consultant selection

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in CDI Talk Archive
Does anyone have suggestions of questions to ask vendors about their consultant program for CDI? Our facility is going to select a consultant group and we would like to ask them all the same questions to help with out selection process. (I know I've seen this discussion before, but can't find it with a search)

Thanks for any help.
Laura Bohls, RN CDI

Comments

  • dbutlerdbutler
    edited May 2016
    Happens to be a blog post in the works on that specific topic.
    Not sure when Melissa has it scheduled to go live (or if she has accepted as the final version for posting).

    If you are imminently going to be needing questions, email me and I'll be happy to send the current draft of the post.

    Don

    Donald A. Butler, RN, BSN
    Manager, Clinical Documentation
    PCMH, Greenville NC
    dbutler@pcmh.com
  • sbeattysbeatty
    Go to the ACDIS website and click on the CDI Quarterly Journal tab. If you scroll backward to October 2009, there is an article on selecting the right consulting firm. I didn't re=read it but remember it being there, so went back to find it. Good Luck. If you'd like to contact me off-board, I can share with you our expereience with a consultant and what made us to decide to go it alone.
  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    You can call or e-mail me privately, if you wish. We used a
    consultant, and it was beneficial - I feel this consultant provided us
    with education regarding the proper way to, among other topics,
    compliantly construct query forms. The knowledge gained was valuable.


    Paul



    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P
    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.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    Don: The firm initially provided a number of nicely done query forms for the typical high-volume and problematic issues, such as SIRS, Etiology/type of PNA, CHF, and Renal Function. Evidence-based criteria was cited and used for definitions provided on each form. The definitions were approved and vetted by our Medical Advisors prior to field testing.

    The firm actually provided finished products for a number of disease processes, and we like the general format so much, we have adopted the general format as our general template. We now customize the templates as our current CDI team is comfortable devising query forms independently.

    I will attach a copy of a query form that we devised independently.

    The firm also did the usual other work, to include:

    * Baseline assessment of documentation and coding (sampling)

    * MD to MD education - both on-site and remote

    * Review of written P&P and Job PD


    Feel free to call me anytime and I can give you more information.


    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P
    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
  • dbutlerdbutler
    edited May 2016
    Thanks Paul, useful information. I like & respect that you also had these reviewed & vetted by your organizational Medical Advisors.
    I will attempt to call as I'd like to discuss further about your specific experience.

    Don
  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    Don: Always a pleasure speaking to you and reading your postings, as
    wll

    Feel free to give me a call anytime.

    PE


    Paul Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P
    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
  • kmckaigkmckaig
    edited May 2016
    Paul, which firm is this? If you previously posted, I missed it.
    Thx,
    Karen


    Karen McKaig, BSN, RN, CCM, CPUR, CCDS
    Case Manager
    Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Baxter Regional Medical Center
    Mountain Home, AR 72653
    870-508-1499
    kmckaig@baxterregional.org
  • evanspx@sutterhealth.orgevanspx@sutterhealth.org
    edited May 2016
    Karen: Feel free to give me a phone call and/or a private e-mail
    message and I will be happy to share with you. I am not 'certain' we
    are allowed to make recommendations regarding commercial activities on
    this site? (I could be wrong - If so, Mellissa might render an
    opinion)?


    P. Evans, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P
    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
  • dbutlerdbutler
    edited May 2016
    I am also not certain about ACDIS' position.

    However, I would VERY MUCH hesitate mentioning specific firms or commercial experiences. There was a specific example I had in mind (actually one of several, but this one involved a posting here) with my blog post "Social Media: Untangling the webs" http://blogs.hcpro.com/acdis/2011/12/social-media-untangling-the-webs/

    I know when I've had conversations with others about professional experiences, I typically have both positive and negative comments that I offer both honestly and as objectively as I can. Unfortunately, comments can come around to bite. This has happened before...perhaps not without partial justification, but there was NO malice intended.

    I would be concerned about potential ramifications.
    I have done exactly as Paul has offered -- individual private communications to share honest, objective perspectives.

    Don
  • kmckaigkmckaig
    edited May 2016
    Thanks for the feedback. On the ACMA Learning Link, we've used the link as a communication tool to network and seek professional information to then make our own choices rather than as a marketing tool to further some company agenda. I don't think it should be a marketing tool in that sense. However, I personally think it should be ok to share "general" individual/facility experiences in a professional manner without feeling like we are infringing on some fragile territory. For some of us, in particular those of us who may not be in large cities and therefore don't have the resources that others do, it's nice to be able to obtain information on resources we may not otherwise have and then use it to do our own research.

    Just to clarify, I wasn't asking for a recommendation for a consulting firm. I was merely asking about the firm which was being referenced in the e-mail. I thought some of the work they had done sounded interesting and wanted the firm's name so as I could do some research on whether they had something out there my facility might be able to use. The way the messages read, I thought I had missed the name somewhere. Didn't think I was treading anywhere that would prompt questions on the ACDIS position.

    I don't necessarily look at CDI Talk as a "social media" site. I look at it as a professional link that allows us to network with other like professionals to sort out the issues that impact us and our organizations in today's healthcare climate. I may be wrong but that is my take on it.

    Paul, thanks for the offer. When I get a chance, I will try to give you a call.

    Happy New Year To ALL!!!
    Karen


    Karen McKaig, BSN, RN, CCM, CPUR, CCDS
    Case Manager
    Clinical Documentation Specialist
    Baxter Regional Medical Center
    Mountain Home, AR 72653
    870-508-1499
    kmckaig@baxterregional.org
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