Texas%20Association%20of%20Cardiovascular%20and%20Pulmonary%20Rehabilitation

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Presidents Message By Marilyn Burwitz, RN,
TACVPR President
Welcome to the Spring edition of the TACVPR
newsletter. Although were officially still in
Winter, the weather is certainly moving rapidly
toward warmer temperatures. Im starting to see
evidence that Spring is just around the
corner---flowers are blooming and trees in my
front yard are starting to bud out. I hope you
enjoy this time of year as much as I do. Its
almost conference time! I hope you are making
concrete plans to attend the 19th annual TACVPR
conference. I think you will really enjoy
everything about the conference. The hotel is
beautiful. At our original site visit to this
hotel, the Crowne Plaza was under a multi-million
dollar renovation. It was difficult to get a
good idea of what the hotel would look like when
we were literally stepping over toilets in the
middle of the floor during our tour. I went back
in January and it looks great! The area where we
will be holding our social this year is near the
pool, and if the weather cooperates we will be
able to spill out onto the outdoor area.
Hopefully, you will enjoy all the speakers as
much as you do the social aspects of the
conference! I would urge you to invite others to
the conference. If you know someone new to the
cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation field, this
is the perfect place for them to network with
others. Encourage your programs medical
director to attend as well. We would love to
have more physicians in attendance. We have
talked about having a special workshop or QA
session in the future for medical directors if we
have enough interest. Enjoy this newsletter and
I hope to see you in Houston! Marilyn Burwitz,
RN TACVPR President
Texas Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary
Rehabilitation
Dont forget TACVPR membership expired December
31st, 2008! To join or renew your TACVPR
membership you may sign up online or download a
printable membership application at
www.tacvpr.org Annual dues are 40/person
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TACVPR Conference 2009 We Struck it BigIts
Now Law! Cardiac Pulmonary Rehab Act of 2008
The 2009 TACVPR annual conference is right around
the corner so if you havent registered yet make
sure you go online to www.tacvpr.org and register
ASAP. Onsite registration will be available but
we encourage everyone to register prior to the
conference if possible. This years meeting is
set for April 3rd 4th in Houston at the Crown
Plaza Hotel located in the Houston North
Greenspoint area. It is a short 7-mile drive
from George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport
and 17 miles from Houston Hobby Airport. We have
a great venue for the meeting and are fortunate
to have some wonderful speakers lined up. Whether
youre a RN, RT, EP, PT, OT, RD or MD attending
the annual TACVPR conference is one of the best
ways to network with your colleagues and keep up
to date with all of the important issues
happening in the field of cardiac pulmonary
rehabilitation. Go to www.aacvpr.org to
register today!!!
WIN A FREE AACVPR MEMBERSHIP AT THE
CONFERENCE!!! Visit with all the
Exhibitors/Vendors at the 2009 TACVPR state
conference and get registered to win a free
AACVPR Membership. More details at the
conference!
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Call for Abstracts Posters Do you have a
quality improvement project you would like to
share with other professionals in the field? Are
you working on a research protocol to improve
care for your patients? We would like to share
your knowledge with other professionals at the
TACVPR Conference. For more information about
how to submit a poster at the conference please
contact Poppy Patterson at ppatterson_at_hillcrest.ne
t.

• Submission Instructions for Poster Presentations
• The TACVPR Board of Directors is interested in
  displaying clinical pathway/QI projects, and/or
• clinical/scientific abstracts at the annual
  meeting. The board wants to both acknowledge
  work well
• done and share the information with all Texas
  members. Please see the following criteria for
  help in
• the development of your poster presentation.
• Criteria
• Please submit your information, poster title and
  brief summary content on the bottom of this page
  and
• email the form to tacvpr_2005_at_yahoo.com.
• Once your poster is accepted for display, the
  title will be included in the TACVPR conference
  syllabus.
• Your poster title will appear as originally
  submitted, so please check spelling and grammar
  for
• accuracy.
• Submission of a poster or abstract constitutes
  commitment of the author to be present at the
• TACVPR conference.
• Please prepare a poster no larger than 47 by 70
  inches for display. The poster will be displayed
  in the
• exhibit area on Friday and Saturday. For those
  posters displayed on cardboard, there will be
  easels
• available for appropriate presentation. Non
  stand-alone posters will be placed on an
  available
• presentation board. Please specify at the bottom
  of this form which type of poster (cardboard/non

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Whats New on the Reimbursement Front?By Twyla
Selvidge, M.S.

• On March 4th and 5th, TACVPR board members Erika
  Abmas with Baylor Dallas Pulmonary
• Rehab, Dean Diersing with University Medical
  Center-Lubbock and Cardiac Rehab, Twyla
• Selvidge with ETMC Cardiac Rehab and former
  TACVPR board member Mary Hart also with
• Baylor Dallas Pulmonary Rehab traveled to
  Washington D.C. to visit our legislators
  regarding
• health reform. You may recall last year four
  TACVPR board members went to Capitol Hill
• seeking legislators to sign on for our bill. That
  trip proved successful as The Cardiopulmonary
• Rehabilitation Act of 2008 was passed last July.
  
• This year, our goal was to speak with our
  legislators about health reform. The bill,
  American
• Recovery and Reinvestment Act recently signed by
  President Obama, has 650 million set
• aside for prevention and wellness. Our talking
  points with our legislators drove home the point
• that the AACVPR has been organized for close to
  25 years and is the model for prevention
• and wellness within the rehabilitation health
  care delivery format and can also address
• chronic disease management that is so costly to
  our nation.
• When addressing our legislators regarding
  healthcare reform, the current vernacular used is
  
• Comparative Effectiveness. This means
  legislators want to know how government dollars
• that are paid for your program compare to another
  comparative delivery of care that might
• be more effective and cost saving. We believe
  our rehabilitation services are genuinely low
• tech services that have excellent peer reviewed
  documentation in terms of improving actual

Whats That? NCD National Coverage
Determination LCD Local Coverage
Determination CMS Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services ACC American College of
Cardiology ATS American Thoracic
Society ACCP American College Chest Physicians
AARC American Assoc Respiratory
Care NAMDRC National Assoc for Medical Direction
of Respiratory Care
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10 Ideas to Enhance Referrals By Dean
Diersing, MS, ACSM-HFS, TACVPR President Elect

• Get to know your referral sources If you dont
  know them, how do they know you and the quality
  of your program? Without this relationship what
  obligates them to you?
• 2. Develop a Team Resume Show your highly
  qualified staff off! Give this resume out during
  community health fairs, marketing luncheons, or
  give it directly to your referral sources (you
  might get lucky and they post it in their waiting
  room!). Do whatever you can to sell your
  program! (Feel free to email me for a Team
  Resume example/template.)
• Develop a Marketing Leadership role Allow one
  of your high performing staff members to take on
  this role and be responsible for regularly
  scheduled marketing visits. This can simply be
  visiting the clinic to get to know the staff and
  building relationships. Feel free to take them a
  fruit tray or some sort of goodie to enhance your
  experience.
• 4. Become a Member of the AACVPR The AACVPR
  recently developed a Referral Enhancement
  Toolkit and they have marketing presentations
  already put together that you can edit to match
  your program. This is a members only benefit.
  The work is already done. (see 7 below)
• Establish relationships with Social Services or
  Case Workers within your hospital especially
  the ones that assist with the care of
  cardiac/pulmonary patients. Request to give an
  in-service to them. If they understand your
  program, they can better explain the importance
  to your potential patients.
• 6. Market in the good times Make it a
  priority. You dont want this picture painted
  Oh great I guess Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab must
  need referrals. THEYRE BACK!!! Make sure they
  see you there because of the benefit to the
  patient not your program.
• 7. Develop a Marketing Presentation Find out
  when your Cardiology or Pulmonary Doctors
  regularly meet. Request to get on there agenda
  to deliver a in-service/presentation about
  cardiac/pulmonary rehab services. (Sometimes
  buying lunch works too depending on your budget
  and the size of the group.)
• 8. Get on pre-printed/standing orders Discuss
  with your administration the process of getting
  on certain pre-printed/standing orders if you are
  not already. For example, your hospital will
  more than likely have a pre-printed/standing
  order for Acute MI. Is Cardiac Rehab an option
  on that order? Does the Doctor have to remember
  to write it in the discharge orders? SIMPLIFY
  THE PROCESS!
• 9. Reward your top referral source This shows
  your appreciation for the dedication they have to
  your program. It is also a way to market in the
  good times! Give this top referral source and
  his staff lunch or give that doctor a gift card
  to a place where he can spend it on himself!
  This gives you a reason to be in their clinic
  again, MARKETING!
• 10. Make rounds with your Physicians Set up a
  time to allow a staff member (or you) to make
  rounds with one of your physicians or shadow
  their clinic. It wont take but a few times with
  you in their back pocket saying, Would that
  patient benefit from Cardiac/pulmonary rehab
  services? before they get use to referring to
  your program!
• Recommendation Develop a Marketing Log to track
  your progress and hold your
• program accountable to marketing. I would also
  recommend tracking your referrals through a
  Referral Log. This log should be updated monthly
  and include who is referring, as well as, total
  referrals.

