CCDS

judithbates

Question...If you can only use the DRG expert and a drug book for reference on the exam, how familiar do you need to be with CC/MCC's? I ave always used the 3m QRG and feel this will definitely be a disadvantage not having it for the test. The DRG expert has the CC/MCC's listed by ICD-9 codes only...
Did anyone feel there was any disadvantage and did you face the same issue?

sabullock

I also use the electronic encoder. No, I did not feel this was a disadvantage. The questions regarding CC/MCCs are one you should know. The test is not easy but it is fair. It tests a broad range of knowledge. Like any other test of this type you have to read each question and don't try to read stuff into it. If you have been actively doing CDI for a year you will probably have come across most of the scenarios on the exam - unless you are in a very focused speciality unit. Good luck.

Shelia Bullock, RN, BSN, MBA, CCM, CCDS
Director
Clinical Documentation Services
University of MS Medical Center
office: 601-815-3079
pager: 601-929-3840

Unknown

I have considered this same thought as I am preparing to sit for the exam. If one is somewhat familiar with the MDC's you could find the ICD-9-CM code in it's home MDC and check the list or if you are familiar with the cc/mcc's one would be able to recall them - at least I hope so.


Charlene

robert.hodges2

I have been using the ICD-9-CM manual almost exclusively. When I went to the boot camp I used the DRG Expert, but I find locating information much easier in the ICD-9 manual. Of course that’s probably because that's how I learned to do it.

Robert

Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN
Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
Aleda E. Lutz VAMC
Mail Code 136
1500 Weiss Street
Saginaw MI 48602
 
P: 989-497-2500 x13101
F: 989-321-4912
E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov
 
"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." -Albert Einstein 

mahmed1

I am planning to take test for CCDS, Please advice me which book should I read?

robert.hodges2

I'm getting ready to do the same and bought the study guide. I figure
anything helps.



Robert



Robert S. Hodges, BSN, MSN, RN

Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist

Aleda E. Lutz VAMC

Mail Code 136

1500 Weiss Street

Saginaw MI 48602



P: 989-497-2500 x13101

F: 989-321-4912

E: Robert.Hodges2@va.gov



"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the
difference between lightning and the lightning bug." Samuel "Mark Twain"
Clemens

ddraize

I found the study guide helpful, also review info on the ACDIS website including e courses

Diane Draize RN, CPUR,CCDS
Clinical Documentation Specialist

Ministry Door County Medical Center
diane.draize@ministryhealth.org
920-743-5566 ex 3143

We earn trust by working together as One Ministry to keep PATIENTS FIRST in everything we do

stacy.vaughn

all I used was the study guide along with my experience and passed!!


Stacy Vaughn, RHIT, CCS, CCDS
Data Support Specialist/DRG Assurance
Aurora Baycare Medical Center
2845 Greenbrier Rd
Green Bay, WI 54311
Phone: (920) 288-8655
Fax: (920) 288-3052

judithbates

The hardest part of the certification exam is interpreting the metrics. If you are practicing and reviewing daily you should have no problem with the clinical questions. I reviewed CHF and made sure I knew sepsis backward and forward. Remember...All you have to do is PASS!!!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!


Judi Bates RN, BSN, CCDS
CDI Specialist
856-757-3161
Beeper 66x2906

Unknown

Any idea what the pass rate is?

I'm thinking of taking the exam, but worried about how I would do. I've been a CDS for just under 2 years. Curious as to everyone's background who has successfully passed the certification.

As to study books, I've been reviewing the bootcamp material (took the online bootcamp back in the fall).

Thanks.
Kim

tdavis

There is also a CCDS Exam Study Guide that you can purchase. Good luck to everyone taking the exam!
Theresa Davis,BSN, RN, CCDS

lsipos@monument.health

CONGRATS KATY! WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE CCDS? SUGGESTIONS? I AM TAKING IT THIS SUMMER!

Juli

Unknown

Congratulations Katy!!!!!!! Take a rest before the big move you deserve it

Tracey Carey RN
Clinical Documentation Specialist
UAMS
686-7421

evanspx@sutterhealth.org

Katy: I am curious - which do you regard as the 'most difficult'?
I took the CCS a long time ago and the CCDS recently. Neither was
'easy'. But, I believe the CCDS is a better fit for my CDI work.


Don't get me wrong, the CCS is a fantastic credential, but the coding
for that test is very intricate and CPT is a large portion of the exam.
Both CCS and CCDS have clinical questions as well as coding questions
and regulatory questions.

Given that not too many have both credentials, do you have any
comparative notes?

