All Entries in the "ACDIS" Category
Visit the poster presentation at ACDIS in San Diego
ACDIS attendees take in the information at the 2011 conference poster presentation. This year nearly 24 presentations are being offered.
If asked, could you describe your CDI challenges and successes on a 36 X 48-inch poster? Some of your peers have done just that and will boast their programs at the 5th Annual ACDIS Conference 2012 ACDIS Poster Presentation in San Diego.
The posters are a visual snapshot of program successes and offer you the opportunity to take tried-and-tested ideas back to your facility. Along with their posters, each presenter will provide a one-page description of the poster and the program it showcases.
Posters will be on display in the Elizabeth Foyer, outside the main conference and exhibit halls. We will be setting up later today, Wednesday, May 9, at 4 p.m., and a few will be installed early Thursday morning.
If you are attending this year’s conference, please make time to stop and view the posters, talk to the presenters, and ask questions. Your peers walk the same path you do and they can be an invaluable source of guidance.
If you cannot attend, don’t worry, we will be taking photos of the presentations and compiling a special report after the program so you can see all their hard work.
This year there are nearly 24 different presentations! Here is a list of what you can expect to see:
CDI program history and growth
- Analyn Dolopo, University of California San Diego Health, CDI Program Success
- Lisa Romanello, CJW Medical Center, The GPS of CDI
- AnnMarie Wells, CMC Main, CDI Growth in Evolving Health Care Industry
- Lynette Whitley, CMC Northeast, Program History
- Margaret Scott, Baylor Health, Inpatient Documentation Improvement Program
- Valerie Bica, Nemours-Alfred Dupont Hospital for Children, Pedi CDI, not a Medicare Program
Educational/promotional lessons
- Joi Freeman, Kindred Healthcare, Monthly Newsletter to Clinical Staff
- Cynthia Ziblis, St. Alphonsus RMC, CDI Newsletters and Educational Flyers
- Tim Weister, Mayo Clinic Rochester, CDI Education for Providers and Medical Students
- Diane Clement, Maine Medical Center, Advertise Your CDI Program
Multi-disciplinary enterprises
- Donna McIvor, KP Northern California, Remote RNs in CDI
- Wendy Platt, Baxter Regional Med Center, Using your Physician Champion to Captain Rough Seas
- Ellen Mitchell, Lutheran Medical Center, Multi-disciplinary Effort to Improve Documentation
- Kara Masucci, Morristown Memorial/Atlantic Health, It Takes a Village to Reinvigorate the Program
Quality and mortality measures
- Michelle Johnson, Quality Metrics
- Alicia Gordon, Fletcher Allen, Mortality Scores and CDI Nurses
- Pam Florence, U Kentucky HealthCare and UHC, What Drives Mortality?
- Dawn LaRoque, Riverside Health, CDI Impact on Morality Scores
- Mary Shaughnessy, Northwestern Memorial, Mortality Metrics Improvement
Additional efforts
- Sylvia Hoffman, Hoffman Consulting, Avoid Leading Queries
- Tara Kreiling, St. Mary Medical Center, Solve the Documentation Puzzle
- Susan Tiffany, Robert Packer Hospital/Gurthie, Regional Network in Rural Community
And don’t forget to vote for your favorite poster on Thursday! You’ll get a ballot in your conference bag. The winner will receive a fabulous blue ribbon to hang on their poster and then take home as a forever reminder of the 2012 Poster Presentations.
Pre-Conference Q&A: ‘The Physician Advisor’s Role in CDI’
ACDIS Advisory Board member Trey La Charite, MD, co-presents a two-day preconference event regarding the role of the physician advisor in CDI efforts
Editor’s Note: This post is part of an ongoing series of Q&As with presenters and participants from the 2012 ACDIS Conference in San Diego. Today’s post features Trey La Charite, MD, ACDIS Advisory Board member and physician advisor for the University of Tennessee Medical Center who is co-presenting the ACDIS pre-conference session titled “The Physician Advisor’s Role in CDI: A collaborative approach for success.” The two-day session began today.
Q: How much time should a physician advisor dedicate to CDI efforts every week?
A: I hate to sound like I am deflecting but it truly depends on the size of the facility and the depth of the problem. If you have a big hospital and nobody ever writes anything in the chart, you have a lifetime’s worth of work ahead. If your facility only has 100 beds and most people already write reasonable notes, then you may only need just two to three hours a week.
In general, however, I would think that around 25 to 30 hours a month is a reasonable starting estimate with the understanding that this will likely grow as the wide-reaching effects of a CDI advisor are realized in the utilization review, quality improvement, compliance, and denial/appeal worlds.
