Getting ready for ASHE's annual conference

ASHE is gearing up for its 49th Annual Conference & Technical Exhibition next month in San Antonio, an event that focuses on dealing with change and preparing for the future. The program features a variety of sessions geared toward streamlining processes, reducing costs and increasing efficiencies.

"No matter who we are, where we work, or who we work for, change is inevitable," says ASHE President Jeff Arthurs, CHFM, CHSP, FASHE. "Instead of fearing and resisting change, this year's conference will give you the tools and resources you need to embrace change and lead through it."

Before the conference officially begins, ASHE is offering pre-conference programming, including a Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) exam review and preparation course and a course on health facility commissioning.

On July 16, the opening session features former submarine commander and leadership expert Scott Waddle, who will deliver an inspiring keynote address about how failure need not be final. Waddle was commanding the USS Greeneville submarine in 2001 when it collided with a Japanese fishing vessel, killing nine. Instead of looking to place blame, Waddle assumed total responsibility for the disaster, describing his role before the Navy's Court of Inquiry even though he knew his testimony could be used against him in a court martial.

Other conference sessions deal with change management and transitions; compliance strategies, including codes and standards updates; facility management fundamentals; management development; operational excellence; planning, design and construction for the facility manager; and strategic health care leadership. In addition to sessions and receptions throughout the week, ASHE is planning a Wild West adventure and rodeo at Rio Cibolo Ranch.

Also, John Nance, one of the founding members of the National Patient Safety Foundation, will deliver the closing session on July 18.

Many health care facilities pay the way for their facility managers and others to attend the conference. ASHE has pulled together resources for those who want to show their managers the value of attending the conference. This justification toolkit, available at www.asheannual.org, makes it easy to quantify the specific benefits that facilities experience when employees attend the conference. The toolkit also includes a customizable letter requesting approval for registration fees and travel expenses.

Early-bird registration rates are available until June 14.

This column was written by Deanna Martin, senior communications specialist for ASHE.

INSIGHT

Codes input needed

ASHE is looking for input from health facility professionals who deal with codes and standards. Has your facility faced conflicting or inappropriately interpreted codes and standards? Tell ASHE your story by using the revamped advocacy section of the ASHE website at www.ashe.org/advocacyhighway. ASHE is gathering this information as it works toward the goal of a set of unified codes that do not conflict, are created using the best science available and that provide optimal safety without overburdening hospitals. To get involved with ASHE's advocacy efforts, contact ASHE Director of Codes and Standards Chad Beebe at cbeebe.aha@gmail.com.

New commissioning handbook

ASHE is introducing a new handbook that provides step-by-step instructions to perform health facility commissioning. The new Health Facility Commissioning Handbook accompanies the previously published Health Facility Commissioning Guidelines, which are the only set of commissioning guidelines specifically geared toward health care facilities. The new handbook shows hospitals how to get the most for their money during construction or renovation projects and how to gain performance long-term. For information on purchasing the handbook or guidelines, go to www.ashestore.com.