working remotely

cynthia.a.goeweycynthia.a.goewey
in CDI Talk Archive
Hi,
We may have the opportunity to work from home 1 day/week. We have one service where the CDI’s page the providers to discuss the query (per the services request We are investigating whether our pagers are long distance pagers so the providers could page us with a number to call them on and/or if our phones have the ability to forward a call. ). We were wondering if any of you that work from home page providers and if so what is your process; do they call you at your home number, do they page you and you call them back, etc? Any thoughts/suggestions?
Thanks,
Cindy

Cindy Goewey RN, BSN, CCDS
Clinical Documentation Specialist
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
1 Medical Center Dr
Lebanon, NH 03756
Phone 603-653-6814
Pager 4741

Comments

  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited April 2016
    I work from home and I have a work-provided cell phone that I use instead of a land line. I am available on this cell. Also, we have a CDI 'help-line' that goes to our department secretary (who is not just for CDI but is for the entire Quality department). If providers call there, she will route them to an on-site CDI.

    I routinely have my work cell forwarded to my private cell in certain circumstances as well (ex: travel for work). This way I do not have to give out my personal cell but do not have to travel with two phones.

    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


  • lsipos@monument.healthlsipos@monument.health
    edited April 2016
    Charlene

    We all work from the Hospital, but I too would love to work from home-at least part time. The only disadvantage I see is that there would be literally no interaction with providers on a daily basis. We are almost 100% electronic, but providers still need assistance to walk through how to I-sign queries etc. We are also educate new provider 1:1 and go to many ICD 10 meetings here on campus. I think for us, it is nice they see us too. We often have providers stop in our office too, so it is nice to be visible. Don't get me wrong, if it was ever offered here- would jump at the chance!

    Juli

  • Linda_RhodesLinda_Rhodes
    edited April 2016

    Charlene and Juli,
    We began an implementation of a work from home program last October and
    currently have 8 CDIS staff working from home 2 days/week. This still
    allows them the opportunity to interact with providers at the hospital 3
    days a week. So far, we have encountered very few issues. We have very
    strict requirements and guidelines. If you are interested, please email
    me privately and I will send you our guidelines.
    Thanks,
    Linda


    Linda Rhodes RN, BSN, CCDS
    Manager Clinical Documentation
    Improvement
    New Hanover Regional Medical Center
    Wilmington, North Carolina 28402
    Office # 910-815-5544
    Cell " 910-777-8344
    e-mail : linda.rhodes@nhrmc.org

  • katysuegood@gmail.comkatysuegood@gmail.com
    edited April 2016
    I work from home but the rest of my team is onsite. I think in an idea situation someone would always be on-site but you could rotate? That onsite person could be available to physicians as well as other staff members if they needed direct physician contact to be made.
    For me personally, working from home provides great work-live balance with increased productivity. The flexibility is amazing. For the hospital is reduces costs of office space and other ancillary costs. I have been doing this for almost 3 years now so we are pretty well set up as far as web meetings, messaging, and scheduled meetings as far as communicating with other staff and such but I will never deny that there are obstacles for the entire team due to me being remote. Also, I think it only works for certain people. You have to be very self-directed. It is easy to get distracted. I miss the interaction face-to-face with colleagues. I also miss all those side conversations before/after meetings and in hallways that are often very important. Additionally, there is the isolation of working from home. I certainly miss going in and seeing 'live' people... and wearing real clothes to work ;-).

    If I had it my way I'd be in the office a day or two a week. But that's not an option currently. And there is no way (at this point) I would trade in my remote position for a FT on-site position. Not a chance.


    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

  • martin.conroymartin.conroy
    edited April 2016
    I have two CDI teams one onsite & one remote. They have different job descriptions & responsibilities. I do not have hybrid people that can work both onsite & remote. My remote staff functions as a concurrent coding team that provide DRGs, projected LOS, potential CDI opportunities, and alerts for potential core measures. The onsite staff is paired with the remote staff in a one to 2 ratio. The onsite staff knows DRGs & potential CDI issues prior to reviewing on the floor.
    I understand the pull to work from home (I have a company computer in my home) and have managed a remote coding staff for a number of years. I approach home work from a management perspective and advise a well thought out long term plan rather than allowing remote work to just happen. As organizations move to electronic records the functions & opportunities need to be managed.

    Marty


  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited April 2016
    We have some working remotely, and some on-site. Due to the very high costs of living in the San Francisco area, working remotely is a viable attraction as it is difficult to recruit.

    With EPIC, we can all review any record at any site within our system from any location w/ proper internet connection and security.

    We travel to sites to consult, show the flag, and provide education. Honestly, I think we should embrace remote audits given the flexibility provided.

    PE

    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: 415.412.9421

  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited April 2016
    I think remote is fine as long as you ensure strategic contact w/ clinicians. Ideally, you could an office on-site staffed w/ one of the most capable CDI members, and that person can serve as a CDI communication center.

    We use EPIC, and I think the physicians often spend less time on the floor charting, and more time seeing patients, preferring to document from home or from their office.

    It is true that one has little chance for interaction w/ colleagues working from home, but we have a weekly web meeting to keep each other informed.

    I think working remotely offers advantages.

    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: 415.412.9421

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