Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

9:00 AM- 11:00 AM
Grand Opening General Session

Michael Silver

This session generously sponsored by Eastman Kodak Company.

This presentation will focus on emerging trends in imaging and the resulting impact on healthcare delivery. Specifically it will look at changes to imaging modalities for the near term (3-5 years) out through the long-term (15 years +) from concepts that will shortly reach the market to ideas that are on the drawing board for the future. It will focus on changes to CT imaging, MR imaging, and PET imaging as well as interventional services. Along with highlighting these modality specific changes, the presentation will focus on two important imaging evolutionary paths: (1) The integration of imaging into therapy/interventional technologies. (2) The emergence of molecular and functional imaging technologies, their impact on existing imaging services and on care innovation. It will also discuss how information technology will significantly impact imaging services and the hospital in the future. Finally, the presentation will tie these technical innovations and concepts back to some of the technology adoption, operational and planning issues that radiology administration is dealing with today.

Mike Rayburn

Mike Rayburn is known as the Worlds' Funniest Guitar Virtuoso. He uses his astounding guitar creations, uproarious songs and presentation skills to encourage, challenge and inspire his audiences to step beyond their perceived limitations. Mike Rayburn draws from a wealth of life experiences as an adventurer, comedian, published songwriter, author, philanthropist and father, to deliver an after-dinner or keynote presentation that is completely energizing and entertaining. Featured in Newsweek, USA Today, Billboard, Gig and on the nationally acclaimed and syndicated "Bob and Tom" radio show, Mike has received standing ovations at all 3 of his Carnegie Hall performances.

2:30 PM- 5:30 PM
Expanded Sessions

Managers “Tool Box” for Building Customer Loyalty


Sandy Anderson, MS, RT, RDMS, CRA, FAHRA
Memorial Hospital
Colorado Springs, CO

Michael Favreau, BS, RT, FAHRA
Baystate Health System, Inc.
Springfield, MA

This interactive session will provide attendees the ability to obtain the “tools” for enhancing customer loyalty and satisfaction. The speakers will share many service excellence initiatives and give you practical, hands-on “tools” that you can customize for your operations. Learn ways to exceed “customer” expectations for physicians, patients and employees. Attendees will learn key strategies for strengthening relationships and connecting with people.

You will learn to:

• Use techniques to help you become more successful in developing and achieving customer loyalty and satisfaction.
• Understand the benefits and value of why scripting is so important to improve the manner in which we handle all situations and create lasting first impressions.
• Provide service recovery to those customers we have failed.
• Focus on the positive: “what’s right with the world”.

Medical Imaging Reimbursement for Imaging Centers: 2005 Update


Denise A. Merlino, MBA, FSNMTS, CNMT
Merlino Healthcare Consulting Corp.
Stoneham, MA

Pamela Kassing, BA, RCC
American College of Radiology
Reston, VA

This session generously sponsored by Merlino Healthcare Consulting Corp.

This session is designed to update medical imaging centers on coding, coverage and payments for medical imaging and nuclear medicine procedures. The speakers will provide a brief overview of the Resources Based Relative Value Scale (RBRVS) system also referred to as the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS). The lecture will include the most recent information available at the time of the session. Attendees will learn practical daily practices in billing for medical imaging and nuclear medicine procedures performed in physician office and imaging centers.

You will learn to:

• Understand the basics of reimbursement as well as learn about the latest coding updates important for medical imaging including ultrasound, breast imaging, CT, MRI, & Nuclear Medicine (including the new 2005 CPT® PET and Therapy Section Revisions).
• Describe the Medicare RBRVS system, the specifics for medical imaging and nuclear medicine procedures and learn where to obtain the latest payment information.
• Utilize practical steps and actions to stay current for providing accurate coding to trigger appropriate payments, today and tomorrow.

2:30 PM- 4:00 PM
Breakout Sessions

The “State of the State” in Imaging


M. Shane Foreman
3d Health, Inc.
Chicago, IL

Patty Riskind
HealthIntell LLC
Wilmette, IL

This session generously sponsored by 3d Health, Inc.

The growth in imaging has been explosive and the future demand for imaging is projected to grow annually by double digits for most modalities. This growth, and the potential profit it represents, has created intense competition. Hospitals, medical specialists, surgical specialists, radiologists, and entrepreneurs are all aggressively pursuing the same imaging patients. The key players influencing where an imaging patient seeks treatment include the referral physician, payers, and the consumers themselves. This session will offer participants an overview of the ever-evolving imaging market, an understanding of the key players and their most recent actions, and a framework for how to position your facility in today’s tough environment.