Paul

Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS

Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Integrity, Quality Department
California Pacific Medical Center
2351 Clay #243
San Francisco, CA 94115
Cell: 415.637.9002
Fax: 415.600.1325
Ofc: 415.600.3739
evanspx@sutterhealth.org

robert.hodges2

Congratulations Katy

Robert
 
VA Core Values:  Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence (“I CARE”)
VA Core Characteristics:  Trustworthy, Accessible, Quality, Innovative, Agile, Integrated

"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug." Samuel "Mark Twain" Clemens
 

katysuegood@gmail.com

The CCS was undoubtedly way more difficult for me. I will admit, I did not study much for the CCDs and passed without difficulty. The CCS was the most difficult and stressful exam I have ever taken (including the NCLEX).
As for tips for the CCDS, the only thing I wasn't expecting was so many questions regarding labs. There really weren't that many, but it still surprised me. I had not reviewed lab data at all prior to the exam. It made it clear to me that I am too dependent on the red flag we see for abnormal lab values! Of course I know the normal values for a CBC/BMP for the most part, but some of the questions involved troponins and creatinine and other labs. I guess I am not used to looking that closely at that info. I mainly just look to see if they are elevated or not (I'm embarrassed to admit this!). Otherwise, it was pretty standard. There was plenty of time, I think I was done in about 2 hours and I was taking my time. This was a big change from the CCS where I was rushing through and still had numerous case studies I had not even looked at when the exam shut off after 4 hours.

Thanks for all your support everyone!

Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
Flagstaff Medical Center
Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
Office: 928.214.3864
Cell: 928.814.9404

sharon.cooper@owensborohealth.org

I knew you would pass without problem!! It is a breeze compared to CCS. Congratulations!

Sharon Cooper



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evanspx@sutterhealth.org

Thanks, Katy. Interesting that you found the CCS exam the more
difficult of the two, and I agree. The CCS exam is very long, and
very detailed. I did not find the clinical aspects of either exam
very difficult - either you know it or you don't. I DID find the CPT
test questions time-consuming and very detailed. (CPT coding is more
difficult than ICD in my opinion).

I, too, often depend upon the RED Flags on lab parameters to identify
abnormal value perhaps requiring clarification. I don't have ALL of
the norms memorized and there are a LOT of lab citations in the CCDS
exam.

Thanks for sharing....

Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CCDS

Supervisor, Clinical Documentation Integrity, Quality Department
California Pacific Medical Center
2351 Clay #243
San Francisco, CA 94115
Cell: 415.637.9002
Fax: 415.600.1325
Ofc: 415.600.3739
evanspx@sutterhealth.org

katysuegood@gmail.com

The CPT portion was brutal. I admit, I never look at CPT, so my knowledge of it is poor. I agree that it is not the clinical aspect. For the CCS, it was the time issue that killed me. I think I can get it if I had unlimited time but with the time constraints I was very stressed!

Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
Flagstaff Medical Center
Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
Office: 928.214.3864
Cell: 928.814.9404

vivian.gannon

Thank you for your insight, Katy and Paul. As I am preparing for the CCS exam in the very near future, I will be sure to focus on the CPT coding aspect. I am fairly comfortable with ICD 9 but it sounds like the CPT is the most challenging portion of the CCS exam.

And congratulations Katy!

Vivian Gannon RN,CCM,CCDS
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
Chesapeake VA

katysuegood@gmail.com

In all honesty, in retrospect, I probably would have skipped the CPT procedure coding for the most part. I realized that I had 6 cases left with 30 minutes left in the exam. At that point I began assigning Pdx, any simple dx I saw and the primary surgical procedure. I didn't even get to all the cases. I wasted way too much time struggling with the portion I was not familiar with and stressing about filling getting a code for each box provided. I would have gotten a higher score if I had skipped the tough parts. Everyone I know who has taken the CCS has expressed that time is the biggest factor and if you are not coding regularly, it's a huge issue.I am generally a very fast test taker and there is no way I ever would have had the time to comprehensively code each case.

Good luck!

Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
Flagstaff Medical Center
Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
Office: 928.214.3864
Cell: 928.814.9404

ddouthit

Vivian,

I agree with Katy...I would concentrate on Principle diagnosis, Mcc, and CC for cases and principle dx for outpatient cases. The CPTs are going to be very time consuming. Time is the biggest challenge when taking the CCS. If at the end, you have time to go back then would worry about CPTs.
The Professional Review guide for CCS is a great study guide. You can find it on Amazon.

Good Luck!

Dorie Douthit RHIT, CCS

annnd2009@gmail.com

I don't need to take for a year I've only done cdi for 1 year. I also
use 3m encoder Don't use drg book daily much. Any advice? Waiting?
Start getting ready and take (length prep?)? Try and use book more?
Thanks ann

vivian.gannon

Thank you so much for your advice!

