiest way to stay up-to-date on risk management in the news, members-only products and program discounts, updated information on educational offerings, and more. As long as ASHRM has a current e-mail address (which members can confirm by checking the online Member Directory at www.ashrm.org), e-News is delivered straight to the e-mail server for that address every Friday.
Increased e-mail security, however, may be preventing some members from receiving this service. There are ways for members to address this situation:
1. Add ASHRM’s domain to your address book:
* Hotmail: Place the “from” address ashrm@aha.org in your safe list. The safe list can be accessed via the “options” link next to the main menu tabs.
* AOL: Place the “from” address ashrm@aha.org in your address book.
* Yahoo! mail: If ASHRM’s e-News is filtered to your "bulk" folder, open an e-News there and click on the "This is not Spam" link next to the "from" field.
* Other providers: If e-News is being filtered, add ashrm@aha.org to your address book or contact list. If this option is not available, try moving an e-News to your Inbox, or forwarding it to yourself.
2. If adding ASHRM’s domain to your address book does not resolve the situation, try providing your facility’s e-mail administrator with information to “white list” ASHRM’s e-mail servers:
* The sending server is EITHER mail.magnetmail.net (66.70.82.40) or
mail1.magnetmail.net (64.106.137.140)
OR one of the following: 209.18.70.5 through 129 or 209.18.70.130 through 255.
* The return path is mmreturn@magnetdev.com (66.70.25.24).
Members who need further assistance may contact ashrm@aha.org.
Introducing ASHRM’s mentoring program
One way for ASHRM members to address future needs of the profession is through ASHRM’s new mentoring program. This initiative orients new members on the many opportunities that await them. In addition, the mentoring program allows veteran ASHRM members to share their insights and offer support to the next generation of risk managers.
ASHRM hopes to match mentors with interested newcomers by geographic region and/or area of expertise. Prospective mentors should provide contact information and specify a practice area from the following that they would feel most comfortable sharing:
- claims and litigation administration
- risk financing
- loss prevention
- regulatory/accreditation compliance
- professional development/risk management as a career
- risk management program development/operations.
Each mentor’s name and contact information will be shared with a new ASHRM member, and participants will define the extent of communication.
Anyone interested in participating in this program may contact Nancy Neff at ASHRM (nneff@aha.org; 312-422-3988).
ASHRM Interest Networks open in April
Membership is now open for ASHRM’s new Patient Safety Interest Network and Risk Financing & Claims Administration Interest Network.
The ASHRM Interest Networks deliver timely content and resources tailored according to risk managers’ primary needs, whether they are focused on patient safety efforts or on traditional risk management issues of risk financing and claims administration.
Each Interest Network will initially:
• deliver four electronic publications via e-mail during the year
• support a dedicated Web page of relevant content, including archives of the newsletter, discussion forums and extensive resource lists
• provide educational opportunities for ASHRM Interest Network members.
Current ASHRM members may choose to supplement their regular ASHRM membership with either or both of the ASHRM Interest Networks for an annual membership fee of $25 for each Interest Network.
To sample the Interest Networks electronically or to receive instructions on how to join online, contact ashrm@aha.org.
$25 rebates, $1,000 prize in chapter recruitment campaign
ASHRM is offering its affiliated chapters a chance to help ASHRM grow and to earn valuable incentives for their chapter with its 2005 Chapter Recruitment Campaign. For each local chapter member who joins the national organization during the campaign, the chapter will receive a $25 rebate in honor of ASHRM’s 25th anniversary in 2005.
In addition, the chapter that attracts the most new members (as a percentage of the chapter’s size) to ASHRM during the campaign will be awarded a cash prize of $1,000.
The campaign runs Jan. 1-July 31, 2005. Any chapter member who joins the national organization during that time will be eligible for the rebate. Chapter members may join ASHRM by filling out an online application at www.ashrm.org (Chapters Services) or may call ASHRM at (312) 422-3980 to receive an application.
Chapters host CPHRM Prep Courses in Georgia, Michigan
The Georgia Society for Healthcare Risk Management will hold a CPHRM Examination Preparation Course May 18, prior to the start of its annual conference at the King & Prince Beach Resort at St. Simons Island. Joyce Benton and Monica Berry will review topics covered on the CPHRM exam. To register, contact Hennie Ellis at (912) 264-5174 or rehone@bellsouth.net or visit www.gshrm.org.
The Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management will hold a CPHRM Exam Prep Course from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. May 25 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City. The cost is $25 for members and $125 for non-members. Registration deadline is May 11. Contact Margaret Curtin at (517) 886-8219 or mcurtin@rmpsi.org.
1 week, 1 location, 2 education programs
ASHRM in July is presenting two of its signature education programs in Chicago. Each program, alone or in combination with others being offered the same week, can help meet health care risk managers’ professional development needs.
Patient Safety Curriculum. This three-session program is targeted at everyone whose primary responsibility is patient safety or who works with a patient safety team. Session I - Basic Principles of Patient Safety will be offered July 11 and 12 and Session II - Advanced Principles will be offered July 13 and 14. (Session III - Application of Patient Safety Principles will be offered Oct. 21 and 22 in San Antonio preceding ASHRM’s Annual Conference.)
Barton Certificate in Healthcare Risk Management Modules. Risk and quality managers, insurance and claims professionals, safety officers, administrators, financial officers, clinicians, attorneys and consultants can learn about or review nearly every area of health care risk management while earning the Barton Certificate. Essentials and Advanced Forum Modules will be offered July 11-13 and Applications Module will be offered July 13-15. Note: The schedule facilitates completion of Essentials and Applications or Applications and Advanced Forum in one week.
All sessions will be at the Wyndham Chicago, 633 N. St. Clair St. on Chicago’s Gold Coast near Navy Pier (www.wyndham.com; 800-996-3426). Attendees must make their own room reservations. The ASHRM room block rate is $149 single/double – call by June 16 to receive the discounted room rate.
Visit www.ashrm.org (Education section) for the program agendas and registration details.
Conference room blocks to open on May 16
The hotel room blocks for ASHRM’s Silver Celebration Annual Conference & Exhibition will be opening soon. This year, housing reservations will not be made by calling the hotels directly but rather via a special Web site that will be operational for attendees on May 16. Attendees also will be able to fax or mail a reservation form that will be posted on www.ashrm.org on May 16 and included in the Annual Conference & Exhibition advance program brochure, which will be mailed to members in May.
The Annual Conference & Exhibition, set for Oct. 23-26 in San Antonio, will be preceded by the Essentials Module of the Barton Certificate program Oct. 19-21, Patient Safety Curriculum Session III Oct. 21 and 22, and ASHRM’s CPHRM Exam Prep Course Oct. 22 and 23.
IN MEMORIAM
Hugh L. Wood Jr., Esq., 48, a founding partner of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A., in Miami (a health care defense law firm), died Jan. 2 of injuries resulting from a Dec. 31 house fire. He is survived by a wife and four children.
Members may forward recent death notices to administrative assistant Shannon Long Grevas, slong@aha.org. Notices should include the member’s complete name, as well as place and date of death, along with any personal anecdotes or comments on achievements for possible inclusion.