Q: What are the top three reasons to employ a physician advisor who is specifically dedicated to documentation improvement?
- Although this paints physicians in a negative light, most physicians simply take education, direction, and suggestion better from other physicians. Unfortunately, many physicians will just not listen to a nurse, HIM personnel, or an administrator.
- CDI programs need a constant, positive, and visible example of someone “walking the walk” as opposed to just “talking the talk.”
- The need for tying a program to a face. The medical staff may take a new endeavor more seriously if they know this is “Dr. So-And-So’s program.”
Q: What are three of the CDI physician advisor’s primary tasks?
- Medical staff education
- Being a visible example of following all CDI principles (definition usage, creating excellent notes, etc.)
- Establishing program direction and providing guidance
Q: What is the greatest obstacle to hiring/employing a physician advisor?
A: The fear of being seen as someone who has been seduced by the dark side of the force (i.e. – administration in the C-suite).
Q: What are you looking forward to most about this year’s ACDIS Conference?
A: Learning from other CDI professionals how they achieve CDI success in their facilities.
Conference excitement: All that’s missing is ‘Jingle Bells’
ACDIS jingle bells. Anyone have suggestions for some CDI related lyrics?
It feels like the days leading up to Christmas to me. I just can’t wait to get to the ACDIS conference in San Diego.
I admit that part of the attraction is the chance to get out of the office for a few days, take a plane trip to a great city, and let someone else cook my meals and make the bed. I know my husband will miss me, but I’m confident he won’t starve in my absence.
But the real reason I can’t wait to get to the conference is to meet the people who are driven by such passion for the work they do as CDI professionals.
I joined the ACDIS team last fall, but have worked for the parent company for 12 years, mostly in the marketing department. I wrote promotional copy for ACDIS for years, including the launch pieces back in 2007. I assumed—probably like a lot of your non-CDI peers—that writing thorough, detailed documentation was a given and probably easily done. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
In my short tenure with ACDIS I’ve developed a new respect for the work CDI professionals do. I have a pretty good handle on the mechanics of my job as the member services specialist. I can help you get certified; stay certified; award CEUs for your chapter meetings; fine tune the language in applications, web posts, and handbooks; and chase down the glitches and hitches that complicate moments in a busy day.
Now it’s time for me to learn about CDI from your point of view. I want to build my understanding of how you do your job and understand the foundational knowledge you all have obtained through your experiences that make you vital to your facility’s success. I want to learn the rules and the guidelines, and how to apply them.
You’re with ACDIS so you can be the best CDI professional you can be. I’ve got a similar goal: to be your best support partner. Let’s give it our best shot.
ACDIS advises members to ‘stay the course’ despite potential ICD-10 delay
ACDIS Advisory Board recommend facilities continue with ICD-10 preparations.
As I’m sure most of you are aware, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has proposed a one-year delay of ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS. You can read the complete release here http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-04-17/pdf/2012-8718.pdf. The go-live date for which most of us were preparing—October 1, 2013—is now extended to October 1, 2014, barring any last-moment changes.
According to CMS, many provider groups had expressed serious concerns about their ability to meet the initial Oct. 1, 2013 compliance date. The proposed change in the compliance date for ICD-10 will give providers and other covered entities more time to prepare and fully test their systems to ensure a smooth and coordinated transition to these new code sets.
ACDIS would like to offer the following guidance for our members:
Stay the course with ICD-9 and ICD-10 documentation education. Hospitals continue to struggle with documentation and coding requirements under ICD-9; the best way to prepare for ICD-10 is to perform ICD-9 correctly and negotiate the differences between it and the new coding system. Regarding the best time to begin ICD-10 training: We’ve heard anecdotal evidence of hospitals moving out their ICD-10 training dates for their coding staff, which is understandable. However, an industry-wide recommended first step is ensuring that additional required physician documentation is in place for HIM/coding staff. Getting the additional specificity necessary under ICD-10 now is a good way to ensure a seamless transition to October 1, 2014. CDI specialists should use this time to improve their core competencies and knowledge base of ICD-10.
Provide commentary to CMS. Commentary on the proposed rule is open for 30 days starting on Tuesday, April 17. If you feel strongly that the one-year delay should not be implemented, or if you believe that the one-year delay will benefit your hospital, let CMS know by providing your comments at regulations.gov. CMS reviews all provider comments, and who better to hear from than CDI specialists, for whom the change to ICD-10 will be of the greatest impact. To comment on the proposed delay to ICD-10, click the following link to the Federal Register http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=CMS-2012-0043-0001 and click the “Submit a Comment” button. Comments are due on May 17, 2012 by 11:59 p.m. ET.
