CCDS Exam with pediatric experience

jlindseyjlindsey
in CDI Talk Archive
Hi all,

Our CDI team is gearing up to take the CCDS exam in the next few months. We each have the study guide and are using ICD 9 Guidelines. Our concern is that the test is geared towards the adult population and our experience is in pediatrics. For those who have taken the exam, do you anticipate we will have problems with specific areas of the exam (ie - disease process/medication/lab results, etc)? Any advice or recommendations would be most appreciated as we are all starting to stress out! Thanks!

Comments

  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited May 2016
    First thing off the top of my head is that there were several questions about lab values (MI, renal failure, etc). if you are not using these regularly, definitely write them down in the book for reference. Lots of questions on CHF, pleural effusions, renal failure and DM. Definitely take notes on these issues. If I think of anything else, I'll post again.
    Overall, the test was very straight-forward in my opinion. But, I took it a couple weeks after sitting for my CCS and so anything seemed easy after that!!

    Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
    Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
    AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
    Flagstaff Medical Center
    Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
    Cell: 928.814.9404
  • jlindseyjlindsey
    Thanks, Katy. We will definitely make a note of those and will not be sitting for our CCS!!! :)
  • mdomineseymdominesey
    edited May 2016
    Send me a p-mail (private email) and I will send you the link to the massive amounts of material I created for a study guide/resource CD (the link will be to my online repository which is identical to my CD).

    Katy had some great study tips, I cannot add much other than to read the study guide cover to cover several times, read ALL of the AHIMA CDI briefs, read and memorize as much of the ICD-9 coding guidelines, and think the questions through.... answer them all, then spend your left-over time re-reviewing the questions you marked to look at again.


    Mark


    Mark N. Dominesey, RN, BSN, MBA, CCDS, CDIP
    Clinical Documentation Excellence
    Sr. Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    Sibley Memorial Hospital
    Information Technology
    5255 Loughboro Rd NW
    Washington DC, 20016-2695
    W: 202.660.6782
    F: 202.537.4477
    mdominesey@sibley.org
    http://www.sibley.org
  • lsipos@monument.healthlsipos@monument.health
    edited May 2016
    I sat for, and passed the CCDS in June. I found the CCDS study guide most helpful, and what I didn’t feel very proficient on, I copied to the blank pages of my DRG EXPERT. I found a plethora of questions related to application, process, and communication-so I think whether you are in the pediatric population or adult population, that part is the same. I too get UBER-STRESSED at test taking so I don't have any helpful hints there...but I noticed once I got "into" the test, I calmed down. There were a lot a questions on rules and regs too...
    GOOD LUCK-YOU CAN DO IT!!!! We are all behind you!

    Juli Bovard RN CCDS
    Rapid City, SD (REGIONAL HEALTH)
  • jlindseyjlindsey
    This group is amazing! Juli, you are cracking us up. Thanks so much and keep the ideas coming! ;)

    Jill
  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    Reveiw all portions of the study guide and be sure to take the self-test. Work on any areas of weakness revealed as you check your answers. It is important to read the entire guide.

    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCDS
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