November / December 2009

The 2009 HCQM Certification Exam window is in full swing. The American Board of Quality Assurance Utilization Review Physicians, Inc. would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to all of the mentors and exam candidates who participated in this pilot program. The program met with great success! Approximately half of all exam candidates took advantage of this new program.

ABQAURP introduced the Mentoring Program in June 2009. A team of “invited” new Diplomates who were willing to volunteer to participate and support their new organization were recruited for the 2009 exam window. Who better to provide first hand experience than Diplomates just recently certified in 2008?

Mentors were paired with exam candidates who requested mentors to inquire about personal experience and reflection on the HCQM certification examination. Mentors were very happy to share their experience.

ABQAURP is confident this program will be a valuable resource to exam candidates, as well as to new Diplomates eager to participate in the long-standing and growing ABQAURP organization.

Mentor participation is vitally important and greatly appreciated. The rewards of this program for the new Diplomates and exam candidates will make your organization even stronger.

Special thanks to the 2009 ABQAURP Mentors:
    Lauren Liverette, RN, BSN, CHCQM
    Joan Trotter, MPA, BSN, RN, CHCQM
    Ashraf Mohamed, MD, CHCQM
    Anil B. Gopinath, MD, FACP, CPE, CHCQM
    Bruce H. Redler, MD, CHCQM
    Stephen F. Staten, MD, CHCQM
    Seth M. Manoach, MD, CHCQM
    Suthipong Treeratana, MD, MBA, CHCQM
    Gregory D. Bentz, MD, PhD, CHCQ

IS YOUR MEDICAL EDUCATION ACCREDITED?
ABQAURP welcomes applications for joint sponsorship of educational activities for continuing education credit. ABQAURP accredits a variety of activities, including:

ABQAURP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians and is also accredited by the Florida Board of Nursing to sponsor nursing contact hours. As an accredited provider, ABQAURP is here to work with each joint sponsor organization to ensure the accreditation process runs as smoothly as possible. Benefits of working with ABQAURP include: one-on-one assistance, on-site assistance, contact for speakers and commercial supporters, evaluation compilation, one-time mailing list to drive attendance, website placement, and advertising in Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare magazine.

ABQAURP believes that ongoing continuing education in new research, identified problem areas in clinical practice, and areas of interest in the quality assurance, utilization review, risk management, and managed care fields is a worthy endeavor to pursue. Participants improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of health care delivered to the patients to improve the overall clinical outcome. Plus, each activity encourages participants to put into practice knowledge learned and assess the impact. Innovative courses provide important updates and practical tools for all health care professionals. These activities ensure that participating health care professionals receive up-to-date information on the ever-changing health care environment.

Advance a Colleague’s Career and
Help Strengthen Your Organization

As a Diplomate or AIHQ Member, you are ABQAURP’s strongest and most valuable resource. Your involvement in this year’s membership development campaign plays an essential role in ensuring the vitality of our organization. A strong membership foundation ensures a strong association!

ABQAURP will reward the member who recruits the largest number of new members with a $500 VISA gift card plus a Member Spotlight on the home page of ABQAURP’s website. In addition, Diplomates and AIHQ Members continue to earn a $25 credit for each referred individual who converts to an AIHQ or Corporate Member or sits for the HCQM Certification Exam by December 31, 2009. This credit may then be used toward membership fees, publication purchases, or conference registrations. The top recruiter will be awarded the prize in January 2010.

New Online Courses Available

H1N1 INFLUENZA
ONLINE CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSE

ABQAURP recognizes the need for concise, quality information to combat H1N1 Influenza and the growing need for treatment by well-trained, informed health care professionals. You should, and can, receive continuing education credit for your H1N1 training.

ABQAURP announces a new online CE course that focuses on this illness as a free of charge benefit for Diplomates and Members. Diplomates and Members may call Patti Rivers at 1-800-569-0190 ext. 117 for information on how to sign up for this course for free!

Get the latest information from the CDC, earn CE credits, and perpetuate the highest quality health care you can provide by taking advantage of this limited offer.

Certificate Course in Utilization Management Peer Reviewer Training
It is in every clinician’s best interest to become familiar with the principles of utilization review (UR), incorporate those principles into private practice, and become involved in UR activities whenever possible. Patient interests are best served through utilization reviews performed by licensed clinicians in active practice who are dedicated to preserving quality medical care.

This online certificate course will provide a detailed explanation of how healthcare professionals can keep medical decisions in the hands of qualified practitioners by becoming peer reviewers. This approach facilitates organizational improvements and ensures patients are treated as individuals with attention to the specifics of each particular situation.

Evidence-Based Medicine: Principles, Practice, Historical Perspectives and Applications in American Health Care
Course developed by ABQAURP Diplomate Joseph Jay Terrasi, MD, CHCQM
This new online course offering defines and clarifies evidence-based medical practice (EBM), demonstrates EBM principles, and explains the historical perspective of EBM in medical practice. The course discusses contemporary applications in practice and Organizational Mandates in support of EBM; further focusing on the application of evidence-based principles to financial management in health care.