Ideas for fun in San Diego
Planning on going to San Diego to attend the fifth annual ACDIS conference (May 10-11)? There’s plenty to do in the city and if you can build some personal time into your trip, I’ve got a few suggestions for you.
The Gaslamp District
The Gaslamp Quarter National Historic District is eight blocks long (from Broadway to Harbor Drive) by a little more than two blocks wide (4th, 5th, and 6th Avenues) for a total of 16 and one half blocks of shopping, dining, entertainment, and Victorian architecture excellence. It’s an easy walk from the conference hotel. Visit the web site, click on the link for coupons and enjoy discounts from some of the area merchants.
The Kissing Statue in San Diego is just one of the fun sights to see.
The Kissing Statue
The 25-foot tall, 6,000-pound sculpture is a rendition of the famous photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square in New York City at the end of World War II. It’s on loan to the city of San Diego and due to be replaced with a permanent painted bronze statue. At this writing, we’re not sure when the statue will be moved or when the new one will be installed, but look for it. And if your honey is with you, you can mimic the pose at the foot of the statue for your own photo to remember! It’s located at the foot of G Street and adjacent to the USS Midwest Aircraft Carrier Museum.
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
The USS Midway Museum is an unforgettable experience. It’s an actual naval aircraft carrier that served in the United States Navy for 47 years. Explore the exhibits, see restored aircraft on the flight deck, and take a self-guided audio tour that’s narrated by Midway sailors. Chat with docents who will share their stories about serving on board. Located on the harbor in downtown San Diego.
Old Town
Step back in time and visit beautiful Old Town San Diego, the birthplace of California. It’s right in the city and accessible by the Metropolitan Transit System. You’ll find historic sites and parks, wonderful shops and restaurants. This is a “don’t miss” for history buffs.
The San Diego Zoo
Travel from the savannah to the arctic at the San Diego Zoo. The zoo features animals from A (armadillos) to Z (zebras), including pandas, koalas, jaguars, wallaby, and wild dogs. View five species of eagles (including the bald eagle), as well as gila monsters, komodo dragons, and Panamanian golden frogs. Wear your walking shoes or take the in-park trolley. The zoo is located inside Balboa Park and you can access from the Metropolitan Transit System.
Balboa Park
A beautiful park with gardens and walking trails, museums (including Air & Space Museum, Auto Museum and the Natural History Museum),and the San Diego Zoo. You can access the park from the Metropolitan Transit System
Hotel del Coranado
The Del is the most magnificent and elegant place I’ve ever visited. When I was there a few years ago, I watched a fashion photography shoot on the beach. Built more than 120 years ago, The Del has been visited by princes, Presidents, and Hollywood elite, and has served as the backdrop for movies and books (such as Some Like It Hot, which starred Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis; The Stunt Man, which starred Peter O’Toole; Wicked, Wicked, which was completely filmed on location there, and the 1990 version of My Blue Heaven, with Steve Martin and Rick Moranis). I’m going to visit The Del and I’d love to have you come along! We’ll take the ferry across the bay and then hop a bus to our destination. Oh, I almost forgot to mention: The Del is rumored to be haunted.
The San Diego Padres at Petco Park
The Padres will be in town on Monday-Wednesday May 7-9, playing the Colorado Rockies. Monday’s and Tuesday’s games begin at 7:05 p.m.; Wednesday’s game has a 12:35 p.m. first pitch.
Public transportation
San Diego has a great public transportation system to help you get around the city and enjoy the sights.
Need more ideas?
Talk to a San Diego local. Ask the front desk staff at the hotel for their suggestions about places to visit, where to shop, and where to get a great meal. You know that business web sites tout theirs as “The Best in the City”. The locals really know where to go to find the hidden jewels that will make your visit to San Diego one to remember.
You can also visit the region’s official travel resource at www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors.
I’m looking forward to not only a great conference but visiting all the sights and sounds of San Diego and I hope you enjoy them as well!
The April edition of the CDI Journal is available for download
The April edition of the CDI Journal has been posted and is available for download. This quarter’s edition includes:
CDI input helps EHR implementation succeed, 1
CDI staff and EHR experts explain how.
Director’s note, 4
Can CDI/coding staff survive computer-assisted coding efforts?
Introducing new CDI Education Director
Hello everyone,
I’d like to take a moment to introduce Cheryl Ericson to the ACDIS membership as our new CDI Education Director.
Cheryl Ericson
Cheryl is an MS, RN, and CDIP (and soon to be CCDS). She is a former CDI manager and oversaw utilization review and CMS quality measures at The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), a large academic medical center. She has an extensive background that includes adult education, data analysis, knowledge of the healthcare revenue cycle and CMS guidelines, as well as certification as an InterQual instructor. She also has experience with RAC audits and denials.
