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• ASHRM'S 2001 Advocacy Initiatives
• Calendar 2001
  
• Perspectives from the Executive Director
• Peggy Nakamura named to Business Insurance's Risk Management Honor Roll
  
• Meet ASHRM Staff Member Sara Haase
  
• 2001 ASHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition Web Site
  
• Chapter News
  
• Satellite Broadcast Addresses Disclosure of Medical Errors
  
• International Chapter Focus - Brazil
  
• Claims Data Gathering Pilot Project Concludes
  
• ASHRM Announces 2001 William J. Curran Student Writing Award
• E-Learning Survey Explores Path to Future Educational Opportunities
  
• Employment Opportunities
  
• ASHRM Faculty Opportunities
  
• "At Your Service"
  

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• Advocacy (Sally Trombly RN, JD, FASHRM)
• Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
  Organizations (JCAHO) (Jill Fainter)
  
• Legislative & Regulatory Tracking (Julia Brill)
• Patient Safety Advocacy (Fay Rozovsky)
  

• Patient Safety
  
• Patient Rights
  
• Workforce Issues/Concerns
  
• Health Information Privacy
  

• The hospital worker shortage
• Healthcare access and coverage
• Adequate caregiver payment under Medicare and Medicaid
• Quality and safety issues
• People taking care of people

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Perspectives from the Executive Director

As the summer heats up, ASHRM’s momentum grows stronger and stronger. On May 31, ASHRM concluded the six-month pilot phase of the Claims Data Gathering Project. The purpose of this initiative was to develop and test a comparative reporting capability that measures the effectiveness of hospital risk management activities and assists risk managers in identifying “better practices.”

 

Risk Managers and other healthcare professionals celebrated
National Healthcare Risk Management Week in June. The week
was a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the demanding work
of healthcare risk managers and to celebrate the enormous
contribution that these professionals make to the healthcare
industry — and celebrate we did!

 

The overwhelming success of ASHRM’s June 20 satellite
broadcast, “Disclosure of Medical Errors: Demonstrated Strategy
to Enhance Communication,” was the result of many hours of
diligent planning and perseverance by the video education task
force and ASHRM staff. Good job! Look for more details on the
event in this issue of the Forum.

 

All applications have been received for this year’s Distinguished
Service Award (DSA). The DSA is the highest honor that the
society bestows and it recognizes exemplary service to the society.
The winner will be announced during the Annual Business
meeting, Tuesday, October 30, 2001, in Boston.

With all of this under our belts, it is hard to believe we are only
half-way through the year. The Journal Author Support Task Force
has been very busy. The Task Force has established a mentoring
program for anyone interested in writing for the Journal of
Healthcare Risk Management. The Journal has a readership of over
4,000, and it is a tribute to the vast experience and dedication of
the ASHRM membership. Writing for the Journal distinguishes
risk managers among their peers. If you are interested in writing
for the Journal, please contact me.

 

The Innovation and Research Awards Task Force has also been
hard at work this year. I would like to personally thank all those
who submitted abstracts for both awards. The Task Force reviewed
and evaluated all abstracts in early May, and notified participants
of the status of their entry. Whether your abstract was selected to
move forward or not, we hope the process of researching and
developing your project was rewarding. Given the caliber of the
initial abstracts, the Task Force and I will be very excited to review
final papers which are due at the end of July. Winners will be
announced during the Annual Conference and Exhibition.

July 31 is also the deadline for receipt of entries in the Chapter
Recognition Program. To acknowledge the vital role which chapter
programs play, ASHRM will offer four awards of $500. Thanks to
both the Chapter Relations Task Force who implemented the
program this year and to the Past Presidents’ Council, who will
judge the competition. Please visit the Awards section of the
ASHRM Web site for full details on the program.

 

ASHRM’s Module series continues with the presentation of
Module IV, “Cents and Sense of Risk Management: Risk
Financing, Workers’ Compensation, and Safety & Security,” in
Denver, CO, September 10-11, 2001. Kim Willis and Jerry Rakes
will provide expert advice on this challenging aspect of risk
management. Readers can learn more about the entire Module
series, and register online, at www.ashrm.org.

 

It will not be long before ASHRM presents Revolutionary Ideas
in Risk Management, in Boston, October 29-November 1. The
creative minds of the annual conference committee have been hard
at work, planning what will surely mark another milestone in
ASHRM history. Room blocks at the conference hotels are rapidly
filling up, so make your reservation today. This is the first year that
ASHRM has produced a unique Annual Conference Web site. Go
to the ASHRM home page, and follow the link to the conference
site for all the latest.

 

Lastly, please join us as we celebrate our 2001 American Hospital
Association Political Action Committee (AHA PAC) fundraising
campaign, 4 p.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2001, in Boston, MA.
Through our representation and advocacy activities, ASHRM
ensures that members’ perspectives are heard and addressed in
Washington, DC. By contributing to the AHA PAC this year you
can support ASHRM’s advocacy program, and help us achieve our
contribution goal of $5,000. Look for the PAC insert enclosed
with this issue of the Forum or call me for more information, at
(312) 422-3989. I hope to see you there!

 

Elizabeth A Summy
Executive Director

• online registration, in a functional and easy to navigate format
• information on keynote speakers
• concurrent sessions descriptions
• continuing education credits information
• details about the conference hotel
• Boston attractions
• a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page

• President — Peggy Cwik
  
• President-elect — Dan Nash
  
• Treasurer — Henry Barkhausen
  
• Secretary — Casey McCarthy
  
• Board Members — Christine Clark, Pauline Jakubiec, Karen
  Lindgren, Laura Lingl, William McVisk, Candice Moore and
  Board Liaison, Korliss Schnitker.

• To establish the risk management idea and principles
  throughout the country.
  
• To establish written practices in the documenting of procedures
  of healthcare risk management, especially in the relationship
  between patients and healthcare professionals.
  
• To offer intensive courses throughout the country and, if
  possible, in Latin American countries, introducing the
  risk management work and fully educating healthcare
  professionals and institutions on its importance in the
  health field.
  
• To make patients’ written, informed consent mandatory before
  the governmental authorities.
  
• To lead healthcare professionals to preserve the physical and
  mental integrity of the patients.

Claims Data Gathering Pilot Project Concludes

On May 31, ASHRM concluded the six-month pilot phase of
the Claims Data Gathering Project. The purpose of this initiative
was to develop and test a comparative reporting capability that
measures the effectiveness of hospital risk management activities
and assists risk managers in identifying “better practices.”
ASHRM’s objectives for the project were to test the viability and
effectiveness of standardized risk management definitions,
capture information on events reported through internal versus
external notification, and, eventually, identify performers that
appear to be using “better practices."

 

The pilot project, which was officially launched at ASHRM’s
20th Anniversary Annual Conference & Exhibition last year,
successfully accomplished the collection of data from ASHRM
members in over fifty hospitals nationwide. The pilot project is
the culmination of the efforts of ASHRM’s Claims Data
Gathering Task Force, in collaboration with the Center for
Performance Sciences, an organization retained by ASHRM to
design, develop, implement and service a computerized data
collection tool to support the project. At this time, the data that
has been collected is being analyzed to examine the effectiveness
of the process for carrying out this type of project.

 

ASHRM invites anyone interested in finding out more about
this project’s experience to attend the presentation at ASHRM’s
Annual Conference & Exhibition in Boston, entitled “Claims
Data Gathering Pilot Project” on Tuesday, October 30, 2001,
from 10:30-11:30 a.m. This session, presented by Larraine
Gerelick, Chair, ASHRM 2001 Claims Data Gathering Task
Force, will describe the history and breakthroughs discovered
from the pilot project, and the design and implementation of the
pilot project. Participants will review the data elements that were
collected and what was learned from ASHRM’s first attempt to
quantify claims information, learn about the pilot project and
understand the need for standardized definitions, and discuss
possible future data gathering and analysis opportunities.

ASHRM gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the following
current task force members, as well as past task force members
who contributed to the foundation for this project: Larraine L.
Gerelick, Chair, Peggy Klecha, MHA, NHA, CHE, CPHRM,
Bruce M. Lane, Randy Perrin, Daniel T. Risser, PhD, Charles M.
Sicher, PhD, Ronni P. Solomon, JD, John C. West, JD, MHA,
DFASHRM, Ellen Quinn, RN, ARM, Board of Directors,
Pamela Para, RN, MPH, CPHRM, Staff Liaison.

ASHRM Announces 2001 William J. Curran Student Writing Award

On June 21, ASHRM announced that Mary B. Jones RN, BSN,
CIC, Clinical Risk Manager, Pinnacle Health System, Harrisburg,
PA, won this year’s William J. Curran Student Writing Prize. The
Journal Author Support Task Force reviewed all entries in the
competition and singled out Ms. Jones’ paper, “Underdeveloped
Infection Control in Ambulatory Care - Research Study,” for its
overall superiority in the categories of creativity, originality, quality,
use of resources, readability, and timeliness.

 

The winning paper addresses the disparity between the provision
of services and resources for infection control in the acute care and
ambulatory care settings. Ms. Jones describes “incongruities that
conflict when patients receive the majority of their healthcare in a
system that is deficient in one of the basics designed to keep them
free from harm — a formal, effective Infection Control Plan.” At
this time, the data that has been collected is being analyzed for the
purpose of examining the effectiveness of the project.

 

The winning paper also describes a study undertaken at Pinnacle
Health System Primary Care Centers that endeavors to develop an
effective infection control program for Ambulatory Care. Through
the study, managers and staff were provided education on basic
asepsis and infection control principles and instructions on use of
a surveillance tool. The study utilizes a self-assessment surveillance
tool to collect data on direct observations and staff ’s responses to
questions on infection control principles. The study is in its
infancy and more data is needed to evaluate its effectiveness. In the
meantime, ASHRM awaits the results.

 

The William J. Curran Student Writing Prize is named after the
late Professor Curran, a pioneer in legal medicine and an educator
who taught healthcare risk management at Harvard University. All
papers in the competition were evaluated in a blind review process
by the Journal Author Support Task Force. Mary B. Jones was
awarded a cash prize of $500 and will be recognized at the
ASHRM 2001 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Boston, MA,
October 29 - November 1. The winning paper will also be
considered for publication in the Journal of Healthcare Risk
Management of the American Society for Healthcare Risk
Management.

 

ASHRM thanks all of those who participated in the competition.
ASHRM also wishes to extend many thanks to the Journal Author
Support Task Force, who selected the winner. Kathleen Shostek
RN, FASHRM, provides unflappable leadership to the task force,
and task force members include Deborah Boyd MS, RRA, Aileen
Evans RN, Joan Flynn, Barbara S. Gingerich, Susan Keane Baker
MHA, and Robin A. Maley BSN, MPH.

E-Learning Survey Explores Path to Future Educational Opportunities

ASHRM, in conjunction with the American Organization of
Nurse Executives (AONE) and eleven other Personal
Membership Groups (PMGs) of the American Hospital
Association (AHA), conducted an online learning survey during
the months of May and June. The online survey was posted on
the Web sites of all participating organizations, and the volume
of responses was very encouraging.

While results of the survey have yet to be correlated, it is clear
that e-learning is an area of interest to the PMG membership.
Almost 75 percent of ASHRM members are online, either at
home or at work, and there is a general desire to explore
e-learning further. Watch for details of the survey results in
upcoming issues of the Forum.

 

ASHRM thanks all members who participated in the survey.
Your input is critical to the success of ASHRM programs.
Jacqueline Kostic of AONE is the lucky winner of the Jornada
organizer.

Employment Opportunities

CORPORATE RISK MANAGER
St. Louis, MO
SSM Health Care Corporate Office, located in St. Louis, MO,
has an opening for a Corporate Risk Manager who is responsible
for the development and support of programs relating to the
management of risk and patient safety within SSM Health Care.
The scope of responsibility for the position provides a system-wide
focus on risk identification, risk analysis, loss prevention
and loss control throughout all SSMHC entities and programs.
The position requires the ability to establish effective,
collaborative, working relationships with entity risk managers,
quality improvement personnel, physicians, senior leadership and
other interdisciplinary personnel to improve processes, and
develop and support implementation of risk management, loss
prevention and loss control strategies and techniques to improve
patient safety and reduce financial loss. The position requires an
experienced risk management professional with a minimum of
5-7 years experience; a Bachelor’s degree is required. SSM Health
Care offers a comprehensive compensation package including a
generous tuition reimbursement benefit and desirable working
conditions. Please submit a resume including salary history to:
SSM Health Care, 477 N. Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO
63141, Attn: Human Resources/Risk Manager, fax to
(314) 994-7900. Or submit an application via our Web site:
www.ssmhc.com. EOE/AA

 

LOSS PREVENTION MANAGER
Cincinnati, OH
Catholic Healthcare Partners is currently seeking a Loss Prevention Manager to evaluate System participants’ risk management programs for level of compliance with loss prevention indicators and provide documentation following site visits on findings, trends, strengths and opportunities. Additional responsibilities include assisting in calculating scores, analyzing data, planning and executing educational programs and conferences, and developing new loss prevention initiatives. This position serves as a clinical resource for the Claims Department, works with Learning & Development and our Quality Department as appropriate, and keeps abreast of JCAHO, HCFA and other standards and laws to advise on compliance strategies. Approximately 50 percent travel is entailed. Qualified candidates must possess a BSN, current RN licensure, and 5-7 years’ broad clinical experience in a hospital setting is required. Additional long-term care experience and certifications in healthcare risk and/or quality management preferred. Computer proficiency in MS Office applications and Internet are necessary. Ability to research, organize, analyze data to support decision-making and assess learning needs of individuals and organizations is essential. Interested candidates should submit a resume to: Catholic Healthcare Partners, 615 Elsinore Place, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Attn: Lori Gulley or fax to (513) 639-2855.

 

MANAGER, RISK MANAGEMENT
Austin, TX
Ascension Health, a larger not-for-profit health care system, has an immediate opening for a Manager, Health Ministry Risk Management Services. This position, located in Austin, TX, is responsible for planning, coordinating, supervising and managing the inpatient and outpatient facilities, off-site locations and other network entities of the Seton Healthcare network (SHN) risk management functions. Individual will also recommend financial targets and operating budgets for risk management and safety programs at SHN. Candidates must have a graduate degree in a healthcare-related field. A minimum of eight years’ experience in healthcare risk management or healthcare administration is required. Experience as a director in a large healthcare network is preferred. Excellent written and verbal communication skills; computer experience (MS Windows environment); and a willingness to travel are needed. Individual must be able to work effectively with a wide range of individuals; possess high level analytical and problem solving skills; and have effective conflict resolution and negotiation skills. This position offers an excellent salary and benefits package. Qualified candidates should submit a detailed resume and salary history to: Director, Loss Prevention & Program Services, Ascension Health, PO Box 45998, St. Louis, MO 64145 5998, fax to (314) 253-6799, EOE.

DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Milwaukee, WI
Rewarding opportunities are within easy reach at Covenant Healthcare, Milwaukee’s faith-based healthcare leader. Flexibility, growth, exciting challenges — find your career here. We offer exciting opportunities to enhance your skills in an environment of clinical excellence, sensitive support and compassionate care. We seek a full-time Director of Clinical Risk Management for our St. Joseph and St. Michael facilities. A BSN and 3+ years’ risk management experience required. A Master’s and/or post-graduate study in a legal field preferred. Please contact Shar Retzlaff at (262) 785-2248, e-mail: sretzlaf@covhealth.org or fax resume to (262) 785-2414. www.covhealth.org. We value diversity. EOE, M/F/D/V

Ads are limited to 100 words and must be paid in advance with a check
payable to ASHRM and mailed to Joy Roney, American Society for
Healthcare Risk Management, of the American Hospital Association, One
North Franklin, Chicago, IL 60606. Employers pay $80 ($100 non-members
of ASHRM or AHA). Job seekers pay $50 ($60 non-members.)
Questions? Call Joy Roney at (312) 422-3985 or e-mail: Jroney@aha.org.

ASHRM Faculty Opportunities

ASHRM is pleased to invite submissions of faculty applications
for next year’s educational programs. Planned educational
programs include:

• Audio conferences
  
• Modules of the Healthcare Risk Management Certificate
  Program
  
• Annual Conference & Exhibition, September 29 -October
  1, 2002, in Seattle, Washington.
  ASHRM faculty have enjoyed the following benefits that
  include, but are not limited to:
  
• Opportunity to share content knowledge and expertise
  
• Exposure to over 4,100 ASHRM members, as well as
  non-members, who have specifically sought out ASHRM
  faculty for their own educational programs throughout
  the year
  
• Professional recognition and development
  
• Credit towards meeting the criteria for ASHRM designations
  of Fellow (FASHRM) and Distinguished Fellow (DFASHRM)
  
• Networking opportunities with other nationally renowned
  faculty
  
• ASHRM’s membership in permanent faculty database, where
  faculty are sought out for educational programs as needed.

For more information or to submit your
credentials, please see the ASHRM Web site,
www.ashrm.org/asp/education/programs.asp, or call the
ASHRM office, at (312) 422-3980. ASHRM thanks those
who have served as faculty in 2001.

The Forum on Health Care Leadership will present Harmonizing Care, Cost and Quality: Turning Around the Negative 90’s, August 17-20, 2001 in Philadelphia, PA. This four day program, sponsored by CurtinCalls and Cross Country University, will feature healthcare leaders, sharing their strategies in actual case studies of successful turnarounds and strategies of implementation. Keynote speakers for the program include Leah Curtin, editor of CurtinCalls. The program also offers 28.3 contact hours of nursing continuing education. For more information, or to submit a poster presentation, go to www.healthcareforum.org or call toll free 1 (800) 998-5023.

"At Your Service"

Advocacy/Legislative & Regulatory Agenda - Questions regarding ASHRM’s Advocacy/Legislative & Regulatory agenda? Contact Pam Para, Director, Professional and Technical Services, (312) 422-3982, ppara@aha.org

Annual Conference - Educational sessions, social events, trade exhibition, and excellent networking opportunities. New Orleans/Nov. 2-5, 2000; Boston/Oct. 28-31, 2001; Seattle /Sept. 29 Oct. 1, 2002; Nashville/Nov. 2-5, 2003; Orlando/ Oct. 17-20, 2004. Call (312) 422-3980. www.ashrm.org/asp/education/boston.htm

ASHRM Forum - Bimonthly bulletin of news and resources. For classified advertising placement or information, call Joy Roney, Administrative Assistant, (312) 422-3985, jroney@aha.org. With editorial matters, call Stephen Murphy, Project Specialist, (312) 422-3988, smurphy@aha.org.

Certificate Program - Five-module, educational program offered regionally. Participants receive a certificate of completion. Each module will be presented at least once, sometimes twice, annually. Call (312) 422-3980. www.ashrm.org/asp/education/modules.asp

Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM) - The American Hospital Association Certification Center (AHA-CC) offers the CPHRM certification to those who successfully pass an examination proving their proficiency. The 110-item examination is offered via computer Monday through Friday, twice each day, at numerous test sites throughout the U.S. Applications and information about the examination may be obtained by calling Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. at (913) 541-0400. For more information about AHA’s certification programs, contact Maribeth Casey, AHA-CC, Executive Director (312) 422-3715, mcasey@aha.org.

Chapter Achievement Awards Program - Affiliated chapters apply for awards in specific categories. Call Stephen Murphy, Project Specialist, (312) 422-3988, smurphy@aha.org.

Chapter Development Assistance - Written guidelines, forms, and informal consultation on procedures for organizing a state or metropolitan healthcare risk management chapter. Call Stephen Murphy, Project Specialist, (312) 422-3988, smurphy@aha.org.

Chapter Rebate Program - Affiliated chapters receive $10 for each member who joins ASHRM through that chapter. Call Stephen Murphy, Project Specialist, (312) 422-3988, smurphy@aha.org.

Claims Data Gathering Project - The objectives of the Claims Data Gathering Project are to test the viability and effectiveness of standardized risk management definitions, capture information on events reported through internal versus external notification, and, eventually, identify performers that appear to be using best practices. Contact Pam Para, Director, Professional and Technical Services, (312) 422-3982, ppara@aha.org

Distinguished Service Award - Annual award presented to an ASHRM member who has made significant contributions to the field of healthcare risk management. Call (312) 422-3980. e-News. This weekly e-mail news briefing informs ASHRM members about key technical, public policy, regulatory and accreditation issues of interest to the healthcare risk management profession and related ASHRM advocacy activities. e-News welcomes your input! For editorial matters, call Stephen Murphy, Project Specialist, (312) 422-3988, smurphy@aha.org.. Educational Seminars. Jointly co-sponsored with other professional organizations on topics of mutual interest. Call (312) 422-3980 or visit www.ashrm.org/asp/education/education.asp

Fax-on-Demand - Find out about upcoming events, membership, certification program and ASHRM publications all in one phone call. Dial (800) PMG-FAX4 [(800) 764-3294]. www.ashrm.org/asp/highlights/fax.asp

Journal of Healthcare Risk Management - Peer-reviewed quarterly journal of scholarly articles and research in the field of healthcare risk management. For advertising placement and information, call Joy Roney, Administrative Assistant, (312) 422- 3985, jroney@aha.org.. With editorial matters, call Liz Summy, Executive Director, (312) 422-3989, esummy@aha.org. www.ashrm.org/asp/products/journal.asp

Mailing List - Names and addresses of ASHRM’s 4,000+ members available for rental. Call Grecelda Buchanan, Administrative Assistant, (312) 422-3984, gbuchan@aha.org.

Membership Directory - Addresses, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of more than 4,000 ASHRM members. Includes directory of risk management-related businesses. Hard copy updated annually. Call Liz Summy, Executive Assistant, (312) 422-3989, esummy@aha.org.. The directory is updated monthly on ASHRM’s Web site. www.ashrm.org/discuss/asp/default.asp

Monographs - Scholarly papers on focused subjects in risk management. Mailed out occasionally with the ASHRM Forum and meant to stand alone (not part of a larger publication). Call Liz Summy, Executive Director, (312) 422-3989, esummy@aha.org.

Professional Recognition Program - Created to formally acknowledge individual achievement of professional excellence in healthcare risk management. Designations are Fellow (FASHRM) for superior achievement and Distinguished Fellow (DFASHRM) for outstanding achievement Call (312) 422-3980. www.ashrm.org/asp/products/catalog.asp

Publications - Books, booklets, proceedings, reference articles — all for sale at member discounts. For a catalog or to place an order, call (800) 242-2626. www.ashrm.org/publications/publicationsmenu.html

Research & Innovation Awards Program - To recognize active members who pursue original research or innovatively solve on-the- job problems. $5,000 awarded to each of two candidates. Deadline for submission of abstracts is March 30, 2001. Call Stephen Murphy, Project Specialist, (312) 422-3988, smurphy@aha.org

Student Writing Competition - To recognize student writing in the broad area of risk management. This year’s theme is “Patient Safety”. Closing date for submission of entries is April 30, 2001. Call Stephen Murphy, Project Specialist, (312) 422-3988. Technical Questions. For assistance with technical risk management issues, contact Pam Para, Director, Professional and Technical Services, (312) 422-3982, ppara@aha.org .

Teleconferences - Convenient and cost effective opportunities to attend educational seminars for further education. Watch e-News, the ASHRM Web site, and ASHRM publications for titles, schedules, and faculty. Contact Pam Para, Director, Professional and Technical Services, (312) 422-3982, ppara@aha.org .

Tool kits - ASHRM tool kits are designed to be instructional and informative educational resources on specialized topics. Topics that will be available this year include: informed consent, physician office risk management, risk management program development, and confidentiality. Contact Stephen Murphy, Project Specialist, (312) 422-3988, smurphy@aha.org

Web Site - Located at www.ashrm.org. Receive timely information about issues and events related to healthcare risk management. The site has new information added each week. Call Dawn Porter, Web site Manager, (312) 422-3808, ashrm@aha.org. Discussion Forum: You can access and post messages of interest with other ASHRM members. Whatever your interests or needs, post your messages and respond to others in this valuable new online forum only for ASHRM members. www.ashrm.org/discuss/asp/default.asp

Sponsorship: ASHRM now is accepting Web site sponsorship. Have your message placed anywhere on the ASHRM site. Contact Joy Roney, Administrative Assistant, (312) 422-3985, jroney@aha.org. www.ashrm.org/asp/highlights/sponsorship.asp