Special Greetings to Our Readers:

With winter behind us and spring before us, many of our readers will be looking for change- something new, something fresh, and maybe even something more challenging in your business or personal life.  It is our goal to continue to serve you with information you can use regardless of the season. Our continuous interests in health care, education and staffing are subject matters that we believe you will find particularly relevant in today's challenging times.

We see the value of education in our new experiences with social media, which has found its way to the hospital.   According to an article by Vince Galloro in Modern Healthcare magazine's March 14th edition, hospitals are finding ways to use social media to engage patients, raise money, and connect their communities.   Social media requires both training and careful stewardship.  The more educated health care providers and personnel are about social media (both the good and bad), the more likely the organization can achieve some of its marketing goals. 

In this edition of Health Wire, communications coach Yvonne Brown enlightens us on the world of bullying in the workplace and beyond.  She addresses ways we can establish sound boundaries and promote respect for employees and coworkers so that they feel empowered to perform at their best. 

For our coverage of health disparities, we have reprinted testimony from Marcia K. Brand, PhD, Deputy Administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration (United States Department of Health and Human Services) as she appeared recently before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health.  As we read on, we hear from HIM professional Margaret Gallo Kyriakos, PhD, RHIA, reminding us of the value of mentors.  As leaders, mentors share wisdom, offer support, and give back to their profession.  By becoming a mentor, we can pay the debt we owe to those who have reached out to help us. 

From PDN's centralized remote coding lab, coder Diane Jinga, MT (ASCP), RHIT offers insights into the world of E/M coding related to physician consultants.  Our own staff writer and consultant Valerie Davis shines her spotlight on the achievements of HIM professionals Artiemese Carroll and Mary R. Beamon-Taylor.  Both work at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where (in October of 2010) they set a record for reducing the rate of delinquent medical records below 15%.  Finally, we extend hearty congratulations to all 2010 AHIMA Triumph Award recipients.  You have my best wishes for new beginnings as we usher in spring.

By Valerie R. Davis, RHIA 

In this issue we have the pleasure of recognizing two HIM staffers, Artiemese Carroll and Mary R. Beamon-Taylor, who both helped Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center to set a record in lowering the number of delinquent medical records and undictated operative reports.  Here, they share the story of how they achieved this success. 

Read More about Artiemese and Mary  

-Henry Van Dyke (American author, educator, and clergyman)