LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
“Last one to the clubhouse is a rotten egg!”
Whoops, I think I had a memory lapse and went back to my carefree childhood for a moment. We are in the healthcare business – no time to have fun like that these days. Who can keep up with ARRA, HITECH, 5010s, RAC, ICD10, Red Flag Rules, and government-run healthcare plans….do I need to continue on? And what the next few years will bring is anyone’s guess. In order for us to take control and stay ahead, the Vision Board of Directors would like to invite you to Vision 2010 at the Sheraton City Centre Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT. Our theme this year is “MS4 & Vision – In Full Swing,” which I think we all are.
We have designed this year’s conference, not only with our standard educational sessions and workshops, but with a spotlight on all the hot items we are dealing with. We have added a Meaningful Use Symposium on Sunday where you will hear from other MS4 facilities that have implemented CPOE, find out how it is helping clinicians address patient safety initiatives, and share best practices for planning and implementing CPOE using MS4’s Clinical Suite at your hospital(s). The cost is only $150 with a full conference registration and includes lunch.
Also new this year is the Healthcare Spotlight registration. This is a two-day only registration (Sunday and Monday) filled with information to help guide you through the legal, regulatory, and fine print of the latest developments in the ARRA, HITECH, and Meaningful Use updates. The sessions included in Healthcare Spotlight feature a wide range of knowledgeable experts who can help put these concepts in perspective. The cost is $300, which includes the CPOE Symposium, Welcome Reception on Sunday evening, and Monday sessions with lunch.
The regular conference registration fee remains the same as last year and includes all Monday through Wednesday sessions, three great general session keynote speakers, our Sunday evening Welcome Reception, the gala dinner on Tuesday night, and breakfast, lunch, and snacks Monday through Wednesday. Workshops are also priced the same as last year. These courses are great hands-on (where applicable) education tools for staff, and we still have the special offer to purchase three and get a fourth workshop for only $40.
“Are we there yet?”
For the new attendees we have the Virtual Track again this year. This generated very positive responses, indicating that it was especially helpful for first time attendees or folks that hadn’t attended in a long time. These sessions are highlighted in the registration book and have been scheduled so they do not conflict with one another. In addition, the Vision Board is always available to answer any questions. Just check with anyone in the Vision Store.
“Whew, I need a nap…”
Another change this year is that the registration booklet will only be accessible from the Vision website. It still has all the same detailed information that we always provide and you can download and print it if you like. Not printing the book has contributed to us being able to keep registration costs down. The Vision website address is: www.ms4vision.com.
Now more than ever you need to be using your Siemens system to the fullest in order to meet all the federal guidelines being handed down, and to see a return on your IT investment. MedSeries4 and the Vision User Group are dedicated to providing the resources needed at this critical time to get you where you need to be. If you have attended the conference before, you know that we not only load you down with a wealth of information, contacts, and tools to take back to your facilities to share and use, but at the same time we provide it all in a fun, exciting manner. The theme is carried throughout the conference from the session names to the decorations and attire. Come prepared to be educated, network with other attendees, meet the Siemens staff you speak with on the phone, visit with the many exhibiting vendors, and most of all to have fun.
“Are we still not there yet?”
Think back to your childhood days and how easy things were, load your backpack, and meet us at the clubhouse for another exciting Vision conference, “MS4 & Vision – In Full Swing.”
See you soon,
Sarah W. Longest
President
2010 Vision User Group
