Description:

In this informative webinar, you'll learn how to effectively incorporate localizers into your coding practices. Discover how localizers, when paired with AIS codes, enhance the precision of injury coding and analysis. Gain a deeper understanding of the rules governing localizer use and how they can help you achieve more accurate injury classifications. Whether you're new to coding or looking to sharpen your skills, this session will equip you with valuable tools for improved injury documentation and analysis.

Objectives: 

1. Become familiar with localizers paired with AIS codes
2. Discover the benefits of adding localizers to AIS codes for more specific injury coding and analysis
3. Learn the rules of using localizers with AIS codes

Presenter: Kathryn Loftis

Dr. Kathryn Loftis is a biomedical engineer and, in this capacity, serves as an injury biomechanics researcher and analyst for the United States (US) Army Futures Command, Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Analysis Center (DAC).  Dr. Loftis earned her Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2007.  She earned her Master of Science degree (2009) and Doctor of Philosophy (2013) in Biomedical Engineering, emphasis in Injury Biomechancis, from the Center for Injury Biomechanics at Wake Forest University and Virginia Tech. Her work has included motor vehicle crash injury research (including research with the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network – CIREN program), soldier survivability, and injury causation. Her current work with the military includes body armor analysis and combat data analysis in conjunction with the Joint Trauma Analysis and Prevention of Injury in Combat (JTAPIC) program. Dr. Loftis also led the military coordination of the biomechanics work for the Warrior Injury Assessment Manikin (WIAMan) project, developing anthropomorphic test device injury criteria for under-body blast testing with multiple renown biomechanics universities across the US.  In addition, Dr. Loftis leads efforts investigating behind-armor-blunt-trauma for chest and head protection utilizing combat data and experimental tests to better understand injury mechanisms towards injury prevention. Her work in this area has expanded to developing a Veterinary Abbreviated Injury Scale to allow for the assessment of body armor for military working dogs alongside their human counterparts. Dr. Loftis is a Certified Abbreviated Injury Scale Specialist (CAISS) and an active faculty member for the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM).  Dr. Loftis serves on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) Content Subcommittee as vice chair and provided her expertise in the development of the AIS2015 dictionary and AAAM expert-derived International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9/10-AIS08 maps.  Within AAAM, Dr. Loftis has also led numerous special international seminars on research with AIS codes, performing analyses with AIS codes in large databases, and training on the proper use of localizers with AIS codes.  She has published numerous journal articles and reports on her work throughout her career, focusing on motor vehicle safety, military injury survivability, and AIS analysis. 

Moderator: Maria Penrose