The team is the theme at conference

DALLAS - For more than 20 years, the home infusion industry has worked to get a comprehensive Medicare benefit for home infusion therapy—a tall task, says the National Home Infusion Association (NHIA).

So to invigorate these ongoing efforts, the association has themed this year's annual conference and exposition “Fortifying Our Future.”

“We have a new Congress to get in front of, and we have some new efforts underway to collect data and to help providers tell our story and keep adding their voice to that effort,” said Nancy Kramer, vice president of clinical affairs for NHIA.

The conference, scheduled for April 8-11 in Dallas, features an exhibit hall with more than 100 exhibitors and offers a comprehensive education program spread across four tracks: clinical, reimbursement, sales & marketing, and leadership & management.

That last track, in particular, is key to ensuring high-quality care, says Kramer.

“Home infusion is not a widget or a product that's sold,” she said. “It's clinical care and services in the home. There's a whole host of employees who play a role in that, and leadership plays a part in making that team function as well as it can.”

Teamwork, in fact, is a common thread throughout the conference, right down to the keynote speaker. Richard Picciotto, a battalion commander for the New York Fire Department, was in the North Tower of the World Trade Center when it collapsed on Sept. 11. He led 12 people to safety.

 “Whatever form that teamwork takes, it's how to foster and sustain that in an organization that will get you to your long-term goals,” said Kramer.