Winter 2025 Issue

Editor’s Note: A New Start
By Dave Yeager
For The Record
Vol. 37 No. 1 P. 4

Hello, my name is Dave Yeager, and I’m the new editor of For The Record. Before I continue, I want to acknowledge the fantastic job that Kate Jackson did with this publication, and I hope that I can serve you as well as she did. I’ve been a member of Great Valley Publishing’s editorial team for nearly nine years, and I look forward to getting to know you. Welcome to the first issue of the new year. Winter may seem like a dreary time of year to some people, but I tend to think of it as a time to rest and reassess my goals for the coming year. With that in mind, we have some articles that can help you start the year on a positive note.

Our cover feature examines the role that cancer registries can play in mitigating disparities in cancer care. Of course, the devil is in the data collection details. The types of data that are collected can have a significant influence on who gets screened and how early cancer is diagnosed, especially among underserved populations. Selena Chavis speaks with experts about how to collect data more effectively, to ensure that more people receive the critical care they need. It requires collaboration among multiple stakeholders, as well as patients.

Also in this issue, Elizabeth S. Goar takes a close look at the complexities of obstetrics coding. From conception to postpartum, there are numerous health care interactions with many providers, and that’s just for a pregnancy without complications. Untangling the coding for all of these interactions can be confusing and time consuming, and inaccurate or duplicate coding can significantly hinder reimbursement. For expert tips and helpful resources to navigate this lengthy process, turn to page 14.

Because health care is increasingly complex, providers are turning to automation to help keep up. But automation is not a cure-all. How and for what automation is used determines how useful it is. As Angela Rose notes in her survey of three health systems, effective automation requires planning, focus, and flexibility. Turn to page 18 to learn more.

Finally, we have a double dose of coding in this issue. As with every year, the new year brings coding changes, and Melody W. Mulaik has an update on some of the magnetic resonance (MR) codes that are changing this year. MR safety is always a hot topic, and there are several changes related to safety this year. Many of the other changes deal with MRguided procedures, a growing niche in health care. Stay up-to-date on these changes to ensure that your facility is reimbursed appropriately.

Enjoy the issue.

— Dave Yeager
david.yeager@gvpub.com