The Colorado Association of Medical Staff Services was founded in 1981, as a peer association for medical staff coordinators. This small group of professionals quickly found common bonds in daily work challenges, a changing healthcare environment, and their needs to gain technical education. For over 30 years, CAMSS has provided a valuable service to its members and evolved into a dynamic, well-respected organization, through its many efforts to develop and promote educational and networking opportunities. Membership has grown to include over 100 hospital, managed care and other professionals with responsibilities in various aspects of the healthcare services profession.

BENEFITS:  A diverse list of benefits can be attributed to participation with CAMSS. Just a few would include: 

• Networking opportunities on which to build a valuable resource pool.
• Advance notice and registration discounts for CAMSS education forums.
• Scholarships and continuing education credits through attendance at CAMSS conferences.
• Representation with community healthcare entities involved in legislative/policy development.
• Updates on national issues from NAMSS.
• Enhanced professional recognition. 

MISSION:
Every year, the CAMSS Board of Directors sets an agenda of issues and activities designed to stimulate professional growth and development by fostering the improvement of knowledge and skills, and by uniting those who are engaged in medical staff activities and regulatory compliance. CAMSS strives to partner with other healthcare organizations and governmental entities to develop a proactive and responsive political agenda. Finally, CAMSS endeavors to increase recognition of the value and importance of our profession.

CMS Issues Clarification Memo Regarding Ordering of Rehab and Respiratory Care Services (posted 4/5/12)

In November 2011, CMS issued Transmittal 72 which was meant to provide guidance relative to regulatory changes concerning rehab and respiratory care services.  It immediately resulted in widespread confusion as many interpreted it to mean that any practitioner who wrote orders for rehab and/or respiratory services had to be privileged by the hospital or clinic providing those services.  This was not the intent of the transmittal. 

A clarification memo states that practitioners who are not members of the medical staff but who refer or write orders for rehab and respiratory care services may still do do.  Click here to read the new memo: http://www.haponline.org/downloads/hap/CMS_Memo_on_Referring_Practitioners_Ordering_Outpatient_Services_in_Hospitals_02172012.pdf

Physicians wishing to become board certified must now do so within a new time frame established by The American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). 

Physicians must complete board certification requirements three to seven years after finishing their residencies, according to ABMS’s new policy, outlined in a recent article on its website. ABMS member specialty boards have until April 16 to set an exact amount of time within that three- to seven-year window in which physicians may achieve certification.

The policy is official as of January 1, 2012. ABMS officials hope the new time frames will:

• Eliminate the “board eligible” designation that can stretch forever and give a misleading title to undeserving physicians
• Establish sanctions for physicians who continue to claim board eligibility status beyond the three- to seven-year window

For more on this story, click here:  http://www.abms.org/News_and_Events/Media_Newsroom/Releases/release_BoardEligibility_02072012.aspx

Welcome New CAMSS Board Members (posted 2/29/12)

The results of the recent election have been compiled and the nominees notified of the results.  The CAMSS Board would like to thank everyone who showed interest in serving on the board.  For those who were not selected this time, we encourage your continued interest in serving in a CAMSS leadership position.

CAMSS Now Member of NAMSS Cooperative Program (posted 2/16/12)

NAMSS and each State Association are similar organizations with many common interests and goals, but they are separate legal entities.  Many State Associations have chosen to pursue a closer connection with NAMSS by becoming “Affiliates,” which fosters greater collaboration between the entities and also permits these State Associations to take advantage of additional benefits extended to affiliates.  

NAMSS neither supervises nor controls any State Association activities, but it is still very pleased to provide resources and assistance to State Associations, and to collaborate on all mutual objectives of the organizations.

For more information about the Cooperative Membership Program, go to http://www.namss.org/StateAssociations/StateResourcesAffiliationInformation/tabid/87/Default.aspx

 JOB POSTINGS 

 There are currently no listings.

• Criteria-based privileging (more in-depth information on how to create, maintain and revise privilege criteria)
• Managed Care breakout session
• Information Management (tips for better document management, including automated versus manual processes)
• Promotion and Marketability of MSPs (how to create an effective resume, interview skills, etc.)

