CEO HIMAA AnnualReport2013-14 Rd19 · 2020. 3. 9. · Symbols is the industry’s authoritative text. ... • Development of HIMAA’s Social Media Strategy • Revision of Contract

Annual ReportHIMAA

2014

Health Information Management Association of Australia Limited

ABN 54 008 451 910

Annual Report for the Financial Year

2013-14

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ……………………………………………………………….….…….….…… 1

President’s Report ………………………………………………….….…….….………… 2-4

CEO’s Report ………………………………………………………….….…..….………… 5-6

Treasurer’s Report ……………………………………………..….….…..….…………… 6-13

Committees of the HIMAA Board ……………………………………….….….……….. 14-18

HIMAA Branches and Networks …………………………………………….….………. 18-24

HIMAA Special Interest Groups…………………………………………………………. 24-27

Representatives….………………………………………………………………………… 28-31

Organisational Report ……………………………………………………………………. 32-35

HIMAA Annual Report 2013-14 Financial Year

1

INTRODUCTION

About HIMAA

Health Information Management Association of Australia Limited (HIMAA) is the professional association for health information management professionals in Australia. Our members work in a variety of roles within and supporting the healthcare system, with primary occupations being qualified Health Information Managers (HIMs) and Clinical Coders.

HIMAA recognises that the health information management profession is broader than HIMAA itself. However, HIMAA considers itself to be the key influencer and definer of the profession. We have been serving the profession in various iterations since 1949.

HIMAA is a not for profit organisation governed by a Board of Directors who are HIMAA members. The Association has a national office in Sydney staffed to deliver functionality in membership services, education and training, publications and resources, positioning and advocacy, communication and corporate services. Our peer-reviewed journal, the Health Information Management Journal is the only academic health information management journal in the world to achieve an international Thomson Reuters impact rating and DOI (digital object identifier) international citation referencing. Our Australian Dictionary of Clinical Abbreviations, Acronyms & Symbols is the industry’s authoritative text.

HIMAA relies on the volunteer contribution of members to achieve its objectives and deliver organisational governance. Membership support is provided at the local level through networking and continuing professional development (CPD) provided by State and Territory branches and networks, and nationally through our annual conference, which is of international standing. We are the major provider of education and training for Clinical Coders in Australia, and the national authority for the accreditation of HIM tertiary courses. Our Professional Credentialing Scheme offers practitioner quality assurance to the profession and employers. Our Clinical Coder Certification is the industry’s advanced standard.

HIMAA also attracts members from a number of other countries including New Zealand.

Vision

HIMAA positions the profession to foster leadership in health information best practice to support quality healthcare.

Mission

HIMAA promotes and supports our members as the universally recognised specialists in information management at all levels of the healthcare system. We do this through positioning and advocacy, education and training, quality standards, publications and resources, and HIMAA membership networking activities at local and national levels, including an annual national conference of international standing.

Values

Member Focus We exist because of and for our members, offering them value in products, services, networking, advocacy and support

Professionalism We provide high quality, ethical services based on well-informed judgement and expert knowledge of the Health Information domain

Ethical Practice We are ethical in all of our operations and good stewards of our resources Equity We are equitable in the provision of services to our members, and treat everyone

with respect

This Annual Report for the 2013-14 Financial Year was distributed to the 49th Annual General Meeting of the association, held in Darwin on 8th October 2014.


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From The President

It has been my pleasure to chair the HIMAA Board of Directors, influence the strategic and operational priorities for HIMAA and represent HIMAA during this past year. HIMAA has a strong leadership team in the Board, the CEO and the senior management team at the HIMAA Office. As a result, the Board has been able to make informed and effective decisions, determine the future strategic direction of HIMAA and progress a number of strategic initiatives. At the outset I would like to acknowledge the voluntary contribution and effort of the many HIMAA members who are actively involved in HIMAA in some way. The extensive HIMAA achievements and our capability to expand would not be possible without your involvement, so thank you. I would also like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of all of our National Office staff whose daily contribution enables our services to be delivered and outcomes to be achieved. Our achievements would not be possible without your commitment, focus and support of HIMAA’s strategic and operational objectives. HIMAA 2014-2016 Strategic Plan I am pleased to report that HIMAA has a new Strategic Plan that sets a clear mandate for HIMAA to continue to be the industry leader in health information management. As stated within the introduction to the Strategic Plan, in a constantly changing and evolving environment, HIMAA seeks to be responsive to change, to have an eye to the future, to remain relevant and to continue to add value within the healthcare environment. It is within this context that HIMAA’s vision is to position the profession to foster leadership in health information management best practice to support quality healthcare. In formulating the Strategic Plan, a number of opportunities were explored to harness input, feedback and prioritisation by members and non-members – and the result is a comprehensive plan that focuses on positioning and advocacy, education, and membership, with an embedded theme of addressing issues and concerns relating to the health information workforce. This is a plan that is strategic and future focussed with a clear articulation of the priorities and initiatives to progress us along the journey to achieving our vision. This is not a plan to be put on the shelf. The Strategic Plan has now come alive. An implementation plan has been formulated and new committees, working groups and reference groups, together with existing committees and special interest groups are now taking responsibility for progressing the many initiatives within the Plan. I look forward to reporting on progress throughout the coming year Positioning and Advocacy HIMAA has continued to foster a strategic partnership with HISA (Health Informatics Society of Australia) during the year. This has resulted in HIMAA’s ongoing involvement in the governance of the CHIA (Certified Health Informatician Australasia) program, a joint response with HISA to the federal government on the PCEHR Review, and we are currently working on a joint HIMAA-HISA Workforce Strategy Development Proposal in response to the Health Workforce Australia Health Information Workforce Report. HIMAA has collaborated with the National Centre for Classification in Health (NCCH) resulting in a joint conference event for the October 2014 HIMAA-NCCH Conference. On an international perspective, as the Australian National Director to IFHIMA and the IFHIMA Western Pacific Regional Director, I continue to represent HIMAA within the international arena.


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One of our long term members, Sue Walker, was successful in her nomination to be a member of the AHIMA/IFHIMA newly established Global Health Workforce Council to develop a worldwide academic curricula standard to guide educational programming and workforce training in HIM, HI and HIT – this is an exciting development from an international HIM perspective. The HIMAA Board advocated at a national level to Federal Ministers for Health and Education for the retention of the Curtin University Graduate Entry Masters (GEM) HIM program on the basis that its planned withdrawal by Curtin will have a national impact on chronic workforce shortages in HIM professionals, particularly in states and territories that offer no undergraduate HIM degree or GEM. Unfortunately Curtin continued with their plans and the Graduate Entry Masters HIM program is no longer offered. HIMAA has been involved as a key stakeholder in the Victorian Health Department’s Coding Workforce Capability Framework and the associated processes to establish a Victorian based Certificate IV in Clinical Classification. HIMAA has also been liaising with relevant government agencies to source funding to achieve national recognition of the clinical coding qualifications at the VET level. Most recently, HIMAA provided a response to the PCEHR Review Report advocating for greater involvement of HIMAA in the national governance of the PCEHR in accordance with the proposed governance structure. Governance The Board has continued to initiate a number of changes during the year to strengthen the governance of the Association. These have included:

• Refinement and active monitoring of the HIMAA Risk Register by the Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee and the Board

• Finalisation of the Risk Management Framework • Finalisation of the Delegations of Authority policy • Development of the IT Governance Framework • Development of HIMAA’s Social Media Strategy • Revision of Contract of Service template • New HIMAA Director induction and orientation processes • Review of all committee Terms of Reference • Establishment of a Legislative Compliance Register

The committee, working group and special interest group offerings have continued to be expanded throughout the year in response to emerging needs. The following committees, working groups and special interest groups currently exist:

