Use of Physician Advisors
How is your facility utilizing your physician Advisors? We are in the
process of training 4 new PA's in addition to the existing PA and there
is a disagreement among leadership as what to do with them. Some say
concurrent review of charts, others say education some say a mix of
both..... How are you using your Physician Advisors?
Thank you,
Tiffany
So let it be written, So let it be done.
process of training 4 new PA's in addition to the existing PA and there
is a disagreement among leadership as what to do with them. Some say
concurrent review of charts, others say education some say a mix of
both..... How are you using your Physician Advisors?
Thank you,
Tiffany
So let it be written, So let it be done.
Comments
initial model, we sought physicians who were respected, broad clinical
knowledge base and interested in the concept and willing to participate.
Our largest problem was that we looked for physicians to devote several
hours a week on a prn basis and on top of their normal schedule -- that
second part has been problematic, their schedules are way to busy to
allow consistent participation.
This is how I envision the role:
Physician Advisors
Ø Review coded charts with a clinical perspective toward
identifying additional diagnosis that are viable alternative Pdx or
cc/mcc.
Ø Discuss results with coding staff.
o This will lead either to a clarification that will allow the
diagnosis to be coded or demonstrate a need and foundation for a query.
o The advisor should be able to assist with the clinical
information & wording needed to support the query.
Ø Support obtaining a response from the attending of record when a
query is submitted. This will involve contacting the attending directly
in the event of no response.
o If query was initiated by a coder, the PA will review the case
and the query.
o If in agreement, will discuss with attending.
Ø Physician advisors can be anticipated to provide clinical
education and understanding of clinical issues, treatments, significance
of findings, etc.
Ø Physician Advisors will provide group (medical department) and
individual education.
o How to improve documentation to accurately reflect condition
reporting/ICD9 code assignment and DRG assignment.
o Why the individual physician should be concerned about correct
disease reporting.
Ø Mentoring
o Guide the PA in gaining familiarity with needed software (3M,
chart view).
o Support the PA in learning and understanding coding guidelines
and the DRG system.
o Be available for questions and discussion as the physician
advisors review charts. Initially this will be in close proximity but
as physicians become more comfortable with software, etc. will be by
email or short informal meeting separate from time physician reviews
records.
Ø Longer term will serve as a support as well as a communication
link at the request of the PA.
Don