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The TACVPR Board of Directors WANT YOU!!!

• The TACVPR is looking for interested Cardiac
  and/or Pulmonary Rehab professionals to run
• for a position on the board. The election will
  be held at the annual meeting on April 4th,
• 2009. Attendance at the conference is not
  mandatory, but please make sure you submit the
• requested information by the deadline to ensure
  inclusion.
• Board nomination requirements include
• Serving a 2-year term
• Must be an active and participating TACVPR member
  at least one year prior to the time of the
  election.
• Total of 11 Board Members, so every member must
  be ready to work and make sure that the
  members of this state are cared for
• Required to attend 4 meetings per calendar year
  (typically June, August, November, January) and a
  teleconference (typically in March)
• Meetings scheduled from 9am3pm to allow travel
  to from meetings for each board member that day
• Travel paid for by TACVPR, pending most cost
  effective travel secured
• Members will represent the membership and
  communicate with members of the association to
  bring issues and concerns to the board meetings.
• Members will be expected to contribute articles
  and/or information for publication in the
  quarterly newsletter
• Members of board receive a complimentary TACVPR
  membership conference registration
• Commitment/Confidentiality/Conflict of Interest
  Form will be signed by all board members upon
  election.
• Must serve on a committee and/or hold office on
  the board (it is preferable to hold an office in
  the second year on the board).

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Texas Association of Cardiovascular and
Pulmonary RehabilitationBoard Nomination
FormIf you are interested in running for the
TACVPR board, please complete the form below and
send it to Julie Hartman at julie.hartman_at_baylorhe
alth.edu. You will also need to email or mail a
picture (3x5 or 4x6) of yourself for us to post
on a board near conference registration. No
scandalous photos please! 

• Our Question Your Info

Name
Current Position
Location of Residence City and Region of Texas
Education Background including Certifications
Current Employer
Want to Serve on TACVPR Because
Idea on How Best to Help the Members
I am interested in serving on and working for the
Board of the Texas Association of Cardiovascular
and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. I understand the
construct and requirements of this Board position
and submit my information as nomination for the
April 4, 2009, election.    Printed Name
___________________________________________
Signature _______________________________
____________ (Email will suffice for
signature if sent electronically)
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Certification CornerBy Barbara Flato MSN, RN-BC,
FAACVPR

• Is Your Program Certifiable?
• For those who either applied for certification
  in December or recertification in February, you
  may feel like you and your staff are
  certifiable certifiably nuts that is! The worst
  is over. You may have some tweaking to do after
  the committee meets for its initial review in
  Chicago on April 16 19th but hopefully all of
  us will ultimately find that our programs are
  indeed certifiable. You can expect to hear
• from AACVPR by the first week of May. You will
  either be notified
• that your program has met the requirements on
  the first review or that you need to send
  additional documentation for the final review in
  July.
• In years past the State review committee would
  review the first time certification
• applications and possibly ask for additional
  documentation before sending it to
• National for the second review. This year there
  was no State review so there may
• be an increase in programs who are asked for
  additional information in order to
• have a clear picture of your policies, procedure,
  and daily practice.
• If you get a letter requesting additional
  documentation, DONT PANIC!! You will
• receive information on what tabs need
  clarification and a contact
• committee member that is responsible for your
  application. DO
• CALL OR EMAIL THEM!! Make sure you utilize your
  committee
• member. They are there to ensure you send back
  what is needed
• to successfully complete the application process.
  Even if you think
• you have everything correct I would encourage you
  to pass it by

