Remote CDI

I'm wondering if anyone on this talk group is performing remote CDI? If so;
1. Average hourly pay scale.
2. Do they track by key stroke?
3. I heard Kaiser people some years ago say they had to have a separate workspace in the house and cameras showing it. Is that true generally?
4. Anything else to add that you think would be helpful.

Thanks, Donna Kent
donna.kent@yahoo.com

Comments

  • I work remotely from home but the rest of the staff is onsite. They do occasionally work from home in instances of bad weather or issues like that which prevent them from being in the office.
    I am not monitored in any way and I am salaried (as are all our CDIs). I understand the desire to make sure that people are working but I think I would find keystroke monitoring annoying. It wouldn’t account for reading the records, conversing via phone with other staff, using the DRG/coding books, etc. I think one thing to think about is that if you initiate cameras or keystroke technology is someone going to monitor and who would that be? I think I would monitor remote staff by checking productivity and regular audits of their work to ensure quality. This seems more valuable to me.
    Payscale in my opinion should be the same as onsite staff and all work related materials should be provided or a stipend should be provided to compensate. In my case, I am provided with a laptop with docking station, 2 monitors, my books, and a cell phone, as far as basic equipment.


    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
  • Thanks Katy. I'm wondering about it for myself not setting up anywhere. Very helpful information.
    Donna
  • "Cameras"...REALLY!? Wow...just wow. Deal breaker for me!!!!

    I work remotely - my work can be audited in the same manner as when I was on-site. I actually am on-site some, and working at home some. This is as need basis. Facility provides me all of the basics.

    Hourly Wage - no difference due to fact I work remotely.

    Since we are in EPIC, all of my work, such as charts audited, query production, may be audited.

    Remote work is becoming more popular in very high cost areas as the middle class leaves ultra expensive areas on the West Coast...just my opinion? I think this is the wave of the future. My employer is based in San Francisco and I can't afford to live and work there...it is not feasible.

    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS
     
    Manager, Regional Clinical Documentation & Coding Integrity
    Sutter West Bay
    633 Folsom St., 7th Floor, Office 7-044
    San Francisco, CA 94107
    Cell:  415.637.9002
    Fax:  415.600.1325
    Ofc:  415.600.3739
    evanspx@sutterhealth.org
  • We started a trial remote CDI earlier this year. Generally went well, currently those working from are essentially full time at home (exceptions being meetings, education, etc.). We saw maintained or better quality, quantity, metrics, etc. Have not had any work space on units, so no real loss there. Fully electronic EHR.

    Salary no different from working on site. Exempt, not hourly (as always have been).
    Monitor metrics, etc.... no consideration for key stroke monitoring, camera, etc. Expect professional commitment and behavior (and have continued to see that). Productivity and time monitoring is little different from when on site. Requirement to maintain or improve to be able to go home and continue at home.

    Computers provided. Don't provide cell phones -- initially had a couple rotating on site to handle needed communication -- found not really needed. If CDS's want voice communication, expected at their expense to utililize a second land line (dedicated). Concerned about personal privacy, so did NOT want them using their personal cell phones. Desk, chair, office furniture to be supplied by CDS, expect reasonable ergonomic accommodation. Expect a dedicated work space conducive to working. Locked drawer if have anything printed with ANY HIPPA information, and to bring in periodically to shred. Don't absolutely need printer, so not provided but could use personal printer. We have an internal instant messenger system which is very helpful along with email for team communication.

    Really do need to be able to deliver all of the electronic tools and resources -- EHR, encoder, email, references, etc.

    Some draw backs for communication and collaboration. Some real issues to figure out as far as training/orientation new team members ... happened to have 2 newer when we started. Had 2 mentors for each of the two new staff. Mentors alternated whom was required to be on site to orientate/mentor.

    Webex's were helpful at times, though there are occasions when face to face is better (and is required).

    I think has been a real success.

    Don
  • edited May 2016
    Don, bet you'll be inundated with applications!
  • Thank you to all. "And to all a good night." Haha. I didn't realize so many people were working remotely. Glad to know it's gaining momentum. I'm in the job market and really hoping to get something remote now. Thanks again. Hope everyone enjoys a great holiday season. Hope to connect at the next annual conference. Donna
  • edited May 2016
    I had not realized how common remote work is for CDI.
    The program here is still without a full EMR so it would not be an option at this time. In discussing remote work with other CDS's at the ACDIS conference though, I kept coming back to the question...how do you impact the providers that don't 'buy in' to working with us yet?
    Talking with the providers in the hallways daily is how our work continues to increase in impact and effectiveness. We go to physician meetings and do short presentations monthly. It is hard for me to visualize the work without the personal interaction.
    Does the EMR really make it possible to skip the interaction?

    Janice

    Janice Schoonhoven RN, MSN, CCDS
    Clinical Documentation Integrity
    Manager- PeaceHealth Oregon West Network
  • edited May 2016
    I plan on sending our CDS staff home 1 day a week (January). Currently, we round daily with our medical teams but each CDS has a "non review day" that they use to get caught up and prep for education. We are going to convert that day to the work from home day.

    Tiffany Estes, RHIA, CCDS
    Supervisor, CDI and Coding
    UNCH Hospitals
  • edited May 2016
    I don't think a program could ever go completely remote. I would think that depending on hospital size you would need at least one person either dedicated or rotating weekly, monthly, etc to be onsite for educational sessions and 1:1s.
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