In January, the Board of Directors developed AHIA's 2012 strategic plan. One of our major initiatives, to increase volunteerism throughout AHIA, is on my mind this month. 

Specifically, the AHIA Technology Committee needs committee volunteers to ensure that we effectively leverage the use of technologies in delivering services to our members and facilitate the sharing of technology-related tools and techniques through educational offerings, website knowledge bases, and resources.  The Tech Committee is also working to connect EHR users through user group meetings and enhance members' EHR auditing skills through education programs and other communications. Please click here to access the AHIA Committee Opportunities/Interest Form to sign up or call (888) 275-2442, ext 132 for more information.

Our goal is to empower tomorrow's healthcare internal audit leaders with professional and personal development opportunities. We strive to ensure our volunteers get back much more than the time and attention they give to AHIA.

Documenting your AHIA volunteer time just got easier!

I

n order to ensure that your AHIA volunteer efforts are recognized, we need your help to account for your donated services. In only a few seconds you can assist us in capturing volunteer contributions, lessen the likelihood that volunteer efforts go unnoticed and help us identify and objectively rank volunteer service deserving of special recognition. To TRACK your volunteer hours, follow the easy steps below:

1. Go to www.ahia.organd log in using your member login and password - please call us at (888) 275-2442 if you need this information.
2. Navigate to MEMBERSHIP, then My Account.
3. Click the "Volunteer Hours" link on the right hand side.
4. Click on the "ADD NOW" button and you will be prompted through 5 easy-to-complete  fields, including:

• Committee Name
• Activity Type (i.e., Meeting Attendance; Annual Meeting Presentation; New Perspective Article)
• Date Range
• Hours
• Description of Activities (i.e., research, phone call, documentation, presentation preparation, etc. 

Tracking volunteer time sounds like another "to do" item? Actually it can help AHIA and you in the following ways:

• We know that volunteers appreciate recognition. We value what we count, so tracking is recognition that volunteer time is important.
• Too often volunteer inputs are not factored in properly, giving a false sense of the true cost of a given project or initiative.

Please do not hesitate to contact AHIA headquarters for assistance at (888) 275-2442 with questions.  Thanks for your time and consideration.

Six months ago, AHIA unveiled its new website at www.ahia.org. We hope you have had time to explore the new website. If so, please take a moment and complete a brief survey to let us know you think.

Some of the best scenarios to consider in conducting a risk assessment are based on real life stories. Each fraud case that hits the news provides an opportunity to analyze the internal control environment and determine whether or not the same fraud could be perpetrated against your organization. These stories and articles can also be shared with key management employees to keep them vigilant. Recent headlines illustrate some dramatic possibilities.   

• Patient data theft sends IT specialist to jail
• Louisiana Patient Recruiter Pleads Guilty in Health Care Fraud Scheme
• Ex-university professor charged with grant fraud
• Another indicted for alleged role in busted check-cashing scheme
• Clerk at Archdiocese at New York has been accused of stealing over a million dollars, $2,500 at a time

A privacy breach by a "curious" nurse at Titus Regional Medical Center has

resulted in letters to 108 former patients warning of a slight risk of identity

theft.  Click here to learn more...

Transitions: Member News and Information

Job Changes

Recent AHIA Board Chairman Mike Fabrizius has taken a new job at Carolinas HealthCare System as Vice President of Audit Services. Carolinas HealthCare System, one of the leading healthcare organizations in the Southeast, includes more than 30 affiliated hospitals and a network of some 600 physician practices, surgical and rehabilitation centers, home health agencies, nursing homes and other facilities in North and South Carolina. Mike and his wife Pam are enjoying being close to their three granddaughters in the Charlotte NC area.

Please send us your news and information about job changes and professional accomplishments for inclusion in future Transitions columns. The AHIA Career Center was constructed to help connect our members with new employment opportunities. Let the AHIA Career Center be your guide as you begin your new job or employee search. Post your resume or job opening and visit frequently to learn about new career opportunities like this one:

Featured Job: Memorial University Medical Center (MUMC) in Savannah, GA., seeks an Internal Auditor. Bachelor's degree required with 2-5 years of experience in operational, financial and/or compliance auditing required. Healthcare auditing experience preferred. Additional skills required: interpretive, analytical, organizational, and time management skills; solid business process and internal control knowledge, ability to effectively communicate at all levels of the organization; ability to write in objective, clear, concise and constructive manner, GAAP and auditing techniques, understanding. Please apply on-line at www.memorialhealth.com/careers or contact HR Recruiter at 912/350-4926.

AHIA E-News Seeks Editorial Contributors: 

The E-News Team is always looking for information from our members on industry best practices, tips and techniques, event reviews, opinions,  and other features to support and connect healthcare internal audit practitioners around the world. Submitting to E-News is a great way to reflect on your experience, further your career and build a portfolio of published work. Do you have an item you would like to submit! Please email your ideas to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  today!