National Board State and Territory Branches/Networks management/executive committees Branch Presidents and Network Convenors Finance, Audit and Risk Management (FARM) Committee Editorial Board Education Committee Conference Committee Clinical Coding Advisory Committee (established in 13/14) eHealth SIG Scanning SIG Regional Health SIG Paediatric Hospitals SIG Clinical Coding SIG (established in 13/14) International HIM SIG (established in 13/14)


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National Private Hospital SIG (established in the last 2 months) NSW Private Hospital SIG VIC Chief HIM SIG VIC Mental Health SIG WA Private Hospital SIG Privacy Working Group (established in last 2 months) HIMAA Positioning & Advocacy Working Group (currently being established) HIMAA Workforce Working Group (currently being established) HIMAA Research Working Group (currently being established) HIMAA Practice Quality and Safety Standards Committee (currently being established)

The organisational structure within the National Office was adjusted throughout the year as endorsed by the Board and consists of the following four departments:

- Membership, Marketing and Events o Led by the CEO, Richard Lawrance

- Corporate Services o Led by the Manager Finance and Corporate Services, Philida Chew

- Education Services o Led by the Training Manager Education Services, Lyn Williams

- Professional Development, IMIT, Publications and Resources o Led by the IMIT and PD Manager, Ralph La Tella

The National Office continues to undertake annual business planning to guide the operations of the office in alignment with the Strategic Plan and Board priorities and regular reporting to the Board on the activities and outcomes of the National Office. Advanced and Intermediate Competency Standards On behalf of the Board, I would like to acknowledge the excellent work by many members who have been involved in the development of the HIM Advanced and Intermediate Competency Standards, which are being launched at this year’s conference. The advanced and intermediate competency standards are an important statement of definition of the health information management profession and are a sign of the maturity and depth of the profession and the association. Financial Performance I will leave formal reporting on the Association’s finances to HIMAA Treasurer, Catherine Garvey. However, I am pleased to report that HIMAA ended the Financial Year 2013/2014 with a solid surplus. Financial stewardship and good financial decision making, understanding and analysis of all income and expenditure remain an ongoing priority of the Board and the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee. Conclusion The past year has been another busy yet rewarding year for the Board, HIMAA staff and members who have volunteered in many capacities. This is an exciting time in the history of HIMAA; it’s a great time to be a member of HIMAA and to be involved. HIMAA is in a strong position to achieve the many initiatives outlined in the 2014-2016 Strategic Plan and to continue to advocate for and position the association and our members as the experts in health information management.

Sallyanne Wissmann President, HIMAA


5

From the CEO

My heart goes out to the staff of the Health Information Management Association over the 2013-14 financial year: a new CEO! They come in with a new agenda, a different management style, and their own ideas about how ‘things should be done around here’. And worst of all, although staff will never admit this, a new CEO needs training; because there are usually very sound reasons to ‘the way we do things around here’ that an incoming ‘boss’ needs to learn. But these need to be taught respectfully, with a lot of what’s known in industry as ‘managing up’.

And I have to say that the HIMAA staff did indeed manage this feat with admirable proficiency. From my commencement in April 2013, I was admitted with frank and full, but tactful disclosure to the operational intricacies of the association, including the challenges and issues. And I am ready to admit here that there are challenges in our command of the clinical coding education space, and in membership recruitment and retention.

My thanks to HIMAA Training Manager Lyn Williams and her team are unreserved, as we continue to train around 500 students in clinical coding and medical terminology a year at the Vocational Education and Training (VET) level – HIMAA’s primary financial mainstay. But enrolments are fraught with structural and financial complexities. Employers want work-ready graduates but insurance costs have to date prohibited HIMAA entering the ‘volunteer work placement’ space; and, it must be asked, why would we wish to compete with the equally vital HIM degree courses we accredit for this valuable voluntary contribution to workforce development? Traineeships are perhaps a better option at the VET level, because there is government funding for them.

To this end, during the 2013-14 financial year HIMAA has continued to actively pursue a pathway to our own dedicated VET level qualifications in Clinical Coding, but the price tag we have been quoted by the relevant national authorities is prohibitive for an association of modest means. The emergence of a Victorian-accredited Certificate IV in Clinical Classification, resulting from the dedicated efforts of two HIMAA members in that state (you know who you are, and with HIMAA’s gratitude), provides a potential pathway into the traineeship space we would love to occupy. But the investment required here again would make significant inroads into our current equity position.

However, in the short term I have introduced a marketing functionality into HIMAA’s operational structure to maximise more immediate opportunities for marketing our Clinical Coding offerings. In line with the 2014-16 HIMAA Strategic Plan we will be introducing a mentoring scheme to support members in offering voluntary work exposure opportunities to HIMAA Clinical Coding students.

In the Membership space, we are beset by outdated software that compounds incremental staff data-entry variation. However the HIMAA Board have made a commitment to the elevation of our membership database software to the same business application that serves our Educational Services. We have great confidence in this investment’s potential to link our Membership and Educational Services markets, and provide more responsive administrative support to our members.

Certainly the introduction of a Credit Card Direct Debit option this yearfor membership renewal will take the uncertainty out of membership continuity for members as well as for staff. It is as embarrassing for committed HIMAA staff to ‘wrangle’ committed HIMAA members for renewals they have - understandably given the increasing work pressures on the profession - simply overlooked as it is for the members themselves. Please take up the Direct Debit option. We ALWAYS give you the option of varying your membership packaging.

In other membership benefits, HIMAA’s IMIT and Professional Development Manager, Ralph La Tella, has worked hard with Branch Presidents and Network Convenors to develop a 6-module 12 hour course in Database Fundamentals for HIMs and Senior Clinical Coders seeking to move into eHealth. The course is designed to commence with a 4 hour face-to-face workshop at the branch/network level.


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Ralph has also introduced other innovations such as an HIM Members’ Portal of resources and links of practical use to the profession and, more recently, a LinkedIn site for HIMAA. And our Work Web job vacancies service continues to prosper. There were just under 1.3 million visits to the HIMAA website last year.

Finally, I have been pleased to introduce a management structure to our ‘flat’ organisation, and worked with the Finance and Corporate Services Manager, Philida Chew to demonstrate a sound business model that has delivered a second-in-a-row healthy surplus of $168,042.

Having come to know the staff, and ‘the way we do things around here’, I have developed a profound respect and admiration for the HIMAA team and all the work they put in behind the scenes. I am here on this page to assure the HIMAA membership that you have a knowledgeable and committed team supporting you with the interests of the profession at heart.

Given the profoundly membership-driven nature of the 2014-16 HIMAA Strategic Plan, the road ahead is exciting and engaging. Please be assured that HIMAA operational planning is truly hard-wired to its achievement in identifiable outcomes.

Richard Lawrance Chief Executive Officer

For more organisational reports, see pages 32 to 35.

***

FINANCIAL REPORT – PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

For the year ended 30 June 2014

From the Treasurer

It is a pleasure to report a strong performance across all operating sectors over the 2013-14 financial year for our Association. Each sector contributed a steady and much improved result, leading to improvement in our overall asset quality.

The net operating result for the year ended 30 June 2014 has remained on a par:$168,042 compared to $171,001 in the previous year. This trading result represents a significant improvement of $111,000, nearly 192%, on the expected budgeted surplus.

The improvement stems from the Board’s financial strategy through the Finance, Audit and Risk Management Committee of improving margin in our products and services, revenue generation and cost saving. The result demonstrates the strength of the business structure of the Association, the budgetary consistency, careful balancing of growth and returns, and timely execution of our operational and tactical fiscal strategy.

The continued effort and monetary diligence of the Executive team, monitoring and reviewing the company’s financial position and associated risks, has helped us to meet our targets in most sectors. The focus on productivity, transparency and accountability continues to gear the company for long term sustainability. A disciplined approach to budget delivery continues to strengthen the company’s balance sheet across its cash and liquid assets resulting in an improved liquidity status. HIMAA is now in a more financially robust and stable position enabling our 2014-16 Strategic Plan to advance progressively this financial year.