Cheryl is a member of the ACDIS advisory board and has served on many ACDIS work groups. She served on the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) ICD-10 work group and was a contributor to the new AHIMA exam for CDI. She also contributed to the development of the CDI toolkit and coauthored the 2010 AHIMA CDI practice brief.
As our new CDI Education Director, Cheryl will be responsible for teaching our four-day CDI Boot Camp and our upcoming two-day ICD-10 for CDI Boot Camp in addition to answering your CDI questions and helping us improve our association overall. Her broad range of experiences makes Cheryl an invaluable asset to our ACDIS team and we look forward to sharing her vast knowledge and experience with you in the future. Contact her at cericson@hcpro.com. Please feel free to leave her a welcome message in the comments section below.
Thanks,
Brian
Cutoff nears for May 12 San Diego CCDS Exam
Are you planning to take the CCDS Exam at the ACDIS Conference in San Diego on Saturday May 12?
You must register for the San Diego location no later than April 11, as we have to submit the list of names to the exam company three weeks in advance. You will not be admitted to the exam room if your name isn’t on the list.
Click this link for exam particulars and to register. Email Penny Richards with questions.
Good luck!
CDI ‘Roadmap’ committee charts program priorities
Don't get lost on the road to success. The CDI Roadmap Committee will offer direction for new programs.
Although you might not have heard of it before, ACDIS has formed a group called the CDI Roadmap Committee to help develop and define some of the core structures that the CDI profession has been lacking. These include the broad goals and objectives of CDI, staffing and productivity considerations, setting new goals for mature programs, and a realistic structured outline to help map out the way.
The CDI Roadmap Committee has been meeting since September 2011. The committee currently consists of the following members:
- Glenn Krauss, RHIA, CCS, CCS-P, CPUR, FCS, PCS, CCDS, C-CDI, ACDIS Advisory Board Member, Independent Revenue Cycle Consultant in Madison, WI.
- Lynne Spryszak, RN, CCDS, CPC-A, ACDIS Advisory Board Member and independent HIM consultant in Roselle, IL.
- Donna D. Wilson, RHIA, CCS, CCDS, ACDIS Advisory Board Member and Senior Director of Compliance Concepts, Inc. in Wexford, PA.
- Cheryl Ericson, MS, RN, ACDIS Advisory Board Member and CDI manager for Medical University of South in Charleston, SC.
- Gail B. Marini, RN, MM, CCS, LNC, ACDIS Advisory Board Member and CDI manager for South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, MA.
- Beth Kennedy, RN, BS, CCS, CCDS, Associate Director, Documentation Improvement Program CMO, The Care Management Company, LLC., Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, NY.
The majority of the group’s first meeting was spent discussing the purpose and intent of the group and defining both short and long-term objectives. The committee determined that its objective is to create a phased approach to CDI success. The team decided to develop a pre-implementation timeline/checklist, then took a deeper delve into the goals/objectives of a basic CDI program and requirements and expectations for staff.
At subsequent meetings members offered drafts of a pre- implementation checklist with items such as assembling a steering committee and an outline for developing a project plan. The group also discussed sample orientation checklists, collected job descriptions for physician advisors, CDI supervisors, and CDI specialists, and discussed potential CDI evaluation criteria and assessment of CDI staff coding and clinical skills.
The CDI Roadmap Committee will likely break after it completes the “pre-implementation” and “implementation” phases of the timeline, and continue work on “ongoing maintenance” and “advanced level CDI” phases at a later date.
The committee plans to send its work to the ACDIS advisory board for approval and compile its findings in a series of White Papers available as free resources to the ACDIS membership.
Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the March 15 edition of CDI Strategies.
Pre-conference hotel rooms available at Embassy Suites San Diego
Embassy Suites located about a block from the ACDIS conference has additional rooms available for attendees.
We have been informed that The Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego is currently sold out of guest rooms for the nights of the ACDIS Pre-Conference: ICD-10 for CDI Basics Boot Camp and the ACDIS Pre-Conference: The Physician Advisor’s Role in CDI: A Collaborative Approach for Success, however we would like to suggest The Embassy Suites as an alternative option as it is only one block away from the conference hotel, and is offering a $179 rate for ACDIS conference attendees. Please be sure to mention that you are with the ACDIS Conference when booking your room. Additionally, you may want to check www.hotels.com and www.Travelocity.com for other options.
Embassy Suites Downtown San Diego
601 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
Hotel website: www.sandiegobay.embassysuites.com
Telephone: 619-239-2400
Rate: $179
Book online: http://embassysuites.hilton.com/en/es/groups/personalized/S/SANDNES-ACD-20120504/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG
