AHIMA Preview

AHIMACon17 Offers Inspiration and Innovation in LA

By Heather Hogstrom

The 89th AHIMA Convention and Exhibit will be held October 7–11 in Los Angeles. Featuring the theme “Inspire, Innovate, Lead,” the conference will focus on areas health information is transforming and ways health information professionals can play a leading role. Packed with more than 100 education sessions and more than 150 exhibitors, the conference offers information, insights, and ideas attendees can use in their organizations.

One hot topic is privacy and security. Sessions on protecting health information include “HIPAA Hunger Games,” “HIM Response to an Active Shooter Incident,” and “People Mistakes That Lead to Data Breaches.” Additionally, the Privacy and Security Institute, taking place October 7–8, is an intensive, interactive meeting offering plenty of cyber, privacy, security, and compliance education. For example, Boston Children’s Hospital’s CIO will discuss when the hospital was attacked by Anonymous in “When Hacktivists Target Your Hospital.”

Other educational session topics include audits, clinical documentation improvement, coding, consumer engagement, data analytics, executive, HIM practice standards, HIT standards, informatics, information governance, innovation, population health/data analytics, postacute care/long term care, quality measures, revenue cycle, and workforce development.

The lineup of general session speakers features Newt Gingrich, former US Speaker of the House of Representatives; Barbara Boxer, former US Senator; Don Rucker, MD, national coordinator for health information technology; Charles Jaffe, MD, PhD, CEO of Health Level 7; H. Stephen Lieber, CAE, president and CEO of HIMSS; and Viola Davis, an Emmy-, Tony-, and Oscar-winning actress.

Attendees can enjoy a bit of VIP treatment at the AHIMA Appreciation Celebration, which offers the opportunity to walk the red carpet and be photographed by the paparazzi while enjoying an evening of networking, refreshments, music, and awards.

Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, offers plenty to see and do. To receive discounts and special offers at participating establishments, AHIMA conference attendees can take advantage of the Show Your Badge program. Restaurant offers include 10% off your purchase or a free glass of wine with your purchase.

Attendees who want to explore the city in their down time can take advantage of discounted tours. Those looking to fit in a workout can take hiking and biking tours, while foodies can enjoy food or beer tours, sports fans can tour Dodger Stadium or the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and cinephiles can tour Warner Bros. Studio. The program also offers discounted admission to Madame Tussauds Hollywood, the Grammy Museum, Harbor Breeze Cruises, and more.

A mobile app is available for both iPhone and Android devices, enabling users to view the conference schedule and exhibitor information, get updates, and follow relevant posts to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. Attendees can use the hashtag #AHIMACon17 on social media to share their posts, tweets, and photos from the conference. For more information or to register, visit www.ahima.org/convention.

— Heather Hogstrom is an editorial assistant at For The Record.