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Summary of Results

Our end-of-year result reflects the financial strength gathered from astute investment and prudent budget management. The reported operating surplus of $168,042 is a testimony of our strong performance in the financial year just ended. Each arm of the business has work hard to improve revenue.

Summary of key highlights from the Statement of Profit and Loss, Statement of Financial Position and Statement of Changes in Equity are as follows:-

• Our turnover for the FY14 was $1,764,356, a slight decrease (0.5%) from last year (FY13: $1,774,537).

• Total operational expense for the year was $1,596,314, a slight decrease of 0.5% from last year (FY13: $1,603,536).

• Student enrolment in the domestic market experienced a drop in number, whilst a significant demand from overseas students occurred; up by 65%.

• Membership is up by 9%, from 522 financial members in the previous year to 568 financial members in FY14.

• The consulting income has increased by 138% due to the increase in demand from Excellence Health, Saudi Arabia.

• Continued success in our HIMAA annual conference – growth in sponsorship, exhibitor booth and registration, increased our modest profit by 50% compared on prior year.

• The 5th Edition Dictionary and On-line Dictionary licence has returned a 63% increase in revenue for the Resource Sector from FY13.

• Cash holdings are further strengthened, with $1m held in the low risk investment placing the Association in a very strong financial position.

• The account balance for total assets was $1,241,881 (FY13: $1,183,417), an improvement of 5% from last year.

• Total Liabilities at year end were $705,642 (FY13: $815,220), down by 13%.

• Total equity improved by 46% from last year to $536,239.

• A much improved liquidity ratio to 1.75 from 1.45 on prior year.


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Statement of Profit and Loss and Other Comprehensive Income For the Year Ended 30 June 2014

2014 2013

$ $

Revenue 1,764,356 1,774,537

Employee benefits expense (1,159,749) (1,055,108)

Depreciation and amortisation expenses (1,564) (817)

Printing and postage expenses (Utilities) (66,970) (59,332)

Consulting expenses (44,821) (53,012)

Conference and workshop expenses (134,902) (220,847)

Rent expense (57,879) (56,362)

Staff Training and development expenses (7,803) (11,854)

Audit and legal fees (9,866) ((16,371)

Travelling expense (22,345) (42,524)

Sundry Expenses (90,415) (87,309)

Current year surplus before income tax 168,042 171,001

Tax Expense - -

Net current year surplus 168,042 171,001

Other Comprehensive Income - -

Total other comprehensive income for the year 168,042 171,001

Total comprehensive income attributable to

members of the entity

168,042

171,001


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Financial Performance

Total Operating Revenue and Expense: 5 years in comparison

FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014

Total Revenue 1,346,000 1,469,000 1,458,000 1,774,000 1,764,000

Total Expenses 1,253,000 1,605,000 1,454,000 1,604,000 1,596,000

Table 1

Figure 1 – Five year Revenue : Expense comparison

• Consistent effort in cost saving strategy has helped to maintain cost to income ratio at less than 1 for two consecutive years.

• Continued improvement in our profit margin by nearly 10%.

0

200,000

400,000

600,000

800,000

1,000,000

1,200,000

1,400,000

1,600,000

1,800,000

2,000,000

FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014

Total Revenue

Total Expenses


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Net Operating Result: 5 years in comparison

Financial Year FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014

Net Surplus/Deficit($) 93,596 -135,470 3,547 171,001 168,042

Table 2

All dates shown as at 30 June 2014

Figure 2 – Net Operating Surplus/ Deficit – 5 year comparison

• FY14 delivered a strong and solid performance as depicted by the graph above. • Net surplus remains steady at $168,042.

93,596

-135,470

3,547

171,001 168,042

FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014

Net Operating Surplus/Deficit($)

Net Surplus/Deficit($)


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Statement of Financial Position

As at 30 June 2014

2014 2013

$ $

ASSETS

Current Asset

Cash & cash equivalents 230,593 518,460

Account receivable and other debtors 147,188 166,734

Inventories on hand 7,560 5,471

Other Current Assets(pre-payments) 49,419 12,678

Other financial assets (Term Deposits) 800,130 478,713

Total Current Assets 1,234,890 1,182,056

Non-Current Assets

Property, plant and equipment 6,991 1,361

Total Non-Current Assets 6,991 1,361

TOTAL ASSETS

1,241,881 1,183,417

LIABILITIES

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable & other payables 87,196 119,857

Provision for employee benefits 148,882 121,610

Other Liabilities 434,904 545,863

Total Current Liabilities 670,962 787,332

Non-Current Liabilities

Provision for employee benefits 34,680 27,888

Total 34,680 27,888

TOTAL LIABILITIES 705,642 815,220

NET ASSETS

536,239

368,197

EQUITY

Retained Surplus 536,239 368,197

TOTAL EQUITY 536,239 368,197


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Statement of Changes in Equity

For the Year ended 30 June 2014

2014 2013 $ $

Equity at commencement of the reporting period

368,197

197,196

Net surplus/(deficit) for period 168,042 171,001

Equity at close of the reporting period 536,239 368,197

Represented by:

Member Contributions - -

Gift to Foundations - -

Retained Surplus

536,239 368,197

Our total equity from $368,197 to $536,239 secures the Association in a favourable, solid and strong financial position creating further financial opportunity.

Our total assets are strengthened by nearly 5%, with a corresponding decrease in liabilities of 13% as at the reporting date. This improves our liquidity ratio and our financial viabilities.

The strengthening in our liquid asset holdings has given the company a competitive edge. With most of our liquid assets held in the low risk investment and delivering steady investment returns of 3.45% per annum, we are safeguard advantaged and in a better position to withstand any financial challenges in this current financial year.


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Comparative figures of Net Assets for the past five years

Financial Year FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014

Net Assets ($) 315,789 193,650 197,196 368,197 536,239

Table 3

Net Assets as at 30 June 2014

Figure 3 – Five year comparison – Net Asset

The Finance and Corporate Services Manager, Ms Philida Chew, is to be congratulated for her dedicated and untiring attention to detail and the co-ordination of our financial reports throughout the year for the FARM Committee and particularly at year’s end when completing our financial audit. Philida’s stewardship of our finances is commendable and we thank her most sincerely for her professionalism. The Board, the FARM Committee, CEO and Finance and Corporate Services Manager will continue to focus on improving our financial equity in our challenging economic environment to empower our organisation’s steady growth going from strength to strength in this new financial year.

Catherine Garvey, Treasurer

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014

315,789

193,650 197,196

368,197

536,239

Net Assets ($)

Net Assets ($)


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Photos from our 2013

Conference in

National HIMAA

Adelaide

Rob Bernard (Turbocoder), Michael Richter (Clarisoft), Dr

Osama Tawfiq Al Shayeb (Deputy Dead, Batterjee Medical College, Jedda) and Mahmoud Makki (The Coding

Company Middle East, Dubai)

HIMAA Booth attended by Rose Wong, Sallyanne Wissmann (HIMAA President) and Ralph La Tella

Health Information Management Journal and HIM-

Interchange Editorial Board members: Kerin Robinson (Life Member), Associate Professor Joanne Callen (Editor-in-

chief), Dianne Williamson, Cassandra Jordon, Jennie Shepheard (Editor) and (seated) Professor Phyllis Watson

AM

Professor Phyllis Watson presenting at the HIMAA National Conference 2013


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COMMITTEES OF THE HIMAA BOARD

Editorial Board

The purpose of HIMAA professional journals produced by the Association is to uphold the academic rigor and standing of the health information management profession as defined by the Association.

