oamss quarterly newsletter 2009 winter edition

OAMSS QUARTERLY
NEWSLETTER
2009 WINTER EDITION
Past President’s Corner
By: Ann Klinger, CPCS
This past Saturday as I attended church the discussion centered on “A New Year
Attitude”. Since I did not make any New Year’s resolutions, I liked thinking of going
into 2009 with a new attitude. One of the points I got from this sermon was “New Year
challenges will require new attitudes of change.” This could not be truer. Not only for
OAMSS, but I also believe for the healthcare industry, the economy and other forces in
the environment. One thing I have noticed is our decline in membership renewals for
2009. I have wondered: are there changes being made by companies tightening their
purse strings as they look for ways to keep their organization viable? How can the
OAMSS Board help our membership show the hospitals, clinics and health plans how
valuable we are as Medical Staff Professionals? I know that my cohort Darlene and I
continue to explain to those above us how valuable our memberships are in both
OAMSS and NAMSS and we appreciate the company supporting us in these
organizations. As a reminder, you can always volunteer for a position in OAMSS and
then we will waive your yearly dues. Also OAMSS offers scholarships for our State
conferences as well. Please take advantage of these resources if your company is cutting back.
As we begin to transition and change the OAMSS Board I am excited to see new faces
from around the State. No longer is the Board centralized in the Portland Metro area.
Jean Steinberg and John Ryan both hail from the Bend area, while Nancy Lehrbach
lives in the Roseburg area. I want to take this time to express my thanks to all of the
membership for supporting me as the President of OAMSS during 2008. I look forward
now to providing my support to Amy King as the 2009 OAMSS President. I also want to
express my deepest gratitude and thanks to the following outgoing Board members:

Donna Nichols for all of her time in the Presidential positions. Donna was very
proactive in starting the OAMSS Community Forum and has agreed to continue
running the OAMSS Community Forum as a volunteer.

 Julie McCann provided many years as the Membership Chairperson. I have
appreciated being able to call on her at any time and ask her for an updated
membership roster.

