How long have you been using AIS?

I have been using AIS since 2000 when I started in Trauma Services at Stanford Health Care.

What inspired you to obtain CAISS credentials?

Since I use AIS coding for much of my work as a Trauma Registrar, I thought it would be useful to show my knowledge of Trauma coding and encourage other co-workers to do the same. Also, I got inspired by my awesome co-workers who already got credentialed!

What are your main areas of interest in the field of injury scoring?

I love learning about all the areas of AIS coding and making sure I code the injuries correctly with the coding rules and keeping up with the AIS Clarification document.

What do you find most rewarding about working in this field?

I enjoy researching and learning each day as I tackle abstracting and coding from the Trauma cases which can be unique and I need to use my anatomy and coding skills to pick the best AIS codes. We get a variety of cases that need specialty consults for their injuries, so this keeps my skills sharp, researching their injuries to match the coding in the AIS dictionary.

What’s something about you (a fun fact) that not many people know?

I enjoy traveling, hiking, spending time with my daughter, and playing with my kitty.

How do you think the field is changing and what trends do you see coming up on the horizon?

I’m hoping that with AIS 2015, there will be more coding rules that specify how to code unique cases, especially for the head body region.

What advice would you give to someone interested in CAISS credentials?

I would suggest they try to study with another person or in a group once a week to go over possible test questions. I found a group online that was testing at the same time as me and this helped me immensely before the exam.

What’s one thing – either field-related or not – you learned in the last month?

I have been encouraged by this quote: “Change is a vital component of self-growth. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and you will find there is no limit to what you can achieve.” Cy Wakeman

Also, I learned to be more patient with work-related issues if plan A does not work. I found there is always a plan B or C right around the corner if you look for it.

Is there anything else you would like to share with your colleagues?

I am extremely happy to be working at my Medical Center where my colleagues encourage me to expand my horizons and fully support my ongoing education so that I could study and get credentialed. I hope to inspire others to get credentialed after feeling the team spirit at Stanford Health Care!

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