NAHAM Annual Conference 2011 Update

The National Association of Healthcare Access Management Annual Conference was held in San Antonio this year. Several members attended representing seven healthcare organizations.

The learning labs focused on a variety of topics, including centralized registration, pre-registration to validate insurance eligibility and patient demographic information, employee performance relating to data quality and POS collections, and hospital self-services for patients (i.e. registration kiosks and internet portals). Also, there was a focus on improving the patient`s experience by expediting access to hospital services through the use of technology and centralization (central registration and appointment call centres).

There were two keynote speakers, Mike Rayburn and Kathy Dempsey. Excellent keynote speakers! Please visit their websites for more information.

The vendor exhibits included data quality and address validation systems. They also, demostrated a variety of registration kiosks. One kiosk included a biometric palm scanner for positive patient identification.

One of NAHAM`s three year goal is to expand into Canada. They would like to open an association chapter in Ontario. We have discussed the benefits for our members and their front-line staff. We discussed options of a Canadian version of their professional certification for managers and front-line staff. Further discussion is necessary with NAHAM and our PRNO members.