Missing documents, unrecognizable terminology and abbreviations, conflicting information in the sequence of events - is this your idea of a nightmare...or the reality of your last experience working with medical records. Often these records can provide your legal team with crucial, case-winning information, as long as you know how to find it. Discover how to increase your proficiency in acquiring, organizing, managing and evaluating medical records. Take the next step toward maximizing your effectiveness – order these vital reference materials today!

1. How to Effectively Retrieve the Records You Need
2. Deciphering Medical Records
3. Designing an Organization and Management Strategy
4. Tips for Chart Evaluation
5. Case Reviews and Discussion

Continuing Education Credits:   

* denotes specialty credits

1. HOW TO EFFECTIVELY RETRIEVE THE RECORDS YOU NEED
   9:00 - 10:15, Karen C. Whalen
   1. Sources of Medical Records
   2. Types of Records and Determining Which Ones You Need
   3. HIPAA Implications
   4. Using Requests to Produce and Subpoenas Effectively
   5. Follow-Up Options if Records are Not Received on a Timely Basis
   6. How and Where to Find Additional Patient Information
   7. Ensuring Your Records are Complete
   8. Special Issues Regarding Electronic Records
2. DECIPHERING MEDICAL RECORDS
   10:30 - 11:45, Heidi C. Loeffel
   1. Guide to Medical Symbols, Abbreviations and Terminology
   2. Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
   3. Pharmacology
   4. Specific Charts: Their Components and Uses
   5. Policies and Procedures for Charting and Documentation
   6. Billing and Other Related Health Records
   7. Key Medical, Pharmaceutical and Non-Traditional Medical Resources
3. DESIGNING AN ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
   12:45 - 2:00, Vickie L. Yeomans
   1. Creating a Comprehensive Organizational Plan
   2. Originals vs. Copies
   3. Filing and Management Systems
   4. Using Technology to Manage a Large Volume of Information
   5. Drafting Supporting Documentation and Reports
   6. Ongoing Issues in the Discovery Process
4. TIPS FOR CHART EVALUATION
   2:15 - 3:30, Carmen N. Decker
   1. Important Places to Look for Medical Clues
   2. Creating a User-Friendly Chronology
   3. Deciphering Normal vs. Abnormal Findings
   4. Potential Red Flags: Identifying Consistencies and Inconsistencies
   5. How Medical Billing Factors In
   6. What to Do When the Pieces Don't Quite Fit Together
   7. How to Prepare a Solid Medical Summary
5. CASE REVIEWS AND DISCUSSION
   3:30 - 4:30, Carmen N. Decker, Heidi C. Loeffel and Karen C. Whalen, Vickie L. Yeomans

CARMEN N. DECKER is an attorney with the Denver, Colorado law firm of Hershey Skinner, LLC, where she specializes in the representation of health care and licensed professionals, including hospitals, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, veterinarians, and attorneys in professional malpractice actions and administrative matters. Ms. Decker's experience and practice also include criminal defense, insurance defense, premises liability, employment matters, auto accident liability, and oil and gas cases. She has argued before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and has successfully represented clients in front of the Colorado Court of Appeals. Ms. Decker is licensed to practice in Federal District and the 10th Circuit courts, and is a member of the American, Colorado, Denver and Arapahoe County bar associations. She earned her B.S. degree, cum laude, from Colorado State University and her J.D. degree from the University of Denver College of Law, Order of St. Ives.

HEIDI C. LOEFFEL is a paralegal at Ewing & Ewing, PC with more than ten years experience. Prior to Ewing & Ewing, PC, she worked as a paralegal at the Arapahoe County District Attorney's Office. The Colorado Bar Association selected Ms. Loeffel as the Pro Bono Paralegal of the Year in May 2010 for her work in the autism community and others with health benefit coverage issues.

KAREN C. WHALEN, ACP, RP, is a paralegal with more than 20 years of experience at Hall & Evans LLC, in Denver, Colorado. Ms. Whalen earned her B.S. degree from Northern Illinois University and her post-graduate paralegal certificate from Roosevelt University. She earned the ACP (Advanced Certified Paralegal in the Litigation Specialty) and PACE (Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam) registered paralegal credentials. Ms. Whalen has previously presented CLE accredited seminars on ethics, legal writing, medical records evaluation, and trial preparation for the Institute for Paralegal Education and co-presented a CLE accredited seminar titled "Litigation Boot Camp II - Trial Management/Presentation Technology" for the Colorado Bar Association. She has written articles for Facts & Findings and authors a regular column about technology for The National Paralegal Reporter.

VICKIE L. YEOMANS has been a paralegal with Hall & Evans for fifteen years. Ms.Yeomans has experience in complex litigation, document and case management databases, as well as high-tech courtroom presentations. In total she has 27 years of legal experience including employment with both plaintiff and defense oriented law firms. Ms. Yeomans has been involved with, managed and coordinated hundreds of cases for large national corporations involving the south central and Rocky Mountain regions. She has lectured for both the Institute of Paralegal Education and Colorado Bar Association on CLE accredited programs. She co-wrote Countdown to Trial: Effective Use of Evidence and Litigation Boot Camp II: Trial Management Technology and Leveraging Technology to Manage Documents.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com