TACVPR Members Only Section Have you had the
chance to check out the new Members Only
section of the TACVPR website? If you answered
no to this question, take a minute to log on to
www.tacvpr.org to see what it has to offer. For
questions on how to log-in to the website, please
e-mail Dean Diersing at MichaelDean.Diersing_at_umche
althsystem.com
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Update Your Information for the 2009 TACVPR
Program Directory
We are currently updating the statewide program
directory which is available to all current
TACVPR members. In order to make sure your
facilitys information is included and accurate,
please answer the following questions and return
this form as soon as possible by email or fax.
Hospital/Facility Name_________________________
______________________________ Hospital/Facility
Address__________________________________________
___________ ______________________________________
____________________________________ City________
_____________________________ Zip
Code_______________________ Department (Cardiac,
Pulmonary or both) ______________________________
__________ Department Phone Number
__________________________________________________
_ Department Fax Number _________________________
____________________________ Program
Director/Coordinators Name _____________________
______________________ Program Director/Coordinato
rs Email _______________________________________
____ Cardiac Rehab Program AACVPR Certified?
Yes No Pulmonary Rehab Program AACVPR
Certified? Yes No Do you know of any programs
in your area that have closed in the last 1-2
years? Please list program names
__________________________________________________
___________ _____________________________________
______________________________________ There is
no cost to have your program listed in the
directory, but if you do not want your program
listed, please let us know. We will let you know
when the 2009 directory is completed and
available. TACVPR members can view the current
directory online at www.tacvpr.org in the
members only section. Upon completion,
please email to llee_at_christushealth.org, fax to
830-606-3657 or mail to Lorri Lee
750 Landa Street, Suite A New
Braunfels, TX 78130
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IN OTHER NEWS
What is the RAP Program? The RecruitAPal
program starts on January 1st each year and
continues to the start of TACVPR annual
conference. For each new person you recruit to
join the TACVPR or to attend the conference you
earn points. You may also earn points for an
approved poster presentation. (A new person is
someone who was not a member over the past year
nor attended the previous conference). The Point
System 1 point Each new member recruited
between Jan 1 the
conference 2 points Each new person
brought to conference 1 point An
approved poster presentation The AWARDS 5
points Earns a free membership for a
year 7 points Earns a free conference fee
for the following year IMPORTANT Make sure to
have your name filled in the RAP Program
Referral section as the referring person on the
membership form and the conference registration
form.
Job Openings If you have a job you would like
posted in the quarterly newsletter, please email
Julie Hartman at julie.hartman_at_baylorhealth.edu.

Is Your AACVPR Membership Up to Date? Dont
forget to renew AACVPR membership if yours has
expired! Annual membership fees 185
Member/Associate Member 75 Student (AACVPR is
currently offering a special rate for an 18-month
membership for only 250) Go to www.aacvpr.org to
join or renew your membership.
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red bell pepper 2 Tbsp. light mayonnaise ( or try
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mustard ½ cup romaine lettuce 1 med. Whole wheat
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Meet Your 2008-2009 TACVPR Board
Dean
Marilyn
Julie
Poppy
Lorri
Not Pictured Erika Abmas Tresa Anderson
Barbara
Nita
Twyla
Danielle
Marilyn Burwitz, RN President East Texas Medical
Center Fairfield
Julie Hartman, MS, FAACVPR Immediate Past
President THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano
Twyla Selvidge, MS Treasurer East Texas Medical
Center
Nita Pack, RRT Secretary Charlton Methodist
Hospital
Dean Diersing, MS President Elect University
Medical Center
Poppy Patterson, RN, MBA Past President Hillcrest
Health System Getterman Wellness Center
Lorri Lee, BS, RCEP Past President McKenna
Memorial Hospital
Barbara Flato, MSN, RN-BC, FAACVPR CHRISTUS Spohn
Cardiac Rehab
Danielle Strauss, BSN, RN-BC, BS Baylor Heart
Vascular Hospital
Erika Abmas, RRT Baylor University Medical Center
Tresa Anderson, RRT Shannon Medical Center
If you are interested in serving on the TACVPR
Board of Directors, please contact Julie Hartman
at julie.hartman_at_baylorhealth.edu.