The Editorial Board is responsible for the peer-reviewed Health Information Management Journal (HIMJ) and the professional practice journal, HIM-Interchange (HIM-I). The Board comprises: five members, a nominee of the HIMAA Board of Directors, the Editor in Chief, the Editor and two to four Associate Editors. Ex officio members are the HIMAA Chief Executive Officer and the Managing Editor. The work is assisted by State Liaison Officers and, for each issue, Guest Editors. International support is provided by the International Advisory Board,

The Editorial Board meets quarterly by teleconference, although its first quarterly meeting in 2014 was a face-to-face workshop - a valuable opportunity to discuss broad issues relevant to the production of HIMJ and HIM-I.

Activity and Achievements

To encourage the submission of papers to HIMJ, the Online-First publication method was adopted in the 2013-14 financial year. Once a paper has passed the peer review process, it is posted on the web site prior to formal publication and can thus be cited. This function is valuable to academic authors.

Changes were made to the format of the two journals in 2014. HIMJ and HIM-I are now physically separated (HIM-I no longer being stapled inside HIMJ as an insert).

For HIMJ, the process by which papers are selected for peer review was revised. The Editorial Board established an Editorial Review Panel which meets by teleconference once a fortnight for approximately 10 minutes and reaches consensus on the relevance of new papers to the mission of the journal, and thus identifies which are be put through the full refereeing process. The Editor-in-chief, Editor, Associate Editors, and interested Members of the Editorial Board comprise the Panel.

Another change was the institution of a Statement of Authorship for HIMJ papers; this has been added to the Copyright Form and each author is requested to sign (including all authors of a multi-author paper).

Achievements of individual members to the Editorial Board include Kerin Robinson, who was awarded Life Membership at the 2013 Conference; Stella Rowlands, whose paper at the 2013 HIMAA conference won the prize for best paper; and Jennie Shepheard, whose paper on the journals at the same conference was well received.

Issues and Challenges

The Editorial Board is investigating the possibilities and implications of external publication for HIMJ and HIM-I. Any such change would not be apparent to the reader; it would only affect the publication process.

The Editorial Board encourages HIMAA members and others to submit papers for the two publications.

Kay Bonello, Chair / Irene Kearsey, Secretary


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Clinical Coding Advisory Committee

Following its launch at the October, 2013 HIMAA Conference in Adelaide, by the HIMAA President Sallyanne Wissmann, the HIMAA National Coding Advisory Committee was established to advise the HIMAA Board on matters relating to:

• The development and implementation of HIMAA’s strategic plan as it relates to clinical coding;

• Provision of a representative to the Education Committee and its sub-committees to advise on education and training and professional development opportunities for clinical coding members;

• Provision of a representative to the HIMAA National Conference Committee to advise on conference proceedings relevant to clinical coding;

• The development and monitoring of the progress of HIMAA’s Education Services Business Plan through involvement with education, training and professional development components of the business plan relating to clinical coding;

• Discussion of issues of relevance to clinical coding in order to provide expert advice to the HIMAA Board;

• Identification and recommendation to the HIMAA Board and progress clinical coding related initiatives;

• Monitor the resources section of the HIMAA website related to clinical coding to ensure resources for members remain current and comprehensive;

• Consider and draft responses on HIMAA’s behalf to clinical coding-relevant submissions and papers;

• Review reports from the National Coding Special Interest Group, including jurisdictional based clinical coding committees;

• Monitor and report on activity and changes in the clinical coding sector that may be of strategic interest or concern to HIMAA;

• Liaise with local branches and networks to keep informed of local coding matters.

The HIMAA Board approached then Chair of the Clinical Coding Society of Australia, long-time HIMAA member Louise Matthews to be the Committee’s inaugural Chair.


Expressions of interest in membership of the committee were called and, with Louise, the HIMAA President and Senior Vice President (Jenny Gilder) reviewed the nominations against the following criteria:

• One representative per State/Territory • Full, Senior Associate or life member of HIMAA • Currently in a coding related role • A review of what the candidate would bring to the table including such things as

rural, public, private, remote, coding management roles.

Based on these criteria the committee was established with the addition of:

Louise Matthews Chairperson Jenny Gilder Deputy Chairperson and HIMAA Board member An NCCH representative Richard Lawrance CEO Lyn Williams Training Manager HIMAA

The first meeting of the HIMAA CCAC was held on the 6 March 2014. The President of HIMAA, Sallyanne Wissmann, also attended this meeting and welcomed all members.

Decisions made included meeting frequency and time, endorsement of the Terms of Reference, appointment of Helen Morgan as the CCAC representative on the Education Committee, appointment of Janine Wapper as the CCAC representative on the


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conference committee, agreement on standing items for future agendas and tabling of the HIMAA 2014-2014 Strategic Plan for consideration and advice to the next meeting.

Meetings are held quarterly and all meetings scheduled have been held during this report period. Lively discussions on clinical coding matters of strategic importance to the health information management profession are already emerging, and working groups on the development of standards for audit, and for job classifications and award structures, are in formation.

The HIMAA Clinical Coding Advisory Committee, as it develops will fulfil the original requirements of the HIMAA Board as it advises on matters relating to clinical coding.

Louise Matthews, Chairperson / Jenny Gilder, Deputy Chairperson

Conference Committee

The Conference Committee held a successful conference in 2013 in Adelaide and has been planning the 2014 conference in Darwin.


The conference theme for 2013 was Transforming health information: the past, present and future and focused on where health information practice had been and where it was going. Just over 260 delegates attended the conference, with extremely positive feedback regarding the program, social events and networking opportunities. Some negative feedback was received regarding the location of the venue and as a result the committee agreed that local branches be involved in venue selection to utilise their local knowledge about location and suitability of venues.

The 2014 conference is being held in Darwin and for the first time is being held in collaboration with NCCH to enable a stronger focus on standards and classification development in the coding stream. The theme for 2014 is Health Information Management: driving the information highway and focuses on the work health information professionals are doing to lead health initiatives such as electronic records, activity based funding and classification development.

Janine Wapper has been appointed to the Conference Committee as the Clinical Coding Advisory Committee representative and Susan Schulz is the 2014 local branch representative. Vera Dimitropoulos and Anne Elsworthy also joined the committee for the NCCH.

The conference program is full of exciting papers and presenters. The response from keynote speakers has been positive, with a number of high profile national and international speakers confirmed. A record number of abstract submissions have also led to a lively combination of papers, workshops and poster presentations.

In addition to keynote speakers and paper presentations, the 2014 program features the following sessions:

• Two coding workshops, including clinical presentations and associated standards and abstracting issues

• SNOMED CT workshop • Research workshop • Scanning workshop • Database Fundamentals Workshop • Workshops from our Gold and Silver Sponsors, Core Medical Solutions and 3M • SIG meetings


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• ICD10 9th edition update • Poster exhibition has been reintroduced • HealthKwiz – a fun climax to the Conference • A number of launches will be scheduled into the program and during lunch breaks


The large number of high quality abstracts (39) made it difficult to schedule papers into the allotted time, but provided an opportunity to include a variety of presentation formats, including practice bytes and posters.

The conference continues to be well supported and will hopefully grow stronger.The addition of the Coding stream has attracted clinical coders who may not have previously attended the conference due to the HIM focus. The coding stream will continue to develop with the input of NCCH and the HIMAA education staff. The committee will consider the logistics for a third stream from 2015. The 2015 conference will be held in Sydney.

Janine Carter, Convenor

***

HIMAA BRANCHES AND NETWORKS

Victorian Branch

The Victorian Branch Executive of HIMAA is led by Jennifer Bowman and oversees the Victorian Professional Development Group, convened by Cheens Lee, and the Events Committee. The Events Committee has been convened by Leanne Daking for a number of years and was handed over to Emma Sanelli in May 2014. The committee also receives reports from the Committee’s La Trobe University representatives and Special Interest/Advisory Groups including the Mental Health Advisory, Scanning Special Interest, Victorian Chief HIM, Paediatric Hospital Special Interest and Coding Special Interest Groups. La Trobe University representative Darren Freestone resigned from the committee due to his resignation from La Trobe University. Kerin Robinson and Merilyn Riley now alternate as representative of La Trobe University on the committee.


� Catherine Obuch continues to keep the Victorian Branch website up-to-date with the latest health industry news. A proposal to overhaul the Victorian Branch website was reviewed by the committee in May 2014 and will be actioned over the next 6 months. This proposal is to better inform our members and the public of the role of the Victorian Branch and to promote upcoming events or vacancies.

� Annual Student Mentor Program offered to Victorian based La Trobe and Curtin University HIM students.

� Each year the Victorian Branch awards the top La Trobe HIM Student in Clinical Classification and in the HIM Course overall. These students are presented with a $250 cheque from the Victorian Branch at the Faculty of Health Sciences prize ceremony. This year’s recipients were Sarah Dorward and Beata Steinberg.


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� Trivia night in October 2013 held in Port Melbourne was well attended and allowed Victorian HIMs an opportunity to let their hair down and enjoy a night of laughs and trivia.

� Annual Christmas card mail out to Victorian HIMAA Members was distributed with coffee vouchers. This is well received by Victorian members each year as an acknowledgement of their membership and support.

� Professional development event held at The Vibe Savoy in May 2014 had over 90 attendees. The large attendance can be attributed to the coding focus of this year’s event with positive feedback for Elizabeth Molloy’s ‘How To Be An Effective Educator/Trainer’.


• Sponsorship for the Annual Graduation Dinner which has allowed HIMAA Victoria to

welcome new graduates from La Trobe and Curtin Universities into the industry has become scarce in recent years. • Although the branch endeavours to subsidise the dinner through the profits from

the professional development event, it is becoming increasingly difficult not to incur a deficit.

• This year the Victorian Branch will be looking to expand the focus of the dinner to also acknowledge and award long term HIMAA members in a bid to improve on attendance.

• Many members of the Victorian Branch Executive have been volunteering their time

for a number of years. With the assistance of the committee the Victorian Branch President is reviewing and developing position descriptions for its committee members to support succession planning.

The Victorian Branch continues to work to engage with Victorian HIMs through the events it holds as well the communication to its committees and special interest/advisory groups. Coding is still a strong focus for Victorian HIMs demonstrated by the attendance at this year’s professional development event. Some Victorian HIMs have flagged an interest in attending a professional development event that focuses on medico-legal issues. The Victorian Branch is looking into the wider interest and most appropriate speakers for such an event. The introduction of a National Branch Presidents Meeting has been beneficial in building a relationship with the other state branch presidents and the National Office.

Jennifer Bowman, Victorian Branch President

*

Tasmanian Branch

Membership has remained steady at 8 members. Due to the small membership base meetings and correspondence are via e-mail.


• Annual Clinical Coding workshop again attracted 35 participants from around the state.

o Presenter was Belinda Torney from Victoria who presented on Coding Audit Fundamentals.

o Clinical update included a session on Mechanical Ventilation and ICU, with the afternoon being a Clinical Coding Workshop.


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• This event runs at a significant profit allowing us to sponsor a HIMAA member to the National Conference, by supporting the payment of their registration fees.

• This year we were able to send Mark Upton, Manager of Health Information Services, from the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The Tasmanian Branch has representation on many of the HIMAA SIGs, including Clinical Coding, Scanning and Rural. Other members are also involved in Professional Development Committees including the Professional Development Committee. Issues and Challenges Our continual challenge is the small membership, which also comes from the fact that there are very few HIMs in Tasmania. Sharing the workload of the SIGs and event planning is also a challenge, especially with some of the HIMs working part-time.

Members of HIMAA in Tasmania are very proud of the success of our Coding event. We endeavour at all times to raise both the profile of HIMs and HIMAA.

Emily Price, Tasmanian Branch President

*

Capital Region Network

This past year has been uneventful with no formal professional development activities. The Network organised a number of social events that were well attended.


The network held several informal networking events during the year: • 29 August 13 – Network dinner, Ellacure Bruce • 19 December 13 – Christmas dinner, Hellenic Club • 30 April 14 – Network dinner held at recently opened Jamie’s Italian in Civic.

Each evening was well attended and members appreciated the opportunity to catch up on news both professional and personal.

The Network AGM was held on 5 September 13 at The Canberra Hospital. A new executive was voted in:

• Convenor - Graeme Shields • Co-ordinator – Kate McKenzie • Co-ordinator – Elizabeth Moss • Co-ordinator – Miriam Lum On • Journal liaison – Vicki Bennett


• The Convenor travelled the world for several months this past year resulting in a very quiet year for the Network.

• In the absence of any professional development event the executive has offered to support a small number of members wishing to attend the HIMAA annual conference in October 2014.

The Executive hopes to be able to host at least one professional development activity next year.

Elizabeth Moss and Kate McKenzie, CRN Co-ordinators


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Queensland Network

The primary focus of the Queensland Network in the 2013/14 financial year was professional development activities for Queensland members and non-members. The network committee successfully expanded its membership to seven, which has enabled greater scope to support network activities.


Network activity and achievements for the 2013/14 financial year: • Expansion of network committee members • Professional Development Day, 26th August 2013, Victoria Park, Brisbane.

• The day attracted 43 delegates both members and non-members. The program covered a variety of topics including the Integrated Electronic Medical Record (iEMR) Program and Change Management, an update on the Health Information Management degree from Queensland University of Technology, forms management, activity based funding in Queensland, emotional intelligence and an update from Medicare Locals. The day also incorporated a HIMAA strategy focus group facilitated by CEO Richard Lawrance.

• Queensland Network Convenor attended Queensland University of Technology Course Advisory Committee for PU51 Bachelor of Health Information Management on 5th June 2014.

• Professional Development Day, 27th June 2014, Mater Health Services, South Brisbane.

• The day attracted 27 delegates including members, non-members and Health Information Management students. The focus for the day was change management and included an update on change (‘What’s New?’) and a keynote presentation from Health Information Manager Mary-Ellen Vidgen, change expert and specialist. The day included a brainstorming session, panel discussion and workshop that allowed active participation and hands on work for delegates. Delegates were provided with resources and practical tools in change management.

• Engagement in National Office initiatives through branch president/network convenor meetings


• Engaging and supporting members in rural Queensland • Offering low cost professional development activities to members and non-members

located outside of Brisbane • Attracting members and non-members to professional development activities • Offering professional development opportunities that meet the needs of members

and non-members • Regular communication to Queensland members from the network (development of

quarterly newsletter underway) • Expanding membership numbers through contact with non-members and past

members in Queensland • Review and update of Queensland component of HIMAA website to include specific

Queensland content The key focus for the Queensland Network, going forward into 2014/15, will be:

• Quarterly face to face professional development opportunities • Launch of quarterly Queensland Network newsletter


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• Engagement and support of rural members and non-members through targeted professional development opportunities

• Expansion of membership through engagement of non-members and previous members (including focus on clinical coder membership)

Gemma van Fleet, Convenor

*

South Australia Branch

A review of the South Australia Branch 2013/14 year yields a mixed result. Our calendar of events included the 30th National HIMAA Conference coming to Adelaide which was a genuine pleasure for the Branch. Naomi Johnston, an SA HIM student and Sandie Benz assisted in the preparation of satchels as part of our contribution to events.

Our Executive renewed itself in November 2013 with Tanya Drake, a long and strong active member of the Branch Executive, stepping down from her role as Secretary. Tanya has since moved to the Northern Territory to be the Health Information Manager at Royal Darwin Hospital. Tanya’s contribution over the years is greatly appreciated with Darwin’s gain being Adelaide’s loss. This past year has passed swiftly with no formal professional development events. However the Executive have continued to meet on a quarterly basis.


The network held several informal networking events during the year: • 22 November 2013 – AGM and end of year dinner • Registration Sponsorship of Branch Members to attend the 30th National

Conference was won by Rhonda Pfeiffer and Chris Robey. The Branch Executive are:

• President & Professional Development Facilitator – Catherine Garvey • Senior Vice President – Sandie Benz • Treasurer and Employment Officer – Lesley Ward • Website Manager – Jen McCartney • Membership Officer – Chris Robey


• The unprecedented number of changes to systems and processes in South Australian Public Health Sector contributed to the members being fully occupied by their employment. The introduction of the State Wide electronic health record EPAS, ORACLE and BASWARE financial and procurement systems, centralisation of procurement and supply, and severe financial recovery strategies have all contributed to Branch members having little extra-curricular down time resulting in a very quiet year for Branch activities. This has been a concern for the Branch Executive.

• Our Branch membership numbers remained relatively stable during 2013/14. Our ability to attract members to attend events has been challenging. The core few turn up or respond to calls to volunteer their time. Finding events and schedules to attract the more passive members remains a challenge.

The Executive anticipates some positive movement in our 2014/15 professional development/ networking activities aiming for, at least, an event each quarter leading up to June 2015.

Catherine Garvey, SA Branch President


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NSW Branch

The NSW Branch has had a successful year primarily focused on the progression of professional development seminars, the new HIM course delivered by the University of Western Sydney and the progression of a new award for HIMs in the public sector that is more reflective of the current environment in the workforce.

The branch is also investigating updating its website to include more up to date and relevant information including Branch meeting agendas and minutes and also providing scholarships to NSW HIM students (currently studying via distance education) and lifelong members to attend the HIMAA Annual 2014 Conference in Darwin.

Further, the Branch is looking to provide an annual scholarship for a NSW student enrolled in the UWS B.ICT (HIM) course to help encourage students from NSW to take up the course.

Requests have been received for coding education and support to be provided in rural areas and a road-show is currently under investigation and development by members and subject matter experts.

The Branch is currently reporting a favourable budget with minimal spend throughout the year.

We would like to extend a farewell and big thank-you to long standing Branch President Margie Luke who resigned this month to take up the position of Director HIM for Ballarat Health Services in Victoria. Margie has been branch president for 3 years and we thank her for her enthusiasm and commitment to the profession and the NSW Branch during this time. Nicole Stanzer, Vice President will take over the role of President until the AGM is held in October.


• Private Hospital Special Interest Group (PHSIG) - The NSW Private Hospital Group Special Interest Group (PHSIG) continues to meet quarterly with a new Convenor – Caroline Yap, and Secretary – Elizabeth Bush.There have been four meetings – November 2013, February 2014, May 2014 and August 2014.

• Hot topics have included the new privacy legislation, general health record retention and specific retention requirements (eg blood transfusion forms, theatre prostheses forms).The NSW PHSIG plans to commence developing position papers on various ‘hot topics’ to give more formal guidance to the private sector.

• Professional Development Seminars - The branch has had a successful professional development year with a number of events and sessions being held.

• On 5th March 2014, HIMAA in conjunction with Northern Sydney Local Health District, invited clinicians, medical practitioners and medico-legal teams to a Medico Legal Education Seminar at Royal North Shore Hospital.

• On Friday 6th September, NSW Branch held a hugely successful all-day event at Liverpool Hospital with a hands-on workshop on the topic of "communication for HIMs" with Vivienne Black from Dot Yam and Associates.

• Meetings have been held with Coding Professionals at the NCCH to develop a rural coding professional road show across North, South and Western NSW in 2015.

• HIMAA released a database training module on 1.7.14 targeted at EHR, HL7, SNOMED CT and other databases to give a platform for those working in the HIM space to understand databases. Promotion was distributed by NSW Branch members to colleagues and NSW hospitals to encourage enrolments.


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• University of Western Sydney(UWS) HIM undergraduate course

• A UWS Academic Board Meeting was held on 11 October 2013 with a positive outcome in relation to the proposed B.ICT (HIM major) being aptly named B.ICT (Health Information Management).

• July 2014, the UWS Vice Chancellor confirms that the B.ICT (HIM) will accept enrolments for the start of 2015.

• Plans for UWS marketing with HIMAA to ensure course promotion commence immediately. Sunday 31 August is UWS Open Day, the first day of promotion with banner and flyers.

• The course will be launched at the National HIMAA NCCH Conference in Darwin in October 2014.


• Public Sector Award - The Professional Vocation Committee (PVC) for HIMs (with the Health Services Union) is currently stalled after a disappointing meeting in May 2014. • Members were dismayed that a draft HIM award was presented by the Union

which was basically a ‘copy and paste’ job from the Health Managers’ State Award.

• The PVC Union reps have been invited to attend a face-to-face NSW Branch HIMAA meeting to give them further insight into the profession.

Nicole Stanzer, NSW Branch President

***

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Victorian Chief HIM SIG

The Victorian Chief HIM Special Interest Group meets bi-monthly in Melbourne. HIMs from all hospitals are welcome to be involved, including metro and country, public and private. Five meetings were held during the 2013/14 year.

The SIG meets in person at the RMH Royal Park campus (part of Melbourne Health) and recently teleconference facilities have been made available to broaden access for members.

The HIMAA Board ratified the status of the Vic Chief HIM SIG as an official HIMAA special interest group on 26th September 2013.


• Liaison with the Health Information Management course at La Trobe University • Strength of HIM student professional placements in Victoria • Liaison with the Public Record Office of Victoria (PROV) around health record

retention schedules and record keeping standards • Sharing of advice between members in preparation for National Standards

accreditation surveys • Receipt of periodic HIMAA Board updates • Involvement in the Victorian Dept of Health Coding Workforce – Industry Advisory

Group • Liaison with the Scanning SIG


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• Sharing of information on the Victorian Coding Committee and VAED audits • Sharing of information on PCEHR issues • Sharing of HIS benchmark data twice a year • Development of the new Victorian Coding SIG • Supporting the HIMAA mentor program • A special focus group discussion was conducted to provide detailed feedback on

the HIM-Interchange publication. This was requested by the HIMAA Editorial Board. Feedback was submitted to Stella Rowlands


• Having sufficient volunteer members to convene the meetings, produce agenda, take minutes and collate benchmarking data

• HIM responsibilities in complying with Victorian Department of Health annual admission policy changes

• Coding and HIM workforce shortages

The membership of the group continues to grow, with more people utilising the teleconference services than meeting face to face. The SIG has been meeting for at least 15 years and will continue into the future.

Ross Buchanan, Chair

* Scanning SIG

The Scanning Special Interest Group (SSIG) is a National group that provides support and guidance to all Health Services during their project implementation and the ongoing management of scanned records.


Please see below a list of activity and achievements for the financial year: • Collection of data from Health Services on scanning comparisons and role definitions. • Review of HIMAA SSIG webpage and plans for ongoing management. • Preparation for the SSIG workshop at the HIMAA Conference 2014.


The SSIG have discussed at length the development of scanning Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in order to benchmark between agencies. The challenge has been a lack of Standards in setting KPIs in guiding Health Services. Each State and Territory has different legislative requirements for the destruction of source documents process. The Scanning Special Interest Group provides Health Information Managers with an opportunity to operate efficient and effective scanned medical record services through a network of likeminded professionals, by providing advice, support and building linkages between Health Services.

Terri Fiorenza, Chair *


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National Regional Health SIG

This Group had its first meeting in July 2013, chaired by Robyn Lunt of South West NSW. I first chaired a meeting of the group for Robyn at the 2013 Conference, where a dozen health information professionals from regional and rural locations around the country found a wide range of issues in common including professional isolation, staffing and resourcing issues, responsibility for community health and in-patient care as well as acute, and discharge summary issues.

Since this meeting, I have been working throughout 2014 to further the special interest group.


• We held our first meeting on the 22nd July 2014. We had people ring in from SA, Queensland, Tasmania and even as far as Thursday Island

• We had Cassandra Jordan phone in and give an update on the course being offered next year at UWS and Richard Lawrance gave all attending an overview on the HIMAA Strategic plan.

• We discussed some issues that are at the heart of being in isolated regions – staffing and relevant guidelines.

• We are putting together 2 working groups to discuss ways of implementing solutions to the problems of being a regional HIM/ Coder. • The first topic we are discussing is a locum strategy of clinical coders and HIMs. • The 2nd group is to look at the Documentation Guidelines and then to feed back up

the line to the committees that are looking at these standards. • We will be meeting on the Monday afternoon/evening before the 2014 Conference to

discuss both issues so that we may present an update to our SIG meeting.


Our first and foremost issue is isolation from other professionals. That is one issue that needs greater discussion and planning with things like teleconferencing, webinars, mentoring / support from metropolitan HIMs/coders, etc.

One of our biggest challenges is how do we become a cohesive, dynamic group of professionals when we are spread so widely across the country? We face this challenge daily and are using our expertise now by teleconferencing/emailing in these work groups to overcome this challenge.

I believe that there are many in the Regional SIG that wish to contribute to our profession. We face challenges and have experiences that many metropolitan professionals do not ever see.

It is a slow work in progress but I believe by the time the 2015 Conference comes around the Board and HIMAA members will see more coming out of this group.

Cassandra Rupnik, Chair

*

Paediatric Hospitals SIG

The SIG has met 4 times from July 2013 until June 2014. The membership list has grown to 23 members who represent Paediatric Hospitals and Health Services from Australia and New Zealand.


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• Lines of communication created and opened up between the majority of paediatric facilities in Australia

• Discussion of current issues, topics and trends in relation to paediatrics and health information management

• Quality of paediatric data enhanced by discussions about codes and coding practices. Several coding queries that have originated in this group have been sent to the relevant State Coding Authority for clarification/resolution.

• Invaluable source of information sharing


• Individual member’s availability to attend meetings as everyone is so busy. • Working in classification, activity based funding systems and hospital systems that

are adult focused! This SIG is a valuable information resource and support network for each of the members

Kym Kuenstner, Chair *

National Clinical Coding SIG

Following its launch at the October, 2013 HIMAA Conference in Adelaide, the National Clinical Coding Special Interest Group held its inaugural meeting in February, 2014, convened by Jenny Gilder, HIMAA Board member. The SIG has approximately 44 members from Western Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Queensland, NSW, Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria.


• Terms of Reference were approved at the inaugural meeting and it was agreed that the teleconference would be held bimonthly. Following the teleconference, Kerry Goodrick agreed to act as convenor.

• Three teleconferences have been held within the reporting period, the next scheduled for Thursday 14 August, 2014.

• Attendance has been regular with robust discussion around coder workforce issues, remote coding and coding audits. Two matters have been referred to the HIMAA Clinical Coding Advisory Committee(CCAC) resulting in two working groups being proposed: Practice standards and coding auditing.

• Two members of the SIG, Liz Towarnicki and Kerry Goodrick have been involved in testing international coding questions for the WHO-FIC Education and Implementation Committee.

The SIG has had a strong start with two matters referred to the HIMAA CCAC for further discussion. Future meetings will continue to explore improvements to coder training especially in relation to workforce readiness and feedback from the State Coding Advisory Committees.

Kerry Goodrick, Chair

***


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REPRESENTATIVES

HL7

HL7 International have been focusing on several principle activities:

Providing greater utility and ease of implementation of data exchange standards.

This is being achieved through the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)(pr.fire). This HL7 approach has been led by Grahame Greive from Australia, with others. The project seeks to provide reusable artefacts for information exchange which can be packaged together using the simplicity of HL7 V2 packages of messages with the functionality of V3 data model and Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) standardisation. There are many issues still to be resolved, including safe and consistent representation of meaning within the messages, but this approach is proving highly practical and has many adherents.

Terminology Governance within HL7

HL7 has had a number of approaches to terminology content (code system specification and value domains; similar to what HL7 call value sets). The desire of the organisation is to move to representation of content using external terminologies such as SNOMED CT and the HL7 Terminology Authority is now operational to advance and manage that process. H. Grain of Australia is the chair of this group. They are looking initially at family relationships and how these could be transitioned to SNOMED CT, and what content needs to be added to SNOMED CT internationally to support this activity. This group of data is an excellent test case as it is widely used, represented differently across HL7 V2, V3 and FHIR as well as differently in many national collections. The objective is to have a singular set of content which is selected from for different purposes, thereby supporting interoperability.

Education

HL7 International have instituted a quality process for their tutorials and are providing online tutorials for members regularly.

Australia

HL7 Australia are planning a series of education activities over the next 6 months and hoping to develop a more extensive approach to the development of HL7 understanding and skills in Australia. It could be of value for HIMAA to discuss with HL7 Australia the delivery perhaps some general education on FHIR or terminology governance activities.

Engagement with HL7 International through the standards community in Australia is not being supported by the current federal government and this is putting many initiatives in danger. The key members of HL7 Board and the standards community are maintaining efforts privately as much as possible.

Heather Grain

*


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Clinical Coder Society of Australia (CCSA) representative

The Health Information Management Association of Australia (HIMAA) has had an affiliation with the CCSA for a period of eighteen years and in that time a HIMAA Board member has been represented at their management committee members.

The CCSA was formed in 1996 and has a membership of 93 members as of the meeting report in May 2014. It has its own mission and objectives, constitution, code of ethics, and management committee.

The CCSA constitution states; “The CCSA primary objective of the Society is to provide a forum and support for Clinical Coders and those interested in the coding of health care data.”


• The current HIMAA Board representative has attended the majority of the CCSA meetings and all Strategic Planning Days since her appointment.

• The CCSA has produced a newsletter quarterly and members are represented on some of the State Coding Committees with the exception of Victoria and Tasmania. Members have also been involved with the ICD Technical Group in the past.

• HIMAAs representation on the CCSA has provided a two way conversation on matters relating to clinical coding which was considered important given HIMAA is the major provider of clinical coder education in Australia.

• HIMAA also provided administrative support including mail outs, a membership data base, and renewal of membership for a small fee to HIMAA.

• The CCSA has been seeking sponsorship for its activities and has one sponsor at this time.


The CCSA comes from a low membership base with a small budget however its aims and objectives reflect those of HIMAA in relation to supporting clinical coders in their professional development and many CCSA members did come from the ranks of clinical coders trained through HIMAA.

In 2012 the HIMAA Board approached CCSA with a proposal to amalgamate the two organisations. The proposal was left on the table for CCSA to consider and no deadline was given to the CCSA.

In the meantime HIMAA changed its constitution to include a new membership category specifically targeting clinical coders who were HIMAA trained, the Senior Associate Member.

“Persons who are a graduate of an Approved Program or have a minimum of five years senior level experience in the health information industry; ”

HIMAA Constitution as adopted by Special Resolution on 31 May 2013.

This membership category enables eligible clinical coders to take an active role in HIMAA and its Special Interest Groups and Committees as well as the Board. Its advent further demonstrated to the HIMAA Board that a strategic merger with CCSA would be beneficial to strengthen services offered to clinical coders such as professional development.

With the development of a robust Strategic Plan to take HIMAA to 2016 it was also evident that HIMAA was undertaking a much stronger direction in supporting clinical coders across Australia and the National Coding Special Interest Group and the Clinical Coding Advisory Committee were launched in 2013.

Both of these representative bodies have now become very proactive in the clinical coding space with HIMAA partners. The representation on both groups includes


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experienced senior clinical coders across Australia representing the private and public sector.

The CCSA President approached the HIMAA President in February 2014 to query matters around the original incorporation proposal and CCSA decided to go to its members with a plebiscite for incorporation. HIMAA requested that a document be attached to the proposal documents outlining the financial and professional benefits for current CCSA members.

CCSA members were notified of the incorporation proposal and were invited to vote for or against incorporation through a Special Resolution Meeting held on 12 June 2014. There were seven members attending the Special Resolution meeting and a total fifteen proxies had been received by midday on the day of the vote.

The HIMAA incorporation proposal was defeated with 14 against and 8 for.

Conclusion

As a result of the failure of the incorporation proposal, the HIMAA Board considered its ongoing role with the CCSA. It was noted that the decision by 64% of CCSA members to maintain CCSA independence from HIMAA indicated that after eighteen years CCSA had come of age and was no longer dependant on the HIMAA patronage it had enjoyed since the Association first formed the CCSA in 1996.

HIMAA maintains a strong belief that clinical coders and health information managers can achieve so much as a combined group standing as one profession. The Association will continue to actively encourage clinical coders to join HIMAA through its Senior Associate and Associate membership categories so that they can participate in the decision making, networking and professional development provided through HIMAA. HIMAA will also continue to provide a clinical coding stream through the national conference.

HIMAA will always maintain a strategic relationship with CCSA if they wish to do so.

Jennifer Gilder


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HIMAA’s The Australian Dictionary of Clinical Abbreviations,

Acronyms and Symbols

And More Photos from

HIMAA Conference in

HIMAA History: The First Fifty Years

our 2013 National

Adelaide

Book signing: Professor Phyllis Watson AM with Rose

Wong Debater Extraordinaire Angela Cook with Karyn Duncan

2013 Conference Keynote by Professor Richard Madden HIMAA Board Member Alex Toth (centre) with fellow

Queenslanders Kathleen Rogers (left) and Grant Duffill


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ORGANISATIONAL

Membership

HIMAA Membership Figures

Category: As of 1/07/2013 As of 30/6/2014 Increase % Growth

Life Member 7 8 1 14.29%

Full Member 406 398 -8 -1.97%

New Graduate Member 10 12 2 20.00%

Senior Associate 7 7

Associate Member 106 121 15 14.15%

Organisation Member 20 22 2 10.00%

Student Member 126 140 14 11.11%

Total Membership 675 708 33 4.89%

As of 1/07/2013

Life Member

Full Member

New GraduateMember

AssociateMember

OrganisationMember

Student Member

As of 30/6/2014

Life Member

Full Member

New GraduateMember

Senior Associate

AssociateMember

OrganisationMember

Student Member


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Education Services

HIMAA Education Services provides training in Comprehensive Medical Terminology and Clinical Coding both nationally and internationally. As a Registered Training Organisation, HIMAA provides nationally recognised clinical coder training to its Australia-based students for the three foundation courses; Introductory, Intermediate and Advanced. In addition we offer a Refresher clinical coding course and also Clinical Coder Certification.


Activity:

Total course enrolments – 497 Certified Clinical Coder examination – 15 8th edition ICD-10-AM currency test – 51

Some of our achievements over the past twelve months are:

Comprehensive Medical Terminology related improvements • Redevelopment of the Comprehensive Medical Terminology Course to

accommodate the new textbook Mastering Medical Terminology Australia and New Zealand

• Incorporating the latest clinical research, operating procedures and interventions into the coursework.

• Development of B assessments to improve student outcomes • Updating the Australian Dictionary of Clinical Abbreviations, Acronyms and

Symbols to the 6th Edition

Improvements to Clinical Coding courses

• The addition of more medical science to the Introductory Clinical Coding coursework in areas where clinical coders traditionally have problems such as spinal surgery

• Updating all clinical coding coursework to ICD-10-AM, ACHI and ACS 8th edition • Adding the Advanced and Refresher clinical coding courses to our online portal • Incorporating our textbook Introduction to Coding with ICD-10-AM, ACHI and ACS

into the online coursework • The addition of more medical records to the Introductory Clinical Coding course • The creation of additional Practice exams for those students sitting a

Supplementary exam

Streamlining administrative processes

• Continuing to scan and upload student files onto our Student Management System in our move towards a paperless office

• Continuing to automate processes with the Student Management System to improve speed of communication with students and dissemination of information

• Improvements to student instructions for assessments and exams

Other activities and achievements

• Delivery of clinical coding workshops at the 2013 HIMAA Conference • Continued involvement in the ICD Technical Group • Working with the Community and Health Industry Skills Council to review clinical

coder competencies in the Health Training package


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Access to the workplace during entry level training continues to be a barrier for new graduates in gaining the experience employers are wanting. We are continuing to work with hospitals and members to provide graduates with the hands on experience that they require. Accessing traineeships through the development of qualifications for clinical coders at relevant levels is our ultimate goal.

Conclusion

HIMAA Education Services is passionate about providing quality training to our students and supporting members to upskill their staff. We continue to monitor and evaluate the services we provide and improve the quality and outcomes of our training. We look forward to working with the industry over the next twelve months to meet the workforce demand for highly skilled and competent clinical coders.

Lyn Williams Training Manager

*

IMIT & Professional Development

HIMAA IT Services provides the National Office with IT support and infrastructure for membership, education, conference and general administration. IT Services also provide products and services to members and non-members of the association. Product development and professional development are an integral part of our services. HIMAA IT has expanded to both facilitate and improve all aspects of the Association’s core business. From product design and development through to web design, publishing and marketing, HIMAA IT services continues to build an environment of innovation and support for the Association, its members and the profession.


Some of our achievements over the past twelve months are:

Number of visits to our web sites: 1,294,215

New web sites: International HIM SIG

Development of new products:

� Flip-book style versions of the HIMJ and HIM-I � “Online First” - Articles published online ahead of print

� Mobile and single user online versions of the Australian Dictionary of Clinical

Abbreviations – being rolled out via the NSW MoH CIAP portal

� Work begun to support the implementation of the 6th edition of the Dictionary

� Development is underway for a new channel for HIMAA news and events HIMAA

Live to be launched soon


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National Office IT Infrastructure

� Technology infrastructure upgraded. Faster computers with greater storage capacity.

� Installation of an in-house web server for administrative and board use. � Implementation of a server-based solution, which will assist staff working from

remote locations to send and receive email, manage documents, tasks and projects. The system should be finalised by the end of August 2014.

� Development and implementation of an events management system for state PD events

� Cloud-based backup and recovery system � Intranet

Social Media � Twitter – 3 channels

o HIMAA News

o HIMAA Workweb

o HIMAA Conference

� LinkedIn

o HIMAA - Company page

o Clinical Coding Group - a moderated group.

� HIMAA is represented on the following technology committees

o Standards Australia IT-014 o NeHTA Australian Clinical Terminology Users Group (AuCTUG)

� Professional Development

o New PD course will be available for members and non-members. The first face-to-face session will commence in October.

o Course was created in house and available online. The course “Database Fundamentals for Health Information Managers” consists of a four-hour face to face session and six two-hour online modules.

o New course to follow in 2015.

� State Branch events and web site support

HIMAA IT services strives to provide relevant and up-to-date technology support to the National Office staff. We align our services closely to strategic business requirements, vision and values of the Association. Our challenges are to keep abreast of changes to technology to ensure the continuance of the association in its ability support its members and the profession.

As we continue to build on the successes of previous years, we look forward to expanding our role within the Association and to continue to bring new products and services to our members whilst supporting the National Office and its staff.

Ralph La Tella IMIT and Professional Development Manager

Health Information Management Association of Australia Inc.October 2014

Documents

CEO HIMAA AnnualReport2013-14 Rd19 · 2020. 3. 9. · Symbols is the industry’s authoritative text. ... • Development of HIMAA’s Social Media Strategy • Revision of Contract