CDI Model with HIM concurrent coding

deanna-brennan@uiowa.edudeanna-brennan@uiowa.edu
in CDI Management

Our hospital is considering a change to our HIM/CDI model. This change would mean concurrent coding would be completed by the coding team prior to the CDI reviewing the chart. We are hoping to increase communication between the two departments, increase accuracy and allow our CDI team additional time to take an active role in provider education, huddles and rounds.

I'd love to hear from other programs currently using this model.  We want to be sure we have an good idea of the barriers we might come up against, as well as the positive/negative take away other programs have found using this model.

Thank you for any feedback you can give.

Deanna

Comments

  • ebraunebraun

    Our program does concurrent coding.  I have a coder and a CDI Specialist paired up.  The CDI Specialist sends coders a patient list each day and they pick up those patients.  We do not always have the coding team review prior to CDI, it just depends on who gets there first. 

    While our CDI and Coding is technically two departments, we function as one and both departments report to myself (former CDI RN).  We have amazing team work between the two groups.  Each group has their own areas of expertise and they work to compliment one another, not work against each other.  We do not have any issues with bickering or a "power struggle" between the two groups.  We perform DRG reconciliation between the nurse and the coder who worked the encounter and they are always able to resolve their issues and talk through the encounter together. 

    Our coders and CDI Specialists really like concurrent coding.  It allows collaboration between the two groups and real time communication with the providers to get any queries answered at the time the patient is in the hospital.  We have a great team and I love that we have the two sets of eyes with different backgrounds of expertise reviewing encounters together. 

  • deanna-brennan@uiowa.edudeanna-brennan@uiowa.edu

    Thanks Erica!  This makes me feel a bit less anxious about the process. I find the pairing a very interesting idea as well. I appreciate you taking the time to discuss this.


    Thank you,

    Deanna

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