REGISTRATION:  The registration form has been e-mailed to CAMSS members as of 2/2/12 and is also available on the Document Repository.  Please note that we can no longer accept registrations on the day of the conference.  We must have your registration prior to the conference in order to properly plan seating, food, conference materials, etc.  We appreciate your understanding.   

 You Are Invited to the CPE Spring Conference "Advances in Simulation Technology for Use in Physician Assessment" June 7 & 8 (posted 2/23/12)

The Coalition for Physician Enhancement (CPE) is a national consortium of professionals with expertise in quality assurance, medical education, and the assessment, licensing, and accreditation of referred physicians seeking higher levels of performance in patient care.  Every year, CPE hosts both a Spring and Fall conference drawing in top medical staff leaders and personnel, with interest in physician assessment and education, from all over the country.  For the first time in over 15 years, one of these conferences will be held in Denver, CO.  CPEP, The Center for Personalized Education for Physicians, is hosting the 2012 CPE Spring Conference on June 7 and 8.  The theme of this year’s conference is "Advances in Simulation Technolog for Use in Physician Assessment."  Nationally recognized speakers in the area of Simulation Technology will be presenting at this 1.5 day event; additionally, there will be breakout sessions offering hands-on opportunities for participants. 

This conference will examine the rapidly advancing field of simulation technology and its applications in evaluating clinical skills of physicians currently practicing and those returning to practice.  

Join CPEP as they learn about state-of-the-art advances in simulation testing for various specialties and explore the challenges of using simulation technology in physician evaluation. Hands-on, small group sessions will allow participants to experience the use of emerging simulator technology.  The conference will provide a forum to speak with national experts and explore this important and timely issue.

This conference is designed for those interested in physician clinical competence and those involved in the evaluation and education of physicians who are currently practicing or returning to practice.  Professionals working at universities and training programs, as well as hospitals with simulation centers and regional trauma centersm, are sure to gain valuable insights from the conference. 

For more information: http://www.physicianenhancement.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=50gGA7rzkt0%3d&tabid=111

President David Heck, CPCS, CPMSM Avista Adventist Hospital PH: 303-673-1271 FAX: 303-673-1238 davidheck@centura.org
President-Elect Dana Crowell, CPMSM Longmont United Hospital PH:  303-485-4109 FAX:  303-485-4118 dcrowell@luhcares.org
Past President Carolyn Bachamp, CPMSM Boulder Community Hospital PH:  (303) 440-2258 FAX: (303) 440-2063 cbachamp@bch.org
Secretary Anmarie Masters, M.Ed., RHIA, CPCS, CPMSM University of Colorado Hospital PH:  720-848-6997 FAX: 720-848-7307 anmarie.masters@uch.edu
Treasurer Christine Hearst, CPMSM St. Anthony Hospital PH: 303-629-2240 FAX: 303-595-6735 christinehearst@centura.org
Bylaws Coordinator/Board Member-At-Large Christine Whyte, CPCS University of Colorado Hospital PH: 720-848-6997 FAX: 720-848-7307 christine.whyte@uch.edu
Outreach Coordinator/Board Member-At-Large Debbie Patterson, CPCS, CPMSM In-Query Credentialing Services PH:  970-392-2126 FAX:  970-392-2382 debbie.patterson@bannerhealth.com
Membership Coordinator/Board Member-At-Large Aimee Woolley-Randall, CPCS, CPMSM Parker Adventist Hospital PH:  303-269-4040 FAX: 303-269-4041 aimeewoolley-randall@centura.org
Web Site Manager/Board Member-At-Large

  

President David Heck, CPCS, CPMSM Avista Adventist Hospital PH: 303-673-1271 FAX: 303-673-1238 davidheck@centura.org

President-Elect  (for website issues) Dana Crowell, CPMSM  Longmont United Hospital PH: 303-485-4109 FAX: 303-485-4118  dcrowell@luhcares.org

Membership Coordinator (for changes to membership roster) Aimee Woolley-Randall, CPCS, CPMSM Parker Adventist Hospital PH:  303-269-4040 FAX:  303-269-4041 aimeewoolley-randall@centura.org