 Last, but not least, is Valerie Trainor, our OAMSS secretary and webmaster.
Valerie has sat at every board meeting, state conference and phone conference
and graciously taking meeting minutes so the OAMSS Board can remember
what to follow up on. Plus, Valerie took on the duty as the OAMSS webmaster
with no prior experience and continues to post everything that I send her way.
Continued……..
OAMSS
Board
of Directors
Amy King
President
Complementary
Healthcare
Jean Steinburg,
CPMSM, CMSR
President Elect
Cascade Healthcare
Community
Ann Klinger, CPCS
Past President
Tuality Healthcare
Nancy Lehrbach
Secretary
Mercy Medical Center
Bobbie Oxford, CPCS
Treasurer
Legacy Salmon Creek
Hospital
John Ryan
Membership Chair
Central Oregon IPA
Past President’s Corner Continued……..
I also want to express my thanks to Bobbie Oxford as our Treasurer. I appreciate her
timely responses to all of my requests. The OAMSS Board has been a wonderful experience and I highly suggest to any of you that you consider running for a Board position. As
I now become the Past-President of OAMSS feel free to contact me. Remember – whatever you plan to do this year, do it with A New Attitude of Change. That is my goal for
2009 – to accept the challenges that come my way with a better attitude.
Thank you for everything.
Sincerely,
Ann
OAMSS President-Elect…...
As the president-elect in 2009, I have been asked to write a few words about myself, which
isn't an easy task, because all I do is work-work-work!
I spend a significant part of my life at the office, traveling to and from the three hospitals in our system, or working from
home; so I will welcome having a few extra days off in December. I am looking forward to the holidays to be with family
and friends and to the long holiday weekends over Christmas and New Years. When I'm home (and not working on the
computer), I enjoy being with my family and traveling, hiking, skiing, reading, sewing, and gardening. My life is full and
rewarding and I wouldn't have it any other way! Happy New Year to all!
Jean Steinberg, CPMSM, CMSR
OAMSS Membership Chair….
I've recently been moved into to the Interim Executive Director position here at Central Oregon IPA and have been in the
field of credentialing for one year.
Prior to this position I was in health care field working at Life Wise Health Plans of Oregon, and Great-West Life for over
12 years. I live in Bend, OR with my wife and two children where we enjoy all the outdoor activities this area has to offer,
and especially enjoy riding the mountain bike trails near my home. I look forward to serving the OAMSS membership and
getting to know all of you in the months ahead.
John Ryan
2008 Immediate Past President…...
Dear OAMSS Members:
Thank you for the opportunity these past three years to be involved in a leadership position with such a great
organization!
You have been (and will continue to be) friends, colleagues and coworkers. I never cease to be impressed and amazed
with such a dedicated, hard-working group of professionals. Everyone I talk to are challenged with the same issues and
are so willing to share information/ideas with each other regarding process improvement, work challenges,
standardization of practice, privileging, and everything in between and beyond.
I want to encourage each of you to "shake it up" and come out of your comfort zone to take a part in serving OAMSS. I
know I did and it was a very rewarding experience. I only hope I was able to give to you a part of what you have given
me. I look forward to seeing you at future conferences, and don't be shy about staying in touch.
(email: donna.nichols@providence.org)
Donna Nichols
Page 2
OAMSS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Federation of State Medical Boards Update
The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) has announced it will permanently store the physician
records of closed Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education-approved residency programs.
The FSMB will serve as a central source for organizations requiring verifications of a physician’s training at a
closed residency program.
The FSMB states that The Joint Commission, NCQA, and URAC will accept verification of physician’s
credentialing from these closed residency programs as primary source verification.
Beginning January 1, 2009, the FSMB will charge a $15 verification request fee for these verifications. A
complete list of the closed residency programs covered by the FSMB is available here:
http://www.fsmb.org/fcvsclosedprograms.html.
The Governor’s 2009-2011 Budget & Proposed Hospital Tax
“What does this mean for you & your Hospital”
The Governor’s Budget and Employee Advocacy Continues….
Oregon’s hospitals have a shared objective with the governor, the Oregon Health Fund Board and members of the Oregon Legislature when it comes to increasing health care access for all Oregonians, especially children. Access to appropriate care, as well as to state, federal and commercial insurance programs remains one of our single most important
policy priorities.
At the same time, however, we struggle to understand the rationale and wisdom of financing the lion’s share of this critical increase to the Oregon Health Plan through a 4% hospital tax on Oregon’s community hospitals. This financing approach has implications that will ripple through communities across the state at the very time when Oregon’s hospitals
are facing a severe downturn in their net operating revenue. On average, hospital margins in this state continue to decline year over year. In 2007, the average margin was 3.9%, an amount less than the amount of the proposed hospital
tax itself.
Since the Governor’s budget proposal for a 4% hospital tax, all hospitals (excluding critical access hospitals) has the
potential of a negative impact, we will continue to highlight this issue today and in the future. Employees can take action
by contacting our local legislators about their concerns about this tax.
After speaking with our local legislators they understand and support our position on this tax; however, in their
assessment there are key legislators that we should be contacting to share our concerns.
Representative Peter Buckely at 541-488-9180 and 503-986-1405 (Salem)
Representative Mary Nolan at 503-221-4999 and 503-986-1436 (Salem)
Senator Peter Courtney at 503-986-1600 (Salem)
You can also contact these legislators by visiting, http://www.leg.state.or.us/ .
It’s important to include a specific reference to the Governor’s 2009-2011 budget and the hospital tax of 4% in any
printed or verbal communications are sent to the legislators.
Excerpt Courtesy of:
Nancy Lehbrach, Mercy Medical Center CEO Newsletter
Page 3
OAMSS 2008 Fall Conference
Candid Shots…...
Andrea Hixson & Donna Nichols
John Ryan, Nancy Lehbrach, & Jean Steinburg
Teddy Shepard & Pam Lyon
Teddy Shepard, Valery Kriz, Andrea Hixson,
Jean Steinburg, Mary Latimer, Jan Steigleder,
& Rebecca Burdg (left to right)
Ann Klinger & Donna Nichols
2008 OAMSS Board Members
NAMSS 2008 Conference
Candid Shots…...
Water Buffalo anyone…...
OAMSS Answering Service?
Girls just want to have fun...
OAMSS just hanging out with Fonzie…..
OAMSS 2009 Spring Conference Update
SAVE THE DATE
This year’s OAMSS spring conference will be held in beautiful Bend, Oregon at the Ameritel Inn Hotel
(www.ameritelinns.com). The Ameritel Inn is located just a few blocks from the historic Old Mill District Mall. While the
planning is still underway with regards to speakers, here are a few conference details.
When: May 7th—8th
Pre Conference Certification Study Class—May 6th (all day session)
More details to come in the Spring newsletter, but please mark your calendars and plan on joining us in beautiful central
Oregon.
Any questions or suggestions please contact:
Amy King
2008 OAMSS President
503-619-2034 or AKing@chpgroup.com
New CMS Interpretive Guidelines
Joint Commission releases new Leadership standard….
Released October 2008
LD.02.04.01 (Conflict Management)
You can review them at :
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downl
The organization manages conflict between leadership groups to protect the
quality and safety of care.
Elements of performance for LD.02.04.01
1. Senior managers and leaders of the organized medical staff work with
governing board to develop an ongoing process for managing conflict
among leadership groups.
“Consult not your
fears but your hopes
and your dreams.
Think not about your
frustrations, but
about your unfulfilled
potential.
2. The governing body approves the process for managing conflict among
leadership groups.
Concern yourself not
with what you tried
and failed in, but with
what it is still
possible for you to
do."
 Meeting with the involved parties as early as possible to identify the
conflict
-- Pope John XXIII
3. Individuals who help the hospital implement the process are skilled in
conflict management.
Note: These individuals may be from either inside or outside the hospital.
4.
The conflict management process includes the following:
 Gathering information regarding the conflict
 Working with the parties to manage and, when possible, resolve the
conflict
 Protecting the safety and quality of care.
5.
The hospital implements the process when a conflict arises that, if not
managed, could adversely affect patient safety or quality of care.
OAMSS Quarterly is Published by the Oregon Association of Medical Staff Services
Trixie Ortiz, CPCS—Editor—Good Shepherd Health Care System, Hermiston, OR
tortiz@gshealth.org
Questions, Comments, Corrections, Additions: please contact the Editor directly.