You will learn to:

• Provide an overview of the critical market dynamics in imaging.
• Detail the different perspectives of the key players.
• Discuss the emerging role of the consumer in imaging.
• Review the continuing role of the referral physician.
• Discuss payer behavior as it relates to imaging.
• Provide participants with proven strategies to differentiate in competitive markets.

A Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) Update and Avoiding Inspection Violations


Bonnie Rush, RT(R)(M)(QM)
BIS - Breast Imaging Specialists
San Diego, CA

This session repeated on Tuesday.

All imaging providers face the constant challenge of remaining up-to-date on the latest FDA “version” of one of the most highly regulated of all imaging modalities - mammography. What may have been accepted by one inspector is a cause for a violation by another. Take this opportunity to hone your knowledge as well as gather resources that will allow you to take control of this regulatory process.

You will learn to:

• Implement a practical approach to regulatory compliance.
• Gain access to regulatory updates.
• Avoid common violations.
• Take control of the inspection process.

Organization Techniques for the Successful Radiology Administrator


Elizabeth R. Moore, MT (ASCP), DLM, MBA
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
Wilmington, NC

You will learn to:

• Understand the importance and learn the technique to perform an annual audit of your organizational tools.
• Complete an assessment of your current processes and identify what keeps you from being organized.
• Understand the fine art of delegation and staff development.
• Identify tips and tricks for managing time, paper, projects, and people that can help you be a more successful radiology administrator.

Leadership and Whole Body Communication


Natalie R. Manor
Natalie Manor & Associates
Merrimack, NH

This session repeated on Tuesday.

Become the most impressive person you know. All interactions within your life and business require you to know how to present your ideas and how to see your services and/or products. Why should others listen to you? Why should people do business with you? Each time you speak, you establish a basis of how effective you are. What matters most to you and to your clients is how well you do it. Learn how well they understand the value of what you are offering. The demands of leadership today are many and one of them is to be an effective, impressive communicator and presenter. Whole body communication (WBC) is more than presentation skills and public speaking. Effective communication is expected at staff meetings, in hallway meetings, through e-mail and from the podium. Create a lasting impression of effectiveness and confidence by using your natural behavioral style to help you be powerful in any business situation. Learn the techniques and tips of the most impressive people you know – the ones that leave a lasting impression.

You will learn to:

• Define the 4 major behavioral styles that are core to leadership and communication and how to recognize and influence them.
• Utilize the 7 best techniques for preparing for effective communication, whether in a public meeting or one-on-one interactions.
• Eliminate preoccupations for effective communication.
• Utilize 5 easy ways to create rapport with anyone wit whom you come in contact.

Documentation Requirement for CPT® and ICD-9 Compliance


Cheryl A. Schad, BA, CPCM, CPC
Schad Medical Management
Mullica Hill, NJ

This session generously sponsored by Schad Medical Management.

In view of recent OIG audit activity within the radiology community, it is imperative for all radiology practices to review existing rules and regulations concerning ordering of diagnostic tests, clinical indications, medical necessity, documentation of diagnostic tests, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s (CMS) Correct Coding Initiative (CCI). During this session the speaker will define an “order,” discuss the form of an order and exceptions to the ordering regulations. The session will also cover how clinical indications impact medical necessity and discuss what medical necessity is and how should it be expressed. The speaker will share a sample dictation template for diagnostic radiology and discuss the source for the various “fields” of information within that template. How to document multiple studies within the same radiology report will also be discussed. Lastly, the speaker will discuss the often un-read General Instructions for CMS’ CCI Edits, as they pertain to radiology. All regulatory sources used for this presentation will be cited for attendees’ future reference.

You will learn to:

• Recognize appropriate documentation for accurate CPT® code selection.
• Recognize appropriate documentation for accurate ICD-9 selection.
• Achieve CPT® and ICD-9 compliance.

Creating an IDTF Between a Hospital and a Radiology Group Practice


Jim Yanci, MS
Charis Healthcare, Hudson, OH

Cheryl Stillberger, RT (R), BS, MA
Genesis HealthCare System, Zanesville, OH

This session generously sponsored by Charis Healthcare.

This session will overview the strategic and tactical processes of developing an Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF) between a hospital and a radiology group practice. We will illustrate a case study of how a community hospital has created such a structure utilizing a joint venture relationship. The agenda will cover an overview of the regulatory and financial decision process to create an IDTF; review the regulatory process; identify a staffing and governance model to include staffing technologist at the IDTF as well as the hospital; and lastly will highlight management service agreements for IDTF administrative services. A timeline of the project will be presented along with lessons learned.

You will learn to:

• Identify the critical success factors needed to create an IDTF.
• Understand the regulatory steps needed to be designated as an IDTF.
• Recognize how to allocate staff between the IDTF and the hospital.
• Understand the concept of management service contracts.
• Develop a timeline to create an IDTF.

