I frankly cannot stress enough the importance of continued education post-ICD-10-CM and PCS for both the CDI and Coder.
As calendar year 2015 comes to a close and 2016 begins, be sure department leaders continue to assess CDI and coder productivity and proficiency with the new code set. To do this, conduct CDI/coder satisfaction surveys and compare previous assessments, and continue to provide additional educational sessions as needed based on those assessments. If you feel you need more advanced ICD-10 studies, consider joining our new AzHIMA study groups.
Many CDI teams will also be the frontline educators for physicians. The same concepts hold true. Continue to assess physician performance and identify target areas for education. Communicate with physicians about areas they struggle with and identify opportunities for additional education. Use a multi-discipline approach incorporating tips into physician newsletters, presenting targeted education during short PowerPoint presentations, craft tip sheets for top problem areas and develop work study groups.
Any education must incorporate the main rationale for ICD-10-CM/PCS: to ensure the successful capture of additional specificity regarding care and conditions treated in America today. At the most basic level, education should highlight documentation requirements associated with appropriate coding. Lack of specificity affects the entire healthcare process. CDI specialists, in their efforts, have a valuable role to play.
Debra Beisel Denton, RHIA, CCS, CCDS
AzHIMA Coding Roundtable Coordinator