Vivian Gannon RN,CCM,CCDS
Chesapeake Regional Medical Center
Chesapeake VA

ddouthit

Good luck! A good grasp of ICD9 and guidelines and you will do great.

katysuegood@gmail.com

I've also only been a CDI for a year and use the 3M encoder. The one think I had going for me is that I retrospectively review all deaths with our coding manager after they have been draft coded. So that does give me some coding familiarity. I used the review guide put out by AHIMA. I did not really start studying until a week before... and then I CRAMMED!! I am not recommending this approach (haha!). I was studying every night the week prior from when the kids went to bed until at least midnight. The weekend prior (I tested on a Monday)I came to my office and studied almost all day both days. I did go over coding clinic but I didn't find that very helpful. Most the cases on the exam are fairly generic. I think it is especially important to be very familiar with the guidelines in the coding book. Even though it is open book, you do not have time to look things up. Other than that, I think it's just practice, practice, practice. The mult choice questions on the exam were simple in my opinion and I did very well on that portion. I will admit, I did not do well on the coding portion (As I said, I did not even get to all the cases. I do believe I would have done far better employing better test-taking strategy). But, my scores on the other portions of the exam carried me through.

Good luck!

Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
Flagstaff Medical Center
Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
Office: 928.214.3864
Cell: 928.814.9404

mdominesey

Vivian,

I have been taking a CCS Prep class for the past 5 weeks and I have found it to be very helpful in getting me to think like a coder. I realize that having the CCDS and CDIP are more pertinent to my job, but getting the CCS will help me with working with the coders who still look upon me with suspicion (my hospital never had a CDI program before me). Also, the CCS is quite a nice "feather" to have, evidenced by several physicians we know who have it.

Mark


Mark N. Dominesey, RN, BSN, MBA, CCDS, CDIP
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


http://www.sibley.org

Unknown

Thank you for your input!! And Congratulations! I aspire to have all those certifications. Taking CCDS in 2 weeks. I will bone up on my lab values!

-Jane

evanspx@sutterhealth.org

I agree with earlier advice regarding strategy for CCS -

1. Confirm the correct Principle Diagnosis
2. Confirm correct reporting of Secondary Conditions affecting MS-DRG Assignment
3. Confirm correct coding of O.R. procedures

Regarding CPT - at least get familiar with the CPT book - it is entirely different language.

If U run out of time..at least try to answer each question, even if just your best guess.

Thanks...Paul

katysuegood@gmail.com

I do not actually know if this is true, but I was told that extra points are awarded for getting the Pdx right. So for ex, if you have 13 blanks each blank is worth one point and then an extra point is awarded for having the Pdx right. This is why I suggest trying to get a Pdx on each case. As far as I know, there is no other "weighting" of responses. So, you get equal points for assigning HTN, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia as you do for assigning some obscure infection of the toenail. Since you will likely have those codes (DM, HTN, etc...) memorized by the time you test, it makes sense to look for those "easy" straightforward codes first (after the Pdx). This will help you get as many boxes filled correctly in the shortest amount of time.
You know how many codes you should have based on the boxes. I would read the chart and make notes of the dx I saw. Then I would code those and look to see how many Dx I was missing. I killed myself searching for diagnoses I was missing on the first 5 cases or so. That was a waste of time. I should have just coded what was obvious the first time I read the chart and then moved on.

Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
Flagstaff Medical Center
Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
Office: 928.214.3864
Cell: 928.814.9404

catladyrn

Katy,

Thanks so much for your insights here and in the previous thread on taking the CCS exam as an RN. I've been kicking around the idea, and have bought the review book, but have been holding back because I'm afraid of CPT. I'm going to take your advice, and Paul's, and get serious about studying and try to take it later this year. Even though it would then mean having to take advanced ICD-10 training in order to keep it. I thought the CCRN exam that I took back in 1989 was the hardest test going, but I suspect the CCS exam is 10 times harder.

Thanks again,
Renee

Linda Renee Brown, RN, CCRN, CCDS, MA
Senior Consultant, CDI/Nursing
Jacobus Consulting, Inc.

katysuegood@gmail.com

Uh oh. My husband started a CCRN prep class yesterday....

Katy Good, RN, BSN, CCDS, CCS
Clinical Documentation Program Coordinator
AHIMA Approved ICD-10CM/PCS Trainer
Flagstaff Medical Center
Kathryn.Good@nahealth.com
Office: 928.214.3864
Cell: 928.814.9404

jamiedugan2012

You have to face fear head on! You go for it.... I am very new in CDI less than six months but plan on taking it and also the CDIS one as well when I am eligible. Just start and go from one thing to the next and before you know it- you will make it just fine!

Jamie Dugan RN
CDI Specialist
904-202-4345
Baptist Health System Jacksonville Florida