4:30 PM- 5:30 PM
Breakout Sessions

Improving the OR Exam Interpretation Process with PACS


Cindy Bacon
McKesson Medical Imaging Group
Arlington, TX

This session generously sponsored by McKesson Medical Imaging Group.

Today’s radiology departments have the ever-increasing challenge of improving productivity and efficiency with higher patient volumes and less staff. Radiology administrators must find ways to decrease operational expenses without compromising patient care. According to multiple studies cited throughout the presentation, management of the examination interpretation process will be more efficient with the implementation of a picture archive communications system (PACS) than with the use of a standard film-screen system. This presentation will help radiology administrators better prepare for the issues involved in going “filmless” in the operating room (OR). In addition, attendees will learn about what others have done and items of consideration when implementing PACS in the OR.

You will learn to:

• Identify project team members.
• Organize project timelines for PACS in the OR.
• Understand the major efficiency and productivity benefits due to the PACS implementation in the OR from other facilities.

Advanced Sales Effectiveness


Deborah Mourey, BA, MS
IDE Radiology a Subsidiary of Radiologix, Inc.
Rochester, NY

Bob Gidley, BS
IDE Radiology a Subsidiary of Radiologix, Inc.
Baltimore, MD

This session repeated on Tuesday.

This session will help the non-sales professional manage their sales force to drive profitable revenue. The speakers will help attendees to understand the importance of the relationship between operations and sales, the elements of an effective sales call  (to the referring clinician), how to select appropriate sales targets, creating a sales plan, managing complaints to retain customers (both physicians and patients), and compensating sales people.  Topics that will be covered include targeting customers (both physicians and patients), measuring sales effectiveness, compensation methodology, creating a value-added sales tool kit and helping your sales professionals grow.

You will learn to:

• Identify sales targets.
• Increase effectiveness of sales professionals through monitoring and accountability.
• Understand alternatives for compensating sales professionals.
• Create a winning sales plan.

Global Outsourcing and the Coming Revolution in Teleradiology Services


Robert Lufkin, MD
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Santa Monica, CA

This session generously sponsored by US Radiology On-Call.

Radiology is the only branch of healthcare that can be delivered with current technology over the Internet as telemedicine. Since 2000, outsourced teleradiology has burst onto the scene as a rapidly expanding business model with both national and international operations serving the US. It is now among the fastest growing segments of radiology and, for better or worse, will eventually affect all radiology practices.

You will learn to:

• Understand the reasons for the current explosion in global teleradiology services.
• Define the potential pitfalls and dangers to be avoided with outsourced teleradiology.
• Decide how your practice can benefit from this new technology.

Balanced Scorecards in Medical Imaging


Luis O. Marquez, MBA, MPH, CRA, RT (R)(CT)
Southern Ohio Medical Center
Portsmouth, OH

Balanced Scorecards is a management system emphasizing management by fact and data-driven decision making. The system is becoming a common tool in the pursuit of organizational excellence, and it is infiltrating the medical imaging arena and other hospital departments. Understanding and utilizing such a powerful tool will enable medical imaging departments to support organizational excellence and become strategically aligned with the organization

You will learn to:

• List strategies to assist in pursuit of organizational excellence.
• Identify elements of a balanced scorecard.
• Understand why balanced scorecards make sense for medical imaging.
• Discuss the difficulties of starting in the journey.

The Devil is in the Details: Cost of Ownership of Your Equipment


Georgann Bruski, RT(R)
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital
Boston, MA

Sara Cutler, BA, MBA
Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY

Now that you have decided what equipment you are buying, what is the true cost of ownership? How many hours of service are covered? How long is the warranty? Is “up time” guaranteed annually or quarterly and which is better? These questions and a list of other must-ask questions when considering an equipment purchase will be covered in this session.

You will learn to:

• Negotiate and implement a cost effective contract.
• Plan for cost effective service.
• Learn which expense items must be included in the up-front contract.

A Radiology Administrator Wears Many Hats


Monte Clinton, CRA, FAHRA
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, NH

Calling on his experience during 42 years as a radiology administrator, the speaker will review the different roles he has had to fulfill to be successful in this complex job. It takes a unique person to handle the competing priorities, fiscal challenges, ever-changing technology, diverse workforce, high-stakes decision-making and endless bureaucratic requirements. Doing the job with a sense of humor can help take the stress out of what is otherwise one of the most rewarding jobs in healthcare.

You will learn to:

• Understand one of the more multi-faceted leadership positions in healthcare.
• Look at the lighter side of a radiology administrator’s job.
• Prepare yourself for a very rewarding, fun career.